The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-10-17
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THIS is MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
chiefly 10 literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and MOI
protesting dsdaln of tasteful selections thon
has been, II will continue TO be, IN the man!
,ortgianL .- -...
Party politics and controversial theology far pos
sble lcalouSS excluded They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise unoblectionable 10 gain admance for thu
sake of the valuable matter 10 which they adhere
but whenever that happens they incidental only not
primary They dross, tolerated only because II
not well be severed from the sterling where" It'll
| incorporated
in the work and it is the editors that they should
have threefod lendency-to convey in condcnSri
FORM such valuable truths Interesting incidents rs ~"
embodied IN the works revewed-to direct the reader
attention 10 books that deserve TO be ead,-and 10 "ar
him against wasting time and money upon that large nuns
ber which merit only To be burned In this aye OF p'I
cations that by their variety and multitude distract AMI
overwhelm every undscrminatlng student 1npari al
criticism governed by tie views Just mentioned Is one Of
the most nesmable and indispensable of auxlarcs, 10
! HIM who does wish 10 discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in utility amusement,
or hoth,-l1Istorical Skeches-and "reminiscences OF
minute for history calculating and height
cnng It's interestingly he regarded forming the sta
OF the work And Of indigenous poetry, enough pu
lished-sometmes of sraln-to manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poeca taste and talents OF olt
country.
The times appear, for several reasons demand sue
Il work-and not alone, but many. The public MID
is eversh and irrtatcd STILL from political snies
The soft influence of literature is needed 10
aay that fever and soothe that irritation VICE and oS
roting abroad They should be driven by Indignant
rebuke dashed by rdicule, into their fitting haun'>
Ignorance lords it immense proportion OF oar
people. Every spring should be set in motion TO aou>
the enlightened and 10 increase their number so that th
great of popular government may longer brood,
like portcnous cloud, the destinies of country
And to accomplish ali these ends, what more powerful
agent be employed than PERIODICAL the plan OF
the Messenger II that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such agent In all
the Jnon south of Washington there are but two literary
periodicals. Northward 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 with iho>e
of the Northern No: for in wealth, talents, and iaSf'
We may justly claim at least equality with our ine,
thren and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords If we choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
Ii was from deep sense of this local want that ne
word SOUTHERN was engraftcd on the oil tlfs
periodical and not with any design to noursh local pre-.
dccs or 10 advocate supposed local interests Far rom
such thought the editors iervent wish 10 see re
North and South bound endcaringly together forever n
the sken bands of mutual kindness and affection Far
from medtatng hostility 10 the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter TO draw much OF his cho
matter thence; happy indeed will he deem hims a,
should his pages by making each region know the o'
better contribute in any essential degree to dspo TIE
lowering clouds that now threaten the peace Of both a
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties oil iraci"i
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No of its third volume. How tar 1t has acted out We
ideas here uttered il not for the editor TO say II"
believes however, that it falls not further short OF '
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short :"
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number Of hr
work contains Ga large supcroyal pages, printed IN tie
very handsomest manner on new type, and on fai'i
equal Mt least TO that which any other periodical -
printed in our country.
No subscription will I've received for less than VOLUME
and must commence with the current one. The price
s. per volume, which must be paid IN all cases al the ''
OF subscribing. This particularly advercd TO no" Wy
avoid misapprchcnsIon future misnnderStand'nr-a'
order will hereafter be attended to unless accompa
with the price Of subscription
The postage on the Messenger Is six cents on any s
Gle No for all distances under 100 milesover 100 miles
ten cents.
An communications letters, relative 10 the Mcsson'
rer mn :, be addressed to THOMAS W WHITE.
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond Va