The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-09-12
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THIS is MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
chiefly TO literature but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and no.
protesting entire disdain Of tasteful selections though
its has boen as t will continue to be- In the MAN,
' BsT1 polite, and controversial, h,oor "a, :, DOS.
sible, jealously excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise unobectionabe to gain admittance for tie
sake Of the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens they are incidental only not
primary They dross, tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling ore wherewith II
Incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and il is the editors aim that they should
have threeiod tendency--to convey in condens7d
FORM such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reyewedto direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be ead-and to
him against wasting and money upon that large
ber which merit only to be burned In this age of putin
cations, that by fheir variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every discriminating student, imparlsI
criticism governed by the views Just mentioned is
the inestmable and indispensable Of auxiiareslo
him who doos wish TO discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in view utility or amuseme'
or boih,--Historca Sketches,-and "Reminiscences +"
events minute for history yet calculating it, and height
eniny it's Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
OF the work And Of Indigenous poetry enough is pub
shed-sometmes Of mean stran--to manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poeical taste and talents OF our
country. -
The times appear, for several reasons demand such
work-and not one alone, but many The pabllc mnd
feyerish and itated STILL from recent political s>
The soft assnasive influence of literature is needed
aay thai lever, and soothe that ffltaon wee ana l
are riong abroad They should be driven by tnhgnah
rebuke, or dashed Ivy rdcple, into their fitting hann
Ignorance lords it over 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 longer brood
like pcentous cloud over the desfinics OF our country
And 10 accomplish aN these ends, what more poWrrlu
agent he employed than periodical, the plan
the Messenger II that plan be but carried ont in practice
The South. peculiarly, requires such an agent In all
the Union south OF Washington there are but two literary
If thatn Al
lahst twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified by
the wealth. the leisure. the native talent, the actual
Literary Taste Of the Southern people, compared viii those
OF the Norhern No for in wealth, talents, and taste
we may Justly claim at least equality with our lrs
tArens and domestic institution exclusively our own
besd all doubt affords as if choose, twice the eisurc
for ntsding and writing, which they enjoy,
Rwas from a deep sense OF this local want, that The
word SOUTHERN was engraitaa on the name Of tbs
periodical and MOI With any design TO nourish local pre-
judices to advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such ihoug is The editors fervent wish the
North md South hound cndearingly together forever ~
the sken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Ia
from mcdiiang hostility 10 the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes draw, mnsh o ms choce>
maiier thence; ana happy indeed will he deem himsc'
should his pages. by making each region know tho on"
better contribute in any essential degree 70 dspe tie
low erng clouds that threaten the peace Of both ant
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of ira'erna
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached lie
fifth No Of its third volume. How far il has acted ont y.
ideas here uttered it is not for the editor to say lie
believes however that II falls moi further short OF i'h
than human weakness usually makes practice fall shor'
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number ON
work contains ca large superroya pages printed IN ne
very handsomcst manner on new type and on paIr
equal At least 10 that on which any Other perodr" =
printed in country,
No subscription viii be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current one The put'
IS per volume, which must be paid IN all cases Mt The "
of subscribing This is particularly advouod to no" "
avoid misrepresentation future msnndersandinf-"S
boa lad In mir
with the price Of subscription
The postage the Messenger is six cents on any Sun
gle No for all distances under 100 mles-over 100 mics
ten cents. ~
An communications or letters, relative TO the Mes'en
ger must be addressed to THOMAS w, Witt;
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, "a