The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-04-19
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding rooa
for articles that fall within the scope OF Science and not
processing entire dsdan OF tasteful sesetioas though
its matter has been as will continue to be, in the man,
| original. .-.
Party politics and controversial theology far pos
sble lealously excluded. They sometimes so
blended with discussions literature or moral science
otherwise unobeconabe, to gain admittancc 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 II can
no, well be severed from the sterling wherewh II IS
| Incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors aim that they Should
have threelod tendency--to convey III a CONDENSED
FORM such valuable truths or interesting incidents
embodied in the works revicwedto direct the rcadcta
attention to books that deserve TO be readand to warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large mum
ber which merit only 10 be burned. In this age OF pU5
cations, that by their variety and multitude distract and
| overwhem every undiscrimnating student, impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned IS one OF
the most inestmabe and indispensable OF auxlanes 10
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in view utility or amusement
or both-Historical Sketches,-and "reminiscences OF
minute for history, yet elucidatlng IT, and height
enng its interest be regarded as forming the s'ape
OF the work And of Indigenous poetry enough Is pub
hshedsometimes OF no mean stranto manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetlcal taste and talents OF our
country. .,.
The appear, for several reasons to demand such
a wofk-and not one alone, but many. The public mud
The soft, assuasive influence OF literature IS needed
aay that fever, and soothe that irritation. VICE and FOLLY
are noting abroad They should be driven py indignant
rebuke, dashed by ridcue, into their httng haunis
Ignorance lords it over immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in notion 10 arouse
the enlightened and increase their number SO that the
great enemy Of popular government may no longer BROOD
like porcntous cloud over the destnles Of our country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
be employed than periodical, on the plan o.
the Messenger II that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such an agent In all
the Union south Of Washington there but two literary
periodicals Northward Of that city, there 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
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords il choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
IL was from deep sense OF this local want thai ne
word SOUTHERN engrated on the name OF mas
periodical and not with any design TO noush local pre-
Judces, advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought is the editors ervon wish TO see the
North and South bound endearingy together forever IN
the sikcn bands Of mutual kindness and affection far
from mcdntirg hostility to the North he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter to draw muchp ms choicest
matter thence; happy indeed WIN ne deem h'msti,
should his pares by making each region know the other
better contribute in any essential degree to dlspe inc
lowering clouds that threaten the peace oil both ana
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties oil fraefh"
love. ....,
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached III"
hNh No OF It's third volume How far has acted out We
dca. here uttered il is not for the editor to say lie
hcleycs however that il falls not further short Of thrm
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory. ... :. r.,
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number fthr
work contains 81 large supcroyal pages, printed in the
very handsomest manner, type, and on paper
equal at least 10 that which any other periodical IS
printed in our country.
No subscription viii be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current The prcc -
SIS per volume, which must he paid in all cases ~ 'he e
Of Subscribing This is particularly adycrtcd 10 no" to
avoid misrepresentation or future mlsnndcrstandInE-aS
no order will hereafter he attended to unless accompanies
with the price Of subscription
The hostage on the Messenger is six cents on any SIN
gle No for all distances under 100 milesoyc 100 miles
ten cents.
An communications or letters, relative TO the MoSs"n
ger. must NC addressed TO lHoMhs w. WHIT;
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va