The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-20
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THOMAS w WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly to literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope OF Science and not
protesting an entire disdan of tasteful selections, though
its matter has been will continue TO be- IN the man.
original
Party politics and controversial theology, far pos
sble, are lealousiy excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobeconabe, as 10 gain admlttance Tor the
sake Of the valuable matter 10 which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only not
primary They dross, tolerated only because
well be severed from the sterling whcrewith II IS
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and is the editors aim that they should
have threeold endency--to convey in 4 condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents are
embodied in the works reyewed,-to direct the readers
attention 10 books that deserve to be ad-and 10
him against wasting time and money upon that large nun
ber which merit only to be burned In this age OF publ
cations, that by cheir variety and multitude distract and
oyerwhelm every undiscrminatng student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned is one q
the inesmable and indispensable Of auxiliarcs 10
him who does wish TO discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in view utility amusement,
or both,--Hstorca Sketches,--and "reminiscences II
events too minne for history yet eucdaing IT, and height
ening its INTEREST," be regarded as forming The siaP
OF the work And Of Indigenous poetry enough i pl,
hshed-somemes of no mean stran--to manifest and =
cultivate the growing poetical taste and talents Of our
country.
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
a work-and not one alone, but many The public mind
is fevcrsh and rrated still, from recent political stricS
The soft, assuasve influence of literature is needed 70
alay that fever and soothe thai irritation Vice and oy
riong abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by rdcue, into their fitting haun's
ignorance lords 1t over an immense proportion oil our
people. Every spring should be set IN motion, to arouse
the enlightened and to increase their number so that the
great enemy of popular government may no longer BROOD
like porentous cloud over the desnies OF our country
And TO accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent can be employed than periodical on the plan Q.
the Messenger If that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such agent In al
the Union, south Of Washington, there but two literary
periodicals Norhward Of that city, there probably al
least twenty thirty Is this justified ~
the wealth, the leisure the native talent the actual
literary taste of the Southern people, compared with those
oil the Northern No: for in wealth, talents and TASTE
We may justly claim at least equality with our nc
thrcn; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords if We choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing which they enjoy.
IL was from deep sense OF this local want, thai NC
word SOUTHERN engrafed on the name OF ms
periodical and with any design to noursh local pre-
JUDGES, to advocate supposed local interests ron
any such thought il is the editors crvent wish TO see the
North and South bound endearingy together forever "
the slken bands of mutual kindness and affection far
from meditatirg hostility TO the Norm, nc mas arCady
drawn and he hopes hcrcacrto draw much oil his choicest
matter thence ana happy indeed VIII he deem himself
should his pages, 10y making each region kno" the 0n'
better, contribute any essential degree To dlspoi me
lowering clouds that threaten the peace oil both and
TO brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF mtcrn"I
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No Of its third volume How far has acted out tie
ideas here uttered. il is not for the editor to say lie
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 9th"
work contains "a large superroya pages printed IN the
very handsomcst manner, on new type, and on paper
equal least to that which any other periodical Is
printed in country.
No subscription viii he received for less than volume
and mns commence with tho current one The price IS
IS per volume which be paid in al cases ~ ihe tme
Of subscribing This is particularly adycr,ea 70 no" y
avoid ,nisannrehension or future msundersandng-as
no order viii hereafter he attended to unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription ..
The hostage on the Messenger is six cents on any sn
ole No or IN distances under 100 milesoycr 100 miles
ten cents !, So,
An communications or letters, relative to the Messcn
ger, must be addressed to THOMAS ", WITT;
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond Va