The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-10-07
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

| THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
TNHIS is MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
L. chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope OF Science and not
protesting an entire dsdain OF tasteful selections, though
ito a,or hao boon, it will continue to be, in the
original
sble, jealously excluded They are sometimes
blended with discussions in Literature moral
otherwise unohectonable, as 10 gain admtance for the
sake OF the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only
primary They dross, tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling ore wherewith
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors aim that they should
have a threefold endency-to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reyiewed,to direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be read,and 10
him against wasting time and money upon that large
ber which merit only be burned In this age Of publ
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhem every Understanding student, impartial
criticism, governed by the views Just mentioned NJ
the most nestimabe and Indispensable of auxilaes
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility amusement
or both--Hlstorlcal Sketches,-and Reminisccnccs OF
events too minute Tor history yet elucidatng IT, and height
ening its Interestingly BIO regarded forming the staple
of the work. And Of Indigenous poetry, enough pub
llshed-somctimes of strain-o manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetcal taste and talents Of ou
country
The times appear for several reasons demand such
! work-and not one alone, but many The public mud
IS eversh and iritated STILL from recent political strS
The soft assuasive influence of literature is needed to
aay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and toy
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by rdlcule into their fitting hanns
Ignorance lords it immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in notion to arouSt
the enlightened, and TO increase their number that the
great enemy of popular government may longer brood
like por,entous cloud, the destnes of country
And TO accomplish all these ends, what more Powcrtu,
agent be employed than periodical, the plan OF
the Messenger f that plan be but carried out in practice
The South peculiarly, requires such an agent IN "I
periodicals Northward Of that city, there probably
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified by
the wealth. the leisure. the native talent or the actual
literary taste OF the Southern people compared with iSr
of the Northern No for in wealth, talents and taste
We may justly claim at least an equality with our hF'
hren; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords if choose, twice the leisure
Tor reading and writing, which they ENJOY
was from deep of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN was engratted on the name Of this
periodical and not with any design to nourish local
udices, TO advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought is the editors ieryent wish to r
North and South bound endearngy together forever,
the silkcn bands Of mutual kindness and affection fn
from medltatng hostility TO the North, he has ALREADY
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much Of his CHOICEST
matter thence ana happy indeed will he deem hnls,3i
should his pages by making each region know the ohH
better contribute any essential degree to diSpc tic
lowering clouds that now threaten the peace of both and
10 brighten and strengthen the. sacred ties OF ratemd
love. -
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached The
fifth No. of its third volume How far it has acted out he
ideas here uttered, il is not for the editor 10 he
believes, however that it falls not further short OF N IN
than human weakness usually makes practice fall Short W
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly, Each number Of 'ac
work contains 81 large super-royal pages printed IN ne
very hsndsomcst manner, on new type, and on paper
equal at least to that which any other periodical "
printed in our country.
No subscription will he received for less than avoun
and must commence with the current one The pncr "
IS per volume which be paid in all eases at the mr
of subscribing This is particularly advored 10 no" 10
avoid misapprehcnsion, future MISUNDERSTANDING ~"
order will hereafter he attended to unless accomPaH1
with the price OF subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents on any .
gle No for all distances under 100 mes-ovcr 100 miles,
ten cents ... :,
All communications letters, relative 10 the MesS'0'
ger, must be addressed to THOMAS w WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office Richmond Va