The Southern Literary Messenger, Volume I., 1834-35

About this book

"The Southern Literary Messenger, Volume I., 1834-35" by Various is a periodical publication dedicated to literature and the fine arts, written in the early 19th century. It serves as a venue for discussing literary endeavors and fostering a sense of cultural pride in the Southern United States, particularly Virginia. The publication aims to ignite a literary spirit among the residents and provide a platform for original works that reflect the character and concerns of the South. The opening of the Messenger sets the stage for its mission through a Publisher's Notice wherein the publisher expresses hope for support from the Southern literary community. The text includes laudatory letters from various prominent literary figures such as Washington Irving, J. Fenimore Cooper, and John Quincy Adams, underscoring a collective encouragement for the establishment of a local literary journal. Furthermore, the Publisher voices concerns over the South's literary reliance on Northern publications, framing the Messenger as a potential catalyst for Southern writers to assert their voice and cultivate a unique literary identity that resonates with their local culture and experiences.