The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-10-17
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.


| THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly to literature but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and not
protesting entire dsdain of tasteful selections though
its matter has been, it will continue be- in the MAN,
"rs' .r,x noc. and controversies. ,h. f.r ;. NOS
sible, jealousy excluded. They sometimes so
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobeconable, to gain admittance 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 it
well be severed from the sterling wherewh 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 are
embodied in the works reviewed,to direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be read 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
overwhelm every Understanding student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned is one OF
the most nestimabe and indispensable OF auxiares, TO
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in viewutlty or amusement,
for history yet eucdatng it. and height,
ening its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
of the work And of Indigenous poetry, enough is pub
lished-sometimes of mean srainto manifest and to
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 feverish and rritated STILL from recent political strifes
The soft, assuasve influence Of literature is needed to
irritation.
are riotng abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, or dashed by ridcue, into their fitting hauus
Ignorance lords it over an immense proportion of our
people Every spring should be set in motion, to arouse
the enlightened and increase their number that the
great enemy of popular government may longer brood
like potentous cloud over the destines Of our country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent be employed than periodical, the plan
the Messenger 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
of
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified by
the wealth, the leisure the native talent the actual
Of the Northern No for in wealth, talents, and taste,
we may justly claim at least an equality with our bre'
thren and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords if choose, twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy. .....4.
II from deep Of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN engrafted the name OF this
periodical and with any design to noursh local pre-
JUDGES to advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought il is the editors ervent wish to see the
North and South bound endearngy together forever IN
the sken bands of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditatng hostility the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter to draw much OF his choicest
matter thence ana happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the other
better contribute in any essential degree TO dispe the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of both and
TO brighten and strengthen the sacred ties oil raeha
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No OF its third volume. How far il has acted on, he
ideas here uttered it is not for the editor say He
believes however, that it falls not further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number Of the
work contains Ga large superoyal pages, printed IN me
very handsomest manner, on new type, and on paper
equal least that which any other periodical -
printed in country.
No subscription will be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current one. The pnc'
S. per volume which must be paid in all at the time
Of subscribing This is particularly adverted TO no" 70
avoid misapprehenson future misunderstandihg-ass
no order will hereafter attended unless accompanies
with the price Of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents on any sn
gle No for all distances under 100 mles-orer oo miles
ten cents. 49,, NJ,
All communications letters, eative to the Mess"
ger, must be addressed TO THOMAS :, WHIT u
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va