The design of the writer is excellent, and deserves to be imitated. The “Critical Notices,” though in themselves good, are not generally equal to the Editor's previous efforts. As it was however permitted to Homer sometimes to nod, so should the really gifted mind which presides over the Messenger, be allowed occasionally a little repose. Of the poetry, the writer of this brief notice will say nothing. Some of it is good—but he is but an indifferent judge. From the New York Weekly Messenger. _Southern Literary Messenger_.—The high encomiums which this periodical has received from all parts of the Union, it most richly deserves. We have been favored with the five first numbers of the current (second) volume, and have had an intellectual feast in the perusal of many articles contained therein. To express our opinion candidly of the talents and erudition of the worthy editor of this monthly, would expose us to the charge of plagiarism, because it would be exactly similar to half a hundred others, who have preceded us in expressions of approbation. What shall we do then? To go through and examine every article in five numbers, is more than we have space for. But we must—we feel bound to say, Virginians especially are indebted to Mr. White for his _unprecedented_ literary zeal. He ought to meet with encouragement; in short, we believe he does,—but there should be an effort made to sustain the undertaking, by a continually increasing list of _paying_ subscribers. If our friends in the city or country wish their table filled with rich literary food once a month, they should immediately order “The Southern Literary Messenger,” published by T. W. White, Richmond, Va. There is one article to which we object, the burlesque, or caricature, not criticism, on Fay's “Norman Leslie,” but in making only one objection, we think much is said for the periodical, more than can be said of any other of the monthlies. We really do think it is as good as any, if not the very best in these United States. We think so highly of the Richmond “Messenger,” that if we had the numbers of the first volume, we would have them neatly bound, and placed in our library as a literary treasure. From the Norfolk Herald.