The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-02-10
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
THIS IS MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and not
processing entire dlsdan Of tasteful selections though
It's matter has been will continue To be- in the main,
Party politics and controversial theology as far pos
sble, jealously excluded. They are sometimes
blended with discussions literature moral science,
otherwise unobeconabe, as TO gain admttance for the
sake of the valuable matter which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only not
primary They dross, tolerated only because ii
not well be severed from the sterling wherewh ii is
| incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
IN the work and is the editors that they should
have threefold 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 readand
him against wasting time and money upon that large
ber which merit only to be burned In this age OF publ
cations that by ther variety and multitude distract and
over~helm every undiscrlminating student impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned Of
the most nestimabe and indispensable Of auxliaries
him who does wish TO discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility or amusement,
or both,-Historical Skeiches,-and "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history yet Calculating it, and height
ening its be regarded forming the staple
oil the work And of indigenous poetry, enough is pub
lished-sometimes of srain-to manifest and
cultivate the growing poetca taste and talents of
country.
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
work--and not alone, but many. The public mind
is feverish and rritaed still from recent political strfe
The soft, assuasive influence of literature needed
aay that fever, and soothe that irritation. Vice and folly
rioting abroad They should be driven by indignant
re5uke, lashed by rldcue, into their fitting hauns.
Ignorance lords 1t over an immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in notion to arouse
the enlightened and TO increase their numbers so that the
great enemy of popular government may longer BROOD
like portentous cloud the destnies OF country
And TO accomplish all these ends, what powerful
agent be employed than periodical, the plan
the Messenger If that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such agent. In all
the Union, south Of Washington there but literary
.l.Ftl. al. .l.l1
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified by
the wealth. the leisure the native talent or the actual
literary taste OF the Southern people, compared with those
of the Northcn No: for in wealth. talents, and taste
we may justly claim at least equality with bre
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords us choose twice the leisure
Tor reading and writing which they enjoy.
II was from deep sense OF this local want that the
word SOUTHERN was engrafted on the name of this
periodical and with any design noursh local pre-
JUDGES, to advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought is the editors ferven wish to sec the
North and South bound endearngly together forever
the silken bands OF mutual kindness and affection Far
from mcditatrg hostility 10 the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter 10 draw much OF his choicest
matter thence ano happy indeed VIII he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the other
better contribute any essential degree To dlspe the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both and
10 brighten and strengthen the sacred ties oil raiernal
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No Of its third volume. How far il has acted out the
ideas here uttered, 1t is not for the editor He
believes however, that falls further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number Of the
work contains Ga large superoya 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 he received for less than volume,
and must commence with the current The price i
IS per volume which be paid in all nj the time
Of subscribing This is particularly advertcd 10 now TO
avoid misrepresentation. future misInderstanding-as
no order will hereafter he 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 mlesoyer 100 miles
ten cents
An communications or letters relative the Mcssen
GER must be addressed 10 THOMAS W WHITE;
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va