The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-23
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER

THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and not
protesting entire disdan of tasteful selections though
n %aile has been as it will continue to be- in the MAN.
Party politics and controversial theology as far ms pos
slbe, jealousy excluded They are sometimes 50
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobjectionable to gain admittance for
sake OF the more valuable matter which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only
primary They dross tolerated only because il can.
not well be severed from the sterling wherewith
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
IN the work and 1t is the editors that they should
have threefold tendency-to convey in condensed
orn such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied IN the works reviewed-to direct the readers
attention to books that deserve be read-and to warn
HIM against wasting time and upon that large
be which merit only to be burned. In this age OF publ
cations that by ther variety and multitude distract and
overwhem every undiscrimnating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views Just mentioned is one Of
the most nestmabe and indispensable Of auxiiares 10
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in viewutility amusement
or both-Hlstorical Sketches,-and "reminiscences of
events too minute for history yet calculating it, and height
enng Its interestingly be regarded forming the staple
Of the work And Of indigenous poetry enough is pub
hshed-sometimes OF mean stran-to manifest and TO
cultivate the growing poetical taste and talents Of
country
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
work-and not alone, but many The public mind
is eversh and irritaed still, from political stres
The SOFT assuasive influence of literature is needed 10
FEVER,
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke or dashed by ridicule into their fitting haun
Ignorance lords it an immense proportion of our
people. Every spring should be set in notion to
the enlightened and increase their number that the
great enemy Of popular government longer brood
like porenous cloud the dcstinies OF country
And to accomplish all these ends, what powerful
agent can be employed than PERIODICAL the plan
the Messenger If that plan be but carried out in
The South, peculiarly, requires such agent. In all
the Union south of Washington there are but two literary
If a
least twenty-five thirty Is this justified w
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 ,asr,
we may justly claim at least equality with our ho.
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords us 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 TINS
periodical and not with any design to nourish local pre-
JUDGES, advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought the editors ferven wish 10 see the
North and South bound endearngy together forever ~
the silken bands Of mutual kindness and affection fm
from medating hostility TO the North, he has ALREADY
drawn, and he hopes draw much oil his choices
matter thence; ana happy indeed Will he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the ohct
better contribute in any essential degree TO dispo The
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both ahd
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties of fratena
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No OF its third volume. How far il has acted out no
IDEAS here uttered, i is not for the editor to say tic
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 superoya pages printed " nc
very handsomest manner, type, and on paper
equal at least to that which any other periodical IS
printed in country
No subscription will be received for less than avoiumf
and must commence with the current The Price y
IS per volume, which be paid in all cases at the mc
Of subscribing. This is particularly adyerted TO no" -
avoid msapprehension, future misunderstanding-aS
order will hereafter he attended 10 unless accopaheu
with the price of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents on any n
gle No for all distances under 100 mles-over oo mics
ten cents.
All communications or letters, relative to the Messcn
&C, r,nst H. Addressed to THOMAS w. WHIT,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond Va