The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-07-24
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE. EDITOR AND Proprietor

Y
THIS Is MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
- chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and no,
protesting entire dsdain Of tasteful selections thoug
its matter has been, il will continue TO be- in the mai
original
slble, are jealousy excluded They are sometimes
blended with discussions literature or in moral science
otherwise unobeconable, TO gain admittance or tn
sake Of the valuable matter which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they are incidental only
primary They dross, tolerated only because il
not well De severed from the sterling wheewith it
incorporated
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due spa
IN the work and it is the editors aim that they shout
have threefold tendency--to convey in a condensed
FORM such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works revewed,to direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve to be land
him against wasting time and money upon that large
ber which merit only to be burned In this age OF publ
cations that by heir variety and multitude distract and
overwhem every undiscTiminatng student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned Of
the most nestmable and indispensable Of auxlares
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in vewutilty amusement,
or both-Historical Sletches,-and "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history calculating it, and height
enng its be regarded as forming the staple
OF the work. And OF indigenous poetry enough is pub
lished-sometimes Of srain-to manifest and to
cultivate the growing poeca taste and talents Of
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
work-and not one alone, but many. The public mind
is feverish and itated STILL from political strifes
lnuuence literature needed,
aay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
are rotng abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, or dashed by ndicule into their fitting haun
people, Every spring should be in motion,
the enlightened and TO increase their number that the
great enemy OF popular government may no longer brood,
like portentous cloud the destnes Of country.
And to accomplish all these ends, what powerful
agent can be employed than periodical the plan OF
the Messenger If that plan be but carried in practice
the Union south Of Washington there are but two literary
periodicals. Northward Of that city, there probably
least twenty five thirty! Is this contrast justified by
literary OF the Southern people, compared with those
of the Norhem No for in wealth, talents, and taste,
we may Justly claim at least equality with our bre
thren; and domestic institution exclusively own,
beyond all doubt affords u.s. If choose the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t was from deep sense Of this local want that the
periodicals. and with any design nourish local pre-.
udces advocate supposed local interests Far from
such thought il is the editors fevent wish the
North and South bound endearingly together forever
the silken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditatng hostility to the North he has already
drawn, and he hopes draw, much Of choices,
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
20 brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of faterna
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No Of its third volume. How far has acted the
believes, however that 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 superroyal pages printed the
very handsomest manner, on new type, and paper
equal at least to that which any other periodical
printed in our country
No subscription will he received for less than volume
and must commence with the current one The pricep
IS per volume. which must be paid in all the time
of subscribing This Is particularly adverted TO
avoid misrepresentation, future misunderstanding
order will hereafter he attended to unless accompanied
with the price of subscription
The postage on the Messenger cents on any sin
gle No. for all distances unde mles-over 100 miles.
ten cents.
ger, must he addressed TO THOMAS w. WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va
NEW METALLIC PENS.--Wanen's Constitution
~ Pen. n and article is This iay