The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-04-17
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.


THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly 10 literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope OF Science and not
processing entire disian of tasteful selections, though
Its matter has BEEN will continue 10 be- the
original
Party politics and controversial theology, far pos
sble jeaously excluded. They are sometimes 81
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobectonable, TO gain admittance rthe
sake of the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only mot
primary They are dross tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling nherewh 1t Is
incorporated.
| in the work and is the editors that they should
have threetold tendency-to convey in condensed
FORM such valuable truths or interesting incidents AS arc
embodied IN the works reviewed,to direct the reader
books that deserve to be eadand to
him against wasting time and money upon that large num-
ber which merit only to be burned. In this age OF pubt
cations, that by ther variety and multitude distract and
overnhem every undlscrlmnating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned is one OF
the most inesiimahe and indispensable OF auxanes to
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in viewutily or amusement
or both-Historical Sketches,-and "reminiscences OF
for history, yet eucdating it, and height
enng its Interestingly he regarded forming the staple
of the work. And of Indigenous poetry enough is pub
lishedsometlmes Of stran-to manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetcal taste and talents oi our
country.
The times appear for several reasons, demand such
a work-and not one alone, bu, many. The public mind
is evCrlsh and rltated stIli from recent political sres
The soft assuasye influence of literature needed 10
aay that fever, and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rcbuke, or dashed hv ridcue, their fitting halnts
ignorance lords immense proportion oil our
people Every spring should be set in notion to arouse
the enlightened and to increase their number so ha he
great enemy of popular government may no longer brood
like porentous cloud the destlnles oil our country
And accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
he employed than periodical on the plan o.
the Messenger 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
lnEt ,l,uII AZ
least twenty five thirty Is this contrast justified IY
the wealth, the leisure the native talent, the actual
literary taste Of the Southern people, compared with those
of the Northern No; for in wealth, talents, and TASTE
may Justly claim at least equality with our bre
,hren; and domestic institution exclusively our own
for reading and writing which they enjoy.
II was from deep sense OF this local want that inc
word SOUTHERN engrafted on the name OF Tins
periodical and with any design nourish local
JUDGES, advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought, it is the editors rrven wish 10 see The
North and South bound cndcartngy together forever IN
the silken bands of mutual kindness and affection fM
from mcdltatirg hostility to the North, he has already
drawn, and hehopes hereafter m4ch OF ms choccst
matter thence ano happy lndcca VIM ne oeen himself
shoud his n,Ges bv max each region know the Other
better contribute in any essential degree 10 dispe the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace of both and
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF iratern
love. 80.
ffh 10 Of third volume How far il has acted
dca. here uttered II not for the editor lie
believes, ever that IT falls further short OF hnn
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory,
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of The
work contains "a large super-royal pages printed in the
very handsomest manner, on new type, and paper
equal At least to that which any other periodical is
printed in country.
No subscription will be received for less than volume,
and must commence with the current The price IL
IS pcr volume which be paid all the time
OF Subscribing. This is particularly adycrtcd to now 10
avoid misapprchCnsion, future mlsunderstandlng-aS
no order will hereafter lie attended unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage the Messenger is six cents any sin
ele No for all distances under 100 miicsoycT 100 mules
ten cents.
An communications letters, relative the Moss"n
ger, mus, he addressed 10 THoNAs w. WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va