The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-05-15
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.


T,IIIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
j chiefly TO literature but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope OF Science and
protesting entire dsain OF tasteful selections though
It's matter has been, will continue be, in the man,
original
Party politics theology as far as pos
sble are ealously excluded. They are sometimes SO
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise unobectonabe, to gain admttance for the
sake Of the valuable matter which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only;
p,iary They are dross tolerated only because it can
not well be severed from the sterling ore wherewith il
incorporated,
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors aim that they should
have threefold tendency-to convey in condensed
FORM such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed. direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve be and
him against wasting time and money upon that large
ber which only be burned. In this age OF publ
cations, that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhem every undiscriminating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned OF
the most nestimabe and indispensable Of auxiiares
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in viewu,ilty amusement
or both,-Historical Ske,ches,-and "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history yet calculating and height
enng its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
Of the work And Of indigenous poetry, enough is pub
lished-sometimes of no mean straino manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetical taste and talents OF
country
The times appear, for several reasons demand such
work--and not one alone but many. The public mind
is feyersh and irrta,ed still, from political sr
The SOFT assuasve influence Of literature is needed 10
aay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by rdicule into their fitting hauns
Ignorance lords it over immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set IN notion TO arouse
the enlightened and increase their number that the
great enemy OF popular government may no longer BROOD
like portenous cloud, the destinies of country
And to accomplish all these ends, wha, more poTetn
agent can be employed than periodical, the plan
the Messenger if that plan be but CARRIED out In practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such an agent In all
the Union, south OF Washington there are but two literary
o ",
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 Northem2 No: for in wealth. talents, and tastc,
may Justly claim at least equality with our bre-
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords If choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing which they enjoy.
1t from a deep of this local want that The
word SOUTHERN engrafted the name Of this
periodical and with any design noursh local pre-
udices, advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought, is the editors leen wish to see the
North and South bound endearngly together forever IN
the silken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from mediating hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter to draw much o. ms
thence; ana happy indeed VIII he deem himself
should his payes by making each region know The ohcr
better contribute in any essential degree 10 dispel me
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF pot' anu
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties oil fraternaI
The Southern Literary Messenger has 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 lie
believes however that it falls further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short o.
theory. ,,
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number Of III"
work contains Ga large superroya pages, printed IN Inc
very handsomcst manner, on new 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 volume
and must commence with the current one The pncc II
SIS per volume which must be paid in al cases at the tme
Of subscribing This is particularly adveed TO no" 10
avoid misapprehension, future MISUNDERSTANDING
no order will hereafter he attended to unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents on any Sh
gle No for all distances under o0mes-over 100 miles
ten cents. La. , =,
An communications or letters relative TO the Mess'n
cor r,us, be addressed to THOMAS w. WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, va