The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-05-22
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
THOMAS W. WHITE. EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

THOMAS W. WHITE. EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
THIS is A. MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
chiefly TO literature, but occasionally fndnr roor
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and n
protesting entire disdnn OF tasteful selections hous
its matter has been, il will continue be- in the maj
original
Party politics and controversial theology as far as no,
sible, are jeaously excluded. They ARE sometimes
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise unobjectionale, TO gain admlttance or
sake Of the valuable matter . which they adhere
but whenever tina, happens, they are incidental only
not well be severed from the sterling wherwith III
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due spa
in the work and is the editors aim that they Shout
have threefold tendency-to convey in a condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents are
embodied in the works reviewed-to direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve TO be land wan
him against wasting time and money upon that large mum
Der, which merit only TO be burned In this Of phb
cations, that by fher variety and multitude distract and
criticism governed by the views just mentioned Of
the most inestimabe and indispensable of auxiaries
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in viewuty or amusement,
or both Historical Skeches,-and "Reminiscences Of
events too minute for history yet calculating it, and height
ening its Interest," may lie regarded forming the as
OF the work. And Of indigenous poetry enough is pub
lished-sometimes Of strain-to manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetca taste and talents Of our
country.
The times appear for several reasons, demand such
is ieyersh and itaed STILL from political s,res
The soft, assuasve influence Of literature is needed
aay that fever and soohe that irritation. Vice and folly
riotng abroad They should be driven by ndgnan,
rebuke dashed by ridicnle into their fitting hauns
Ignorance lords il over immense proportion Of
people Every spring should be set in motion. to
the enlightened and to increase their number; that the
great enemy Of popular government may longer brood
like poentous cloud, the destnies Of our counr
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powered
agent can be employed than perodca the plan OF
the Messenger II that plan be but carried out in pracr
The South, peculiarly, rcqunes such an agent h all
the Union, sonh Of Washington there are hut literary
periodicals Woodward Of thai city there probably
least twenty-five Or thirty Is this contrast justified by
the wealth. the leisure the native talent, the actual
literary OF the Southern people, compared ~hhoe
Of the Northern! No: for in wealth. talents, and taste
may justly claim at least equality with our le
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords us, We choose. twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy
It was from deep Of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN engraffed the Of this
perodcal and not with any design 10 noursh local
JUDGES to advocate supposed local Interests Far from
any such thought il is the editors ervent wish TO the
North and South bound endearingly together forever
the silken hands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditatng hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter 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 dspe the
lowering clouds that now threaten the peace of both and
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF lerna
love. .-.
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached the
fifth No. Of its third volume How far il has acted out The
ideas here uttered il is not for the editor TO say He
believes however, that falls not further sho Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short OF
theory. ftl
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of the
work contains GA large super-roya pages printed in the
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal at least 70 that which any other periodical
printed in country.
No subscription will he received for less than volume
and must commence with the current The price IS
SIS per volume which be paid in all the time
Of subscribing This is particularly adverted to
avoid misrepresentation or future Observation-Disclosures
order will hereafter be attended unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents any SIN
gle No for all distances under 100 nes-over 100 miles.
ten cents.
All communications or letters relative to the MessN
ger must lie addressed TO THOMAS w. WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office. Richmond Va