The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-03-13
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,

THOMAS WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS IS A MONTHLY MAGAZINE devoted
i chiefly to literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope OF Science and
processing entire disdan Of tasteful selections though
It's matter has been it will continue to be- in the
original .....
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos.
sibe, are iealousy excluded. They are sometimes 80
blended with discussions literature in moral science,
otherwise unobectionabe gain admitance for the
sake of the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens they incidental only
primary They dross, tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling Hherewh ii
Incorporated es ~ ~assv Sa.F e. .,-- ....
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it Is the editors aim that they should
have threeiod tendency--to convey in a condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works revewed,to direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve to be read and to warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only TO be burned In this of publ
cations that by ther variety and multitude distract and
overahelm every Understanding student, impartial
criticism governed by the views Just mentioned. IS OF
the most nestimabe and indispensable OF auxaries 10
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility amusement
or boh,-Historical Sketches,-and "reminiscences OF
events too minute for history yet Calculating it, and height
ening its Interestingly be regarded forming the STAPLE
Of the work. And Of Indigenous poetry enough pull.
lished-sometimes OF stranto manifest and 10
cultivate the growing Poetica taste and talents our
country.
The times appear, for several reasons demand such
work--and no, one alone, but many The pulhc m'hd
is everish and irritaed stii from political ncS
The soft, assuasive influence OF literature is needed !"
aay that fever and soohe that irritation Wee and i"y
rioting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by ridcule, into their fitting hain
ignorance lords It over an immense proportion OF oI
people Every spring should he set notion 10 arouse
the enlightened and increase their NUMBER so that e
great enemy of popular government may no longer hood
like n portentous cloud the destnes of coun,y
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powoin
agent be employed than periodical on the plan o.
the Messenger that plan be but carried out in pracicr
The South peculiarly, requires such an agent IN al
he
periodicals Nohward Of that city, there probably at
least twenty-five or thirty Is this contrast justified by
the wealth. the leisure. the native talent the actual
literary taste OF the Southern people compared wllhl>e
OF the Norheml No for in wealth. talents and TASTE
we may justly claim at least an equality with our hre
thrcn and domestic institution exclusively our Own
beyond all doubt affords if choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy
1t was from deep of this local want, that ne
word SOUTHERN engrafted the name OF MAS
periodical; and not with any design 10 norsh local pre-
JUDGES 10 advocate supposed local interests far n
such thoughts i is the editors ieryent WISH 10 see W
North and South bound eudoarngy together forever N
the sken bands Of mutual kindness ana atecton f2t
from mcditatirg hostility to the NORTH he has ALREADY
and ne hopes "S he S a. ms
should his pages by making cach region Know NE 3'
better, contribute any essential degree to dlspcl "
lorrnE clouds that threaten the peace OF both, and
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF fa,crnal
love. go.
fifth No OF its third volume How far il has acted out ne
IDEAS here uttered, il is for the editor say Tic
believes however, that it falls further short Of tn
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number of The
work contains 81 large sperroya pages, printed in tie
very handsomest manner on new type, and on paper
equal least 10 that which any other periodical IS
printed in country,
No subscription will be received for less than avolune
and must commence with the current one. The price
IS per volume which must be paid in all al the tine
of subscribing This is particularly advered 10 nov TO
avoid misapprehension, future msunderstandnc-a
no order will hereacrhe attended to unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage the Messenger is six cents on any sin
Gle No for all distances under l00mies-oycT 100 miles
ten cents, ~,
An communications letters, relative to the Mcsscn
GER must he addressed 10 THoMhs W. "HT.;
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond Va