Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1838-05-22
PROSPECTUS
soUTTIERNLlTERARY MESSENGER.
Thomas J. WmTE, Editor ana Proprietor

DOG 4AAASA-~'- II
THOMAS J. WmTE, Editor and Proprietor,
vn1E5Is Is a monthly Magazine, devoted
I chiefly 10 Literature, but occasionally
.,5l;,ss rcorn also for articles that fall within
- $500 ~ Science: and not PROCESSING an
sr,t;re dsdaino tasteful selections, though Its
matter bas been as win continue to be, IN the
main, original 9,
partV Politics and controversial Iheology'
as far as possible, are jealousy excluded
,Tbev are sometimes SO blended with discus
aicns N literature or IN moral science, Otherwise
unobiectionable, as to gam abundance TOT the
sake of the more valuable matter TO Wilich liley
adhere but whenever that happens they are
incidental, only; not primary. Lney are uIosS
tolerated only because it cannot Wen De seVeIeu
from the sterling ore whereWItht Is incorpOfa-
ted.
due snace IN the work: and it is the Editors |
aim that they should have threetoid tendency |
Ito convey, IN acondensed form, such valuable |
truths or interesting incidents as are embodied
in the works reviewed,-to direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be read
and to warn him against wasting time and mon
/ ey uuon that large number, which merit only 70
he burned. In this age, of publications that by
their variety and multitude distract and over
wheIm every undisCriminating student, impair
tialcriticisn, governed by the views Just men
toned, is one Of the most inestimable and mdls-
pensable ofauxiliaries, to him who does wish to
discriminate,
ESSAYS, and Tales, having in view utility or
amusement, OF both Historical Sketches
"reminiscences ofevents too minute for History
vet calculating it and heightening It's interests
NAV be regarded as forming the staple OF tne
work. And Of indigenous Poetry, enough Is
nublished-sometimes of no mean strain-to
D manifest and to cultivate the growing political
' taste and talents -four country.
Y The times appear, for several reasons, to de-
man9 such awork: and not one alone, but ma
l. nv. The public mind is feverish and irritated
still, from recent political strifes The soft as
e suasive influence of Literature is needed, to al
Law that fever and soothe that irritation, Vice
n and folly are rioting abroad: they should be
r driven by indignant rebuke, or dashed yndcule
e into their fitting hamts. Ignorance lords 1t
+ over an immense proportion of our people. Ev-
ery spring should be set In motion, to arouse
= the enlightened, and to increase their number;
: so that the great enemy of popular govern
; ment may no longer brood, ike a Portentous
u cloud, over the destinies of our country. And
II to accomplish all these ends, what more pow
e erful agent can be employed, than periodical
e on the plan of the Messenger; if that plan be
L but carried out In practice!
The South peculiarly requires such an
,e agent. In all the Union, south of Washington,
there are but two Literary periodicals.! North
Of ward of that city, there are probably at least
TWENTY-FIVE or thirty! Is this contrast Justl-
E. fed by the wealth, the leisure, the native tai
al ent. or the actual literary taste Ofthe SoutherI
eh neonIe. COMPARED with those ofthe Northern
No: for in wealth, talents and taste, we ma!
Mt Justly claim at least an equality with our 6reth
all rem and domestic institution exclusively on
,r- own beyond all doubt, affords us, five choos'
twice the leisure for reading and wrIt1nl
pi- which they enjoy.
ra- It was from deep sense of this local wan
rly that the word Southern was engFafted on a
are name fths periodical; and not with any d.
lch sign to nourish local preiudces, or to advOca
supposed local interests. Far from any SUI
ed, thought, it is the Editors fervent wish to $
GU the North and South bound endearingly
cry pether forever, in the silken bands of mutt
e of kindness and affection. Far from mediate
der hostility to the North, he has already draw
Orts and he hopes therefore to draw much Of
and choicest matter thence and happy indeed '
ters he deem himself should his pages, by maxi
we any essential degree 90 dspel the lower
YER clouds that now threaten the peace of both,
ing to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties
fTatemal love.
nee, The Southern Literary Messenger has n
rms reached the 1lth No, of the third voIuI
How farit has acted out the IDEAS here utter
10 is not for the Editor to say. He believes, no
ever, that it falls not frther short of them, I'll
~ human weakness usually makes Practice
oS' short of Theory
A. CONDITIONS.
. Of l. The Southern Literary Messenger is oil
lshed m monthly numbers, of "a large sup,
on. royal octave pages each, on the best pap
for and neatly covered, at dollars year, pay
~ be in advance.
,ec- z. OrfiVe new subscribers by sending tn,
end names and 20 dollars at one time to the edit,
ono VIII receive their copies for one year, for th
sum, or at dollars each.
. 3. The risk Of loss ofpayments for subscn
toms, which have been properly committed
the mall or to the hands of postmaster, is
sumed by the editor.
a. Ha subscription is not directed to be
the continued before the first number of the nj
I'M volume has been published it viii be taken
SCI q continuance for another year. SubscriptiC
! 10 must commence with the beginning of the Y
1on ume, and VIII not be taken for less thar
eX- years publication.
ad- 3. The mutual Obligations of the publish
and subscriber, for the year, are fully incur
the as soon as the first number of the voIumeis
uln sued; and after that time, no discontinuance
en- subscription viii be permitted Nor vii
NJ subscription be discontinued for any earl
zee notice, while any thing thereon remains d
q unless at the option of the editor.