The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-02-22
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
J. chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope OF Science and not
processing entire disdan of tasteful selections though
its matter has BEEN it will continue to be, in the main,
original ar,L no.. "a ,.o,or :. 9,
sible, jealousy excluded. They are sometimes
blended with discussions in literature moral science,
otherwise unobcconabe, to gain atmittance for the
sake of the valuable matter which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they Incidental only
primary They are dross, tolerated only because ii
not well be severed from the sterling wherewth it
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and is the editors aim that they should
have a threeiold endency-to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works revewedo direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve to be readand
him against wasting time and money upon that large
ber which merit only to be burned In this age Of pub
cations that by eir variety and multitude distract AMI
overwhelm every undiscnminating student impartial
criticism, governed by the views Just mentioned of
the nestimablc and Indispensable OF auxliares
him who does wish 10 discriminate
Essays and Tales having viewutility
| or both,-Historca Sketches--and "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history yet calculating it, and height
ening its nteresn be regarded forming the staple
Of the work And of indigenous poetry, enough is pub
lished--somemes of no mean straino manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poeca taste and talents OF our
country.
The times appear for several reasons demand such
work--and not one alone, but many The public mind
is feverish and rated s from political strlfes
aay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
riotng abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by ndicule into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords 1t over an immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in notion to
the enlightened and increase their numbers that the
great enemy of popular government may no longer brood
like porontous cloud the destines of country
And to accomplish all these ends, what powerful
agent 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 but two literary
periodicals. Norhwsrd 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 Northem No: for in wealth, talents, and taste,
we may justly claim at least equality with our bre.
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing which they enjoy.
IL from 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 il is the editors fervent wish 10 the
North and South bound endearingy together forever IN
the silken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditating hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much Of his choicest
matter thence ana 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 threaten the peace Of BOTH and
TO brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of aterna
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No OF It's third volume How far it has acted out the
ideas here uttered Il is not for the editor say He
believes however that it falls further short or them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of the
work contains 64 large superroya pages printed in the
very handsomest manner, type, and paper
equal at least to that which any other periodical
printed in our country
No subscription will he received for less than volume
and must commence with the The price il
s. per volume, which be paid in all at the time
Of subscribing, This is particularly advered TO
avoid misrepresentation, future Observation-Disclosures
order will hereafter he attended To unless accompanied
with the price OF subscription.
The postage the Messenger is six cents any sin
gle No for all distances under 100 mesover 100 miles
ten cents.
All communications or letters, relative the Messen
ger, must he addressed TO THOMAS w WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va