Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-03-12
Western Bank Note Company.
Prosp Gus of The
Southern Literary NTessenge1


Southern Literary Messenger
T.w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
NHIS is a monthly Magazine, devoted
Il 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 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 nllterature or IN moral science, Others
wise mobiectionable, 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 threefold tenden-
cy--to convey in a condensed form, such valu-
. able truths OF interesting incidents as are en-
bodied in the works reYlewed,--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 publi-
-
cations that by their variety and multitude dis
tract and overwhelm every matchmaking
student, impartial criticism governed by the
views iustmentioned, is one Of the most inesti-
mable and indispensable of auxiliaries, tohim
who does wish to discriminate.
Essays, aud Tales, having in view utility OF
: amusement, or botl-H istoricel Sketches
and "reminiscences Of too minute for History,
yet calculating It and frightening is inter.
est,-may be regarded as forming the staple
Of the work. And of Indigenous Poetry,
enough is published-sometime 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: and not one alone, but
many The public mind is fevensh and irrita-
ted stu. from recent political strifes. The
soft assuasive influence Of lite AZURE is needed,
to allay that fever and smooihe that irritation,
Vice and folly are rioting abroad they should
be driven by indignant rebukes or lashed by
: rdicule, into their fitting haunts. Ignorance
r lords it over an immense proportion Of our peo-
) pie. Every spring should be set IN motion, tC
t arouse the enlightened, and to increase then
!, NUMBER so that the great enemy Of popular
d government may no longer brood, ike por.
) tentous cloud over the destines Of our country
And to accomplish all these ends. what more
: powerful agent can be employed, than aperi.
5 odical, on the plan Of the Messenger; if that
!. plan be but carried out IN practice!
y 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 TWEEN.
ty-fiye 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 Northern1 No
form wealth, talents and taste, we may justly
Cam at least an equality with our brethren
and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords US, If re choose, twice
e the leisure for reading and writing which they
: enjoy.
' TWAS from deep sense Of this local want
8 that the word Southern was engrafted on thi.
: periodical and not with any design to nour
+ ish local prejudices or to advocate supposed
o local interests. Far from any such thought, 4
y Is the editor fervent wish to see the Nortl
/ and South bound endearingly together forever
o IN the silken bands Of mutual kindness and af
lection. az from meditating hostility to Ii,
NORTH. he has already drawn. and he hope
therefore TO draw much Of his choicest matte
4 thence and happsg indeed WI be deem him
!; sell, should his PAGES, By making each reoio-
: know the other better, Contribute Is anv s.
sential degree to dispel the lowering cloud
that now threaten the peace 81 both. ana 3
brighten and strengthen Tie sacred ties 81 ffra
; ternal lore.
IS Ehe Southern Literary IS encef has rol
ef reached the 1lfh No 81 tie hird poinmi
= How iaF & has acted ont the ideas here I'D ere.
Is not tor the editor io He believes how
ever that i falls not lIrf her short 81 them In
g. human FFealsne usual ts IS