The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-02-03
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THOMAS W WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
| THIS IS A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
chiefly 10 literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and
processing entire dIsdan OF tasteful selections though
its matter has been it will continue be- in the MAN,
original
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos.
slble, jealousy excluded They are sometimes so
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise unobcctionablc TO gain antiance for the
sake of the valuable matter which they adhere
but whenever that happens they incidental only
primary They are dross tolerated only because it
not well be severed from the sterling whcrewith is
incorporated
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
IN Inc work; and IS the editors aim that they should
have threeiod 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 10 warn
HIM against wasting time and money upon tina, large
ber which merit only TO be burned In this age OF publ
cations that by ther variety and multitude distract and
over"helm every Understanding student, impartial
criticism governed by the views Just mentioned is one Of
the most mestmable and Indispensable Of auxliaries
him who does wish to discriminate
Essays and Tales having utility amusement
or both,-Hstorcal Skeches--and "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history yet calculating and height
enlng ITS nteesm be regarded forming the staple
OF the work And Of indigenous poetry, enough pub
lished-sometmes Of strain-to manifest and
cultivate the growing poeca taste and talents Of
county.
The times appear for several reasons TO demand such
a work-and not alone but many. The public mind
Is ieverish and raied still, from political stres
aay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
riong abroad They should be driven by indignant
Tebuke, dashed by rdicule into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords II over nm immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should he set IN notion to arou
the enlightened and increase their numbers that the
great enemy OF popular government may longer BROOD
like porenous cloud, the destines of country
And 10 accomplish all these ends, what powerful
agent can be employed than periodical the plan
the Messenger if 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 Norhward 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 with those
OF the Northern No: for in wealth, talents, and taste,
we may Justly claim nj least an equality with our hre.
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords us if choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
IL was from deep sense OF this local want that ihe
word SOUTHERN engrafcd the name Of tins
periodicals. and not with any design to noursh local pre-
JUDGES advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought the editors leryen wish the
North and South bound endearngy together forever m
the silkcn bands OF mutual kindness and affection far
from mcdatiBg hostility To the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much OF his choicest
matter thence; happy indeed viii he deem himself
should his pages, by making each region know the Other
better, contribute in any essential degree 10 dispc the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of both AMI
10 brighten and strengthen the sacred ties of fratc
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached III
fifth No of its third volume How far it has acted tie
ideas here uttered. il is not for the editor 10 say. lir
believes, however that falls not further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number 9th"
work contains Ga large superroya pages printed in the
very handsomes manner, on new type, and paper
equal at least TO that which any othcr periodical IS
printed in our country,
No subscription will be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current The pnce ~
IS per volume which be paid in all cases al the TINE
of subscribing This is particularly adyercd 10 no" to
avoid Misrepresentation, future mlsnndcrSandine-HS
order will hereafter be attended to unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
Tho postage on the Messenger is six cents any
gle No. for all distances under loOmes-over 100 miles
ten cents.
All communications or letters relative 10 tho Mcsscn
ger must hc addressed TO Thomas W. WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va