The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-08-04
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
TRoMAs ". WHITE. EpIroR ANp PRorRIE1on.

THIS IS A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
chiefly 70 literature, but occasionally finding room
protesting an entire dsain Of tasteful seie,on. though
its matter has been, as will continue to be- in the man
original
Party politics and controversial theology far pos
sble, jeaously excluded They sometimes so
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise unobjeciionae to gain admttance 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 il
not well be severed from the sterling ore wherewh II
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and il il the editors aim that they should
have threeiod tendency--to convey in condensed
FORM such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works revewedo direct the readers
attention books that deserve to be read and TO VAN
him against wasting time and money upon that large nun.
Der, which merit only TO be burned In this age OF publ.
cations, that by their variety and multitude distract and
overw helm every undiscnminatng student, impartial
criticism governed BY The views just mentioned j. one q
the most nesmable and indispensable Of auxiares. 10
him who does wish TO discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in vewutty or amusement,
or bo,h,-Hstorca Skeicbes,-and "reminiscences Of
events minute for history yet calculating it and height
ening its Interestingly lie regarded forming the staple
Of the work. And Of Indigenous poetry, enough is pub
shed-sometimes Of stran--to manifest and 70
cultivate the growing poeiieal taste and talents OF on
country.
The appear, for several reasons demand sucl
work-and not alone, but many The public mind
is feverish and iiiated STILL from political ss
The soft, assuasive influence Of literature is needed
aay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, or dashed by rdicule into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords it immense proportion of on
people Every spring should be set in motion, TO arouse
the enlightened, and to increase their number; so that ne
great enemy OF popular government may no longer ooc
like portentous cloud the desnies OF country
And to accomplish all these ends what more poHcrin
agent be employed than periodical on the plan O.
the Messengers If that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such agent In all
the Unon south Of Washington there are buttwo literary
periodicals Norhward Of that city, there probably At
least twenty-five or thirty Is this contrast justified 0
the wealth, the leisure the native talent, the actual
literary taste Of the Southern people, compared wlhtho
OF the Northemi No: for in wealth. talents and taste
may Justly claim at least equality with our bre
ihren; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords We choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
II was from deep sense Of this local want, that NE
word SOUTHERN was engrafted the Of tbs
periodical and not with any design to nourlsh local pre-
udccs or to % osa s - az sp
North and South hound endearngy together forever, II
The slken hands of mutual kindness and affection far
from mediatng hostility TO the North, he has ALREADY
drawn and he hopes draw much Of his choicest
matter thence; happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the Other
better, contribute in any essential degree TO dispel the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of both and
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of fa'erna
love -,
fifth No OF its third volume How far it has acted out ne
ideas here uttered is not for the editor to say ne
believes however that falls not further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall shor o.
theory. 49,,
The Messenger IL issued monthly. Each number OF the
work contains Ga large superroyal pages printed IN We
very handsomest manner, new type and on paTI
equal at least that on which any ober periodical
printed in country. -,
No subscription viii be received for less than avoinn
and must commence with the current one. The Prl't.
SIS per volume, which must be paid in all cases a the %
OF subscribing This is particularly adveried to no"
avoid Misrepresentation, future MISREPRESENTATION
no order will hereafter I've attended TO unless accomf
with the price Of subscription.
The hostage on the Messenger is six cents on any "
Gle No for all distances under 100 milesover lou m'
| ten cents. =, u,c,
All communications letters, relative to the MesS'
| ger must he addressed 10 THOMAS w. WIT &,
80 southern Literary Messenger Office Richmond "