Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-01-29
SOUTHERN LITERARY MES.
SENGER.
T. W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PRoPRIEToR.


t. W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PRoPRRToR.
NHIS is a monthly Magazine, devoted
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 a
Party Politics and controversial Theology,
as far as possible, are jealousy excluded.
They are sometimes so blended with discus
sions in literature OF 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 threefold tenden-
cy-to convey in a 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
read,-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 ndiscnminating
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-Historieel Sketches
and "reminiscences of too minute for History,
yet Calculating it and frightening It's inter-
est,-may be regarded as forming the staple
of the work. And of indigenous Poetry,
enough is published 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 awork andnot one alone, but
many. The public mind is feverish and irrita-
ted STILL from recent political strifes. The
soft assuaslve influence of literature is needed,
to allay 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 then
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 peri.
odical, on the plan of the Messenger; if thai
plan be but carried out In practice!
The South peculiarly requires such an agent
in all the Union, south of Washington, there
are but two literary periodicals? Northwar5
of that city, there probably are At least TWEEN.
ty-fve or thirty! Is this contrast ilslifed by
the wealth, the leisure. the native talent, or the
actual literary taste, of the Southern people,
compared with those of the Northern! No
forin wealth, talents and taste, we NAV Justly
claim at least an equality with our brethren I;
and domestic institution exclusively our own.
beyond all doubt, affordsus,if we choose, twice
the leisure for reading and writing which they
enjoy. go !
1t was from a deep sense of this local want
that the word Southern was engrafted on this
periodical; and not with any design to nour-
ish local prejudces or to advocate supposed
local interests. Far from any such thought, it
is the editors fervent wish to see the North
and South bound endeanngly 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 hopes
therefore to draw much of his choicest matter
thence: and happv indeed win he deem him.
self should his pages, by making each region
know the other better, contribute in any es.
sential 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 FART has aSted out the ideas here uttered,
is not forthe editor to say. He BELIEVES, how
ever, that it falls not further short of them. than
human weakness usually makes Practice fan
short of Theory.
CONDITIONS.
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