The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-10-24
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
THOMAS W. WHITE. EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
THIS is MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope of Science and moi
processing entire dsdain of tasteful seet'ons thou
its matter has been, as it will continue TO be- IN the mai
Party politics and controversial theology far as
sible, jealously excluded They are sometimes 50
blended with discussions in literature in moral sc'me
otherwise unobectionable to gain admttance tc the
sake Of the more valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens they incidental only not
primary. They dross, tolerated only because i can
not well be severed from the sterling Wherein II
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors aim that they should
have threefod tendency-to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents are
embodied in the works revewed,-to direct the reader
attention TO books that deserve to be readand 10 VAN
him against wasting time and money upon that large nun
ber which merit only to be burned. In this age Of pu4
cations, that by their variety and multitude distract and
oyerwhem every undiscriminatng student, mFar'a
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned one
the most inestmable and indispensable of auxlanes
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in viewutility amusement,
both,-Hisorical Sketches,--and "reminiscences q
events too minute for history vet Calculating it, and height
ening its interestingly be regarded forming the staple
Of the work. And Of indigenous poetry, enough is phi.
lshed-sometimes OF mean strainto manifest and
cultivate the growing poeca taste and talents OF o
country.
The times appear, for several reasons, demand such
work-and not one alone bu, many The pubic mind
is feverish and irrita,cd STILL from recent political
The soft assuasive influence Of literature is needed 70
allay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and @
riotng abroad They should be driven by Indignant
rebuke, dashed by rdicule, into their fitting han"'s
Ignorance lords it immense proportion OF oH
people, Every spring should be set in notion to arouse
the enlightened, and to increase their number so that ne
great enemy of popular government no longer hrQn
like portentous cloud the destinies OF our country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more pow"do
agent be employed than PERIODICAL on the plan
the Messenger il that plan be but carried out IN practice
he SOuth iar1y such
the Union south Of Washington, there but two literary
periodicals Northward OF that city, there probably
least twenty-five or thirty is this contrast jnsh'a \
the wealth, the leisure the native talent, the aetna
literary taste Of the Southern people, compared with to
Of the Northen7 No: for in wealth, talents, and ta''
we may justly claim at least equality with our he
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords If we choose, twice the c
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t was from deep sense of this local want, thai ne
word SOUTHERN was engrafted on the name Of t'I'
periodical and not with any design TO nourish oCa f
udices or to advocate supposed local interests Famn
any such thought, is the editor feven wish 10 So "
North and South bound endcaringy togethe ~@'n
the silken bands OF mutual kindness and I,~r1n ~
from meditatirg hostility to the North, he mas areRN
drawn and he hopes hereafter to draw much ohs Choce
matter thence ana happy indeed will he deem hm"..
should his pages, by making each region know the o"
better contribute in any essential degree TO dspc "
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of both an
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties of ir''na
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached ~
fifth No of It's third volume How far it has acted ou ~
ideas here uttered, it is not for the editor e
believes however, that it falls not further short Of ~"
than human weakness usually makes practice fall sto'' :"
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number q ne
work contains Ga large superroyal pages, printed h
very handsomest manner, on new type, and on paper
equal at least to that which any other periodical
printed in country.
No subscription will he received for less than roHmf
and must commence with the current one. The Pnc'
IS per volume which must be paid in all cases AT tn 50
Of subscribing This is particularly advercd to noso
avoid misrepresentation, or future MISUNDERSTANDING ~
no order will hereafter he attended TO unless acconpah
with the price Of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents on nr' s
gle No for all distances under 100 miles-over 100 nt'
ten cents. :,
An communications or letters, relative to the Mcs'h
GER must be addressed TO THOMAS W WHIT;
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond "