The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-02-12
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,

THOMAS w. WHITE. EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR,
TNHIS is MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
j chiefly to literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope OF Science and not
protesting an entire dsdan Of tasteful selections though
its matter has been, il will continue to be- in the main
original
sible, eaously excluded. They are sometimes SO
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobeconabe as to gain admittance or the
sake of the valuable matter TO which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only not
primary They dross, tolerated only because j.
well be severed from the sterling wherewth 1t is
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it Is the editors aim that they should
FORM such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reyiewedto direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve TO be readand 10 warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large mum
Der, which merit only to be burned In this age of publ
cations, that by ther variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm ever, undlscrimnatng student, impartial
the inesmabe and indispensable of auxliares, 10
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in viewutity or amusement,
both,--Hstorical Sketches,-and "reminiscences Of
minute for history yet calculating it. and height
ening its interest be regarded forming the staple
OF the work And OF indigenous poetry, enough s pub
lished-somemes of strain-to manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetcal taste and talents Of
country.
The times appear for several reasons demand such
work--and not one alone but many. The public mind
is feversh and rated STILL from recent political stres
aay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
riong abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by ndicule into their fitting hauns.
Ignorance lords it immense proportion OF
people Every spring should be set in notion to
the enlightened and increase their number that the
Ike on the desnss ong
And TO accomplish all these ends what powerful
agent be employed than periodical, the plan OF
the Messengers if that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly requires such an agent In all
the Union, south Of Washington there literary
periodicals Norhward of that city, there probably
least twenty-five thirty! Is this contrast justified by
the wealth. the leisure the 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
thren; and domestic institution exclusively own,
beyond all doubt affords US, choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t from deep sense Of this local want that the
word SOUTHERN engrafted the name of this
periodical and not with any design noursh local pre-
JUDGES, advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought the editors feryent wish the
North and South bound endearngly together forever
the silken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditating hostility to the North he has already
drawn and he hopes 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 fraerna
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 for the editor say He
believes, however that it falls further short of THEM
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short of
theory. 5%,'t.
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number OF the
work contains GA large superroyal pages, printed tie
very handsomest manner on new type, and paper
equal at least to that which any other periodical
printed in country.
No subscription will be received for less than volume,
and must commence with the one. The price
IS per volume which be paid in all the
Of subscribing This is particularly adverted to
avoid msapprehension, future misunderstanding
order will hereafter he attended unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage the Messenger is six cents any sin
gle No for all distances under 100 mlesover 100 miles,
cents.
All communications or letters, relative to the Messen
ger must be addressed to THOMAS w. WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office Richmond, Va