The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-06-19
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
| THIS IS A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
l. chiefly to literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope of Science and no,
protesting entire disdain Of tasteful selections hou
It's matter has been, it viii continue TO be, the MAJ
original
Party politics and controversial theology ms far as n,
i slbe, jealously excluded They are sometimes ,
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobectonable, to gain admi,tance oru
sake Of the valuable matter which they adhe,
but whenever that happens, they incidental only no
primary They dross tolerated only because il can
not well be severed from the sterling ore~herewih III
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due scs
in the work and it is the editors aim tina, they soa
have threefold tendency-to convey in condensed
FORM such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed-to direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve be readand TO warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large
ber which merit only to be burned In this age OF pub
cations, that by their variety and multitude distract and
oyerwbelm every Understanding student impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned Of
the most inestimabe and indispensable OF auxllaes 10
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in viewutity amusement,
or both,-Historical Sketches--and "reminiscences Of
enng its interest may be regarded forming the staple
OF the work And OF Indigenous poetry, enough is pub
lished-sometimes Of strainto manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetical taste and talents OF
country.
The times appear for several reasons demand such
work-and not one alone, but many. The public mind
Is eversh and itated STILL from recent political strfes
The Soft assuasve influence of literature is needed,
aay that fever, and soothe that irritation Vice and oy
are roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, or dashed by ridcue, into their fitting haun,s
Ignorance lords IT over an immense proportion OF
people Every spring should be set in notion
the enlightened and to increase their number that the
great enemy OF popular government may longer brood
like portentous cloud the destines of counr
And TO accomplish all these ends what powerful
agent can be employed than periodical, the plan Of
the Messenger II that plan be but carried out in practice
r. Il 4. .iI
the Unon south Of Washington, there but olneray
periodicals Northward of that city, there probably a,
least twenty-five or thirty Is this contrast justified by
the wealth, the leisure the native talent or the actual
literary taste Of the Southern people, compared with those
of the Northern No: for in wealth. talents and taste,
we may justly claim at least equality with our hre.
thren; and domestic institution exclusively own,
beyond all doubt affords us, choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
II was from deep sense Of this local want that the
word SOUTHERN was engrafted on the name of this
PERIODICAL and not with any design to nourish local pre-
udices to advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought is the editors ferven wish the
North and South bound endearngy together forever IN
the sken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from medtatirg hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much OF his choicest
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 dspe the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of both and
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF fracrna
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No of its third volume How far it has acted the
ideas here uttered. it is not for the editor He
believes, however that it falls further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall Short Of
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number OF the
work contains Ga large super-roya pages, printed the
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal at least to that which any Other periodical IS
printed in country.
No subscription will he received for less than volume
and must commence with the one The price IS
IS per volume which be paid in all at the time
of subscribing This is particularly adverted 10 no"
avoid msapprehension, future misundersiandnf--
order will hereafter he attended to unless accompanc
with the price Of subscription.
The postage the Messenger is six cents on any SIN
gle No for all distances under 100 milesover 100 mi
ten cents.
All communications or letters, relative to the Messen
ger, must be addressed to THOMAS w. WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond Va