The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-10-30
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MEsSENGE

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly to literature, bat 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 10 be, in the
original
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
slble, are jealousy excluded They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature in moral
otherwise unobjectonable, to gain admtance or til
sake Of the valuable matter TO which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only
primary They dross, tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling wherewih it
Incorporated. Ea
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due spa
in the work; and it is the editors aim that they shout
have threelold tendency--to convey in condensed
FORM such valuable truths Interesting incidents
embodied in the works reyiewedto direct the readers
attention books that deserve be and to
him against wasting time and money upon that large
be which merit only TO be burned In this age OF publ.
Cations that by Their variety and multitude distract and
oyerwhelm every undscriminating student, impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned is of
the mos, inesmable and indispensable Of auxares to
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility amusement,
or both,-Hisiorca Sketches,-and "reminiscences of
events too minute for history yet calculating IT, and height
enng its interest may be regarded forming the staple
of the work. And of Indigenous poetry enough pub
lished-sometimes of srain-to manifest and to
cultivate the growing poeca taste and talents OF our
country.
The times appear for several reasons, demand such
awork--and not one alone but many. The public mind
is eversh and irrtated s from recent political stes
The SOFT assuasve influence Of literature needed to
aay that fever and soo,he that irritation Vice and folly
roting abroad: They shoad be driven by indignant
rebuke, ashed by ridcue, into their fitting hauns
Ignorance lords it 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 onse. So"a
like potentous cloud, the destines Of our country
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 bnt carried out IN pracee
- In nll
the Union south OF Washington, there but two literary
periodicals. Norhward Of thai city hers probably at
least twenty-five thirty Is TINS contrast ushed by
the wealth. the leisure the native talent or the actual
literary taste Of the Southern people, compared with
Of the Northen No. for in wealth, talents and taste,
may Justly CHAIN At &ast an eqnaity with our pre-
thren and domestic INSTITUTION exclusively our own,
beyond an doubt affords u.s. we 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 engraised on the name OF TINS
periodical and with any design to neurish local pre-
Iudces, advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought is the editors ervent wish TO see the
North and South bound endeasiagy together forever IN
the sken hands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from mednating hostility 10 tie North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter much OF his choicest
matter thence; ana happy indeed WIN he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the other
better contribute any essential degree to aispe the
lowering clouds that threaten the OF BOTH and
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF fraternA
love- !.
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached the
fifth No OF third volume How far il has acted out tho
ideas here uttered is not for the editor TO say lie
believes however, that It falls farther short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice full short OF
theory fre
The Messenger is issaed monthly Each number Of the
work contains GA large superroyai printed in the
very handsoInest manner, new type, and on paper
equal nj least to tina, which amy other periodical is
printed in country.
No subscription win be received fav less than avoume,
and must commence with the evuyent The price 10
SIS per volume which be paid a cases at the time
-. ia~Ap xfpl
avoid misappre henson O. future misunderstanding
no order will hereafter he attended TO uHess accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage the Messenger ecnss on any SIN
Gle No for an distances unde miles-over 100 miles
ten cents.
An communications letters, relative - the Mcssen
ger ynust be Addressed TO- THOMAS w. WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va