PROSPECTUS

 OF THE Literary Messenger.
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VENHIs is a monthly Magazinc, devoted chiefly to A LITERATURE, but occasionally finding room also for articles that fall within the scope of ScIy NcE; and protesting disdan of oftastcful selections ough its matter has been, Il will continue to be- in the main, original

 Party Politics and controversial Theology as far IS possible, leaousy excluded. They are some. times so blended with discussions in literature CT in moral science otherwise unobj ctionahie, as to gain admtiance for thesake of the more valuable matter to which they adhere: but whenever that happens, they are incidental, only not primary. They are dross, tolerated only because they cannot well be severed from the sterling ore whcrewith it is incor poratcd.

 Reviews, and Critical Notices OCCUPY their duo space in the work and it is the Editors aim that they should have tliree-oll tendeney--to convey, in a condensed form, such valuable truths or inc- dents as are embodied in the works revicwed,- ito direct the readers attention to books that deserve to be read-and to wsrn him against wasting time and money upon that large number, which merits only to be burned. In this age of publications, that by their variety and multitude distract and over whelm every undiscriminatng student, IMPARTIAL CRITICISM, governed by the views just mentioned. is one of the most incstimable and indispensable of auxiIiaries, to him who DOES WISH to discriminate.

 Essays, and Tales having in view utility or amusement, or both-Historcal Sketches and Re- niniscences of events too minute for History, yet elucidating if, and heightening it's interests be regarded as forming the staple of the work And

 

 times of no mean strain-to manifest and to culti- vate the growing taste and talents of the country

 The times appear for several reasons, to deuland such work-and not one alone, but many. The public mind is feyershed and rritated still from re- cent political sriles the soft assuasve influence of Literature is needed, to aay that fever and soothc that irritation. Vice and folly are rioting abroad -- they shopld be driven by indignant rebuke, lash. cd by rdicule, into their fitting haunts. Ignorance lords it's over an immense proportion of our people Chofl Inc in notIn Inc enlightened. and to increase their number; so that the great enemy of popular government may longer brood like porentous cloud over the desti- nies of 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 but carried out in practice.

 Tie SourH peculiarly requires such an agent.-- In all the Union, south of Washington, there arc but two Literary periodicals! Northward of that cty there probably at least twenty-five Or thir- ty Is this contrast justified by the wealth. the leis- re the native talent the actual literary taste of the Southern people, compared with those of the Northern, No; for inwealth, talents and taste, We may justly claim al least EQUALITY with our brethren and domestic institution exclusively our own, beyond all doubt afford us, if we choose twice the leisure for reading and writing which they enjoy

 1t was from deep sense of this LOCAL want. that the word SOUTHERN was engrafted on the name of this periodical and not with any design to nouFsh local prendces, to advocate supposed local inter ests Far from any such thought, it is the Editors fervent wish, to the North and South bound en- dearingly together forever in the silken bands Of mutual kindness and affection. Far from meditatinx HOSTILITY to the north, he has already drawn, and he hopes hereafter to draw, much of his choicest matter thence and happy indeed will he deem him. self should his pages, by making each region know the other better contribute in any essential degree to dspe forever the lowering clouds that SO lsfely threatened the peace of both, and to brighten and strengthen the sacred tics of fraternal love.

 The Soatlera Literary Messenger has now enm- menced its nt'ah roiume, and ninth year. How far it has acted out the ideas here uttered is not for bs Editor to say. He believes, however, that it fkln not further. short of them. than human weaknsss usually makes PRAcTIcE fall short of THxoAy.

 Richmond "a October. ls4s.