The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-05-24
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

|
| THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
chiefly to literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope of Science and
protesting entire disdan Of tasteful selections though
IT'S matter has bcen as will continue to be- in the
original .r.a.
Party politics and controversial theology, as far as DOS.
sble, are jealousy excluded. They sometimes Sc
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise unoblcctionabe TO gain admttance for the
sake Of the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens they are incidental only
primary They dross, tolerated only because can
not well be severed from the sterling wherewith
incorporated
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors that they should
have threefod tendency--to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed. 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 publ
cations that by Their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undscnminating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned Of
the most incstmabie and indispensable Of auxiares
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility or amusement
or both,-Hstorca Sketches,--and "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history yet calculating it, and height
ening its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
Of the work And Of indigenous poetry enough is pub
lshed-sometmes Of mean strain-to manifest and to
cultivate the growing poeiical taste and talents OF
country.
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
a work-and not one alone, but many. The public mind
is feyerlsh and ritated still from political strt
alay that fever, and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
rioting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by ridcue into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords il immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set motion, TO
the enlightened and increase their numbers that the
great enemy Of popular government may no longer brood
like porentous cloud the desnies Of country
And to accomplish all these ends what more powerful
agent can be employed than periodical on the plan o.
the Messenger il that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such agent In all
the Union, south of Washington there but two literary
periodicals Nohward OF that CITY, there are probably
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 Norhemi No: for wealth, talents and taste,
we may Justly claim at least an equality with our be
ihren; and domestic institution exclusively own,
beyond all doubt affords if choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
was from deep Of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN engrated the name OF this
periodical and not with any design 10 noursh local pre-
udices advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought il is the editors ervent wish TO the
North and South bound endcaringy together forever IN
the silken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditang hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter 10 draw much Of ms choces
matter thence; ano happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know inc oht
better contribute in any essential degree TO dspe "
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both AM
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of iraternA
love. ... .....
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached the
fifth No OF its third volume. How far il has acted out he
ideas here uttered. it is not for the editor He
believes however that it falls not further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short o.
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of the
work contains GA large super-roya pages printed the
very handsomast manner, new type, and on Paper
equal at least 10 that which any other perodica -
printed in country. .
No subscription will be received for less than ayonmc
and must commence with the current one. The prr' "
IS per volume, which be paid in all cases al III" TINE
Of subscribing This is particularly advertcd TO no" 70
avoid misapprehonsion, future misundcrstandlnr"
order will hereafter he attended TO unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents on any n'
gle No for all distances under 100 milesoyef 100 miles
ten cents.
All communications letters, relative TO the Mess'n
GER must be addressed to THoMAs W. WHITE;
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond VS.