The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-07-14
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
oMAs W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR


THIS is MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
..iSh, i;...asase, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and
protesting entire dsdain Of tasteful selections though
It's matter has been, will continue TO be- in the main,
original
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
sibe, jealously excluded They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobjectionable to gain admance for the
sake of the valuable matter which they adhere
but whenever that happens they incidental only not
primary They dross tolerated only because it can
not well be severed from the sterling wherewith it is
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 a condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed-to direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be read,-and to
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only TO he burned. In this of publ
cations that by heir variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every, undiscrimnating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned is Of
the inesmable and indispensable OF auxiliaes
him who does wish to discriminate
Essays and Tales having in utility amusement
or both,-Hisorical 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 is pub
lished-somemes of means train-to manifest and
cultivate the growing Poeca taste and talents Of
country.
The times appear for several reasons, demand such
work-and not one alone, but many. The public mind
is fevensh and ntated still, from political stres
The soft, assuasve influence of literature needed
aay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
riotng abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed 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 increase their numbers that the
great enemy of popular government may no longer brood
like porentous cloud the desnies OF country
And to accomplish all these ends what more powerful
agent can be employed than perodcal on the plan o.
the Messenger if that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such agent. In all
the Union south Of Washington there but two literary
periodicals. Norhward OF that city, there probably
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 bre-
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords if choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
II was from n deep of this local want that the
word SOUTHERN engrafted the name of this
periodical and not with any design to noursh local pre-
or to local s 70 s ss I h
North and South bound endearngy together forever in
the silken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditating hostility TO the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes draw much Of his choicest
matter thence ano happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the other
better contribute any essential degree TO dspel the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF BOTH and
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of fraterna
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No. of its third volume How far has acted out the
ideas here uttered it is not for the editor to 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 sperroyal pages printed IN the
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal at least that which any other periodical IS
printed in country.
No subscription win be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current The price -
SIS per volume, which be paid in all cases at the time
Of subscribing This is particularly advered 10 10
avoid misapprehension, future misunderstandngas
no order will hereafter attended unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription. -
The postage on the Messenger is six cents any sin
gle No for all distances under 100 mes-oyer 100 miles
ten cents. :.
All communications OF letters relative the Messen
ger must he addressed to THOMAS w WHITE.
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va