The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-09-26
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and not
protesting entire disdan Of tasteful selections, though
It's matter has BEEN as viii continue to be- in the man,
Party politics and theology, far pos
sibe, jealousy excluded. They sometimes so
blended with discussions in literature moral science,
otherwise unobectonae to gain admlttance Tor the
sake of the valuable matter which they adhere
but whenever that happens they Incidental only not
irisadrV They arc dross tolerated only because
we'll he severed from the sterling wherew y y
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work; and is the editors aim that they should
have threefold 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 land to warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large num-
ber which merit only to be burned In this age OF publ.
cations, that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhem every Understanding student, impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned is one Of
the nestmable and indispensable Of auxiarles, to
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales hayingin viewutility amusement,
or both-Historical Sketches,-and "reminiscences OF
events too minute for history yet Calculating it and height
enng Interestingly be regarded as forming the staple
of the work. And of indigenous poetry enough IS pub
lishedsometimes of stran--to manifest and to
country.
The times appear, for several reasons demand such
a worh-and not one alone, but many The public mind
is everish and rrtaed STILL from political s,fes
The soft, influence of literature needed TO
aay that fever, and soothe that irritation. Vice and folly
riotng abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by rdcue into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords il immense proportion Of
people Every spring should be set in motion, to
the enlightened and increase their number that the
great enemy of popular government may longer brood,
like porentous cloud over the destnes Of country
And to accomplish all these ends, what powerful
agent be employed than periodical the plan
the Messenger il that plan be but carried out IN practice
The South peculiarly, requires such an agent. In all
the Union, south Of Washington, there but two literary
l.t nFt
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 Northern, No for in wealth, talents and taste,
may Justly claim at least equality with our hre-
then; and domestic institution exclusively own,
beyond all doubt affords us we choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they ENJOY
was from deep sense OF THIS local want, that the
word SOUTHERN engrafted the name OF thus
periodical and with any design TO noursh Local pre-
ludices advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought il is the editors iervent wish the
North and South bound endcarnPy together forever in
the sken bands Of mutual kindness and affection fM
from meditarg hostility the Morrill, ne mas aiteady
drawn and he hepcs draw mucn OF ms choicest
matter thence; happy indeed will he deem himself,
should his pages by making each region kno" me 9ne
better contribute any essential degree 10 dlspel r
lowering clouds that threaten the peace oil both and
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of aternA
love. ...
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached the
fifth No of lis third volume How far II has acted out ne
ideas here uttered is not for the editor to say lie
believes however, that it falls not further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short q"
theory. -....
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of the
work contains Ga large superroyal pages printed in the
very handSumcst manner, new type, and on paper
equal least that which any other periodical IS
printed in our country.
No stscr ption viii be received for less than volume,
and mus commence with the current one, The prce
IS per Volume which must he paid in all cases at the time
Of subscribing This particularly adyertcd to now 10
avoid misapprrhcnsion, future Observation-Disclosures
no order viii hereafter he attended 10 unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage the Messenger is six cents on any ,ln
gle No FOR all distances under l00mlles-over loo mics
ten cents. 81,
All communications letters, relative TO the Messen
ger, mts, be addressed 10 THOMAS T.. "hlIh;;,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, kichmohd va