Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-07-12
RROSP EETUs
OF THE
Southern Literary Messenger.
THOMAS w. WHITE.
Editor and Propriet0r.

THIS is a monthly Magazine, devoted chiefly
10 Literature, but occasionally hnding Ioosn
also for articles that fall within the scope OF sci
ence and not protesting an ensire uisaain Oh
tasteful selections, though its matter mas oeen as
II will continue to be, In the rnsin, original.
Pdrfu Politics and controversial fheotogy, IS
far as possible, are jeslously excluded. They
are some times blended with discussions IN lte-
nature or in moral science, otherwise unobIec-
tionabIe, as to gain admittancs for the sake Of
the more valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they are incidental,
only not primary. They are dross, tolerated
only because IT cannot well be severed FROM the
sterling ore whcrew it'll il is incorporated
REVIEWS and CRITICAL NOTICES. occupy their
due space in the work and il is the Editors
aim that they should have threefold tendency
- TO convey, in a coEdensed form, such valuable
truths or interesting incidents as are embodied
in the works reviewed to direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve TO be read and
20 warn him against wasting time and money
upon that large number, which merit only TO be
burned. In this age, OF publications that by
their variety and multitude distract and over
whrlm every undiscrinInati student, Impartial
criticism, governed by the views Just mention
ed is one Of the most inestimable aud iHdispen-
sable Of auxiiiaries, to him who docs WISH 10
discriminate.
ESSAYS and TALES, having in view utility orI
amuse sent, or both, -HisToRicAL SKETcHEs,-l
History, yet calculating IL, and heightening its
interest,-msy be regarded 40 forming the staple
of the work. And Of indigenous PoETRv. enough
is published sometimes Of no mean strsin--to
manifest and TO cultivate the growing poetical
taste and talents Of our country.
The times appear, for several reasons, to do
mand such work-and not one alone, but many
The public mind is feyerish and irritated still,
from recent political strifes The soft, assua.
siye influence Of Literature is needed. to alsy
that fever, aad soothe that irritation. Vice and
folly are riotiBg abroad They should be dri-
ven by indignant rebuke, or lsshed by ridiculc
into their fitting haunts. Ignorance lords II over
an immence proportion oil our people - Every
spring should be set IN motion, 10 arouse the en-
Ightened, and TO increase their number; so that
the great enemy of popular government may
no longer brood, like a portentious cloud, over
the desiiDies Of our country. And TO accomplish
all these ends, what more powerful agent can
be employed, than a periodical, on the plan of
the Messenger; If that plan be but carried out
I'm practice
In all the Union, south of w ashington, there
are but two Literary periodicals Northwerd
OF that city, there are probably at least twenty
five or thirty Is this contrast justified by the
wealth, the leisure, the native talent or the &C.
tnai literary taste of the Southern people. com
pared with those Of the Northern No: for in
wealth, talents, and taste, we may Justly claim
at least an equality with our brethren and a
domestic institution exclusively our own, be yond
all doubt affords W, if we choose, twice the lei.
sure for reading and writing which they enjoy.
IL was from a deep sense of this local want
mat The word SoUTHERN was engrafted on the
name OF this periodical and not with any de-
sign TO nourish local preudices, or TO advocate
supposed local interests. Far from any such
thought, II is the Editors fervent wish 10 see
The North and South bound endearngly together
forever, IN the siiken bands of mutual kndn ess
and affection. Far from meditsting hostilitu TO
the north, he has already drawn, and he hopes |
hereafter to draw, much OF bis choisest matter
hence and happy indeed will he deem him.
'eif, should his pages, BY making each region
Know the other better, contribute in any essen.
isl degree TO dispel the lowering clouds that
now threaten the peace Of both, and to brighten
and strengthen the sacred ties of fraternal love
The SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER has
BOW reached the fifth No. of its third Volume =
How far il has acted out the ideas here uttered.
is not for the Editor TO say. He believes, how.
ever, that il falls not further short of them, than
human weakness usually makes Practice fall
short Of Theory.
CONDITIONS.
The Messenger is issued monthly, Each num-
Der OF the work contains "a large super royal
ages, printed in the very handsomest manner.
N new type, and on paper equal at least TO that
m which any other periodical is printed In our
ountry. No subscription will be received for
ess than Volume, and must commence with
he current one The price is SIS per Volume.
which must be paid in all cases at the time Of
This is particularly adverted TO
,ew, to avoid misapprshension, or future misun.
ierstanding-as no order will hereafter be at
ended 10 unless accompanied with the price of
subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents on
my single No. for all distances under 100 miles ,
over 100 miles. ten cents.
Ut-Ai communication, or letters, relative 10 I
he messenger, must be addressed to " THOMAS |
w WHITE. Southern Literary Messenger OF. Z
fee, Richmond, va"
June IA. 1881