The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-27
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
protesting entire disdan of tasteful selections though
its matter has been, it viii continue to be, in the man.
original
sibe, iealousy excluded. They are sometimes
blended with discussions literature moral science,
otherwise unobectionabe to admittance for the
sake OF the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens they incidental only
primary. They dross, tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling wherewh II IS
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors that they should
have threeold tendency-to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reyewcd,-to 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 eir variety and multitude distract and
overahelm every undiscriminating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned Of
the most inestimabe and indispensable of auxiares
him who does wish TO discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility amusement.
or both,-Hlstorcal Sketches,-and "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history yet Calculating and height
ening its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
OF the work And Of indigenous poetry enough is pub
lished-sometimes Of stran-to manifest and TO
cultivate the growing poetical taste and talents Of our
country.
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
a worl-and not one alone, but many The public mind
is feyersh and rritaed STILL from political sres
The soft, assuasive influence of literature is needed TO
aay that fever, and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
rioting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by rdcule into their fitting haun'S
Ignorance lords it immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in motion, to arouse
the enlightened and increase their number; that the
great enemy OF popular government may no longer BROOD
like porcntous cloud the dcstnes OF our country
And 10 accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent can be employed than periodical on the plan q
the Messenger if that plan-be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly requires such an agent. In Al,
V,1p, 1T NJ a1,,tYt ltsppr
periodicals Nohward Of that city, there probably ~
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified ~
the wealth. the leisure the native talent the actual
literary taste OF the Southern people, compared with those
of the Northemi No. for in wealth, talents and taste
we may Justly claim at least equality with orr brc
ihen; and domestic institution exclusively own
beyond all doubt affords If choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
II was from deep of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN engrafted the name Of this
periodical and not with any design to noursh local pre-
JUDGES to advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought is the editors fervent wish TO see the
North and South bound endearngy together forever
the siken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditang hostility TO the North, nc has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter 10 draw much OF his choicest
matter thence ano happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the other
BETTER contribute essential degree to dspel INC
lowering clouds that now threaten the peace OF both, and
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF fraiernh
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached tie
6hb No Of its third volume How far il has acted out tic
ideas here uttered, IL is not for the editor say lie
believes however, that falls further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number Of the
work contains Ga large superroya pages, printed in tie
very handsomest manner new type, and paper
equal nj least 10 that which any Other periodical
printed in country.
No subscription will be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current one. The pnce -
SIS per volume, which must be paid in all at the tine
Of subscribing This is particularly adverted 10 70
avoid misapprehcnsion or future msunderstandng-nS
order will hereafter be attended TO unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription
The postage the Messenger is six cents any SIN
gle No for all distances under 100 mes-oycr 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