The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-09
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE. EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
| THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
| chiefly literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the OF Science and not
protesting entire disaan of tasteful selections though
lis matter has been as will continue TO be- in the main,
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
sible, jealousy excluded. They sometimes SO
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise unobectionabe to gain admttance 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 can.
not well be severed from the sterling wherewith
Incorporated ra ."
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 a condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied IN the works reyiewed-to direct the readers
attention TO 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 fher variety and multitude distract and
over~helm every Understanding student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned OF
the inesnable and Indispensable of auxiliares
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales having view utility amusement,
or both,-Hstorical Skeches,--and "reminiscences of
events too minute for history calculating it, and height
enlng its interest be regarded forming the staple
of the work And Of indigenous poetry, enough is pub
lished-somemes of mean strain-to manifest and to
cultivate the growing pocca taste and talents of Our
country.
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
work--and not alone, but many. The public mind
is feverish and rated STILL from political strfes
The soft, assuasve influence of literature is needed to
aay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
riong abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by rdcue, into their fitting hannts
Ignorance lords it an immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set IN notion TO arouse
the enlightened and to increase their number SO hat the
great of popular government longer brood,
like porentous cloud the destines OF our country
And accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent can be employed than periodical the plan
the Messenger fahat plan be but carried out In practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such agent. In all
the Union south Of Washington there are but two literary
periodicals. Norhward Of that city, there probably at
least twenty-five thirty! Is this contrast justified by
the wealth, the leisure the native talent, or the actual
literary OF the Southern people, compared whthose
Of the Northern? Mo- for in wealth talents, and taste,
may justly claim at least equality with our bre-
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords u.s. choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
II from deep of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN engrafted the name OF this
periodical and with any design noursh local
JUDGES or 10 advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought il is the editors eryen wish the
North and South bound endearngly together forever IN
the silken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from mediiatirg hostility to the North, he has already
drawn, and he hopes hereafter to draw, much ohs choicest
matter thence ano happy indeed Will he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the DINER
better contribute any essential degree to dlspe the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of both and
TO brighten and strengthen the sacred ties oil ira'efh"A
love. IT,.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No Of its third volume How far has acted out ne
ideas here uttered il is not for the editor TO say lie
believes however, that IL ialis not iurther sho OF '
than human weakness usually makes practice fall sho o.
theory. III.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number OF The
work contains 81 large super.roya pages printed in the
very handsomest manner, on new type and on paper
equal at least TO that which any other penodcm -
printed in our country.
No subscription will be received for less than vo nmf
and must commence with the current one The prce !"
SIS per volume which must be paid in all cases at the 'mp
Of Subscribing This is particularly advccd TO no" !"
avoid Misrepresentation, future msundersanding-aS
no order will hereafter he attended TO unless
with the price Of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents on any SIN
gle No for all distances under 100 mes-o'er loo mics
ten cents. :, 81,
An communications letters relative to the Messen
GER must be addressed to THOMAS W. WHITE,
southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va