The Madisonian., 1840-01-11
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
T,HIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope OF Science and not
processing entire disdan OF tasteful selections, houg
its matter has been, viii continue to be- IN the MAJ
Party politics and controversial theology far pos
sibe, jealously excluded. They sometimes
blended wh discussions in literature or in moral
otherwise unobjectlonale, as to gam admittance or ~
sake Of the valuable matter 10 which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only no
primary They dross tolerated only because it
well be severed from the sterling wherewth 1t
Incorporated
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due spa
in the work and it is the editors aim that they shou
have a threefod tendency-to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents as are
embodied in the works reviewed. Ito direct the readers
attention books that deserve to be ad-and TO warn
him against wasting time and money upon thai large mum
her, which merit only to be burned In this age OF publ,
cations thai by ther variety and multitude distract and
oyerwhelm every undiscriminang student, impartial
criticism governed by the views Just mentioned IS one OF
the inesmabe and indispensable OF auxiaries, to
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in utility or amusement
boh,-Hstorical Sketches,-and "reminiscences OF
for history, yet elucidatlng IT. and height
ening its trnay he regarded forming the staple
of the work And Of indigenous poetry, enough Is pub
lishedsomemes OF mean straln--o manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetcal taste and talents OF our
country.
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
a work-and alone but many. The public mind
is everish and rnated still, from recent political stes
The soft, assuasve influence Of literature IS needed TO
aay that fever, and soothe thai irritation Vice and folly
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, lashed by ridcue, into their fitting hauns.
Ignorance lords II immense proportion OF our
people. Every spring should he set in motion, to
the enlightened and 10 increase their number; that the
great of popular may no longer BROOD
like portentous cloud the desnies OF our country
And to accomplish all these ends what more powerful
agent be employed Than periodical, the plan OF
the Messenger il that plan be but carried out in practice
The South peculiarly requires such an agent. In all
the Union south OF Washington there but two literary
| NoTthWard
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 = Mo- for in wealth talents, and taste,
may Justly claim at least equality with our bre-
hren; and domestic institution exclusively our
beyond all doubt affords us # We choose twice the leisure
| for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
| 1t from deep sense Of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN was engrafed on the OF this
periodical and with design nourish local pre-
JUDGES, to advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought II is the editors eryent wish to the
North and South bound endearngy together forever,
the silken bands of mutual kindness and affection Far
from medating hostility {. North he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much OF has 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 tha, threaten the peace Of both and
TO brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF HternAl
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached NE
fifth No, of its third volume. How far II has acted ont tue
ideas here uttered, is not for the editor 10 say lie
believes however that it falls not further short Of then
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short e
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number q Tie
work contains 81 large superroyal pages, printed N te
very handsomest manner on new type, and on paper
equal least that which any other periodical Is
| printed in country.
No subscription viii be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current The Price s
SIS per volume, which be paid in all cases a the time
Of subscribing This is particularly avertcd to now 10
avoid misapprehension, or future msundersandlng-as
no order will hereafter he attended unless accompanied
with the price of subscription.
i The postage on the Messenger cents on any sin
I gle No for all distances unde mes-oyer 100 miles,
| ten cents.
All communications or letters relative to the Messen
ger must be addressed 10 THOMAS W WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond Va