The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-11-30
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER

THOMAS W. WHITE, EpIToR AND PROPRIETOR
THIS is MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
chiefly 10 literature but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope 81 Science ana nt
protesting entire dsdain of tasteful sel,et,oas Lho
It's matter has been, as il will continue be- IN the mn
original
Party politics and theology as far AS nos
sib!e, are jeaously excluded They sometimes $
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise unobjeetionable to gam adm,tance or til
sake Of the valuable matter 10 which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only Eo
primary. They dross tolerated only because can
not well be severed from the sterling wherewith
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy ,lcir due spa
IN the work and it is the editors that they shou
have threeold tendency-to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reyiewed,--to direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve to be readand to
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only to lie burned In this lth
cations that by their variety and mnttude distract ant
oyeIwhelm every undiscriminatng student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned is Of
the most inestmable and indispensable of auxareS
him who does wish to discriminate. s.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility or amusement
or both,-HIstorical Shetches,-and "reminiscences OF
events too minute for history, yet Calculating it, and height
ening It's Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
OF the work. And of Indigenous poetry enough is pub
shed-somemes Of no mean stran--to manifest and a
cultivate the growing poeticai taste and talents OF our
country.
The times appear for several reasons demand such
work-and not one alone, but many. The public mind
The soft, influence OF literature is needed %
aiay that fever and soothe that irritation. Vice and folly
riotng abroad: They should be sryen by Indignant
rebuke, dashed by ridcule into their fitting haunt
Ignorance lords il over an immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in motion, TO arouse
the enlightened and 10 increase their number 50 that the
great enemy Of popular government longer brood,
like poyentoas cload, the destines OF country
And TO accomplish all these ends, what powerful
the Messenger II that plan be bot carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly requhes such agent. w Any
the Union, south Of Washngon, there but two literary
periodicals. Norhward Of that city, there probably a.
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 No: for wealth. talents and taste
may Justly claim at least equality with our he-
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords u.s. we choose, twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
II from deep Of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN was engrafted on the name of this
periodical and not with design to noarlsh local pre-
JUDGES advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought it is the editors eryent wish to the
North and South bound endearipgly together forever
the siken bands Of mutual ka!ness and affection Far
from Dedtating hostility 10 tie North, he has ALREADY
drawn and he hopes hereafter odraw much Of his choices'
thence; happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages by makRg each region know the othrf
better, contribute any essential degKee 10 spe the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of both ami
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of faterna
love-
The Sonthern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No of it's third volume How far it has acted out the
ideas here uttered 1t is not for the edior say lie
believes however that falls not further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short o.
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number of the
work contains "a large snperDy pages printed IN the
very haadsomest manner, on new tyre and on paper
equa least to that which any other periodical is
printed in country.
No SUBSCRIPTION VIII be received for less than volume,
and must commence with the The price IN
IS per volume which be paid in all cases the
of subscribing This il particularly adverted To- L"
avoid msapprehenson or future MISUNDERSTANDING
no order will hereafter he attended to unless accompanied
with the price of subscription.
The postage the Messenger eenes on any SIN
gle No. for all distances nnae mes-ever TOO miles
ten cents.
An communications or letsers relative to the Messcn
GER must be addressed 70 THonks w WHITE
Southers Literary Messenger OAiee, Richmond, Va