The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-04-12
PROSPECTUS OF THE
LITERARY MESSENGE'
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.


| THIS is "A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
| chiefly TO literature but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope of Science and
processing entire dsan OF tasteful scicctions though
lis matter has been as 1t will continue to be- in the
original
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
sblc are jealousy excluded. They are sometimes
blended with discussions literature moral science
otherwise unobeconabe, 10 gain admittance 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 can
not well be severed from the sterling ore wherewh
Incorporated
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work; and it is the editors aim that they shon
have threelod tendency-to convey in a condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents are
embodied IN the works reviewed-to direct the readers
attention books that deserve to be readand 10 warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large mum
Der, which merit only TO be burned. In this age of pu
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undiscriminating student impartial
criticisms governed by the views just mentioned Of
the most inestmable and indispensable Of auxliaries
him WHO does wish TO discriminate
Essays and Tales having in viewutility or amusement
or both--ffiscrcal Sketches,--an "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history yet Calculating it, and height
enng its Interestingly he regarded forming the staple
OF the work. And of indigenous poetry, enough pub
hshed-sometimes of no strain-to manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetica taste and talents of
country.
The times appear for several reasons demand such
work-and not one alone, but many The public mind
is feversh and irrated STILL from political ses
The SOFT assuasive influence OF literature needed 10
aay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
rlotng abroad They should be driven by indignant
rcbuke or dashed by rdicule into their fitting haunS.
Ignorance lords it over an immense proportion Of
people. Every spring should be set in notion to
the enlightened and 10 increase their number that the
great enemy Of popular government may no longer BROOD
like portenous cloud, the destnies of country
And to accomplish all these ends, what powcr'l
agent can be employed than periodical, the plan
the Messenger If that plan be but carried in practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such an agent In all
the Union, south Of Washington there but literary
periodicals Norhward Of that city, there probably at
least twenty-five or thirty Is this contrast justified y
the wealth, the leisure the native talent, the actual
literary taste Of the Southern people, compared with those
oil the Northern No: for in wealth talents, and taste
we may Justly claim at least equality with our hrc-
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our oWl,
beyond all doubt affords u.s. choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
Ii was from deep sense OF this local want that the
word SOUTHERN was engrafcd on the name OF THIS
PERIODICAL and not with any design to noursh local pre-
JUDGES, to advocate supposed local interests Far om
any such thought ii is the editors ervent wish TO see t
North and South bound endearngy together forever IN
the silken bands OF mutual kindness and affection Far
from medating hostility 10 the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes much OF his choices
matter thence ann happy indeed VIII he deem himself
should his pages, by making each region Know the Other
better contribute in any essential degree dispc the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of both and
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of faeraa
love. ...~s
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached 'tc
fifth No third volume How far it has acted out tie
ideas here uttered il not for the editor to say lie
bGllevCs however, mat u ias not further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number of,l"
work contains "a large superroyal pages printed in tive
very handsomest manner, on new tyne and on parer
equal at least to that which any other periodical
printed in country.
No subscription will he received for less than volume.
and must commence with the current one. The price
IS per volume which he paid in all the
Of Subscribing THIS is particularly advprted To
avoid misanrrrhenSIon, future misunderstanding
order will hereafter hc attended unless accompari
with the price of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents
gle No for all distances under 100 milesovcr 100 miles
ten cents.
All communications letters, relative 10 the Mcssn
ger, must be addressed to THoNAs w. WHITE.
Southern Literary Messenger Office Richmond, W.