State rights and democratic union. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1839-18??, 1839-09-10
PROSPECTUS OF r rI''
SOurHERN LITERAEY MESSENGER,

HEF6N LII HFttA10A Mk4N7A1A@l - ~.4s'
r. w. White, Editor and Proprietor.
|gWyHIS Isl monthly magazine, devoted chiefly TO
literature, hut occasionally finding roomfor
articles that fall within the scope Of science and
not protesting an entire disdain Of tasteful sescons
though It's matter hasbeen, as it will continue to be,
in the main, original.
Parry politics aud controversial theology, as far
as possible, are jealously excluded They are some
timas so blended with discussions in literature or IN
moral scieuce Otherwise unoheclionable as to gain
admi,tance for the sake OF the more valuable mat
ter 10 which they adhere; but whenever that hap
pens, they are incidental only, not primary. They
are dross, tolerated only because it cannot well be
severed from the sterling ore wherewith It Is incOr
poTated.
Reviews and critical notices occupy their due
space in the work and il is the editors aim that
tbev should have three fold tendency-to convey
lin condensed form such valuable truths or inter
esting incidents as are embodied in the works re.
viewed, and to warn him against wasting time AMI
money upon the large number, which merit only to
be burned in this age ofpublications, that by their
variety and multitude distract and overwheim every
understanding student, impatial criticism. govern.
eel by the views just mentioned, is one Of the most
inestimabIe ard indispensable auxiiares, to him who
wishes TO discriminate.
ESSAYS and tales having Ia view utility or muse.
ment OF both, historical sketches, and reminiscen.
ces of events too minute for histofy, yet calculating
it. and frightening It's interest, may be regarded
forming the staple ofthe work. And of indigenous
poetry, enough is NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Of no mean
slran-to manifest and cultivate the poeteal taste
and talents of our country.
The times appear, for several reasons, to demand
such a work-and not one alone, but many. The
public mind is feversh and irritated still, from
cent political strife. The soft. assnasive influence
of literature needed aay that ever, and soothe
that irritation. Vice and folly rioting abroad:
they should be driven by indignant rehuke dashed
by idicule into their fitting hannts Ignorance lords
itover an immense portion IF our people, Every
spring should be set in motion, arouse the engbt.
ened, and to increase their number; so that the
great enemy of popular government may no longer
brood like portentous cloud over the destnies of
our country. And To accomplish all these ends,
what more powerful agent can be employed than a
periodical the plan of the Messenger; ftha plan
he bu carried out IN practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such an AGENT
H. all tie union south of Washington there are but
two literary periodicals! Norihward Of that citr.
there are probably at least twenty -fve or thirty! Is
this confirms, justified by the wealth, the leisure the
native talent the actual literary taste the South
ern people compared with those OF the Northern7
No: for in wealth, talents and taste may Justly
claim. at least, equality with our brethren and n
domestic institution exclusively own. beyond all
donbt affords u.s. if choose, twice the leisure for
reading and .'riting, which they enjoy.
1t was deep sense of this local want. that the
word southern was ergrated on The name of this 2e.
rodicai, and not with any design to nourish local
pIejndices, to advocate supposed local interests
Far from any such thought is the editors fervent
wish to see the north and south bound endeargly to-
getler forever in the siken bands of mutual kind
ness and affection. Far from medtanr hostility to
the North, he has already drawn, and he hopes here.
after to draw much Of his choicest matter thence and
happy indeed will he deem himself should his pages
by making each region know the other better, con-
trihnte any especial degree to dspel the lowering
ssta fha0 al II A.kk
strengthen thesacTed Ties of fratenal love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reach
ed the fifth number of its third volume How far II
has acted out the ideas here uttered il is not for the
editor to say He believes, however, that it falls no
further short of them than human weakness usually
makes practice fall short oftheory.
The : ESSENGFR is issned monthly. Each num-
Der OF the work contains sxtyfour large superrovai
pages. printed in very handsome manner, on new
type. and on paper quail at least to that on which
any other periodical is printed in our country.
No subscription will be received for less than
volume. AMI must commence with the current one
The price is five dollars per volume, which must be
paid in all mt the time of subscribing This is
particularly ad.erted to now. to avoid misaprehen-
sion; or future Observation-Disclosures no order will
hereafter be attended unless accompanied with the
price of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is sI1 cents on any
single No. for all distances under 100 miIes-over
100 miles ten cents
All communications or letters relative te the Mes.
Senger must be addressed II
THOs. w. WHITE.