The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-03-22
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPHET,

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
processing entire dsdain of tasteful seiecons though
its matter has been, will continue to be- in the main,
original
Party politics and controversial theology far pos
sihle, are jealousy excluded They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature in moral science,
otherwise unobectionabe as to gain abundance Tor the
sake OF the more valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever thai happens they incidental only not
primary They doss, tolerated only because il can
well be severed from the sterling ore where"ih IS
incorporated. .......
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors aim that they should
have a threetold tendency-to convey in condensed
form. such valuable truths interesting incidents As are
embodied in the works reyewed-io direct the readers
books that deserve to be read,-and 10 warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large mum
Der, which merit only to be burned In this age OF publ
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhclm every Understanding student, impartial
criticism governed by the views Just mentioned is one o
the most nes,mable and indispensable of auxlaes 10
him who does wish to discriminate,
Essays and Tales having in vewutillty or amusement
or both,-Hstorca Sketches,--and "reminiscences OF
events minute for history, calculating it, and height
enng its Interest," be regarded as forming the staple
Of the work And OF indigenous poetry, enough IS pup
shed-some.mes OF mean strain--to manifest ana 10
cultivate the growing poeca taste and talents OF our
country.
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
a work-and not one alone, hut many. The public nrA
is feversh and rated still, from recent political strics
The soft, influence of literature is needed to
aay that fever and soothe that irritation wee ana oy
riong abroad They should be driven 10y indignant
rebuke dashed by rdiculc into their h''lng hahts
Ignorance lords il an immense proportion oil our
people Every spring should be set IN notion TO arouse
the enlightened, and to increase their numbers so that Inc
great enemy OF popular government may no longer BROOD
like portenous cloud, over the destlnes OF our country
And TO accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent can be employed than periodical the plan
the Messenger that plan be but carried out in practice
The South peculiarly, requires such an agent In AL
Al nt th.rpa Init tTF
periodicals Norhward Of that city, there probably At
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 Norhem No for in wealth, talents, and taste,
may Justly claim at least equality with our brt.
thren and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords us II choose, twice the Icsue
for reading and writing, which they ENJOY. .
1t from deep of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN was engraited on the name OF 'h'S
periodical and not with any design 10 noursh local pre-
JudceS advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought, ii is the editors feent wish to see The
North and South bound endearney together forever, N
the sken bands of mutual kindness and affection Far
from me,atirg hostility TO the North he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much OF his choicest
matter thence; ann hapny indeed will he deem himself
should his pares hy making each region know the other
better contribute any essential degree TO dispcl Tue
lowering clouds that now threaten the peace OF both ana
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF raterna
Tho Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
6nb Ma of IT'S third volume How fur il has acted out the
idea. here uttered, not for the editor say, lie
believes however, that falls not further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of the
work contains Ga large superroya pages printed in the
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal least to that which other periodical Is
printed in our country.
No subscription will be received for less than volume,
and mus, commence with the current The pnce ~
SIS per volume, which be paid in all case" at the time
OF subscribing This is particularly advcrtcd 10 now to
avoid misapprchension, future misunderstanding-as
order will hereafter bc attended to unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription
The postage on tho Messenger is six cents any SIN
gle No for all distances under 100 mllcs-over 100 miles
ten. cents. .... '" -,
All communications letters, relative 10 the Mcsscn
cor INNS, be addressed to THOMAS w. WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office Richmond Va