The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-05
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly to literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science
protesting entire disdan Of tasteful selections though
lis matter has been as will continue to be- in the MAN,
Party politics and controversial theology, as far as pos.
sibe, jealousy excluded. They are sometimes
blended with discussions in literature in moral science,
otherwise unobeconable, as to gain admttance 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 wherewh
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work; and is the editors aim that they should
have threeiold 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 read and to
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only to be burned In this age OF publ
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undiscrimnating student, impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned is one OF
the most nestimabc and indispensable Of auxilarcs 10
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view 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
lishcd-sometimes of mean stran-to manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetica taste and talents OF our
country.
The times appear, for several reasons demand such
work-and not one alone, but many The public mind
is feversh and ritaed STILL from political strics
The soft, assuasive influence Of literature is needed to
allay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
riotng abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by rdicule, into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords it over an immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in notion to arouse
the enlightened and their number tina, the
great enemy Of popular government may longer brood
like porentous cloud the destines OF our country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent be employed than PERIODICAL on the plan Of
the Messenger il that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such an agent In all
the Union, south Of Washington, there but two literary
periodicals. Norhward Of that city there probably at
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 withthoSe
Of the Northern Mo- for in wealth, talents and TASTE
may Justly claim at least equality with our oc-
hren and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords if we choose, twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy
1t from deep sense Of this local want, that he
word SOUTHERN was engrafted On the name OF ms
periodical and not with any design TO noursh local pre-
udices or advocate supposed local interests Far from
such thought it is the editors fervent wish to see e
North and South bound endearngy together forever IN
the silken bands OF mutual kindness and affection fS
from meditang hostility TO the North, he has ALREADY
drawn and he hopes hereafter to draw much OF his choc
matter thence; ana happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the oh
better contribute in any essential degree to dispcl NE
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both ana
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF ra'cf""
love. 8-..r.a ,,-
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached me
fifth No of its third volume How far il has acted out Ge
IDEAS here uttered II Is not for the editor to say I
believes, however, that it falls not further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short o.
theory. ~ .. 49,,
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of the
work contains GA large superroyal pages printed IN We
very handsomest manner, on new type, and on pap,
equal at least to that which any other periodca "
printed in country.
No subscription will be received for less than avoluW,
and must commence with the current one Inc Pr'ct
IS per volume, which must be paid IN all cases al 'r %
Of subscribing. This is particularly adyGnea 70 nov
avoid misapprehension, future misrepresentation "a
M order will be attended TO unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription Gin,
gle No for all distances under 100 mies-oVer ioV ''
ten cents. a, uosso,.
800, he addressed 10 THOMAS w. WHITE.
Southern Literary Messenger Office, kiehmoha'