The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-10-20
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE. EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.


THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
chiefly to literature but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and not
protesting entire dsdain of tasteful seernons though
its matter has been 1t will continue be- the man,
Party politics and controversial theology, far pos
sibe, are jealousy excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobectonabe, TO gain Abundance for the
sake OF the valuable matter TO which they adhere
but whenever that happens they incidental only not
primary They dross, tolerated only because II
not well be severed from the sterling wherewith 1t
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
o such valuable truths or interesting incidents as are
embodied in the works revewed-to direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be adand to warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large mum
ber which merit only to be burned In this age Of publ
cations that by ther variety and multitude distract and
oyerwhelm every undiscnminating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned one
the most inestmable and indispensable OF auxiares,
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility or amusement,
or both,-Hstorcal Sketches,-and "reminiscences of
events minute for history yet calculating it and height
ening its interestingly be regarded forming the staple
of the work. And Of Indigenous poetry, enough is pub
shed-sometimes of mean strainto manifest and TO
country.
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
work--and not one alone, but many The public mind
is feverlsh and itaed STILL from recent political ste>
The soft, assuasive influence of literature is needed
aliay that fever, and soothe that irritation Vice and fey
riotng abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by ridcue into their fitting haunls
Ignorance lords it immense proportion Of
people Every spring should be set in motion, to arouse
the enlightened and to increase their number that the
great enemy 0! popular government may no longer brood
like poentous cloud, the destnes of our country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powertn
agent 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 are but two literary
periodicals. Nohward Of that city, there are probably
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified by
the wealth. the leisure. the native talent or the actual
literary taste Of the Southern people, compared with those
of the Northern No for in wealth. talents, and
we may Justly claim at least equality with our bro.
hren; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords u.s. if we choose, twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy. go.
II was from deep of this local want that the
word SOUTHERN was engrafted the Of this
periodical and not with any design to noush local pre-
JUDGES, to advocate supposed local interests Far from
North and South bound endcarngy together forever, IN
the silken bands of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditatng hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much his choicest
matter thence and happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the Other
better, contribute in any essential degree to dspc the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of both and
TO brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF frcrn"
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No of its third volume How far it has acted out re
ideas here uttered it is not for the editor TO say he
believes however that it falls not further short Of then
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of ne
work contains "a large superroyal pages, printed IN The
very handsomest manner, on new type, and on paper
equal mt least that which any other periodical
printed in country.
No subscription will be received for less than avoomF'
and must commence with the current one. The prIc'
IS per volume which must be paid in all cases at the tine
Of subscribing This particularly adverted TO no" 70
avoid misapprehension, future mlsunderstanding-S
order will hereafter he attended to unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents on any si
gle No for all distances under 100 milesove 100 miles
ten cents. -,
An communications or letters relative the Messen
GER must be addressed to THOMAS w. WHITE;
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va