The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-05-26
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 not
protesting entire disdan of tasteful selections though
lis matter has been as will continue To- be- in the MAN.
original
sibe, jealousy excluded They are sometimes so
blended with discussions in literature or in moral science
otherwise unobectlonable as to gain admance for the
sake of the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only
primary They dross tolerated only because it can
not well be severed from the sterling wherewh it
Incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and il is the editors that they should
FORM such valuable truths interesting incidents as are
embodied in the works reyiewed-to direct the readers
attention 10 books that deserve to be read,and
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only to be burned In this age Of publ
cations that by heir variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undiscrimnating student, impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned of
the most inesmable and indispensable OF auxaries to
him who does wish to discriminate
Essays and Tales having in view utility amusement,
or both,-Hlstorical Sketches,-and "reminiscences of
events too minute for history yet calculating it, and height
ening its interest be regarded forming the staple
OF the work And Of indigenous poetry, enough is pub
shed-sometlmes OF no mean straino manifest and TO
cultivate the growing poetcal taste and talents Of
country.
The times appear, for several reasons demand such
work-and not one alone but many. The public mlrd
is ieversh and irated still, from political srifes
The soft, assuasve influence of literature is needed
aay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
are riotng abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, or dashed by ndicule into their fitting hannts.
Ignorance lords 1t immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in notion TO arouse
the enlightened and increase their number that the
great enemy Of popular government may no longer brood,
like portenous cloud the destines OF our country
And to accomplish all these ends, what powerful
agent be employed than periodical, the plan
the Messenger If that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly requires such an agent In all
periodicals. Norhward Of that city, there 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 taste,
we may Justly claim at least equality with bre-
thren; and domestic institution exclusively own,
beyond all doubt affords If choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
IL was from deep sense Of this local want that the
word SOUTHERN was engrahcd on the name of this
periodical and not with any design noursh local
JUDGES, to advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought i, the editors feent wish the
North and South bound endearngy together forever,
the silkeu bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from medating hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes 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 dspel the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF BOTH and
TO brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of traternal
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No OF its third volume How far has acted out the
ideas here uttered it is not for the editor to He
believes however that il 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 super-roya pages printed in the
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal at least TO that which any other periodical
printed in country
No subscription will be received for less than volume,
and mus, commence with the current one. The pncc ~
SIS per volume, which must be paid IN all cases the TIM"
Of subscribing. This particularly advercd TO no" 10
avoid msapprehcnsion, or future misunderstandlnG-as
no order will hereafter he attended to unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger il six cents any SIN
gle No for all distances under 100 milesover 100 miles
ten cents.
All communications or letters relative the Messen
ger, must be addressed to THoaAs W. WHITE;
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va