The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-25
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
rTNHIS 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 entire disain of tasteful selections though
its matter has been will continue to be, in the MAN,
original
sible, are jealously excluded They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature moral science,
otherwise unobecionable, to gain admtance 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 it
not well be severed from the sterling where"h II
Incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
the work and it the editors aim that they should
have threelod tendency-to convey in condensed
FORM such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reyiewedo direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be and 10
him against wasting time and money upon that large num-
ber which merit only to be burned In this age of publ
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhem every undscrminating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned, is Of
the inesmable and indispensable Of auxarles 10
him who does wish TO discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in view utility or amusement,
both,--Historical Sketches,-and "reminiscences OF
events too minute for history yet Calculating and height
enng its interest may be regarded as forming the staple
OF the work. And of Indigenous poetry, enough pub
lished-sometimes Of srainto manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetcal taste and talents OF our
country
The times appear for several reasons, to demand such
work-and not alone, but many. The public mind
is feversh and irrated STILL from recent political sucs
The SOFT assuasve influence of literature is needed 70
aay that fever, and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke or dashed by rdicue, into their fitting hanlS
Ignorance lords it immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set IN notion TO arouse
the enlightened and 10 increase their numbers so that The
great Of popular government may no longer brood
like portentous cloud, the destinies of country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent be employed than periodical, the plan
the Messenger that plan be but carried out in practice
The South peculiarly, requires such an agent In al
the Union south Of Washington there but two literary
periodicals. Northward OF that city, there probably at
least twenty-five or 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 Norheml No: for in wealth, talents, and TASTE
we may justly claim at least equality with our brc
thren; and domestic institution exclusively own,
beyond all doubt affords if choose, twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
Ii was from deep sense OF this local want that ,bc
word SOUTHERN engrafted the name OF tins
periodicals. and not with any design to noursh local pre-
udices to advocate supposed local interests Far IRON
any such thought il is the editors fevent wish TO see the
North and South bound endearngy together forever IN
from meditang hostility TO the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes heeaero draw much OF his choicest
matter thence happy indeed viii he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know he 9the5
better contribute in essential degree TO dispe the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF BOTH and
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF fraerna
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No OF third volume How nr it has acted out the
ideas here uttered, 1t is not for the editor to say. dc
believes however, that it falls further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short o.
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of the
work contains Ga large superroyn pages printed in the
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal at least 10 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 !"
SIS per volume which be paid in all cases al me lime
OF subscribing This is particularly adyercd 10 now 10
avoid misapprrhcnsion or future misunderstandng-as
no order viii hereafter attended TO unless accompanied
with the price OF subscription.
The postage on the Messenger IL SIX cents on any SIN
gle No for an distances under 100 mesovor 100 miles
ten cents
All cnmmun caons letters relative 10 the Mcssen
ger, must be addressed TO THOMAS w WhiIE;,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va