The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-28
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
rHoMAs w. WHITE, EDITION ANp PRoPRIEToR.

!
T,HIs is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly to literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and not
protesting dsdan of tasteful selections though
its matter has been, as will continue to be- IN the man,
Party politics and controversial theology, far pos
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise unobeconabe, gain admittance for the
sake Of the valuable matter which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only
primary They are dross, tolerated only because it
not well be severed from the sterling wherewh
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors aim that they should
have threeold tendency-to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works revewedo direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve be and
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only to be burned In this age of publ
cations that by teir variety and multitude distract and
oyerahelm every undscrminating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views Just mentioned is one OF
the inestimable and indispensable of anxaries
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having view utility amusement,
or both,-Historcal Sketches,-and "reminiscences OF
minute for history yet Calculating it, and height
ening its nteresaay be regarded forming the staple
Of the work And Of indigenous poetry, enough is pub
llshed-sometmes of strain-to manifest and
cultivate the growing poeca taste and talents OF
country.
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
work-and not one alone, bu, many. The public mind
is feverish and rritated STILL from recent political sres
The soft, assuasve influence Of literature is needed 10
rioting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by ridcue, into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords 1t over an immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in motion, to arouse
the enlightened and their number; that the
great enemy OF popular government may no longer brood,
like portentous cloud, the destnes OF our country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent be employed than PERIODICAL on the plan o.
the Messenger II that plan be but carried out in practice
The South peculiarly requires such an agent In all
the Union south Of ashngon there are but two literary
periodicals! Norhward OF that city, there probably
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 withtose
of the Norhernl No for in wealth. talents and taste
may justly claim at least equality with our hre
thren and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords if choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy
II from deep Of this local want, that the
word SourHERN was engrafed the name Of THIS
periodical and with any design TO nourish local pre-
udces advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought il is the editors vent wish to see the
North and South bound endearngy together forever IN
the sken bands Of mutual kindness and affection az
from medating hostility to the North, he has ALREADY
drawn and he hopes hereafter to draw much OF his cnoces
matter thence; ano happy indeed viii nc deem hihS,t
should his pages, by making each region Know the ohef
better, contribute any essential degree TO dispeI The
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both ana
to brighten and strengthen the sacred hes OF ia'eh
love. -" ..,
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached the
fifth No OF its third volume How far II has acted out we
ideas here uttered 1t is not for the editor to say lie
believes however, that il falls not further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short Q.
| theory. ,n
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of the
work contains 81 large super-royal pages printed IN he
very handsomcst manner, on new type, and on paper
equal least that which any other periodical IS
printed in country
No subscription will he received for less than avolume
and must commence with the current The pnce Is
IS per volume which be paid in all cases al me ne
of subscribing This is particularly advered to now 10
avoid msspprehension, future MISUNDERSTANDING
no order will hereaerb I've attended TO unless accompanied
with the price OF subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents on any SIN
gle No for all distances under 100 mesover 100 miles
ten cents. A.,
All communications letters, relative to the Messeh
ger, must be addressed TO- thomas W " MR.
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond '"