The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-10-13
PROSPECTUS OF THE
LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS w. WHITE EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly TO literature but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope OF Science land not
protesting entire dsdain of tasteful selections though
its matter has been, as will continue TO be, the man,
original
Party politics and controversial theology, far pos
sble jeaously excluded They are sometimes so
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise understandable to gain admance for the
sake of the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only not
primary They dross tolerated only because 1t
not well be severed from the sterling ore wherewith 1t
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors aim 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 and to
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
overwhem every undiscrimnating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned is one OF
the most nestimabe and indispensable of auxiiaes TO
him who does wish TO discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in viewutility amusement
both,-Historical Sketches,-and "reminiscences Of
minute for history, yet calculating it, and height
enng its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
of the work. And OF Indigenous poetry enough is pub
ished-sometmes Of no mean stranto manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetical 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 eversh and iritated STILL from recent political stres
The son. assuasive influence of literature is needed to
aay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke dashed by rdicule into their fitting hauns
Ignorance lords 1t over an immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in notion to arouse
the enlightened and increase their number that the
great enemy Of popular government may no longer brood
like portenous cloud, the destnies OF our country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more 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 bu, two literary
periodicals. Northward Of that city, there probably at
least twenty five thirty Is this contrast justified by
the wealth, the leisure the native talent, or the actual
literary taste of the Southern people, compared with those
Of the Northern No: for in wealth, talents, and taste
may Justly claim at least equality with our hre
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords il choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t from deep Of this local want that the
word SOUTHERN was engrafted on the name OF this
periodicals. and not with any design TO noursh local pre-
judces to advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought is the editors feven wish to the
North and South bound endearingy together forever IN
the silken 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; ano happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages, by making each region know the other
better, contribute in any essential degree TO dspel the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both and
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties of fra'erna
love.
fifth No OF it's third volume. How far has acted the
ideas here uttered, 1t is not for the editor to say lie
believes however, that 1t falls not further shon OF thc
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of the
work contains Ga large super-roya pages printed IN The
very hapdsomest manner on new type, and on paper
equal At least TO that on which any other periodical Is
printed in country.
No subscription will be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current one The Pncc !,
IS per volume which must be paid IN all cases at the time
of subscribing This is particularly advered 10 no" 10
avoid msapprehcnson, future msundersiandng--as
M ord w he unless
with the price OF subscription
The postage on the Messenger is six cents on any sn
gle No for all distances under 100 mesoyer Ioo hies
ten cents. -, 49,.
All communications or letters relative to the Messcn
ger, must be addressed to THoM'S p " "niih
Southern Literary Messenger Office klchmohn' va