Stephen Olin's inaugural as President of Randolph-Macon College. Its other contents are varied and interesting. So that the second number was prepared and issued, but not until October 15, 1834.
It opens with a short address "To the public and especially to the people of the Southern States," thanking them for the patronage it had received and appealing for an increase. It also says: "The publisher makes his grateful acknowledgments for the friendly and liberal support received from various gentlemen residing in the States north of the Potomac. Many in that quarter, of literary and professional distinction, have kindly extended their patronage." This number, also of 32 pages, contains a letter, with some prefatory comments, to a Law Student, from the celebrated Wm. Wirt, and a short story, founded on fact, "Misfortune and Genius," signed H., which may have been from the facile pen of Mr. Heath: also an essay disputing the old adage that "Example is better than precept," which is signed M. and was written by Mr. Lucian Minor, always a true and trusted friend of Mr. White and his beloved Messenger. Among the known contributors were Edgar Snowden, Nugator (Landon Carter), Mrs. Sigourney, Peter A. Browne and Dr. Powell, the geologist. There are also some discriminating book notices, including Bulwer's
