Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-02-12
Prospectus Of the
Southern Literary Messenger.


T. W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
UHIS is a monthly Magazine, devoted
4 chiefly to Literature, but occasionally
finding room also for articles that fall within
the scope Of Science and not protesting an
entire disdan of tasteful selections, thoughts
matter has been as it viii continue to be, in
the main original.
Party Politics and controversial Theology,
as far as possible, are jealousy excluded.
They are sometimes so blended with discus
sions inliterature or In moral science, other
wise unobjectionable, as to gain admittance
for the sake of the more valuable matter to
which they adhere: but whenever that hap
pens, they are incidental only not primary.
They are dross tolerated only because it cam
not well be severed from the sterling ore where
with it is Incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their
due space IN the work /; and it is the editors
aim that they should have threefoid tenden-
| cY--to convey in condensed form, such valu-
able truths or interesting incidents as are en-
bodied In the works reviewed,-to direct the
readers attention to books that deserve to be
reaG,-add to warn him against wasting time
and money upon that large number, which
merit only to be burned. In this age, of publi-
cations that by their variety and multitude dis
tract and overwhelrn every undiscriminatng
student, impartial criticism governed by the
views justmentioned is one of the most inesti-
mable and indispensable of auxiliaries, tohim
who does wish to discriminate.
Essays, and Tales, having IN view utility OF
amusement, or both-Historicel Sketches
and "reminiscences of too minute for History,
yet calculating it and heightening Its inter
est,-may be regarded as forming the staple
of the work. And of Indigenous Poetry,
enough is publshed-sometimes of no mean
strain-tO manifest and to cultivate the grow
ing poetry taste and talents of our coun-
try. ~
The time appears, for several reasons, to
demand such work: andnot one alone, but
many. The public mind is feversh and irrita-
ted still, from recent political strifes. The
soft assuasive influence Of literature is needed.
to allaS that fever and smoothe that irritation.
Vice and folly are rioting abroad: they should
be driven by indignant rebuke, or dashed by
ridicule, into their fitting haunts. Ignorance
lords It over an immense proportion of our peo-
pie. Every spring should be set in motion, to
arouse the enlightened, and to increase their
number; so that the great enemy of popular
government may no longer BROOD like por-
tentous cloud over the destines of our country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more
powerful agent can be employed, than aperi-
odical, on the plan of the Messenger; if that
plan be but carried out in practice?
The Southpeculiarly requires such an agent.
In all the Union, south of Washington, there
are but two literary periodicals.! Northward
of that city, there probably are at least twen-
ty-five or thirty! Is this contrast justified by
the wealth. the leisure. the native talent, or the
actual literary taste, of the Southern people,
compared with those of the Northern! No:
for IN wealth, talents and taste, we may Justly
CLAIM at least an equality with our brethren
and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt, affords us, if we choose, twice
the leisure for reading and writing which they
enjoy.
Il It was from deep sense of this local want
mat the word Southern was engrafted on this
periodical and not with any design to nour-
lsh local prejudices or to advocate supposed
local interests. Far from any such thought, It
is the editors fervent wish to see the North
and South bound endearingly together forever.
IN the silken bands of mutual kindness and af-
lection. Far from meditating hostility to the
| North, he has already drawn, and he homes
therefore to draw much of his choicest matter
thence: and happv indeed win he deem him.
SELL should his pages, by making each region
Know the other better, contribute in any es.
sentlal degree to dispel the lowering clouds
that now threaten the peace of both, and To
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of fra
ternal love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now
reached the 18th No of the third volume
How farit has aeted out the ideas here uttered.
u not Tor the editor to say. He BELIEVES. how.
ever, that it falls not further short of them f6
i human weakness usually makes Practice faIi
short of Theory.
CONDITIONS.
1. The Southern Literary NIessanss. Z
pubhshedin monthly numbers, Of 81 largSs n.
perroyal octave pages each, on the best ~ -.
Per, andneatly covered, at $5 ayear. pavablp
ii advance. 1sss
= VI i've new subscribers by sending their
names and twenty dollars at one time 10 fhs
editor, vii receive their copies for one vaa,
fol-. that sum, b at dollars fs1r each.
= The risk Of loss Of payments for snbscrin.
IONS, which have been properly Committed "a
the mail; orthe hands 81 postrnasfer. = s.
snmed blythe editor
q, Il transcription Is not directed IL Il die
continued before the first number ~ he nses
volume has been bliahel II win ha tsI,a., -
Continuance or mother year. Snhecr;;nf;or.
must commence with the heuinnino, ~ ~
volume a VII ngl be- taken for Iess tban 4
years publication. 80.
he mutual obligations 81 tie pubiishar
ana scrlbeI, the year, are iHullV incI'r
s. SOD .pe Als number Of the volume
$3.50. - = eng a!ker tnal time, no ontinnance
q sa1sei WI Be Permitted Nor
~: as nluuea io arlier
~ tN.N thereon