The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-05
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER

THOMAS w WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
/ THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly 10 literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and
processing entire disdan of tasteful Selections though
ITS matter has been, II will continue be- the MAN,
original
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
slbe, are Jealously excluded They sometimes so
blended with discussions in literature or in moral science
otherwise unobjectionable gain adm,ance for tho
sake Of the more valuable matter to which they adhere
bu, wheneysr that happens they are incidental only not
primary They dross tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling wherewith
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 a condensed
FORM such valuable truths interesting incidents as
embodied in the works reyiewedto direct the readers
attention to books that deserve be read and TO warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only to be burned In this age Of publ
cations, that by ther variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undiscriminatng student, impartial
CRITICISM governed by the views just mentioned of
the most inestmabe and indispensable of auxaries to
| him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in viewu'iy amusement,
or both,-His,orical Sketches,-and "reminiscences Of
events too minute FOR history Calculating and height
cnng its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
of the work. And OF Indigenous poetry, enough pub
shed-sometimes of mean strain-to manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetical taste and talents OF
| country ..
The times appear for several reasons demand such
a work-and not one alone, but many. The public mind
is feversh and iritaed still, from recent political sres
The soft assuasive influence of literature is needed
alay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
riotlng abroad They should be driven by indignant
rehukc dashed by ridicule, their fitting hauns.
Ignorance lords it over immense proportion OF our
people. Every spring should be in motion, TO
the enlightened, and to increase their number that the
great enemy Of popular no longer BROOD
like portenous cloud, the destnies Of country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful.
agent can be employed than PERIODICAL on 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
nI rIsx
eas, 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! Mo- for in wealth. talents and taste,
may Justly claim at least equality with bre-
hren and domestic institution exclusively own,
beyond Ill doubt affords if choose twice the leisure
| for reading and writing, which they enjoy
Ii was from deep Of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN engraitcd on the name Of thus
JUDGES, or TO advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought the editors fervent wish to the
North and South bound endearngy together forever,
the silkeu bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from medntirg hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much OF his choicest
matter thence; ana happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages, by making each region know inc oher
better, contribute in any essential degree TO dspel the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both and
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF iraternal
| love. ....
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached the
fifth No Of its third How far has acted the
ideas here uttered, not for the editor TO say He
believes however that falls further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
| theory. -.
The Mossongcr.is issued monthly. Each number OF the
work Ga large superroyal pages printed IN tho
| very handsomest manner, type, and paper
equal least to that which any other periodical is
! printed in country. IF,
No subscription will he received for less than volume
and must commence with the current one. The price is
S. per volume which must be paid all al the time
of subscribing This is particularly advcrted TO now TO
avoid misrepresentation future Observation-Disclosures
order will hereafter he attended to unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage the Messenger is six cents on any SIN
Gle No for all distances under 100 milesoycr 100 miles
ten CENTS. -. , :,
An communications or letters, relative to the Messen
ger. must he addressed 10 THOMAS w WHITE;
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond Va