The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-11-07
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSE
THOMAS W. WHITE. EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR


THIS is MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
J. chiefly To literature, but occasionally finding roo,m
Tor articles that fall within the scope Of Science and mn
protesting entire disain Of tasteful sslscfions 1l
ITS matter has been, as It viii continue be- the man
original
Party politics and controversial theology as far a. ro
slbe, jeaously excluded They are sometimes -
blended win discussions IN literature in moral science
otherwise unobeconable, To gain admtance for TIM
sake OF the more valuable matter which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only no,
primary They are dross, tolerated only because can
not well be severed from the sterling ore wherewi, ii
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and 1t is the editors aim that they should
have threeiold lendency-to convey in a CONDENSED
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents A. are
embodied in the works reyiewed,-to direct the readers
attention to books that deserve TO be read and 10 wan
him against wasting time and money upon that large nun
Der, which merit only he burned In this age Of publ
cations, that by fheir variety and multitude distract and
overwhem every undlscnmna,ing student, impartial
criticism, governed by the Just mentioned is one Of
the most inesmable and indispensable OF auxiares 10
him who does wish 10 discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in view utility or amusement
or boih,-Hisorical Ske,ches,-and "reminiscences OF
events too minute for history, yet eucdaiing it, and height
enng It's Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
OF the work, And Of Indigenous poetry, enough is pub
Ished-sometimes OF no mean stranto manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetical taste and talents OF
country.
The times appear for several reasons demand snch
q work-and not one alone bu many. The public mind
The soft assuasiye influence OF literature Is needed to
aay that fever and soothe that irritation wee and lo
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebukc dashed by ridicue, into their httIng haurs
Ignorance lords il immense proportion OF our
people. Every spring should be set IN notion TO arouse
the enlightened and TO increase their number so that The
great enemy Of popular government may no longer brood
like port cloud the destlnes OF our country
And TO accomplish all these ends, what more po%"rn
agent can be employed than periodical on the plan .
the Messenger il that plan be but carried out in practice
The South necuiarly reou res s,ch an agent In all
the Union, south Of Washington, there but two literary
periodicals Norhward Of that CITY, there probably
least twenty-five or 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 an equality with our bre-
thren and domestic institution exclusively own,
beyond all doubt affords We choose, twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy
II was from deep OF this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN was engraited the of this
erodical and not with any design noursh local pre-
udces, advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought il is the editors feent wish to see the
North and South bound endearngy together forever, IN
the siken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from medtating hostility to the North, he has aireaGy
drawn and he hopes hereafter TO draw much Of his choice
should his pages by making each region know the other
better contribute in any essential degree TO dspe the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both and
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF raieAi
love. .
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached The
fifth No of its third volume. How far has acted ont Tie
ideas here uttered it is not for the editor TO say He
believes however that 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 superroya pages, printed IN The
very handsomest manner, new type, and paper
equal at least that which any other periodical
| printed in country.
No subscription will be received for less than volume
and must commence with the The price IS
S5 per volume which must be paid in all at the time
Of subscribing This is particularly adverted TO to
avoid msapprehension, future MISUNDERSTANDING
no order will hereafter be attended unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage the Messenger six cents on any SIN
gle No for all distances under 100 mesoyer 100 miles
ten cents. .
/ All communications or letters, relative to the Mcssen
ger, mus, be addressed to THOMAS W WHITE;
| Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va