The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-03-31
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MEssENGEI
THOMAS w WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THOMAS w WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly 10 literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope of Science and mot
processing entire dlsdan of tasteful seteetions though
lis matter has been it will continue be- in the main
original
sible, are jealousy excluded. They sometimes So
blended with discussions literature moral scenc"
otherwise unobeconabe, to gain admittance for the
sake OF the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only not
primary. They dross, tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling wherewith
Incorporated. ...
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work; and is the editors aim that they should
have threeold tendency--to convey in CONDENSED
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents AS are
embodied in the works reviewed,-to direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be readand to warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only to be burned. In this OF publ
cations that by ther variety and multitude distract aud
overwhelm every, undiscrimnating student, mpart'a.
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned, oncot
the most nestimabe and indispensable of auxlanes, 10
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in ewutiity or amusement
or both,Historical Sketches,-and "reminiscences Of
minute for history, yet Calculating it, and hoGt
ening its nterest,may be regarded forming the saie
of the work. And OF indigenous poetry enough is pub
llshed-somctimes OF mean stran-to manifest and 10
cultivate the growing Poetical taste and talents OF @
country.
The times appear, for several reasons to demand such
a work-and not alone, but many The PUBLIC mod
is feverish and rritaed STILL from recent political srGs
The soft, assuasive influence of literature is needed 10
alay that fever, and soothe that irritation Vice and io
rioting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rehuke, dashed by ridcue, into their ttng haunts
Ignorance lords it immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set IN NOTION 70 arouse
the enlightened and increase their number so that the
great enemy of popular government may no longer brood
like porentous cloud the deshnies OF our country
And TO accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent can be employed than periodical, on the plan
the Messenger if that plan be but carried out IN practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such an agent In all
the Union south of ashington there 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 taste Of the Southern people compared with those
of the Northern No: for in wealth. talents and TASTE.
may justly claim at least equality with our rc
hren; and domestic institution exclusively our 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 INC
word SOUTHERN engrafed the name OF this
periodical and not with any design to nourish local pre-
JUDGES, advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought it is the editors ervcnt wish TO sec The
North and South bound endcarngy together forever
the siiken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Par
from meditating hostility to the North he mas alrcadV
drawn and he hopes hereafter to draw much OF his chooc
matter thence ano happy indeed @il ne deem MINIS Va,
should his pages by making each region know the oh't
better contribute in any essential degree To dispcl M
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of both aH
TO brighten and strengthen the sacred ties of fratorn
love. .. -.
6Gh No Of third volume. How far il has acted the
1cns here uttered, It is not for the editor saw liz
believes however that falls not further short Of thea
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number Of the
work contains 81 large superoyal pages, printed in The
very hanlsomest manner, type, and paper
equal at least 10 that on which any other periodical IS
printed in our country f..
No subscription will he received for less than volume,
and mus, commence with tho The price is
IS per volume, which must be paid in all at the time
of subscribing This particularly adverted 10 10
avoid msapprchcnson future misunderstanding
no order will hereafter he attended 10 unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription
The postage on the Messenger is six cents any
Gle No for all distances under 100 mes-ovct 100 miles
ten cents
All communications or letters relative to the Mcssrn
GER must hc addressed TO THOMAS w. WHITE
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond Va