The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-03-23
SOLOMON HAYS.
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 finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and
protesting entire disdan OF tasteful selections thong
It's matter has been, as it will continue TO be- IN the MAJ
original
Party politics and controversial theology far pos
sibe, jealously excluded. They are sometimes
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise unobectionable to gain admtance or th
sake of the valuable matter TO which they adhere
but whenever that happens they incidental only no
primary. They dross, tolerated only because II can
well be severed from the sterling ore wherewith 1t
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due spa
in the work and it is the editors aim that they shou
have threeiold tendency-to convey IN q condensed
FORM such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed. direct the readers
attention books that deserve to be read to
him against wasting time and money upon that large mum
ber which merit only be burned In this age OF publ
Cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undiscriminatng student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned Is one Of
the most nestimabe and indispensable Of auxiiares,
him who does wish TO discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in viewutility or amusement
or both Historical Sketches,and "reminiscences of
events too minute for history yet Calculating it, and height
enng its interestingly be regarded as forming the staple
of the work And Of indigenous poetry, enough is pub
ished-sometimes of mean strain-to manifest and TO
cultivate the growing poetich taste and talents OF our
/ country. sF
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
| a work-and not one alone, but many The public mind
is feversh and tated STILL from recent political stries
The Soft assuasive influence Of literature is needed to
aay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke dashed by rdicule into their fitting haun,s
Ignorance lords it an immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set IN notion 70 arouse
great enemy Of popular may no longer brood
like portenous cloud the destnies Of our county
And to accomplish all these ends what powerful
agent can be employed than periodical on the plan OF
the Messenger if that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly requnes snch an agent In all
the Union, south OF Washington there are but two literary
periodicals. Nohward OF that city, there probably at
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 in wealth talents, and taste,
may justly claim at least equality with our bre-
hren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords us, If we choose twice the leisure
| for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t was from deep Of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN was engrafted the name of this
periodical and not with any design to noursh local
any such thought il is the editors ervent wish the
North and South bound endearngy together forever
the silken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from medltaing 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 dispel the
lowering clouds that threaten the Of BOTH and
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of fraterna
4 love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No. OF its third volume How far it has acted out the
ideas here uttered it is not for the editor TO say lie
believes however that it falls further short of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short Of
| theory. s.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number of the
work contains GA large super-royal pages printed in the
/ very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal at least that which any other periodical
/ printed in country
No subscription will be received for less than volume,
and must commence with the current The price IS
IS per volume, which be paid in all cases at the time
Of subscribing. This is particularly advered TO no" TO
avoid misrepresentation future misunderstanding
order will hereafter he attended to unless accompanied
with the price of SUBSCRIPTION
The postage the Messenger is six cents on any syn
gle No for all distances under 100 mles-over 100 miles,
! ten cents.
All communications letters, relative to the Messen
ger must be addressed 10 THOMAS w. WHITE
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va