The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-03-15
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 10 literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope of Science and not
protesting entire disdan Of tasteful seectioS though
ITS matter has been, IT will continue to be- in the man.
original
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
sihe, jealously excluded. They are sometimes so
blended with discussions in literature or in moral science
otherwise unobjectionabe gain admittance for the
sake of the more valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens they are incidental only not
primary They dross, tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling wherewh II is
incorporated
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and the editors aim that they should
have threeiod tendency--to convey in a condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works revewcd,-o direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve to be readand to
him against wasting time and money upon that large nun.
Der, which merit only to be burned In this OF publ
cations that by fheir variety and multitude distract and
oyerwhelm every undiscriminang student, impartial
criticism, governed by the views jus, mentioned, is Of
the most nestimabe and Indispensable OF auxaries 10
him who does wish to discriminate,
Essays and Tales, having in yiewutily amusement
or both,-iistorical Skctches,and "reminiscences OF
events too minute for history yet Calculating It, and height
ening its be regarded as forming the staple
OF the work And OF Indigenous poetry enough Is pup.
lishedsometimes OF mean stranto manifest and 70
cultivate the growing poetical taste and talents Of our
country.
The times appear, for several reasons demand such
a work--and alone, but many. The public mird
is cverish and irritaed STILL from political sic:
The sot, influence OF literature needed 70
aay that fever, and soothe that irritation. Vice and loly
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, or dashed by ridcuc, into their fitting haun
Ignorance lords it immense proportion OF orr
people Every spring should be set in motion, 10
the enlightened and increase their number that the
great enemy OF popular government may no longer brood
like porentous cloud the dcsnies Of our country
And to accomplish all these ends what more powerful
agent be employed than periodical, on the plan g
the Messenger i that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly requires such an agent IN al
the Union south Of Washington there but two Literary
periodicals Nohward 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 Witthoe
of the Northern! Mo- for in wealth, talents and taste,
may Justly claim at least equality with orr hre-
thrcn; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords II choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
IL was from deep sense Of this local want that We
word SOUTHERN engrafed the name OF tins
periodical and not with any design to nourlsh local pre-
judices or To advocate supposed local interests Far 9m
any such thought is the editors ervent wish to see NC
North and South bound endcarngly together forever Y
the silken bands of mutual kindness and affection faf
from mcditarg hostility the North, he has already
drawn, and he hopes draw much o. his fnoIcS
matter thence; happy indeed sail he deem hhs,,
should his pages by making each region know me oh
better contribute in essential degree to dspei W
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF boh' arg
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF iraerhA
love. ,
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached he
fGh No Of It's third volume How far has acted ont l.e
ideas here uttered il is for the editor 10 say lie
believes however that il falls further short Of then
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short 2
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of ne
work ca large suporroya pages printed N ihe
very handsomest manner, on new type, and on papcr
equal AZ least to that which any Other penodca =
printed in country.
No subscription win be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current one Inc price y
as per volume which must be paid in al cases a the tme
Of subscribing This is particularly adyeried 70 nov 70
avoid misapprchcnsiou, future msandersandine-nS
no order i hercalerbe attended to unless aceompahtu
with the price Of subscription
Tho hostage on the Messenger is six cents on any sn
ylo M r., IN distances under l00mles--ovcr 100 miles
ten cents. , -,
~ 80, hc addressed 10 THOMAS w WHITE,
Sonfhern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va