The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-18
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGE
THOMAS W WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

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
protesting entire dsdain of tasteful seleetons though
its matter has been, will continue TO be, in the man.
original.
Party politics and controversial theology far as pos
sble jealously excluded They are sometimes
blended with discussions IN Literature OF in moral science,
otherwise unobectionable, TO gain admance for the
sake OF the valuable matter to which they adhcrc
but whenever that happens, they incidental only
primary They are dross tolerated only because i
not we'll be severed from the sterling wherewIth II
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and il is the editors aim that they shod
have a threelold tcndency-to convey in condeuS a
FORM such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works rcviewed,to direct the readers
attention to books that deserve TO be readand to warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large
ber which merit only to be burned. In this age OF pub
cations that by er variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every Understanding student, impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned q
the most inesmable and indispensable OF auxiliares
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in view utility amusement
or both,-Hisorical 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 pub
hshed--sometimcs of mean strainto manifest aud =
cultivate the growing poetcal taste and talents Of our
country
The lines appear for several reasons demand such
awork-and not one alone but many. The public mlni
is cvcrsh and irrtated si from political strt,>
The soft assuasive influence Of literature is needed y
aay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by rdicule into their fitting haun'
Ignorance lords 1t over an immense proportion oil ot
people Every spring should be set IN notion to arouse
the enghened and increase their number that the
great enemy of popular government may no longer brood
like portentous cloud the des,ines Of country
And TO accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent can be employed than PERIODICAL the plan
the Messenger il that plan be but carried out in practice
The South peculiarly, requires such an agent. In al
IhfnfW ~
periodicals Northward OF that city, there probably Al
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified "
the wealth. the leisure. the native talent the actHa
literary taste Of the Southern people compared with Hose
of the Northern! No for in wealth, talents, and TASTE
we may Justly claim at least equality with our We.
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our o"
beyond all doubt affords if choose, twice the loSbDc
Tor reading and writing, which they enjoy
1t from deep Of this local want, thai y
word SorTHERN was engral'cd on the name q tls
periodical and not with any design 10 noursh local pre-
udices TO advocate supposed local interests Far iron
any such thought it is the editors evcnt wish to III"
North and South bound endcarngy together forever ~
the silken bands of mutual kindness and affection fa
from mcditang 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 oh'
better contribute any essential degree 10 dispcl VI.
lowering clouds that now threaten the peace OF both a
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of iratcn'
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached tie
fifth No Of its third volume How far it has acted ou c
ideas here uttered, il is not for the editor TO lie
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 q The
work contains Ga large supcrroya pages printed ~ TIE
very handsomcst manner, type and on paper
equal at least to that on which any other pcnodca =
printed in country.
No subscription will be received for less than avoume
and must commence with the current one The pncc
S. per volume which must he paid IN al cases ~ te .r
Of subscribing This is particularly adyerted 10 no" 10
avoid misapprchension. future misundersanding-aS
no order will hereafter be attended 10 unless accompanied
with the price of subscription
The hostage on the Messenger is six cents any sn
Gle No for All distances under 100 milesoycr 100 mites
ten cents , , :,
-. - 49,, H. ,adrcSscd In THOMAS w WHITE,
= southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va