The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-05-12
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

THOMAS w WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and not
protesting entire disdain of tasteful seeo though
its matter has been, will continue be, the man
original "& #.#0..@"
Party politics and controversial theology far as pos
sibe, jealousy excluded. They sometimes so
blended with discussions in literature or in moral science
otherwise unobJectionabe, 10 gain admttance for tho
sake Of the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens they Incidental only not
primary They dross, tolerated only because il
not well be severed from the sterling wherewith il
incorporated. "
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors aim that they should
have threefod tendency-to convey in condensed
FORM such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewedto direct the readers
attention books that deserve be and TO
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only to be burned In this age Of publ
cations, that by Their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undiscrimnating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned is of
the most inesmable and indispensable Of auxilares
him who does wish TO discriminate.
Essays and Tales having utility amusement,
both,-Hstorical Sketches,--and "reminiscences Of
minute for history calculating it, and height
enng its Interest," be regarded forming the staple
Of the work And Of indigenous poetry, enough pub
lshed-sometmes Of no mean straino manifest and to
cultivate the growing poeca taste and talents OF
country. ,..."
The times appear for several reasons TO demand such
work--and not alone, but many. The public mind
is feverish and rrtated still, from political sres
The soft, assuasve influence Of literature is needed 70
aay that fever, and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
riotng abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by ridcue, into their fitting hauns.
Ignorance lords it immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set IN notion TO arouse
the enlightened and increase their number SO that the
great enemy OF popular government may no longer BROOD
like porentous cloud the destnies OF country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent be employed than periodical on the plan
the Messengers il that plan be but carried out IN practice
The South peculiarly, requires such an agent In all
the Union, souh of Washington there are but two literary
periodicals Norhward Of that city, there probably at
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 v those
of the Norhernl No. for in wealth. talents, and taste
may justly claim at least equality with our hrc
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 tha i'
word SOUTHERN engrated on the name OF mas
periodical; and not with any design 70 nourlsh local pre-
udces advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought il is the editors erven wish TO see the
North and South bound endearingly together forever IN
the sken bands Of mutual kindness and affection far
from meditating hostility TO the North, ne mas aeauy
drawn and he hopes hereafter TO draw mnch OF ms
matter thence happy indeed VIII ne deem himself
should his pages, by making each region kho" e ol
better contribute in any essential degree to dlspe the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace oil poth ana
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties oil iaerna
love =, ..,.,.
6nb NJ az lis third volume. How far il has acted out the
IDEA. here uttered il is not for the editor 10 He
believes however that il falls further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory,
The Messenger issued monthly. Each number of the
work contains 81 large superroya pages printed in the
very handsomcst manner, new type, and on paper
equal least to that which any other periodical is
printed in country.
No subscription will be received for less than avoumc
and must commence with the current one. The price
SIS per volume which be paid in all at the n'
Of subscribing This Is particularly adgerted to no" to
avoid msapprchension, future misunderstandlng--aS
order viii 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 loomilesoVet 100 miles
ten cents.
All communications or letters, relative to the Messcn
ger, must be addressed to THOMAS w WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va