The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-11-10
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESsENGE

fhoAAs w. WHITE EDITOR AND fFOPklETOR.
THIS rs MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
4 CHIEFLY 10 Literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and not
processing entire disdsn Of tasteful seeotors though
It's matter has been AS will continue be, in the nam
original
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos.
slbie, are Jealousy excluded They are sometimes so
blended WIN discussions IN literature in moral science
otherwise unobectonabe, gain admttance for The
sake OF the more valuable matter which they adhere
Out whenever that happens they Incidental only not
primary They are dross, tolerated only because II can
not well be severed from the sterling wherewth it is
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
IN the work and II IS the editors that they should
nave threeiold tendency-to convey in a condensed
form, such valuable truths or interesting incidents ms are
embodied in the works Teyiewed-to direct the readers
attention 10 books that deserve TO be read-and 10 warn
him against wasting time and money upon tina, large num-
Der, which merit only to be burned In this OF publ
cations, that by their variety and multitude distract and
oveT~hem every undiscriminang student, impartial
criticism, governed by the views Just mentioned
the most nestimabe and indispensable Of auxares 10
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in iewutily amusement,
or both-EisorIcal Sketches,-and "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history yet Calculating it, and height
enng its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
OF the work. And OF Indigenous poetry, enough is pub
Understandings OF mean strain-to manifest and 10
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 he public mind
is everish and iTtated still, from political srfes
The Soft assuasiye influence OF literature is needed, to
aay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
roting abroad They should be driven by ndignan,
rebukc dashed by rdlcule into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords it over an immense proportion Of our
people Every spring should be set IN notion to arouse
the enlightened and to their number so that the
great enemy Of popular longer brood
like poentous cloud the destinles OF our country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent be employed than periodical on the plan o.
the Messenger that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such agent. In all
the Unon south Of Washington there are but two literary
periodicals Nortbward Of that city, there probably
least twenty five thirty Is this justified by
the wealth, the leisure the native talent, the actual
literary taste the Southern people compared with those
OF the Northern! No. for In wealth, talents, and TASTE
we may justly claim at least an equality with our bre
thren; and a domestic institution exclusively own
beyond all doubt affords We choose the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t from deep Of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN engrafted on the name Of this
periodical and not with any design to noursh local pre-
udices to advocate supposed local interests Far IRON
any such thought il is the editors ervent wish to see the
North and South bound endearingly together forever IN
the slken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from medtating hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter to draw much OF his choicest
matter thence; happy indeed will he deem himself,
should his pages, by making each region know the other
better contribute any essential degree to dspel the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of both and
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF frateaa
love.
fifth No of It's third volume How far it has acted the
ideas here uttered is 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 81 large superroyal pages printed In the
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal at least that which any other periodical is
! printed in country.
No subscription will be received for less than volume
and mus, commence with the current The price is
IS per volume which be paid in all al the time
Of subscribing This is particularly advered to now to
avoid misapprehension or future misundersandingas
no order will hereafter he attended unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage the Messenger is six cents on any SIN
ole No for all distances under 100 milesover 100 miles
! ten cents.
An communications or letters, relative to the Messen
/ ger must he addressed TO THOMAS w. WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va