The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-08-22
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,

THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRlETOK.
THIS IS A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
j. chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within The scope Of Science and not
processing entire dsdain of tasteful selections though
It's matter has been as VIII continue 10 De- I'D 'he man,
original
sibe, jealousy excluded They are sometimes so
blended with discussions in literature moral science,
otherwise unobectionahe to gain Abundance for the
sake of The valuable matter TO which they adhere
but THAT on
not well be severed from the sterling ore wherewth
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors aim that they should
have threeold tendcncy-to convey IN condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents as are
embodied in the works reviewed,to direct the readers
attention to books that deserve be to warn
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 heir variety and multitude distract and
overu helm every understanding student impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned is one OF
the most nesmable and indispensable OF auxillares'
him who does wish 10 discriminate
Essays and Tales having utility amusement,
or both.-Historical Sketches,-and "reminiscences OF
events too minute for history yet eucidatine IT, and height
Of the work. And Of Indigenous poetry enough s pub
lishedsometimes Of mean stran-to manifest and To
cultivate the growing poetical taste ana talents OF our
The times appear for several reasons, demand such
a work-and not one alone, but many. The public mind
is everish and iiated STILL from recent political strfes
The Soft assuasve influence Of literature is needed, TO
aay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
rioting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by ridcue, into their fitting hauns
Ignorance lords Il over an immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should he set in notion to arouse
the enlightened and to increase their numbers that the
great enemy of popular government no longer brood
Ae portentous cloud the destinies Of country
And to accomplish all these ends, what powerful
agent be employed than periodical, the plan
the Messenger that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly. requires snch agent. In all
the non south Of Washington, there are but two literary
periodicals. Norhward Of that city there are probably at
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast Justihed by
the wealth, the leisure the native talent or the actual
literary OF the Southern people, compared with those
Of the Northern No: for in wealth, talents, and TASTE
we may justly claim at least an equality with our 're
thren and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords il We choose, twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
II was from deep Of this local want. that the
word SOUTHERN enerafted the name Of this
periodical and not with any design 10 nonrsh local pre-
judces 10 advocate supposed LOCAL interests Far IRON
any such Thought the editors ferven' wish o see me
North and South hound endenrnRy together forever III
the sill hands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from mcdrtirs hostility to the North he has already
matter thence: happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the other
better contribute in any essential aes,ea 70 nIsr ~,
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF traerna
love-
fifth No Of its third volume How far il has acted out the
ideas lete uttered il is not for the editor say He
believes however that il falls not further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of the
work contains 81 large superroya pages printed in the
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal at least to that which any Other periodical is
printed in country.
No subscription will be received for less than volume.
and must commence with the current The price is
IS per volume which he paid in all the time
Of subscribing This is particularly adyerted to now TO
avoid Misrepresentation, future misundersinndinras
o nded
with the price Of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger il six cents any sin
gle No for all distances under 100 whatsoever 100 miles
ten cents. .
An communications or letters relative TO the Messen
ger must he addressed 10 THOMAS W WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond va