The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-19
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.


/ THIS Is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
j chiefly 10 literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope OF Science and not
protesting entire dsdan Of tasteful sslsetion though
it's has been, will continue 10 be- In the
| original III. ~.
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
sble jealousy excluded They sometimes 50
blended with discussions literature moral science
otherwise unoheetonable, gain admit,ance for the
sake Of the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only not
primary They dross, tolerated only because il
not vel! be severed from the sterling wherewh
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and the EDITORS aim that they should
have threeiold endency-to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed. Ito direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve 10 be readand TO
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only to be burned In this Of publ
cations that by er variety and multitude distract and
oyer,shelm every undiscrminating student impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned OF
the most nestnable and indispensable Of auxilares
him who does wish TO discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in utility amusement
or both,-His'orical sketches-and "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history Calculating and height
ening its be regarded forming the staple
Of the work And Of Indigenous poetry, enough is pub
lshed-sometimes of strain-to manifest and
cultivate the growing poetlcal taste and talents OF
country. '.... ......
The times appear for several reasons demand such
awork-and no, one alone, but many The public mind
feversh and rrated still from political strfes
The soft influence OF literature is needed,
aay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
oiing abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke dashed by rdicule into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords IT immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set IN notion to arouse
the enlightened and increase their NUMBER that tie
great enemy of popular may no longer brood
like porenous cloud, the destinies OF country
And accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent be employed than periodical the plan
the Messenger II 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
lNEt
least twenty five thirty Is this contrast justified by
the wealth, the leisure the native talent, the actual
literary taste Of the Southern people, compared with those
Of the Northernf No: for in wealth, talents, and taste,
we may justly claim at least an equality with our hre'
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords choose, twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t from deep Of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN engrafted the name of this
periodical and with any design noursh local pre-
JUDGES, advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought the editors erven wish to the
North and South bound endearngy together forever IN
the silken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditatirg hostility 10 the North, he has aiready
drawn he hopes draw much OF his choicest
matter thence ano happy indeed viii he deem himself,
should his pages by making each region Know me ohet
better contribute any essential degree TO dspel the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF BOTH and
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of fraernal
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
h No of its third volume. How far ii has acted out the
IDEAS here uttered, it is for the editor say. He
believes however, u shoI OF
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 TIC
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal at least to that on which any other periodical is
printed in country.
No subscription will hc received for less than volume
and must commence with the current one The price
IS per volume which be paid in all at the time
of subscribing This is particularly advercd TO no" Ia
avoid misapprehension, future Observation-Disclosures
no order will hereafter attended TO unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription. o..
The postage on The Messenger is SIX cents on any SIN
gle No for all distances under 100 mlesoyer 100 miles
ten cents .a. ,M ~., :.
An communications letters, relative TO tho Mcssou
ger, must be addressed TO THOMAS ". WHITE;
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va