The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-21
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS w WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

| THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
/ i chiefly literature but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and not
an entire dsdain OF tasteful selections though
| original "
Party politics and controversial theoosy asar as DOS
sble, jeaously excluded, They are sometimes so
blended with discussions literature in moral science
otherwise unoectonabe, gain admittance for the
sake of The valuable matter which they adhere
but whenever that happens they incidental only not
primary They dross tolerated only because il can.
not Wen be severed from the sterling wherewh it is
incorporated.
in the work and it is the editors aim that they should
have threeiold tendency-to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied IN the works reviewed. direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be read,-and
him against wasting time and money upon that large
ber which merit only TO be burned In this age OF publ
cations that by cheir variety and multitude distract and
overwhclm every undscrminating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned Of
the nestmable and indispensable Of auxiaries to
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in view utility amusement,
or both,-fiistorica Sketches-and "reminiscences of
events too minute for history calculating and height
ening its interest," be regarded forming the staple
Of the work And Of Indigenous poetry, enough pub
lshed-sometmes OF no mean strain--o manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetca taste and talents OF
country.
The times appear for several reasons demand such
work-and not alone but many The public mind
is feversh and raied still, from political stres
The soft, assuasve influence Of literature is needed
aay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
riong abroad They should be driven by indignant
rcbuke, dashed by rdicule their fitting haunts.
Ignorance lords il immense proportion of our
people Every spring should be set in notion to arouse
the enlightened and to increase their numbers that the
great enemy of popular government may no longer brood
like porentous cloud the destnies of country
And to accomplish all these ends what more powerful
agent be employed than periodical, on the plan
the Messenger if that plan be but carried out IN practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such an agent In all
the Union, south OF Washington there are but two literary
periodicals Nohward 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 Northern Mo- for in wealth. talents, and aste
may Justly claim at least equality with bre-
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords u.s. choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t from deep sense OF this local want that the
word SOUTHERN engrated on the name of this
periodical and with any design TO nourish local pre-
JUDGES advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thoughts il is the editors feren wish to the
North and South bound endearngy together forever IN
the silken bands of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditang hostility 10 the North he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much choices,
matter thence ano happy indeed will he deem himself,
should his pages by making each region know the other
better contribute in any essential degree to dspel the
lowering clouds that now threaten the peace Of BOTH and
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of fraerna
love.
fifth No of lis third volume How far il has acted the
ideas here uttered il is no, for the editor 10 say He
believes however, thaf IL TAILS not further shor OF te
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of the
work Ga large superoya pages, printed in the
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal least that which any other periodical rs
printed in country.
No subscription will he received for less than volume
and mus, commence with the current one The price is
IS per volume which be paid in all cases at the time
Of subscribing This is particularly advered to now 10
avoid misapprehension, future msnndersianding-hs
no order will hereafter attended unless accompanied
with the price of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents on any SIN
gle No for all distances under 100 milesover loo mics
ten cents. :,
An communications letters relative TO the Mcssen
GER must be addressed 10 THOMAS w WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond va