The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-11-14
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,



THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly 10 Literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope OF Science and moi
protesting entire dsdain Of tasteful selections though
its has been, as 1t will continue To he IN the man.
original. '
Party politics and controversial theology as far as nos
sible, are Jcalously excluded They are sometimes -
blended with discussions in literature or in moral sct.n,
otherwise unobectlonable as to gain admittance for
sake OF the more valuable matter To which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they Incidental only moi
primary They are dross tolerated only because ii can
not Wen be severed ifom the sterling sherewh il
Incorporated
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
IN the work and il is the editors aim that they should
have a threeiold lendency-to convey in a condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents AS are
embodied in the works reviewed,-to direct the readers
attention 10 books that deserve be and 10 warn
him against wasting time and money upon tina, large mum.
Der, which merit only TO be burned In this age Of publ
cations that by Their variety and multitude dstrac, and
oyerwhelm every Understanding student, impartial
criticism, governed by the views Just mentioned Of
the most nestimahe and indispensable OF auxilianes
him who does wish To discriminate
Essays and Tales, having IN view utility or amusement
or oth-Historical Skeiches,-and "reminiscences Of
events TOO minute for history yet Calculating it, and height
eRing its Interestingly he regarded forming the staple
Of the work. And of indigenous poetry, enough pub
Understandings Of srain-to manifest and TO
cultivate the growing poe,ca taste and talents OF
country
The times appear for several reasons demand such
work-and not one alone, but many. The public mind
is feversh and intated still, from recent political ses
The Soft assuasiye influence OF literature is needed 70
aay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
are roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke dashed by rdicule into their fitting hans
Ignorance lords 1t over an immense proportion oil our
people Every spring should lie set in notion TO arouse
the enlightened and increase their number so tina, the
great enemy of popular government may no longer brood
like poentous cloud, the destines OF our country
And TO accomplish all these ends, what more poweru
agent can be employed than a periodical the plan
the Messs.Sr; II that plan be but carried in practc
The South, peculiarly, requires such an agent In a!
the Unon south OF Washington there but two terar
periodicals Norhward of that city, there probably
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified BY
I the wealth, the leisure the native talent the actuai
literary Of the Southern people, compared with those
of the Northern No for in wealth, talents and taste,
We may justly claim at least equality with be.
hren and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords u.s. if choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy
II was from deep of this local want that the
word SOUTHERN was engraited the name Of this
periodical and not with any design noursh local pre-
udices advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought il is the editors eryent wish the
North and South bound endearngy together forever IN
the slken bands of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditarg hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereaero draw much OF his choicest
matter thence; happy indeed will he deem himself,
should his pages by making each region know the other
better contribute in essential degree TO dspe the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both and
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties of aerna
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No Of its third volume. How far it has acted the
ideas here uttered it is not for the editor TO say, He
believes however that it falls further short of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall shor
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number OF the
work contains Ga large superoyal pages printed in the
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal at least that which any other periodical is
| printed in country
No subscription will be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current one. The price
As per volume which be paid in all at the time
OF subscribing This is particularly adverted to no" TO
avoid misapprehcnsion or future misunderstanding
no order will hereafter he attended unless accompanied
with the price of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents on any sin
Gle No for all distances under 100 miles-over 100 miles
ten cents. -
All communications or letters relative to the Messen
ger, must be addressed to THOMAS " WHITE;
Southern Literary Messenger Office Richmond, Va