The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-12
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER.
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PRoPRIEros,

| T1HlS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE. devoted
i chiefly literature but occasonale amazing room
nr articns ,hat ei within tho scope e science anu mo-
processing entire dsdain of tasteful selections 'hoosh
rs matter has beei as II VIII continue to be, IN the MAN,
Party politics and controversial theology no far as DOS
slbie, are jealousy excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobeconabe, gain admittance for tho
sake of the valuable matter which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only
primary They are dross, tolerated only because it
not well be severed from the sterling wherewh it
incorporated. ..1
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
IN the work and it is the editors aim that they should
have threefold tendency--o convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
emboded in the works revewedto direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be read to
rn against wasting time and money upon that large
ber which merit only to be burned In this of publ
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overnhelm every undscrminating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned, is Of
the most nestimabc and indispensable Of auxares, to
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility or amusement
or both,-Historical Sketches,-and "reminiscences of
events too minute for history yet Calculating it, and height
enlng its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
lished-sometimes of mean stranto manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetical taste and talents OF our
country.
The times appear for several reasons, demand such
work-and not alone, but many. The public mind
is feverish and itaed st from recent political strtes
The soft, assuasive influence of literature is needed 10
alay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by rdcule into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords It over an immense proportion o. our
the enlightened and to increase their number so that the
great enemy of popular government may no longer brood
like portentous cloud the desnies OF our country
And to accomplish all these ends what more powerful.
agent can be employed than PERIODICAL on tho plan o.
the Messengers If that plan be but carried out in Practice
The South peculiarly requires such 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 those
OF the Norhern Mo- for in wealth, talents and taste,
may justly claim at least equality with our hre-
then; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords if choose, twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t from deep Of this local want, that tho
word soyrnrnN was engra,,ed on the name OF ,ns
JUDGES advocate supposed local interests Far om
any such thought IL is the editors eent wish to see the
North and South bound cndearngy together forever IN
the sken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from medtating hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much OF his choicest
matter thence ana happy indeed viii he deem himself
should his pages 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
10 brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF aternal
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached the
fifth No OF its third volume How far It has acted out Ge
ideas here uttered il is not for the editor TO say. He
believes however that il falls not further short of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short o.
theory 80
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number Of the
work contains 81 large superoyal pages, printed IN me
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal least that which any other periodical rs
printed in country. @-.
No subscription win be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current The prce
SIS per volume which must be paid all cases at the Hc
OF subscribing This is particularly advered to no" TO
avoid msapprchenson, future mfsunderstanding--as
no 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 miles-oyer 100 miles
ten cents. =,
All communications or letters, relative to the Messen
ger, must be addressed to THOMAS w WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office Richmond '"