The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-05-31
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
rnonAs ". WHITE, EpIroR ANp rRoPRIEToR

w.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE. devoted
chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope OF Science ard not
protesting entire dsdan OF tasteful selections though
It's matter has been, as At VIII continue to be, IN the manu-
original.
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
sible, are jealously excluded They sometimes
blended with discussions IN literature moral science,
otherwise unohjectonablc, TO gain admiance for tie
sake Of he valuable matter TO which they adhere
but ~heneyer that happens they are incidental only not
primary They dross, tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling wherewi,h
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work. and it is the editors aim that they should
have threeiold tendency-to convey in n CONDENSED
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed,to direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be rcad-and
HIM against wasting time and money upon that large
ber which merit only to be burned In this age OF pub
cations that by her variety and multitude distract and
overwhem every Understanding student, impartial
criticism governed Gy the views just mentioned is Of
the most nestimabe and Indispensable OF auxiares to
him who does wish TO discriminate
Essays and Tales having in view utility amusement
or both,-Historical Sketches,-and "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history yet calculating it, and height
enng Its lneresi-may be regarded forming the staple
OF the work. And of indigenous poetry, enough is p
lishcd-some,imes of no mean stainto manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetcal taste and talents Of our
country
The times appear, for several reasons demand such
a work--and not one alone but many. The public mud
IS eversh and irr'ated still, from recent poca sir"s
The SOFT assuasive influence Of literature is nccdedlo
aay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and "N
rotipg abroad They should be driven by indignant
rcbuke or dashed by rdicule into their fitting haunS
Ignorance lords it immense proportion oil our
people Every spring should be set IN notion 10 arouse
the enlightened, and TO their number so thai the
great enemy OF popular government may no longer BROOD
like portenous cloud. the destines OF our country
And 10 accomplish all these ends, what more powcrln
agent can be employed than PERIODICAL on the plan
the Messenger that plan be but carried in practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such an agent In all
the Union sonih Of Washington, there but two literary
periodicals Norhward Of that city, there probably NJ
least twenty FIVE thirty Is this contrast justified ~
the wealth, the leisure. the native talent, the actual
literary taste Of the Southern people, compared will those
Of the Northern No: for in wealth. talents, and TASTE
we may justly claim at least equality with our brc
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords IL choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
IL was from deep sense oil this local want that the
word SOUTHERN was engmfed on the name OF tins
periodical and not with any design to noursh local pre-
JUDGES, 10 advocate supposed local interests Far IRON
any such thought is the editors feren wish 10 see the
North and South bound endearingy together forever IN
The siken bands of mutual kindness and affection far
from mcdaIirg hostility to the North, nc has already
drawn and he hopes draw much OF his choicest
matter thence; ana happy indeed VIII he deem himself
should HIS pages, by making eaeh region kno" me G't
better contribute cssenlal degree TO dlspei tht
lowering clouds thar threaten the peace Of both AMI
TO brighten and strengthen the sacred ties of acrna
love. .... .
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached tie
fifth No OF It's third volume. How far il has acted out the
IDEAS here uttered it is not for the editor to say He
believes however, that falls not further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short o
theory
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number The
work contains 81 large superroya pages printed IN the
very handsomcst manner type and paper
equal at least TO that which any other periodical IS
printed in our country.
No subscription will be received for less than avolume
and must commence with the current The price Is
IS per volume which must be paid in all eases Al the ''
OF subscribing This is particularly adyered 10 no" %
avoid msapprehenson, future misunders,andnr-hS
order will hereafter he attended 10 unless accompanied
with the price OF subscription.
The postage the Messenger is six cents any sn
gle No. for all distances under 100 mesovor 100 m''
ten cents
All communications or letters relative TO the Moss'n
ger, must he addressed TO Thomas W WHITE;
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va