The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-11-06
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
L chiefly to literature, but occasionally finding
Tor articles that fall within the scope of Science and not
processing entire dsan OF tasteful seieeiioas thong
its matter has been, as ii will continue be, in the
original
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
sble, jealousy excluded They sometimes
blended with discussions literature moral science
otherwise unobjectonabe, to gain admittance III
sake of the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens they Incidental only
primary. They dross, tolerated only because il
not well be severed from the sterling ore ~herewh iii
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 reyiewed,to direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve 10 be readand to warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large mum
Der, which merit only TO be burned In this age OF publ
catons that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undscnminating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned is one of
the nestmale and indispensable OF auxilianes 10
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales having utility amusement,
or both Historical Sketches and "reminiscences Of
minute for history Calculating IT, and height
ening its interest be regarded forming the staple
OF the work And Of Indigenous poetry, enough pub
Understandings Of strain--to manifest and TO
cultivate the growing poeca taste and talents OF our
country.
The times appear for several reasons TO demand such
a work-and not alone bat many The public mind
is feyersh and rraied STILL from recent political strfes
III,
alay that fever and soothe thai irritation Vice and folly
riong abroad They should b. driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed Ivy rdicule into their fitting haunt.
Ignorance lords il immense proportion OF our
people. Every spring should be set in motion to
the enlightened and 10 increase their number that the
great enemy Of popular gorenmen, may no Longer brood
And to accomplish all these ends, what more 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, requires snch agent. In all
the Union south Of Washington there but two literary
periodicals Woodward Of thai city, there probably at
least twenty-five OF thirty Is this contrast JUSTIFIED oy
literary Of the Southern people, compared with those
Of the Northern No: for in wealth, talents, and taste,
may jastly claim at least equality with bre-
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt aors choose, twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t was from deep sense of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN engrated the name of this
periodical and with any design to nourish local pre-
udices advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought is the editors feeH wish to the
North and South bound endearingy together forever
the silken bands OF mutual Kindness and affection Far
from rneditating hostility TO lie Morrill, he has already
drawn he hopes hereafter draw much OF his chocess
matter thence; happy indeed will he deem himself,
should his pages, by making each region know the other
better, contribute in amy essential degree to dispel the
lowering clouds that threaten the of both, and
brighten and strengthen the ssrred ties OF asernaI
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached the
fifth No Of its third volume How far has acted ot the
ideas here uttered, is not for the editor to say. He
believes however that il falls further short "a them
than human weakness usually makes practice fail short OF
theory.
The Messenger issued msnihiy. Each number o, the
work 81 large sarereyal pages printed in the
very handsomest manseT, on new type, and on paper
equal leas. that which any other periodical 10
printed IN country.
No subscription viii be received fDr less thaa avoume,
and mnst commence with the current The price is
IS per volume which be pat IN M " the time
of riding This is particularly adyersd to no" To-
avoid misrepresentation, future
he to
with the price ct Subscription.
The pos,age the Messenger eenss on ahy s SIN
gle No for all distances unde Nfss-oTef ioo mics
ten cents. -, =.
An communications letters, relative to the Messen
ger must be addressed 10 IfoMAs w WHITE,
So,,bcra Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va