The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-06
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

THOMAS WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR,
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
J. chiefly 10 literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fail within the scope OF Science and not
processing entire dlsuln OF tasteful seectfonS though
lis matter has BEEN it will continue TO be, IN the man.
0rtgiadl
Party politics and controversial theology fur pos
sibe, are jealousy excluded They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature or in moral science
otherwise unobcctonale, TO gain Abundance for the
sake Of the valuable matter to which they adhere
bat whenever that happens they incidental only
primary They dross tolerated only because it
not well be severed from the sterling ore wherewh 1t IS
Incorporated. E~
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors that they should
have threeiod tcndcncy--to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works revewed-o direct the readers
attention to books TINT deserve TO be ad-and 10
him against wasting time and money upon that large nun.
bcr which merit only to be burned in this OF pnb
cations, that by their variety and multitude distract AMI
oyerwhem every untscrnlnaiing student, impartial
criticism, governed Gy the views just mentioned one OF
the nestmable and indispensable Of auSarics, 10
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in yiewutly or amusement,
or both-Hisorical Sketchcs,-and "reminiscences OF
too minute for history yet eucdang it, and height
cning It's interestingly be regarded as forming the Stae
Of the work. And of Indigenous poetry enough IS p'r
lishcd-sometimcs of stranto manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetcal taste and talents OF our
country. 49,.
The times appear for several reasons demand su,
a work--and not alone, but many. The public mind
eversh and irratcd s from recent political Sres
The soft assuasve influence of literature IS neodrh 10
aay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and ioi
arc oting abroad They should be driven Ivy indignant
rebuke, dashed by ridcue, into their fitting halaS
Ignorance lords it immense proportion OF Our
people Every spring should be set IN motion, TO arouse
the cnrhencd and TO their number; that me
great enemy of popular government may longer brood
like portcnous cloud, the destncs of our county
And accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent be employed than periodical on the plan "i
the Messenger il that plan be but carried out in paci
The South, peculiarly, requires such an agent. In "a
the Union south Of Washington there but two literary
periodicals Norihward Of that city, there probably al
least twenty five thirty Is this coniras, justified
the wealth, the leisure the native talent, or The a4
literary OF the Southern people compared Nthth'Sc
of the Northern No: for in wealth, talents and taste
may Justly claim ut least equality with our F'
thrcn; and domestic institution exclusively our OWL
beyond all doubt affords us, if choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
IL was from deep sense OF this local want, that we
word SOUTHERN cngraftct ON the name ol HIN
pe!odca and not with any design to nonrish 1cai r
JUDGES or advocate supposed local interests. Far from
any such thought, is the editors crcnt wish 10 see The
North and South bound cndcaringy together forever
the sken bands Of mutual kindness and allcc'lon RAJ
from mctating hostility to the North he has aireaay
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw. much OF hlscanc
matter thence; ann happy indeed WI he deem hins,
should his pages, 10y making each region kno" me 9
better, contribute ia any essential degree to dlSi w
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF pl ''
10 brighten and strengthen the sacred ties oil ntrrn4
love s".. 49,
Gh No Of its third volume How far it has acted on ne
ideas here uttered is not for the editor 10 say re
believes however that it falls not further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall sho o.
theory ,,
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number OF ,h'
work contains ca large supcrroyal pages printed N u"
very handsomcst manner, on new type, and or Pl"'
equal nj least TO thu on which any other periodical Is
printed in our country.
No subscription viii he received for less than voon'
and must commence with the current one. inc Pu..
ynlunr which he maid all cases ~ H' '''
Of subscribing This is particularly adycr'd 70 now T.,
avoid misrepresentation, or future mlsnndeislaU".ns
no order will hereafter bc attended 10 unless aco""P"
with the price Of subscription. aim.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents on any S'
Gle No for an distances under 100 milcsoycr loo mites
ten cents H, Ia. ,t..sc,.
ger, must bc addressed TO thoAAs W WI /,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond W