The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-16
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THOMAS w WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
Il chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope of Science and not
protesting entire disdan of tasteful selections though
its matter has been, it will continue to be, in the MAN,
original
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
slbe, are jealousy excluded They are sometimes
blended with discussions in literature moral science,
otherwise unobjectionable gain admance for the
sake of the valuable 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 wherewith it is
Incorporated
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors that they should
have threefold tendency-to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed-to direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be read,and TO
ham against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only be burned In this age of publ
cations that by teir variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undscrminating student, impartial
criticism governed by the Just mentioned OF
the most inesmable and indispensable OF auxilaes, to
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in viewutility amusement
or both,-Hstorical Sketches-and "Reminiscences OF
events too minute for history yet Calculating IT, and height
enng its ntcresma be regarded forming the staple
Of the work And Of Indigenous poetry, enough is pub
Understandings of mean strain-to manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetcal 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 feyersh and rrated still, from political strites
The soft, assuasve influence of literature is needed, 10
aay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
riong abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, ashcd by rdicule into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords it an immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be in notion to
the enlightened and increase their number so that the
great enemy Of popular government may no longer brood
like portcnous cloud, the destlnes Of our country
And accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent 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 Unon south of Washington, there but two literary
periodicals Northward OF that city, there probably
least twenty five or 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 Northern? No: for wealth, talents, and taste,
may Justly claim at least equality with our lTc-
thrcn and domestic institution exclusively own,
beyond all doubt affords il choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
IL was from deep OF this local want that the
word SOUTHERN was engafted the name of this
periodical and with any design TO noursh local pre-
judces to advocate supposed local interests Far IRON
any such thought the editors fervent wish TO the
North and South bound endearngly together forever IN
the siken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from medating hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much Of his choicest
matter thence; happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages, by making each region know me oher
better, contribute any essential degree TO dispei he
lowering clouds that now the peace OF both, and
brighten and strengthen the sacred tles oil raterha
love. .,. "
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached the
fifth No of it's third volume. How far has acted out Tie
ideas here uttered, it is not for the editor TO say lie
believes, however, that ~ ias NOT iuricr SNORT OF I
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short o.
theory. 49,.
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number Of the
work contains 81 large superoyal pages, printed IN the
very handsomest manner, type, and on paper
equal least that which any other periodical is
printed in our country.
No subscription will be received for less than volume,
and with the current one. The pace IL
IS per volume which be paid in all cases at the me
Of subscribing This is particularly advcrted TO now 10
avoid Misrepresentation future MISUNDERSTANDING
no order win hereafter he attended TO unless accompanies
with the price Of subscription -
The postage on the Messenger Is SIX cents on any SIN
gle No. for all distances under loo mieS'''i wv ''
ten cents -. - ~ A..
GER must be addressed 10 nohAs " "hIE,