The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-05-17
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR,

THoais W. 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 not
protesting an entire disdan Of tasteful selections though
its matter has becn as will continue to be- in the man,
original
sihe, are jealousy excluded. They sometimes SO
blended with discussions in literature in moral science,
otherwise unobectionabe to gain admttance for the
sake of the more valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens they incidental only not
primary They dross tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling wherewithlts
incorporated.
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 condensed
FORM such valuable truths interesting incidents are
embodied in the works reviewed-to direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be readand to warn
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
overwhcm every undiscrimnating student, impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned Of
the most inesmabe and indispensable Of auxiliares 10
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in viewutity amusement,
or both, -Hisorical Sketches,-and "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history yet calculating it, and height
enng its inerestma be regarded forming the staple
OF the work And OF indigenous poetry, enough pub
lishedsomctimes OF mean straino manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetca taste and talents OF our
country. ~@
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
work--and not one alone but many. The public mnd
is feversh and irrtated still, from recent political srcs
The soft, assuasve influence of literature is needed TO
aay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
riotng abroad: They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, or dashed by ridicue, into their fitting hauns
Ignorance lords 1t over immense proportion OF our
people. Every spring should be set in NOTION TO arouse
the enlightened and increase their number that the
great enemy OF popular government may no longer BROOD
like poentous cloud the destinles OF our country
And TO accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent can be employed than PERIODICAL the plan
the Messenger il 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 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 taste Of the Southern people, compared with
Of the Northern No; for in wealth. talents, and taste,
may justly claim at least equality with our bre-
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords us if choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing which they enjoy.
1t from deep OF this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN engrated on the name OF this
periodical and not with design TO nourlsh local pre-
udices, to advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought il is the editors ervent wish to the
North and South bound endearngly together forever IN
the silken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditarg hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter to draw much o. MS
matter thence ano happy indeed vi" nc aefu ni'istn
should his pages by making each reon know the other
better contribute in any essential degree TO dspei the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF BOTH and
TO brighten and strengthen the sacred Ties OIL a'erhai
love. =,
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No OF its third volume. How far 1t has acted out the
ideas here uttered is not for the editor TO He
believes however that falls not further short of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory. 49,
work contains "a large super-roya pages printed in the
very handsomest manner, on new type, and on paper
equal at least to that which any other periodical is
printed in our country.
No subscription will be received for less than volume
and must commence with the Tho price -
SIS per volume, which must be paid in all at the tine
Of subscribing This is particularly advcrted TO now to
avoid misrepresentation, future misunderstandng-as
order will hereafter he 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 100 milcsover 100 miles
ten cents.
All commupi letters, relative to the Mcss'n
GER must he addressed TO THOMAS w. WHITE:
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va