The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-09
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
THOMAS W. WHITE. EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope of Science and not
protesting entire disdan of tasteful selections though
its matter has BEEN it will continue TO be- in the MAN,
original
sible, jealousy excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions literature moral science
otherwise unobectonabe, to gain adnittance for the
sake OF the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens they incidental only moi
primary. They dross, tolerated only because
not we'll be severed from the sterling wherewlth
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and is the editors aim that they should
have threeiold endency-to convey in 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 mum
Der, which merit only to be burned In this age OF publ
cations, that by thcir variety and multitude distract and
ovcrHhelm every undlscriminamg student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned is OF
the most inestimabe and indispensable of auxiiares TO
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in yiewutlty or amusement
or both,-Historical Sketches,an "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history yet Calculating It, and height
enng its Interestingly be regarded as forming The staple
Of the work And Of indigenous poetry, enough is pub
shed-sometimes OF no mean strain-o manifest and t.
cultivate the growing poetcal taste and talents OF our
country.
The times appear, for several reasons demand such
work-and not one alone, but many. The public mind
is feverish and irritaed STILL from recent political sles
The soft, assuasive influence of literature is needed to
allay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
riotng abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed ly rdicule into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords it immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in notion TO arouse
the enlightened and 10 increase their number so That inc
Of popular government may no longer brood
like portentous cloud, over the destnies OF our coun
And TO accomplish all these ends, what more powcril
agent can be employed than periodical on the plan
the Messenger il that plan be but carried out prac
The South peculiarly, requires such agent, In all
the Union, south OF Washington there are but two literary
periodicals Northwad OF that city, there prohah At
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified ny
the wealth. the leisure. the native talent, the actual
literary taste OF the Southern people, compared with hose
of the Northern No: for in wealth, talents, and tasty
may Justly claim at least equality with our he'
thren; and domestic institution exclusively onr OWL
beyond n doub, affords u.s. We choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t from deep sense OF this local want, thai I'VE
word SOUTHERN was cngrafted the name OF thS
periodical and not with any design 10 noursh local pre-
JUDGES TO advocate supposed local interests far IRON
any such thought is the editors iervent wish 10 see The
North and South bound endearingy together forever IN
the slkeu bands Of mutual kindness and affection faf
from meditang hostility to the North, nc mas n.eaS
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much oil ms choc
matter thence happy indeed will nc deem himS,f'
should his pages, by making each region kno" the "
better contribute IN any essential degree 70 ons%'
lowering clouds thai threaten the peace OF ho'h an"
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties oil iraci
love.
fifth No of its third volume. How far IL has acted out tI'
ideas here uttered il not for the editor 10 say iie
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 n'
work contains Ga large superroya pages, printed IN VIC
very handsomest manner on new type, and ON paper
equal Mt least 10 that on which any other periodical y
printed in country.
No subscription will he received for less than vol ume
and must commence with the current one. Inc pilce
SIS per volume, which mus, be paid in all cases ~ tc r
Of subscribing This is particularly adVerlea 70 10" "
no order will hereafter I've attended to unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription - 80;
The postage tho Messenger - sh GEMS o loo ny
ten cents. - usso,
All communications letters, relative to the Mcss'n
81, 49,, ~ addressed TO THOMAS w. WHITE
60 southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond Va