The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-03-01
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER

THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
T,HIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
Il chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and
protesting entire dsdan of tasteful selections though
its matter has been as will continue to be- in the man,
original
Party politics and controversial theology far pos
sible, are jealousy excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobectonabe, to gain admtance for the
sake OF the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only
primary They are dross, tolerated only because it
not well be severed from the sterling wherewith
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work; and it is the editors aim that they should
have threeold tendency-to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed., direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve to be read and TO
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which only be burned In this age OF publ
cations that by er variety and multitude distract and
oyer~helm every Understanding student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned is OF
the most nestimabe and indispensable Of auxilares 10
him who does wish TO discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility amusement
both,-Historical Sketches,--and "reminiscences OF
minute for history, yet Calculating it, and height
ening its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
Of the work And Of Indigenous poetry, enough is pub
shed-sometimes of mean straln-to manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetcal taste and talents OF our
country.
The appear, for several reasons, demand such
work--and not one alone but many. The public mind
The soft, assuasive influence of literature needed
allay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
rioting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by rdicule into their fitting haun>
Ignorance lords it immense proportion OF our
people, Every spring should be set IN motion, to arouse
the enlightened and 70 increase their number so that s
great enemy of popular government may no longer brood
like portentous cloud, over the destnles OF our country
And TO accomplish all these ends what powerful
agent can be employed than periodical on the plan o.
the Messenger il that plan be but carried out in pracc
The South peculiarly, requires such an agent IN All
the Union, south Of Washington there are but two literary
periodicals Northward Of that city, there probably at
least twenty-five 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 Norhen No: for in wealth. talents, and TASTE
we may justly claim atoleast equality with our ORE
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords u.s. if choose, twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
II from deep sense OF this local want that the
word SOUTHERN was engraffed the name OF this
periodical sand not with any design 10 noursh local pre-
udices to advocate supposed local interests ar ron
any such thought il is the editors feren wish to see the
North and South bound endearingly together forever
the silken bands Of mutual kindness and affection f3
from meditatng hostility to the North he has airea
drawn and he hopes TO draw much oil his
matter thence; ano happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages, by making each region know the othH
better contribute in any essential degree TO dSpel we
lowering clouds that threaten the peace of BOTH and
20 brighten and strengthen the sacred ties of iracrnai
love.
fifth No OF its third volume. How far it has acted out ne
ideas here uttered IL is not for the editor TO lie
believes, however, that it falls further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short o.
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of the
work contains 81 large superoya pages, printed IN me
very handsomest manner, on type, and on paFc!
equal at least to that which any other periodical IS
printed in our country
No subscription will be received for less than avolumc
and must commence with the current one. The prlce "
IS per volume which must be paid in all cases az me te
Of subscribing This is particularly advered 10 no" 70
avoid misapprehension or future misunderstandingas
no order will he attended to unless accompanied
with the price of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is SIX cents on any Sun
gle No for all distances under 100 mhes-over 100 meS
ten cents :, -
All communications letters, relative TO the Mcssen
ger, must be addressed TO THOMAS w. WHITE.
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, va