The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-11-16
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,

THOMAS ". WHITE. EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
Il chiefly to literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and not
processing entire dlsdain Of tasteful selections thoug
its matter has been as IT will continue be, the
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sible, jealousy excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions literature moral science
otherwise unobjectionabe, TO gain admtance Tia
sake OF the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens they incidental ony
primary They dross, tolerated only because il
not well be severed from the sterling ore wherewith i'll
incorporated
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due spa
in the work and il is the editors aim that they shout
have threeiold tendcncy-to convey in a condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents as
embodied in the works reyewed-to direct the readers
attention books that deserve to be read-and TO warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large mum
ber which merit only to be burned In this age Of publ
cations that by heir variety and multitude distract and
oyer"helm every undscnminating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned is one OF
the inestimabe and indispensable OF auxares, to
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility or amusement,
or boh,-Historical Sketchesy-and "reminiscences OF
events too minute for history yet eucdang H. and height
ening its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
Of the work And Of indigenous poetry enough is pub
shed-soneImes of mean strain--to manifest and TO
cultivate the growing poetica taste and talents Of our
country. &.
The times appear for several reasons, TO demand such
work-and not alone, but many. The public mind
is feverish and itated still from political strifes
The soft assuasive influence Of literature is needed to
alay that fever and soothe thai irritation Vice folly
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by rdeule, into their fitting haunt'
Ignorance lords it over an immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in motion TO arouse
the enlightened and TO increase their number that the
great enemy OF popular government may no longer BROOD
like portenious cloud over the destnes oil our county
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful !
agent be employed than periodical the plan OF
the Messenger If that plan be but earned in practice
The South, peculiarly, requhes such an agent In all
If fhprna limit
periodicals. Northward oha city, there probably at
least twenty five thirty Is this contrast justified by
literary of the Southern people, compared with those
OF the Northern Mo- for in wealth, talents and TASTE
we may Justly claim at least equality with our bre
thren; and domestic institution exclusively
beyond all doubt affords MS choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
II was from deep sense Of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN was engrafsed on the name OF this
periodical and with any design to noursh local
udices advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought is the editors eryent wish 70 see the
North and South bound endearingy together forever,
the silken bands Of mutual kndness and affection Far
from meditating hostility 10 tie North, be has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much Of his choicest
should his pages by making each region know tire other
better, contribute any essential degree 10 dispe the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF BOTH and
TO brighten and strengthen she sacred ties Of fraerna
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No of It's third volume How far it has acted out the
IDEAS here uttered is not for the editor to say. He
believes however that it falls not further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short Of
theory.
The Messenger is issncd mOnthy- Each number OF the
work Ga large snpcTroya pages printed in the
very handsemest manner, new type, and on paper
equal al least that which any ether periodical is
printed in Our country.
No Subscription win be received for less than volume,
and with the current one. The price is
IS per volnae which must paid in MI cases at the time
Of subscribing This is particularly adrerisd 10 now to
avoid misapprehension, future misandersranhag-as
no order viii hereafter he attended 30 unless accompanied
with the price OF subscription.
The postage on the Messenger cents ON any SIN
gle No for an distances unde miles-oyer TOO miles.
ten cents.
All communications letters, relative 10 she Mcssen
ger, must he addressed to THOMAS w WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond Va