The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-10-03
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND FkofhlEIoh'
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devote
chiefly to literature but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope OF Science and not
protesting entire dsdain Of tasteful selections, though
has bccn as it will continue to be- the main,
original
Party politics and theology, far as pos.
sibe, jealously excluded They are sometimes 50
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobjectionable to gain admance for the
sake Of the valuable matter to which they adhere
but wheneyer that happens they are incidental only moi
not well be severed from the sterling wherewith
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and is the editors aim that they should
have a threeold tendency-to convey In a condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reyiewed-to direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be read and 10
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only to be burned In this age of pub
overwhelm every undiscriminang student, impartla
criticism governed by the views just mentioned is
the most inestmable and indispensable of auxiares to
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in viewutilty or amusement,
or both,-Historca Sketches,-and "reminiscences of
events too minute for history yet calculating it, and height
enng its interest," be regarded forming the staple
Of the work And Of Indigenous poetry, enough is pub
shed-sometimes of mean stran-to manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetcal taste and talents OF our
country.
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
a work-and not one alone, but many The public mind
is feversh and itated still, from political stes
"
allay that fever, and soothe that irritation Vice and fo
are rioting abroad: They should be driven by Indignant
rebuke or dashed by ridcue, into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords it over immense proportion Of
people. Every spring should be set in motion, to
the enlightened and to increase their number that the
great enemy Of popular government may no longer brood
And TO accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent can be employed than periodical on the plan
the Messenger If that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such agent. In all
the Union. south Washington. there
periodicals! Nohward Of that city, there probably al
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 bre'
thren; and domestic institution exclusively
beyond all doubt affords u.s. if We choose, twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t was from deep Of this local want that The
word SOUTHERN was engrafted the name Of Inns
periodical and not with any design TO noursh local pre-
udices, advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought is the editors fervent wish to see the
North and South bound endearngy together forever IN
the silken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditatrg hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter to draw much OF his choicest
matter thence ana happy indeed Will he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know The oie
better contribute in any essential degree to dispe the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both ana
TO brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF fraernA
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached tie
fifth No OF its third volume How far il has acted out s
ideas here uttered it is not for the editor to say he
believes, however that il falls further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Oft
work contains Ga large superroyal pages printed IN ne
very handsomest manner, on new type, and on papef
equal least to that which any other periodical IS
printed in country.
No subscription will be received for less than avoumc'
and must commence with the current one. The pHr'
IS per volume which be paid in all cases at the '
Of subscribing. This is particularly adycrtcd 10 now
avoid misapprehcnsion or future MISUNDERSTANDING
no order will hereafter be attended to unless secompan'
with the price Of subscription. ..
The hostage on the Messenger IL six cents on any SIN
gle No for all distances under 100 mresoVer ioo miles
Ten cents. . -, =, .
All communications or letters, relative to the Messeh
ger must be addressed to 1HnMAs w. WITT
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond va