The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-08-11
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE. EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THIS is MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly 10 literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the of Science and not
processing entire disdan of tasteful selections though
its matter has been, Il will continue to be- in main,
original
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
sble are jealousy excluded They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobectionable as TO gain Abundance 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 can
not well be severed from the sterling wheewh it is
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and il the editors aim that they should
have threeteld tendency-to convey in a condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewedo direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be Tead-and
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only be burned In this age Of publ
cations that by her variety and multitude distract and
overwhem every Understanding student, impartial
criticism governed by the views Just mentioned is one OF
the most nestimable and indispensable OF auxaries to
him who does wish to discriminate
Essays and Tales having in view utility amusement
too minute for history yet Calculating H. and height
enng its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
OF the work. And Of indigenous poetry, enough is pub
lished-sometimes Of strainto manifest and
cultivate the growing poeca taste and talents OF our
country
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
work--and not one alone but many. The public mind
is eversh and irrated still, from recent political strifes
The SOFT assuasive influence Of literature is needed,
aay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke dashed by rdicue, into their fitting hauns
Ignorance lords il over an immense proportion Of
people Every spring should be SET IN motion to arouse
great enemy OF popular government may no longer brood
like portenous cloud the destnes of country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent can be employed than periodical, on the plan
the Messenger If that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly requires such agent. In all
the Union, south Of ashngon there but two literary
f.L.
least twenty-five thirty Is this justified by
the wealth, the leisure the native talent, the actual
literary taste Of the Southern people, compared with
of the Northern Mo- for wealth talents and taste,
may Justly claim at least equality with bre
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing which they enjoy.
II from deep Of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN was engrafted on the name OF this
periodical and not with any design to noursh local pre-
JUDGES or to advocate supposed local interests Far from
North and South bound endearngy together forever,
the slken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from medtating hostility TO the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much choicest
matter thence ano happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the other
better contribute in any essential degree to dispel the
lowering clouds that now threaten the peace of BOTH and
TO brighten and strengthen the sacred ties oil fraerna
love.
fifth No Of its third volume How far il has acted out the
ideas here uttered il is not for the editor to say He
believes, however that it falls not further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short o.
theory. t##
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of the
work contains Ga large superroyal pages printed in the
very handsomes, manner, new type, and on paper
equal least to that which any other periodical Is
printed in our country.
No subscription viii be received for less than avoume,
and must commence with the current The pricc IS
IS per volume which be paid all AT the time
Of subscribing This is particularly adverfed TO no" to
avoid misapprehension, future misunderstand'ngas
order will hereafter he attended to unless accompanied
with the price OF subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents on any SIN
gle No for All distances under 100 mles-ove 100 miles
ten cents
All communications or letters relative the Messen
ger, must be addressed to THOMAS W. WHITE;
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va