The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-08-25
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS ". WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
for articles that fa within the scope Of Science
protesting entire disdan of tasteful selections though
its matter has been it will continue to be, in the MAN,
original
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
sible, are jealousy excluded. They are sometimes SO
blended with discussions in literature or in moral science
otherwise unobeconabe to gain admittance for the
sake Of the valuable matter to which they adhere
but ~henevsr that happens they are incidental only not
primary. They dross, tolerated only because it
not well be severed from the sterling wherewth it
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
attention to books that deserve to be readand 10 warn
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
ovcrwhelm every understanding student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned, is Of
the most inestmable and indispensable Of auxares, to
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in view utility amusement,
or both,-Historcal Sketches--and "reminiscences of
minute for history yet Calculating it, and height
of the work And Of Indigenous poetry, enough il pub
shed-somemes of mean strain--to manifest and TO
country.
The times appear for several reasons 70 demand such
work-and not one alone but many. The public mind
is feverish and ated still, from political srfes
The soft, assuasve influence Of literature is needed
aay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
riong abroad: They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, or dashed by rdicule, into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords it over immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in motion, to arouse
the enlightened and TO increase their number so that the
great enemy of popular government longer brood,
like portentous cloud, the destines OF country
And to accomplish all these ends, what powerful
agent be employed than periodical the plan
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 two literary
periodicals. Nohward 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 Nohern No. for in wealth talents and taste,
may Justly claim at least equality with our bre-
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords u.s. choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
II from deep Of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN was engrafed the name Of this
periodical and not with any design to noursh local pre-
udces to advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought the editors ervent wish TO sec the
North and South bound endearngly together forever,
the slken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditsns hostility to the North be has ALREADY
matter thence; happy indeed will no deem himself,
should his pages by making each region know the other
lowering clouds thai now threaten the peace OF both and
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF fraternai
love. .
fifth No Of third volume How far has acted the
ideas here uttered il il not for the editor to He
believes, however that IT falls not further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short o.
theory. -
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number OF the
work contains Ga large superroya pages printed IN the
very handsomest manner, on new type, and on paper
equal at least to that which any other periodical Is
printed in country.
No subscription viii be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current one The pnce Is
IS per volume, which must be paid in all cases at the tune
Of subscribing This is particularly advered TO now 70
avoid misrepresentation, future msundcrstandne-as
order will hereafter he attended TO unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is ak cents on any SIN
Gle No for ali distances under 100 mesoyeT 100 miles
An communications or letters relative to the Messcn
ger must be addressed to THOMAS w WHITE
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va