The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-03-06
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGEl
THOMAS W WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
chiefly 10 literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and not
processing entire dsan Of tasteful selections though
It's matter has been as 1t will continue to be- in the MAN,
| original
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
sble, jealousy excluded. They are sometimes so
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise unobeconabe, TO gain 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 can
well be severed from the sterling wherewth it is
Incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work; and it is the editors that they should
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied IN the works reyiewed,-to direct the readers
attention books that deserve be and to
him against wasting time and money upon that large
ber which merit only be burned. In this age OF publ
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhem every undiscrimnating student, impartial
criticism governed by the Just mentioned of
the most nestimabe and indispensable of auxiliares TO
him who does wish TO discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in utility amusement,
or both-Historical Sketchos,-and "reminiscences of
events too minute for history yet Calculating IT, and height,
enng its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
Of the work And Of Indigenous poetry, enough is pub
lished-sometimes Of strain-to manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetlcal taste and talents OF our
country
The times appear for several reasons TO demand such
work--and not one alone, but many The public mind
is eversh and irtated STILL from political stres
The soft assuasive influence Of literature is needed, TO
alay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
are roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
ebuke or ashed by rdicule into their fitting hannts
Ignorance lords II immense proportion Of our
people Every spring should be set IN motion, to arouse
the enlightened and TO increase their number that the
enemy of popular government may no longer BROOD
like portentous cloud the destines Of our country
And TO accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent be employed than PERIODICAL the plan o.
the Messenger that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such an agent In all
tbn nE harp INIT
periodicals Northward of that city, there probably at
least twenty five thirty Is this contrast justified by
the wealth, the leisure. the native talent the actual
literary taste Of the Southern people, compared with those
OF the Northern No: for in wealth, talents, and taste,
we may justly claim at least equality with our bre-
thren and domestic institution exclusively own,
beyond all doubt affords us choose twice the leisure
| for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t was from deep of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN engrafted the OF tins
periodical and with any design noursh local pre-
JUDGES, advocate supposed local interests Far from
such thought is the editors fervent wish TO see th
North and South bound endearingly together forever IN
the sikcn bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from medating hostility TO the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes draw much Of his choicest
matter thence; happy indeed will he deem himself,
should his pages by making each region know the other
better, contribute in any essential degree TO dispe the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both ana
TO brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF iraernad
| love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached the
fifth No Of its third volume How far has acted the
| ideas here uttered, il is for the editor say He
believes however that il falls not further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
| theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number Of the
work contains 81 large superroya pages, printed in the
very handsomest manner type, and on paper
equal at least TO that which any other periodical is
printed in country.
No subscription will be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current one. The Prce ~
IS per volume which must be paid IN all cases A. inc the
Of subscribing This is particularly advered 70 no" 70
avoid misapprGhenson, future mlsundcrslahdng--a
order will hereafter be attended 10 unless accompanied
| with the price Of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is SIX cents on any SIN
gle No for all distances under lo0mrles-oyer 100 miles
ten cents
All communications or letters, relative 10 tho Mcsscn
| ger mus, ~ Addressed TO THOMAS w. WHITE,
| Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, va