Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-05-07
Prospectus of the
soulhern Lllerary HIe..enger.

T. w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PRoPRIEToR.
NHIS is a monthly Magazine, devoted
i chiefly 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 jealously 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 can
not well be severed from the sterling ore where
with it is incorporated.
Review and Critical Notices occupy their
due space In the work and it is the editors
aim that they should have a threefod tenden-
cy-to convey IN a condensed form, such yalu-
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 publ
cations that by their variety and multitude dis
tract and overwhelm every Understanding
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 or
amusement, or both-Historicel Sketches
and "reminiscences of too minute for History,
yet calculating it and heightening Its inter-
/ ncf he, 9ka1 he
of the work And of Indigenous Poetry,
eIsugh is published sometimes of no mean
straiIi-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 feverish and irrita-
ted still, from recent political strifes. The
soft assuasive influence of literature is needed,
to allay that fever and smoothe that irritation.
Vice and folly are roting abroad: they should
be driven by indignant rebuke, or lashed 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, ike por-
tentous cloud over the destIles of our country.
And 10 accomplish all these ends, what more
powerful agent can beemployed, than aperi-
odical, on the plan of the Messenger; if that
plan be but carried out In praehcel
The South peculiarly 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 ia wealth, talents and taste, we may justly
claim at least an equality with our brethren
and a domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond al doubt, affords Us, if wechoose, twice
the leisure for reading and writing which they
enjoy.
ltwas from deep sense Of this local want
that the word Southern was engrafted on this
periodical; and not with any design to nour-
lsh local preiudlces; 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 al
lection. Far from meditating hostility to the
North, he has already drawn, and he hopes
therefore to draw much of his choicest matter
thence and happy indeed viii he deem him.
SELF 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-
he Southern Literary Messenger has now
reached the 18th No of the third volume.
How tarlth has acted out the ideas here uttered.
IS not for the editor to say. He BELIEVES. how.
ever, that 4 falls not further short of them. than
human weakI IS usually makes Practice Al
shortof Theory.
CONDITIONS.
l; he Southern Literary Messenger s
published ~ monthly numbers, of 64larSa M
perroyal octave pages each, on the best of IA.
per- ana neatly covered, at So yeaT, PAYABLE
Z. SE n1e new subscribers by sending their
lanes ana twenty dollars at one time ia The
editor, viii receive their COPIES for one vss,
lo5 ia sum, @ At dollars for each
1 ie Ilss g loss Ct payments for subsciiip-
. = &iaen nave been properly commit Ia
the mail; the hands Of posfrrs 80. S -
sumed bY the editsf
&. Y SUBSCRIPTION IS not directed Is 10 dis
continued before the first nun sr - ~ rs.t
volume has been published & 1pill rs fslta, -
aeontInuance for anoshe wear.
must commence with the beano;n, q -
volume. and win not ba talser - ~
years publication.
3. The mutual obligations of the n,l,;sl,..
..s s..ssstlssf, loI the year. ara iilly incurred
as soon as the FIRST number Of The 15,-,e
issued and after that time. no d;eeors5s.
q SUBSCRIPTION win be permitted No. ,5.;i,
subscription Sc discontinued ~ -, -
notice. while nv fhinr tl,.
unless at the option at the editor. 49,