The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-04-10
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER.
THOMAS W WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
THIS IS MONTHLY MAGAZINE doyHse.
i chiefly 10 literature, but occasionally finding roa
for articles that fall within the scope OF Science and @
processing entire disian Of tasteful selections, M n
It's matter has BEEN as will continue TO be- in tie u"
original f..
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
sible, are jealousy excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions literature in moral scien
otherwise unobcctonabe, 10 gain admittance for
sake OF the valuable which they adhrr
but whenever that happens, they incidental only
primary. They dross, tolerated only because 1t CA.
not well he severed from the sterling wherewh s
incorporated. "
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors ann that they q!
have threeold tendency-to convey in conteH>t
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied In the works reyiewed,-to direct the rfp3
attention TO books that deserve be read and 10 H
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only to be burned. In this age OF
cations, that by their variety and multitude distract a.t
over"helm every undiscrlminang student, impair
criticism governed by the views just mentioned,
the most lnestimable and indispensable OF auxiliart
him who does wish 10 discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility amusem'E&
or both,-Hstorical Sketches,-and Reminiscencr> q,
events too minute for history yet calculating it, and e
enng Its Interest," be regarded forming the sa"
of the work And of indigenous poetry enough Is
llshed-sometmes of no mean stran-to manifest and ~
cultivate the growing poetical taste and Ia ents Of c4.
country.
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
work-and not alone, but many. The public uaHa
is feversh and itated STILL from political str>
The soft, assuasve influence of literature is needed 70
allay that fever, and soo,he that irritation Vice and folly
rloting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by ridcue, into their fitting haunts
ignorance lords il over an immense proportion OF our
people. Every spring should be set in motion, to arouse
the enlightened and increase their number that the
grea, enemy Of popular government may no longer brood
Ikea porentous cloud the desnles Of country
And to accomplish all these ends what powerta
agent can be employed than periodical, on the plan
tho Messenger if that plan be but carried out In pracc
The South, peculiarly, requires such an agent In al
the Union south Of Washington there but two literary
periodicals. Northward Of that city, there probably al
least twenty five thirty Is this contrast justified ~
the wealth, the leisure the native talent, the hcd
literary of the Southern people, compared whc>c
Of the Northern No: for in wealth. talents, and TASTE
we may justly claim at least equality with our RE-
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our o@n,
beyond all doubt affords US, if choose the cs
for reading and writing, which they ENJOY.
II was from deep sense Of this local want tha' ~
word SOUTHERN was engraitcd on the name OF ''
periodical and with any design 10 nourish local l'
Iuces or to advocate supposed local interests Far nn
any such thought it is the editors cryrn wish to see "
North and South bound cndeatingly together lorcE't "
the skeu bands Of mutual kindness and affection l"
from medating hostility to the North, he has alfeat,
drawn and he hopes hereafter 10 draw, much OF his cho
matter thence ana happy indeed Will he deem INNS
should his pages, by making each region Know INC
better contribute in any essential degree to dspI IT,
lowering clouds that threaten the peace oil both Ill"
TO brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF tft""
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached We
fifth No of its third volume How far has acted o NJ
ideas here uttered il is not for the editor to say ne
believes however, that II falls not further short Of ''@
than human weakness usually makes practice fall shor "
theory
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number q III"
work contains Ga large superroyal pages printed ia "
very handsomest manner. new type, and or i+f''
equal al least TO that which any other pcnodlra -
printed in country.
No subscription will he received for less than volur
and rn,Ist commence with Inc current one Tho price
S. per volume which must be paid in a cases NJ inc '
of subscribing This is particularly advcrcd 10 no" :"
avoid misapprchcnsion, future MISUNDERSTANDING
order will hereafter he attended to unless aecoa
with the price Of subscription.
The hostage on tho Messenger is SIX cents on any SH
gle No for all distances under lOOmies-oVet loo moe
ten cents !, a,
An communications or letters, relative to the M"Ss'H
rr r,,s' Lc addressed 10 THOMAS w WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond Va