Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-11-26


Madison, (Indiana,) Dec. /, 1887.
H For sale at the Columbus Drug Store by
GREENE. HILL.
January %, 1899 90
Prospectus Of The
Southern Literary Messenger.
T. w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
HHIS is monthly Magazine, devoted
4 chiefyt TO Literature, but occasionally
finding room also for articles that fall within
the scope of Science and not protesting an
entire disdain of tasteful selections, thoughts
matter has been as it will 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 in literature or in moral science, other
wise unobiectionable, 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 threefold 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 10 be burned. In this age, Of publ
cations that by their variety and multitude dis
tract and oyerwhelm every undscrminating
student, impartial criticism governed by the
views iustmentioned, is one of the most inesti-
who does wish to discriminate
Essays, and Tales, having in view utility or
amusement, or both-Historicel Sketches
and "reminiscences of too minute for History,
yet Calculating it and heightening It's inter-
est,-may be regarded as forming the staple
of the work And of Indigenous Poetry,
enough published-sometines 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: andnotone alone, but
many. The public mind is feverish and irrita-
ted still, from recent political strlfes. The
soft assuasiye influence of literature is needed,
to allav that fever and smeothe 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 orr peo-
pie. Every spring should be set motion, to
arouse the enlightened, and to increase their
Number; so that the great enemy of popular
governmentmay no longer brood, like a por-
tentous cloud over the destines of our country.
And to accomplish all these ends, what more
powerful agent can be employed, than peri
odical, on the plan of the Messenger; if that
plan be but carried out IN practices
The South peculiarly requires such an agent
In all the Union, south of Washington, there
are but two literary periodicals.! NorthwarC
of that city, there probably are at least TWEEN.
Ety-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;
form 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 U.S. we choose, twice
the leisure for reading and writing which they
enjoy.
ltwas from a deep sense of this local want
that the word Southern was engrafted on this
periodical; and not with any design to nour
ISL local prejudices or to advocate supposed
/ local interests. Far from any such thought, i
! is the editors fervent wish to see the Norll
and South bound endearingly together forever
in the silken bands of mutual kindness and at
lection. Far from meditating hostility to tn.
North, he has already drawn, and he hope
therefore to draw much Of his choicest matte
thence: and happy indeed VIII he deem him
sell, should his pages, by making each regi0l
know the other better, contribute in any es
sential degree to dspel the lowering cloud
that now threaten the peace of both, and t
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of fra
ternal love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has nov
reached the llth No Of the third volume
,How FART has acted out the ideas here uttered
lis not for the editor to say. He believes, how
ever. that it falls not further short Of then thai
human weakness usually makes Practice e.
shortof Theory.
i CONDITIONS.
5. !. The Southern Literary Messenger
published IA monthly numbers, of 81 large Sd
perroyal octave pages each, on the best Of pa
] per- and neatly covered, At IS year, paYabl
! IN advance.
2. Or i've new subscriber BIZ sending the
names and twenty dollars at one time 70 II
) editor, VIII receive their copies for one yea
for tina sura,of at dollars FIR each
3. The risk nIloss Of payments for subscliI
tons. which have been properly committed {
81 the mad offfe hands Of postInastefs IS al
suned BY the editor.
Il subscription IS not directed 10 be dIl
continued before slie first number of The nes
volume has been published. i viii be taken :
acoIll in,i5nce for another year. SuhscIiplief
must commence with the beginning q q
volume, a8d Is not be taken fox Jess tAan
: years publication