The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-03-10
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGT
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
l. chiefly 10 literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope of Science and not
protesting entire dsdan Of tasteful selections though
its matter hos 1ss il will continue 10 be- In the man,
original n.
Party politics and controversial theology, far pos
sihe, jealousy excluded. They are sometimes so
blended with discussions literature moral science
otherwise unobectionabe gain adittance for the
sake of the more valuable matter which they adhere
but whenever that happens they Incidental only
primary They dross, tolerated only because
well be severed from the sterling wherewih it is
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors aim that they should
have threeiold tendency-to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works Tevewedto direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve to be readand
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only to be burned In this OF publ
cations, that by their variety and multitude distract and
over@helm every undiscriminang student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned is one Of
the most inestimabe and indispensable OF auxares 10
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having IN ewutiy or amusement.
or both,-Hi storical Sketches,-and "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history yet Calculating and height
ening It's nterest-m be regarded forming the staple
OF the work And Of indigenous poetry enough IS pub
shed-sometimes OF no mean stran-to manifest and TO
cultivate the growing poetica taste and talents OF our
country. Ea. S.,.
The times appear, for several reasons, demand 81
work-and not one alone, but many The pubic mind
Is ieverish and irritaed STILL from recent political sre
The soft, assuasive influence Of literature is needed !"
aay that fever and soohe that irritation Wee ard tolls
rioting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebukc. or dashed by rdiculc into their fitting haS
ignorance lords It immense proportion OF on
people Every spring should be set in NOTION to arouse
the enlightened and increase their number; so that the
great enemy Of popular government may no longer brood
like portentous cloud the dcs,incs OF our country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent be employed than periodical on the plan o.
the Messenger that plan be but carried out in prccC
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 y
the wealth, the leisure. the native talent or the actual
literary taste OF the Southern people, compared "lhoSe
OF the Northern! No: for in wealth, talents, and 'ast'
we may Justly claim at least an equality with our lrc-
thrcn; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords if VIC choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
IL was from deep OF this local want, thdtlhe
word SOUTHERN engratted on the name ct tins
periodical; and not with any design 70 nonrsh local pre-
udccs advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought the editors ievent wish to see the
North and South bound cndearngy together forever IN
the sken bands Of mutual kindness and affection ar
from medtating hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes much OF ms cocest
matter thence; ano happy indeed VIII ne deem himself
should his pages by making each region kno" he olher
better, contribute in any essential degree to dspe Inc
lowering clouds that threaten the peace oil both ana
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties oil a'ern"
love. ..'- .a. . ,,.-
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached the
fifth No OF its third volume How far il has acted out the
IDEAS here uttered il is not for the editor TO say lie
believes however, that it falls not further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short o.
theory. r.n 20
Tie Messenger is issued monthly Each number Of the
work contains 81 large supcrroyal pages, printed N the
very hHndsomcst manner, new type, and on paper
equal at least to that which any other periodical IS
printed in our country.
No subscription will he received for loss than vol nc
and must commence with the current one. The Prcels
IS per volume, which must be paid all cases vt the me
OF subscribing This is particularly advcrtcd 10 now to
avoid misrepresentation future misundcrs'anaihg--as
no order viii hereafter ho attended TO unless accompanied
with tho price of subscription. ...-...
The postage on the Messenger is slxcents on any SIN
gle No for all distances under 100 mesover lVo mics
ten cents. ~. .
All communications or letters, relative 70 INC MesSeh
cor r,,s, hc addressed TO THOMAS w. WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond va