The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-09-01
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,

| THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR,
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, dcvooa
/ chiefly 10 literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and not
protesting entire disdain of tasteful srire"ns though
lis matter has been, 1t will continue to he III the MAN.
| original
Party politics and controversial theology, far pos
sible jealousy excluded. They are sometimes 50
blended with discussions literature moral science
otherwise unobleconaNle, rs TO gain abundance tor ne
sake Of he valuable matter TO which they adhere
but mhcnc tina, happens they incidental only
primarv They are dross, tolerated only because II can
not we'll be severed from the sterling ore "here"ith ms
Incorporated,
| Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and is the editors aim that they should
have thrcefold tendency-to convey in condensed
FORM such yaluabe truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works revewedo direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be readand TO
him against wasting time and money upon tina, large mum
ber which only be burned In this age Of publ
cations that by her variety and multitude distract and
| overwhem every undscrminating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned is one OF
the most nestimabe and indispensable OF auxiares 10
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in utility amusement,
or both,-Historica Sketches,-and "reminiscences of
events too mnte for history yet elucdatng IT, and height
enlng its be regarded forming the staple
Of the work. And of Indigenous poetry, enough pub
lished-sometmes OF strain-o manifest and to
cultivate the growing poeca taste and talents OF
country.
The times appear for several reasons demand such
a work-and not one alone but many. The public mind
is feverish and rated STILL from recent political sres
The soft, assuasve influence of literature is needed
SOOthe irritation.
rioting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by ridcue, into their fitting hauns.
Ignorance lords it over immense proportion OF or
people Every spring should be set in motion, TO 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 our country
And TO accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent be employed than periodical on the plan o.
the Messenger if 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
In hat
least twenty-five thirty Is this contras, usth'd by
the wealth, the leisure, the native talent, the actual
of ths Northern, No for in wealth talents. and
may justly claim at least an equality with our bre'
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords if choose ta the leisure
for reading and writing which they enjoy.
II from deep Of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN engraftcd on the name OF this
periodical and not with any design TO nourish local pre-
iuces or advocate supposed local interests Far from
such thought il is the editors eTvent wish 10 see The
North and South bound cndcarnEly together forever,
the sken bands Of mutual kindness and Affection Far
from mcdi,ang hostility 10 the North, he has already
draw and he hopes much OF his choicest
matter thence ano happy indeed vii he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the other
better contribute any essential degree 10 dspel the
lowering clouds that nov threaten the peace OF both AMI
TO brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of fraterna
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached tic
hnh No of lis third volume How far has acted the
ideas here uttered i is not for the editor TO say tie
believes however, that il falls no, 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 super-royal paeespuncd IN The
very handsomest manner, new type. and on paper
equal least tina, which any othe' periodical =
printed in country.
No subscription win he received Tor less than volum'
and must commence with the current The Puce :
SIS per volume which he paid in all cases al the time
Of subscribing This particularly adrered 10 no" u
avoid misapprchcnsion, future misunderstanding
no order will hereafter he attended unless accompanied
| with the price Of subscription.
The postage on tho Messenger SIX cents on any sn
gle No for All distances under 100 mes-oyer 100 miles
ton cents. , Sc,
An communications or letters, relative - the Messon
- 80, A. aJd,cssed Ia THoN,s W. WHITE
ee'' ~ u.t ,,cy,ry Messenger Cf'cc. Richmond Va