The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-14
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
TAoMAs 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 and
protesting entire dsdan of tasteful selections though
its matter has been, as ii will continue TO be, IN the
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
sbie, are lealously excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature or in moral science
otherwise unobecouabe, gain admittance for tn,
sake OF the valuable matter which they adhere
but wheneysr that happens they are incidental only not
primary They are dross, tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling wherewth
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
IN the work; and il is the editors aim that they should
have threcfold tendency-to convey in a condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied IN the works revewed-o 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 thai by their variety and multitude distract and
overWhelm every undscrminating student, impartial
CRITICISM governed by the views just mentioned, OF
the most inestimabe and indispensable Of auxaries
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility amusement
or boih,-Hstorca Sketches,-and "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history yet calculating it, and height
enmg It's interestingly be regarded forming the staple
Of the work And Of Indigenous poetry enough is pub.
lshed-somemes OF mean strain-to manifest and TO
cultivate the growing poeca taste and talents of
country.
The times appear for several reasons TO demand such
work-and not one alone, but many. The public mind
IS feverish and rraied STILL from recent political sres
The soft, assuasve influence Of literature is needed 10
aay that fever, and soothe that irritation. Vice and folly
rioting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by ridcue, into their fitting hannts
Ignorance lords it immense proportion OF
people Every spring should be set in motion, TO arouse
the enlightened and increase their number that the
great enemy of popular government may no longer brood
like portentous cloud, the destnes Of country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent can be employed than periodical on the plan Q.
the Messenger II that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such agent In all
the Union south Of Washington, there but literary
periodicals Northward Of that CITY, there are probably
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified hy
the wealth. the leisure. the native talent the actual
literary taste OF the Southern people, compared with those
of the Norhem7 No for in wealth, talents and TASTE,
We may justly claim at least equality with our br,.
thrcn and domestic institution exclusively OWL
beyond all doubt affords choose, twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy
II from deep Of this local want, that n"
word SOUTHERN cngrafted on the name Of this
periodical; and not with any design TO noursh local pr
JUDGES 10 advocate supposed local interests Far from
such thought il is the editors feent wish TO see Tue
North and South bound endearngy together forever n
the slken 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 the other
better, contribute in any essential degree TO dspel the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both ana
TO brighten and strengthen the sacred tics OF atea
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached tic
fifth No Of its third volume How far il has acted out The
ideas here uttered II Is not for the editor TO lio
believes however, that 1t falls not further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of y"
work contains Ga large supcrroya pages printed IN u"
very handsomest manner, new type, and on P2fer
equal at least TO that which any other periodical IS
printed in country
No subscription will be received for less than avolnn'
and must commence with the current one. The prce y
SIS per volume, which must be paid in all at the mc
OF subscribing. This is particularly advcred 10 no" y
avoid misrepresentation, future misunderstandne-aS
no order will hereafter be 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 lG0milcs-over 100 mN
ten cents.
All communications letters, relative 10 tho Messcn
ser, must be addressed to THOMAS W WHITE;
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va