The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-02
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR


| THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly 10 literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Science and
processing dsdain OF tasteful selections though
It's matter has been, it will continue be- in the main
original ....
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
sble, lealously excluded They are sometimes SO
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise unobjectonabe, to gain adm,tance for tie
sake OF The more valuable matter TO which they adhere
but Whenever that happens, they incidental only
primary They are dross, tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling wherewith
Incorporated
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work; and it is the editors that they should
have a threefold tendency-to convey in a condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied IN the works reyewed,,o direct the readers
attention books that deserve be read-and 10 warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only To be burned In this age OF publ
cations that by teir variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undiscriminatng student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned, Of
the most inesmable and indispensable Of auxaries
him who does wish 10 discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in view utility amusement,
or both,-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 is pub.
hshed-sometimes of strain-to manifest and
cultivate the growing poetcal taste and talents of
country.
The times appear, for several reasons demand such
a work-and not alone but many. The public mind
is feversh and irrta,ed still, from political srfes
The soft assuasve influence of literature is needed
allay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
riotng abroad: They should be driven by indignant
rebuke dashed by ridcue, their fitting hauntS.
Ignorance lords it over an immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in motion, TO arouse
the enlightened and TO increase their number that the
great enemy of popular government may longer brood
like porten,ous cloud the destnies Of country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent can be employed than periodical on the plan o
the Messenger If that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly requires such agent. In aI
the Union, south Of Washington there are but two l,ea
periodicals Norhward OF that city, there probably NJ
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified "
the wealth, the leisure. the native talent, the actual
literary taste of the Southern people, compared viii those
Of the Northern No: for in wealth. talents and taste
may Justly claim at least equality with our bre
ihrcn; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords us, If We choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing which they ENJOY
II was from deep Of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN was cngraed the name OF this
perodical and not with any design noursh local pre-
JUDGES, or TO advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought il is the editors ervent wish TO The
North and South bound endcariney together forever m
the sikon bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from medailhg hostility % the North he has ALREADY
drawn and he hopes hereafter 10 draw much Of his choicest
matter thence; ano happy indeed Will he deem hms.'
should his pages, by making each region know the ON
better, contribute in any essential degree TO dspc the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace oil both ah
10 brighten and strengthen the sacred ties oil iraefH"'
love.
fifth No OF its third volume How far has acted oni ne
IDEAS here uttered, it is for the editor say He
believes however, that II falls not further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short o
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of NE
work contains o. large super-roya pages printed N The
very hnndsomest manner, type, and on pager
equal least that on which any other perodca! Is
printed in country.
No subscription viii be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current one The puc' =.
So per volume which be paid in all cases at the tln
of subscribing This is particularly advcred to no" y
avoid misrepresentation. or future msundersandins-aS
ba dpI to
with the price Of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is SIX cents on any SIN
gle No for all distances under i00miles-oveE 100 mics
ten cents. :,
An communications or letters, relative to the Messen
49, ,nns, Lc ,q1ycsscd 70 TnowAs W. WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va