The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-07-28
*. PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND pRopRIEToR.


TNHIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
- chiefly to literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope Science and
protesting entire disdan Of tasteful secfous though
lis matter has been, will be- in the main,
original
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
sibe, jealouslv excluded. They are sometimes
blended with discussions in literature moral science,
otherwise unobcctionable to gain admtancc for tho
sake OF The valuable matter 10 which they adhere
but whenever that happens they are incidental only no,
primary. They dross, tolerated only because il
not well be severed from the sterling wherewth it is
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors aim that they should
have threefod tendency-to convey in a condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewedto direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be read,and TO
him against wasting time and money upon that large
ber which merit only be burned In this age Of publ
cations that by fher variety and multitude distract and
overMhclm every undscrminating student impartial
criticism governed BY the views just mentioned is one of
the most inestmable and indispensable Of auxaries
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in view utility amusement
or both,-Hstorical Sketches,-and "reminiscences Of
events minute for history yet calculating it, and height
ening its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
OF the work And of indigenous poetry, enough is pub
lished-sometmes of strainto manifest and TO
cultivate the growing poctica taste and talents Of our
country.
The times appear FOR several reasons TO demand such
wok-and not alone, but many. The public mind
is feyerish and rriated still from political srfes
The soft, assuasve influence Of literature is needed
aay that fever, and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
roting abroad They should be driven by ndignan,
rebukc, or dashed by rdcue into their fitting haun,s
Ignorance lords II immense proportion OF
people. Every spring should be set in motion, to arouse
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 he employed than periodical the plan
Messenger II that plan be but carried out in practice
The South peculiarly, requires such agent In all
the Unon south OF Washington, there but two literary
periodicals. Nohward Of that city, there are probably at
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 bro.
thrcn and domestic institution exclusively
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 tho
word SOUTHERN engrafed on the name Of this
periodical and not with any design noursh local
JUDGES to advocate supposed local interests Far from
such thought is the editors fervent wish 10 see the
North and South bound cndearngy together forever IN
the silken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from medating hostility to the North, he has already
he hopes draw much Of his choicest
matter thence; happy indeed will he deem himself,
should his pages by making each region know the other
better contribute in any essential degree TO dspe the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of both and
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF iraerna
| love.
fifth No Of its third volume. How far II has acted out the
ideas here uttered it is not for the editor to say He
believes however that il falls not further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short o.
! theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number ofthe
work contains O. large supcrroya pages, printed in the
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal at least that which any Other periodical is
| printed in our country.
No subscription will be received for less than avolumc
and must commence with the current The price Is
SIS per volume which must be paid in all al the time
Of subscribing This is particularly adyered TO now to
avoid misapprehcnson, future misunderstanding
no order will hereafter he attended TO unless accompanied
with the price OF subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is SIX cents any
rlc No for all distances under 100 micsover 100 miles
4 ten cents.
All communications or letters, relative TO the Messen
GER must be addressed 10 THOMAS w. WHITE
| Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond Va