The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-03-08
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
protesting an entire disdan Of tasteful selections though
its matter has been as will continue TO be- In the MAN,
original
sibe, jealousy excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobectonabe as to gain admi,tance for the
sake Of the valuable matter which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only
primary. They dross, tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling ore wherewh II IS
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors aim that they should
have threefold endency--to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed,to direct the readers
attention books that deserve TO be eadand TO
him against wasting time and money upon that large
ber which merit only be burned. In this age OF publ
cations that by her variety and multitude distract and
overwhem every undiscriminating student, impartial
criticism, governed by the views Just mentioned, OF
the most inesnable and indispensable Of auxiares 10
him who does wish TO discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in view utility or amusement
or both,-Historical Sketches,-and "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history yet Calculating IL and height
enng its interest-may be regarded forming the staple
Of the work And Of indigenous poetry enough pub.
lished-sometimes OF srain--to manifest and TO
cultivate the growing Poetca taste and talents OF our
country.
The times appear for several reasons demand such
work-and not alone, but many. The pubic mind
is feversh and irrated STILL from recent political srtes
The Soft assuasve influence Of literature is needed 10
alay that fever and sooihe that irritation Vice and holly
riotng abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, ashed by ridcue, into their fitting hauns
Ignorance lords it immense proportion OF our
people. Every spring should be set in notion TO arouse
the enlightened and their number that the
great enemy of popular government may no longer brood
like porenous cloud, the destinies OF our country
And to accomplish all these ends, what powerful
agent be employed than periodical, the plan
the Messenger If that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such an agent In al
If phuttNX
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 ore
ihren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords We choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing which they enjoy.
twas from deep of this local want that the
word SOUTHERN engrafted the name OF this
periodical and not with any design TO nourish local pre-
udccs, to advocate supposed local interests Far from
such thought is the editors ferven wish TO see Inc
North and South bound endearingly together forever ~
the siken bands Of mutual kindness and affection far
from medating hostility TO the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes draw much OF his choices
matter thence ano happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages, by making each region KNOW he oet
better, contribute in any essential degree TO dlSpe he
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both AM
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF ratena
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached The
fifth No of its third volume How far il has acted out the
ideas here uttered il is not for the editor He
believes however, that it 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 o. large superroyal pages printed ~ We
very handsomest manner type, and on paper
equal NJ least TO that which any other periodical IS
printed in country.
No subscription viii be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current The pnco y
IS per volume, which must be paid in all cases al The iime
Of subscribing This is particularly advered 70 no" 70
avoid misapprehenson, future Observation-Disclosures
order viii 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 mesoVer 100 mules
ten cents. .
All communications or letters relative the Mcsscn
ger, must be addressed 20 THOMAS W. WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond "a