The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-08-08
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER

THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
Il chiefly to literature, but occasionally finding room
~r that d.dn the e. Science and not
It's matter has been as will continue TO be- in the MAN,
original
sible, are jealousy excluded. They are sometimes
blended with discussions literature moral science
otherwise unobeconabe to gain admittance for the
sake OF the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they ineidenfdo only
primary. They dross, tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling wherewh is
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors aim that they should
have ,hreefold tendency-to convey in a condensed
FORM such valuable truths or interesting incidents as are
embodied in the works revewed-to direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be read land
ber which merit only be burned In this age Of publ
cations that by heir variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every Understanding student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned is Of
the most inestmable and indispensable Of auxaries
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in view utility or amusement
or both,--Historcal Sketches--and "reminiscences OF
events too minute for history yet calculating it, and height
ening its nteresma be regarded forming the staple
lshed-somemes Of mean strain-to manifest and TO
country.
The times appear for several reasons, to demand such
work-and not alone, but many. The public mind
is feverish and ritated still from political strifes
The soft assuasve influence Of literature is needed
allay that fever and soothe that irritation. Vice and folly
riong abroad: They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by ridcue, into their fitting hannts
Oves an IN ems OF o
the enlightened and to increase their number that the
great enemy Of popular government may no longer brood
like porentous cloud, the destnes Of country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent be employed than periodical the plan
the Messenger if that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly requires such agent. In all
the Union, south Of Washington there but two literary
periodicals. Nohward 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 those
Of the Northel No; for wealth. talents and TASTE
we may justly claim at least an equality with our bre-
thren; and domestic institution exclusively own,
beyond all doubt affords u.s. choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing which they enjoy.
1t from deep sense Of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN engrafted the name Of this
periodical and not with any design nourish local pre-
JUDGES, to advocate supposed local interests Far from
such thought IL is the editors ervcnt wish TO see the
North and South bound endearngly together forever in
the silken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditating hostility to the North he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter to draw much Of choicest
matter thence ano happy indeed will he deem himself,
should his pages by making each region know the other
better contribute in any essential degree to dispel the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of BOTH and
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of aternal
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No Of its third volume How far has acted out the
ideas here uttered il is not for the editor TO say He
believes, however that il falls not further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short o.
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number OF the
work contains GA large superroya pages printed in the
very handsomest manner, on new type, and on paper
equal at least to that which any other periodical is
printed in our country.
No subscription will be received for less Than volume,
and must commence with the current The price IS
S5 per volume, which be paid in all at the time
Of subscribing This is particularly advoned to now 10
avoid misapprehension, future msunders'andng-as
order will hereafter he attended to unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription
The postage on the Messenger is six cents any sin
gle No for all distances under 100 mesover 100 miles
ten cents -
All communications or letters relative the Messen
ger must be addressed TO THOMAS w. WHITE.
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond. Va