The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-07-26
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE. EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

rISHIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the Of Science and not
protesting entire dsdnin Of tasteful selections, though
its matter has been, will continue TO be- in the man,
original
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
siblc ealously excluded. They sometimes so
blended with discussions in literature moral science,
otherwise nnobjeciionable to gain admance for tho
sake Of The valuable matter To which they adhere
but Whenever that happens they incidental only not
primary They dross tolerated only because it
well be severed from the sterling ore whercwith it is
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and ii is the editors aim that they should
have ,hrcefod tendcucy-to convey in a condensed
FORM such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reyiewedto direct the readers
attention 10 books that deserve TO be rcadand to
him against wasting time and money upon that large num-
ber which merit only to he burned. In this OF publ
cations, that by rhcir variety and multitude distract and
overw helm every undiscrminaiing student, impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned is Of
the most inesmahle and indispensable OF auxaries 10
him who does wish 10 discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in view utility or amusement
both,-Historical Skeches--and "reminiscences Of
minute for history Calculating IT, and height
cnng its be regarded as forming the staple
Of the work And Of indigenous poetry, enough is pub
ished--some,imes Of mean strain-to manifest and to
cultivate the growing pocca taste and talents oil our
county.
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
work--and not one alone b, many. The public mind
is leversh and lrrated still, from recent political stritcs
The Soft assuasive influence Of literature is needed 10
ro,ing abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke or dashed by rdicnlc into their fitting haunts.
Ignorance lords it over an immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should he set in notion 10 arouse
The enlightened and increase their numbers that the
great enemy OF popular government may no longer brood
like porienous cloud over the dcsnles OF our country
And to accomplish all these ends what more powerful
agent can be employed than periodical on the plan o.
the Messenger if that plan he but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly requires such an agent In all
the Union south OF Washington there are but two literary
flpff
least twenty-five thirty is this contrast justified BY
the wealth. the leisure the native talent, the actual
Of the Norhen7 No: for in wealth talents and taste
may justly claim at least equality with our brc
hren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords If choose, twice the leisure
for reading and writing which they enjoy
II was from deep Of this local want, tina, the
word SOUTHERN engralcd on the name OF ths
periodical; and not with any design to noursh local pre-
JUDGES advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought IL the editors fervent wish 10 see the
North and South bound cndcarnsy together forever in
the slkcn bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from mediiang hostility the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much oil his choicest
matter thence; ano happy indeed will he deem himself,
should his pages y making each region know the other
better contribute in any essential degree TO dspel the
low crng clouds that threaten the peace OF both and
TO brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of fnerna
love.
Tho Southern Literary Messenger has reached the
fifth No Of its third volume How far il has acted out the
ideas here uttered. i is not for the editor to say lie
believes however that il falls not further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short o.
theory.
The Messenger issued monthly Each number Of the
work contains Ga large superoyal pages printed in the
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal least to that which any Other periodical Is
printed in country.
No subscription will be received for less than volume
and commence with the current one The price
IS per volume which be paid in all at the time
OF subscribing This particularly advered TO no" to
avoid msapprchension future msnndcrstanding--as
no order will hereafter he attended TO unless accompanied
with the price OF subscription
The postaee the Messenger is six cents on any sin
Gle No for all distances under 100 mesover 100 miles
Ten cents.
All communications or letters relative to the Messcn
rer must he addressed TO THOMAS W. WHITE.
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Riehmond, Va