Southern Literature [pp. 1-3]

SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER.
VOL. I.] RICHMOND, AUGUST, 1834. [No. 1.
T. W. WHITE, PRINTER AND PROPRIETOR. - FIVE DOLLARS PER ANNUM.
PUBLISHER9S NOTICE.
IN issuing the first number of the " SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER," the publisher hopes to be excused
for inserting a few passages from the letters of several
eminent literary men which he has had the pleasure to
receive, approving in very flattering terms, his proposed
publication. Whilst the sentiments contained in these
extracts illustrate the generous and enlightened spirit
of their authors, they ought to stimulate the pride and
genius of the south, and awaken from its long slumber
the literary exertion of this portion of our country. The
publisher confidently believes that such will be the effect.
From the smiles of encouragement, and the liberal
promises of support received from various quarterswhich he takes this opportunity of acknowlcdging,-he
is strongly imboldened to persevere, and devote his own
humble labors to so good a cause. He is authorised to
expect a speedy arrangement either with a competent
editor or with regular contributors to his work,-but,
in the mean time, respectfully solicits public patronage,
as the only effectual means of ensuring complete success.
FROM WASHINGTON IRVING.
" Your literary enterprise has my highest approbation and
warmest good wishes. Strongly disposed as I always have been
in favor of'the southI,' and especially attached to Virginia by
early friendships and cherished recollections, I cannot but feel
interested in the success of a work which is calculated to concenitrate the ttlelt and illustrate the high and generous character
which pervade that part of the Union.'
FROM J. K. PAULDING.
"It gives me great pleasure to find that you are about establisliing a literary paper at Riclhmond,-and I earnestly hope the
attempt will be successful. You have abundance of talent among
you; and the situation of so litany well educated men, placed
above the necessity of laboring either manually or professionally,
affords ample leisure for the cultivation of literature. Hitherto
your writings have been principally political; and in that class
you have had few rivals. The saute talent, directed to other
pursuits in literature, will, unquestionably, produce simnilar results,-aand Virgiltia, in addition to her other high clainms to the
consideration of the world, may then easily aspire to the same
distinction in other branches that she has attained in politics.
* * * **
" Besides, the muses must certainly abide somewhere in the
beautiful vallies, and on the banks of the clear streamts of tihe
mountains of Virginia. Solitude is the nurse of l'the imagtination
and if there be any Virginia lass or lad that ever seeks, they will
assuredly find itnspiration, anlionig the retired quiet beauties of
her lodely retreats. Dottbtlcss they only want a vehicle for
their effusions,-and I cannot bring myself to believe that your
contemplated paper will suffer fromi the absence of contributors
or subscribers. * * * *
'" If your young writers will consult ttheir own taste ant(i genius,
and forget there ever were stuch writers as Scott, Byron, ald(l
Moore, I will be bound they produce something original; ttand a
tolerable original is as ituch superior to a tolerable imuitation, as
a substanice is to a shadow. Give us soncthinisg new-something
characteristic of yourselves, your country, and your native feelings, and I don't care what it is. I asi somiewlhat tired of liceltious love ditties, border lieends, affected sorrow%, atd gutblitg miii,santhropy. I want to cc somethinig wshole-sontie, in,ttural, arid Tationa l. The bect tling at young Aitics icw r iitr e rlit
,lo, is to fol et that any )ody ver Wlrt6t b it C lii h i;anod aLovc
tll tliui,,c3 that tlhete aric uch cat irlii t: i tic r i thi s d.'
VOL. I —I
'C,t T,.3.. -.>,
I' I
FROM J. FENIMORE COOPER.
"The south is full of talent, and the leisure of its gentlemen
ought to enable them to bring it freely into action. I made many
acquaintances, in early youth, among your gentlemen, whom I
have always esteemed for their manliness, frankness, and inteligence. If some, whomI could name, were to arouse from
their lethargy, you would not be driven to apply to any one on
this side the Potomac for assistance."
FROM J. P. KENNEDY.
"'I have received your prospectus, along with your letter of
the 1st instant. It gives me great pleasureto perceive so just an
estimate of the value of literary enterprise as that indicated by
your announcement of the' Southern Literary Messenger.' A
work of this kind is due to the talents of your noble state, and I
doubt not wvill be received with a prompt encouragement."
FROM JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
" Your design is so laudable, that I would gladly contribute to
its promotion; but the periodical literature of the country seems
to be rather superabundant than scanty. The desideratutit is of
quality rather than qtuantity."
FROM PETER A. BROWNE.
"Although you could not have chosen one less able to assist
you, owing to my numerous professional engagements, which
deprive nte of the pleasure of dippinig into the other scicences, or
literature, I am willing to contribute my mite, and sincerely wish
you success."
For the Southern Literary Messenger.
SOUTHERN LITERATIURE.
IT is understood that the first number of the
"Messenger," will be sent forth by its Publisher,
as a kind of pioneer, to spy out the land of literary
promise, and to report whether the same be fruitful
or barren, before he resolves upon future action. It
would be a mortifying discovery, if instead of kindness and good wvill, he should be repulsed by the
coldness and neglect of a Virginia public. Hundreds of similar publications thrive and prosper
north of the Potomac, sustained as they are by the
liberal hand of patronage. Shall not one be supported in the twhole south? This is a question of
great importance;-aitd one which ought to be
answered with sober earnestness by all who set
any value upon public character, or who are in
the least degree jealous of that individual honor
and dignity which is in some measure connected
with the honor and dignity of the state. Are we
to be doomed forever to a kind of vassalage to our
northern neighbors-a dependance for our literary
food uponi our brethren, whose superiority in all
the great points of chiaracter,-ill valor-eloquence
and patriotism, we are no wise dlisposed to admit?
Is it not altogether extraordinary that in this
extensive commonwealth, containing a white po1)ulation of upwards of six hundred thousand souls
-a vast deal of agricultural wealtlh, and inIlunlei-able per sons of bothl sexes, who enijoy both eisire and avilluenc -there is not one solitary pec
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