The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-07-21
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
THOMAS W. WHITE. EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

THOMAS w. WHITE. EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
T,HIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and not
protesting entire disan of tasteful selections though
MS matter has becn as IT will continue TO be- in the main,
original
Party politics and controversial theology far pos
sibe, jealously excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions in moral science,
otherwise unobjeciionablc, gain adnance for the
sake Of The valuable matter TO which they adhere
but whenever that happens they incidental only not
primary They dross tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling wherewith 1t is
Incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors aim that they should
have ihreelod tendency--to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewedto direct the readers
attention books that deserve be and
him against wasting time and money upon that large
ber which merit only to he burned In this age of publ
cations that Ivy their variety and multitude distract and
overa helm every undiscrimnating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned IS one OF
the most incstmable and Indispensable Of anxiares to
him who does wish to discriminate
Essays and Tales having view utility amusement
both,--Hstorcnl Skeches,--and "reminiscences OF
minute for history calculating it, and height,
ening its be regarded forming the staple
of the work. And Of Indigenous poetry, enough pub
lished-someiimes of mean stainto manifest and TO
cultivate the growing poeca taste and talents oil our
country.
The times appear, for several reasons, demand such
work-and not one alone, but many. The public mind
is everish and rritatcd still from political stnfes
The soft, assuasive influence Of literature is needed
aay that fever, and soothe that irritation. Vice and folly
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
reuke, dashed by ridcue, into their fitting hauns.
Ignorance lords il immense proportion of
people Every spring should be set in motion to arouse
the enlightened and to increase their number that the
great enemy OF popular government may longer brood,
like por,entous cloud the desnies of country
And to accomplish all these ends, what powerful
agent can be employed than periodical on the plan
the Messengers II that plan be but carried out In practice
The South peculiarly, requires such an agent In MI
the Union south Of Washington there are but two literary
II
leas, twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified y
the wealth. the leisure. the native talent the actual
Literary taste OF the Southern people, compared with those
may Justly claim nj least equality with our bre.
,hren and domestic institution exclusively own,
beyond all douh, affords u.s. IL choose, twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
II from deep of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN engrafed the name Of this
periodicals. and not with any design to noursh local pre-.
udces advocate supposed local interests Far IRON
such thought is the editors fevenf wish 10 see the
North and South bound cndcarngy together forever IN
the silken bands of mutual Kindness and affection Far
from medatirg hostility the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much OF his choicest
thence; happy indeed will he deem himself,
should his pages ty making each region know the other
better contribute in any essential degree to dispe the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both and
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF fIatcrna
| love.
hfh No of III third volume How far il has acted the
ideas here uttered, it is not 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 Ga large superoya pages, printed IN the
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal ut eas, that which any other periodical is
printed in country.
No subscription win he received for less than volume
and must commence with the current The price is
SIS per volume which must be paid in all nj the time
Of subscribing This is particularly advered 10 10
avoid misapprehc future msunderstandn e-as
order will hercacrhe attended to unless accompanied
| With the price Of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents sin
gle No for all distances under 100 mesover 100 miles
| ton cents.
All communications or letters relative to the Mcssen
| cor INNS, he addressed TO THOMAS w WHITE.
i Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond Va