The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-11
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
j. chiefly 10 literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and no,
protesting entire disan Of tasteful selections though
its matter has been, will continue 10 be- in the map,
original
Party politics and controversial theology, far pos.
sibc, are jealousy excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobjectonabe, to gain Abundance 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 can
not well be severed from the sterling wherewih 1t IS
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors aim that they should
have threelold tendency-to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reyiewed,-to direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be read, and 10
him against wasting time and money upon that large mum.
Der, which merit only to be burned In this age OF pub
cations that by er variety and multitude distract and
ovcrwhelm every undiscrlmnating student impartial
criticism governed by the views Just mentioned Is one OF
the most nestmabc and indispensable OF auxilianes 10
him who does wish 10 discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in ewutlity amusement
or both,-Historicsl Sketches,-and "reminiscences oil
events too minute for history yet elucidatng IT. and height
ening its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
Of the work And of indigenous poetry, enough IS pub,
lished-sometimcs OF mean strain-o manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetical taste and talents Of our
country.
The times appear for several reasons, demand such
a work-and not alone, but many. The public mlnd
is cverish and iitated STILL from recent political stries
The soft assuaSive influence Of literature is needed q
aay that fever and soohe that irritation wee and oy
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by rdlculc into their hitting hannts
Ignorance lords it immense proportion oil our
people Every spring should be set IN notion 10 arouse
the enghened and their number so that me
great enemy Of popular government may no longer BROOD
like portentous cloud, the destinies Of country
And TO accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent can be employed than periodical the plan Of
the Messenger If that plan be but carried out IN pracc
The South peculiarly, requires such an agent In al
he.Inion south Of Washington, there are but two literary
periodicals Norhward 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 OF the Southern people, compared with those
OF the Norherni No for in wealth, talents, and TASTE
may Justly claim at least equality with our Dre-
thrcn; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords IL choose, twice the leisure
FOR reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t was from deep sense OF this local want tia, the
word SOUTHERN engrafted On the name OF ths
periodical and not with any design to nourish Local pre-
udces or TO advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought II is the editors ieyen wish 10 see Inc
North and South bound endearngy together forever IN
the slken hands OF mutual kindness and affection fM
from mcdi,arg hostility the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much Of his choces
matter thence; happy indeed Will he deem himself
should his pages, by making each region kno" Ihe pun
better contribute in any essential degree 10 dspe me
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of no'h aui
TO brighten and strengthen the sacred hes OF naei'
love. IN.
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached TIC
fifth No OF its third volume How far i has acted Out "
IDEAS here uttered It is not for the editor TO say ~
hcleycs 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 Of ,he
work contains O. large superoyal pages, printed IN VIC
very handsomest manner, on new type, and on paNcI
equal least TO that which any other periodical y
printed in country.
No subscription will lie received for less than avonmc'
and mus, commence with the current one. Inc prlcc
IS per volume which must be paid IN all eases al me ~,
Of subscribing. This is particularly ad.GLr" ~
avoid misapprehenson or future mlsunders'annlns
no order will hereafter be attended to unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription
rlc No for all distances under 100 mllcs-o'e' w ~
ten cents. -. :. 4, us,cn
nin 49,, ~ adrcsscd 10 THOMAS w. WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Kohmono' =