Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-09-03
Prospectus OF the
Southern Literary Messenger.
T. W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

EyHIS 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 1t 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 in literature 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 ard Critical Notices occupy Their
| due space IN the work; and It Is the editor ;
aim that they should have a threefold tenden-
cv-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 10 be
read,-add to warn him against wasting tine
and money upon that large number, which
merit only to be burned. In this aye, OF publ
cations that BY their variety and multitude dis
tract and overWhelm every undiscrminating
views aforementioned, is one Of the most inesti-
nable and indispensable of auxiIares, 20 him
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 andn one alone, but
many. The public mind is feverish ndirrita
ted stl', from recent political strifes. The
soft assuasive influence Of lite -ature is needed.
to alay that fever and smoolhe 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 1t 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 peri
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! 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 OF the
actual literary taste, of the Southern people,
compared with those of the Northern? No:
Tor 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.
ltwas from deep sense of this local want
that the word Southern was engrafted on this
periodical; and not with any design to nour-
ish 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 hopes
therefore to draw much of his choicest matter
thence: and happy indeed will 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 acted out the ideas here uttered.
is not for the editor to say. He believes. how
ever, that 1t falls not further short of them than
human weakness usually makes Practice fan
short of Theory.
CONDITIONS.
l. The Southern Literary Messenger IS
published IN monthly numbers, of 81 large sn-
perroyal octave pages each, on the best of pa
per- andneatly covered, at SIS ayear, payable
IN advance.
Z. Or hFe new subscribers by sending their
names and twenty dollars at one time 10 the
editor, viii receive their copies for one wear,
Tor that sum, or at A dollars for each.
8. The risk Of loss of payments for subscrp-
tions, which have been properly committed to
the mail; or the hands of postmaster, is as
sumed by the editor
Z. subscription IS not directed to be dis
continued before the first number of the next
volume has been published, it viii be taken as
a continuance for another year. Subscriptions
must commence with the beginning of the
volume, and will not be taken for less than
years publication.
5. The mutual Obligations of the publisher
and subscriber, for the year, are fully incurred
as soon as the first number of the volume Is
issued; and after that time, no discontinuance
of subscription win be permitted. Nor win
a subscription be discontinued for any earlier
notice, while any thing thereon remains due,
unless at the option Of the editor.