The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-12-11
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,

THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly to literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope of Science and
processing entire dsdain Of tasteful selections though
its matter has been, will continue to be, IN the man.
original.
Party politics and controversial theology far pos
sible, jealousy excluded. They are sometimes
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise unobjectionabe, to gain admance for the
sake of the more valuable matter TO which they adhere
but whenever that happens they Incidental only not
primary They.are dross, tolerated only because II can
not well be severed from the sterling wheewth Is
incorporated
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and is the editors aim that they should
have a threefold tendency-to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works revewed-to direct the readers
attention books that deserve to be read,-and TO warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large mum
Der, which merit only to be burned In this age OF publ
Cations that by ther variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every Understanding student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned, IS one Of
the most nestimabe and indispensable OF auMares, 10
him who does wish to discriminate.
ESSAYS and Tales, having in viewutility amusement
or both -Historical Sketches,-and "reminiscences Of
minute for history yet elucidatng IT, and height
ening Interestingly be regarded as forming the staple
of the work. And Of indigenous poetry, enough pub.
lished-sometimes Of straln--o manifest and TO
cultivate the growing poetcal taste and talents oil our
country.
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
| a work-and not alone but many. The public mind
is everish and irrtated STILL from recent political srcs
The soft assuasive influence of literature IS needed to
aay that fever and soothe that irritation Wee and folly
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by rdlcule into their hitting han's
Ignorance lords it immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in notion to arouse
the enlightened and their number so that the
enemy OF popular government may no longer BROOD
like portentous cloud, the destinies OF our country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more poMeru
agent be employed than periodical on the plan
the Messenger if that plan be but carried out IN pacce
The South Ps or ss l an Da literary
periodicals. Northwad Of that city there are probably at
twenty five thirty Is this contrast Jushed by
the wealth, the leisure the native talent or the actual
literary taste OF the Southern people, compared
Of the Northem No: for in wealth, talents and taste,
may Justly claim at least equality with our bre-
thren and domestic institution exclusively
beyond all doubt affords we choose, twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy
1t from deep of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN engrafted the name OF this
periodical and not with any design to noush local pre-.
udices to advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought it is the editors event wish to see the
North and South bound endearngy together forever in
the slken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from medtating hostility to the North he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much OF hs choicest
matter thence; happy indeed will he deem himself,
should his pages by making each region know the oher
better contribute in essential degree to dspei me
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both ana
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF aterhai
love. :,
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached the
fifth No of its third volume. How far 1t has acted out the
ideas here uttered it is not for the editor to say lie
believes however that it falls not further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short o.
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number OF me
work contains Ga large superroyal pages printed IN me
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal at least that which any other periodical IS
printed in country.
No subscription will be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current one. The price
$5 per volume which must be paid in all at the time
of subscribing This is particularly adverted to to
avoid misapprehenson, future misunderstandingas
no order will hereafter he attended to unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents any sin
gle No for all distances under 100 miles-ove 100 miles
ten cents.
All communications letters, relative the Messen
GER must be addressed to THOMAS w. WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va