The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-24
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
ioMAs W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and
processing entire disdan Of tasteful seiecfion though
its matter has BEEN viii continue to be- in the main
original.
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
sble, are jealousy excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature or in moral science
otherwise unobectonable, to gain admance for the
sake Of the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens they incidental only not
primary They dross tolerated only because it
not well be severed from the sterling wherewith
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and is the editors aim that they should
have ,hreefold tendency--to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed,to direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be and
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only be burned In this age OF pub
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhem every undiscriminatng student, impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned is Of
the nestimabe and indispensable of auxiliares
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in viewu utility amusement,
or both-Historical Sketches,-and "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history yet calculating it, and height
ening its interestingly be regarded forming the staple
OF the work And OF Indigenous poetry enough is pub
lished-sometimes Of mean stranto manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetcal taste and talents of our
country.
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
work-and not alone, but many. The public mind
is eversh and rrtaed STILL from recent political strfes
aay that fever and soo,he that irritation. Vice and folly
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, lashed by ridcue into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords il immense proportion Of
people Every spring should be in motion, arouse
the enlightened and to increase their number that the
great enemy Of popular government may no longer BROOD
like portentous cloud the destnes Of country.
And to accomplish all these ends what powerful
agent can be employed than PERIODICAL on the plan Of
the Messenger if that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such agent In all
the Union, south Of Washington there but two literary
periodicals. Nohward OF that city, there probably at
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified by
the wealth. the leisure the native talent the actual
literary Of the Southern people, compared with ihosa
Of the Norheml Mo- for in wealth, talents and taste,
we may justly claim at least equality with our bre-
hren; and domestic Institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords if We choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy
was from deep sense q this local want 'na' M, me
periodical and not with any design TO noursh local pre-
JUDGES to advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought il is the editors ervent wish to the
North and South bound endearnsly together forever
the silken bands of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditatng hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes draw much Of his choicest
matter thence ano happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages, by making each region know the other
BETTER contribute in any essential degree TO dispel the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace of both, and
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF raternA
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached the
fifth No Of its third volume How far il has acted out the
ideas here uttered il in not for the editor 10 say. lie
believes, however, that it falls further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number OF The
work contains Ga large supcrroya pages printed in the
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal least that which any other periodical IS
printed in country.
No subscription will be reccivedfor less than avoume,
and must commence with the current one The Price
as per volume which must be paid in all al the time
Of subscribing This is particularly advered TO now 70
avoid Misrepresentation, or future misnnderstandnga
no order will hereafter be attended TO unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage the Messenger is six cents on any sn
ale No for all distances under 100 mesoyeT 100 miles,
ten cents !, =.
An communications or letters relative TO the Messcn-
ger must be addressed to THoMs w WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, va