The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-05-29
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
for articles that fall within the scope of Science and
processing entire disdan Of tasteful selections though
It's matter has been as it viii continue be- in the main
original
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
sble, are jealousy excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise unobectionable gain admtiance for the
sake Of The more valuable matter to which they adhere
but wheneyer that happens they are incidental only not
primary They dross tolerated only because it
not well be severed from the sterling wherewh it
Incorporated
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work. and it is the editors aim that they should
have threeicd tendency-to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewedto direct the readers
attention books that deserve be read-and to warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large
ber which merit only to be burned In this age Of publ
cations that by Their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undscrminating student, impartial
CRITICISM governed by the views just mentioned is OF
the most inestmable and indispensable OF auxaries,
him who does wish 10 discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in view utility amusement,
or both,-Historcal Sketches,-and "reminiscences of
events minute for history, yet Calculating it, and height,
ening its interest be regarded forming the staple
OF the work And Of indigenous poetry, enough pub
Eshed-sometmes of mean strainto manifest and to
cultivate the growing poeca taste and talents Of our
country.
The times appear for several reasons demand such
a work-and not alone, but many. The public mind
is feverish and rritated STILL from recent political sres
The soft, influence of literature is needed 10
alay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
rioDg abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by ridcue, into their fitting hauns
ignorance lords it an immense proportion oil our
people Every spring should be set in notion to arouse
the enlightened and to increase their number so that the
great enemy of popular government may no longer BROOD
like poentous cloud the destinles of country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent 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 Washington there but literary
ideals nj
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 hre
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t was from deep sense Of this local want that the
word SOUTHERN was engrafted the name of this
periodical and not with any design nonsh local pre-
JUDGES, 10 advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought is the editors ferven wish TO the
North and South bound endearnely together forever IN
the sllken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from mediiating hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes much OF his choicest
matter thence ano happy indeed VIII he deem himself,
should his pages by each region know the other
better contribute in any essential degree 10 dlspe The
lowering clouds that threaten the peace oil both ana
10 brighten and strengthen the sacred ties of fraerna
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No OF third volume. How far il has acted out the
ideas here uttered. it is not for the editor say lie
believes however, that falls 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 super-roya pages printed the
very handsomest manner, new type, and paper
equal at least to that which any other periodical u.s.
printed in country.
No subscription viii be received for less than volume,
and must commence with the The price IS
IS per volume which be paid in all cases At the tine
of subscribing This is particularly advertcd to no" 70
avoid misrepresentation, future misunderstanding
order will hereafter be attended to unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage the Messenger is six cents on any sn
gle No for all distances under 100 mes-oycT 100 mules
ten cents.
All communications or letters relative TO the Messcn
ger must he addressed TO THOMAS w WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond. Va