Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-01-15
SOUTHERN LITERARY MES
SRNGFR.

sENGER.
T. W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
TyHIS 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 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 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
reac,-add to warn him against wasting time
and money upon that large number, which
cations that by their variety and multitude dis
tract and overwhelm every, Understanding
| student, impartial criticism governed by the
views iustmentioned, is one of the most inesti-
| mabe and indispensable of auxiliaries, tohim
who does wish to discriminate.
Essays, and Tales, having in view utility oil
amusement, or both-Historicel Sketches
and "reminiscences of too minute for History
/
| est,-may be regarded as forming the staple
of the work. And of indigenous Poetry
enough is published-sometimes of no NEAR
strain-to manifest and to cultivate the grow.
ing poetry taste and talents of our coun-
try.
The time appears, for several reasons, tc
demand such work: andnot one alone, but
many. The public mind is feverish and irrita.
ted still, from recent political strifes. The
soft assuasiYe 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
rdicule, into their fitting haunts. Ignorance
lords it over an immense proportion of our peo
pie. Every spring should be set in motion, tt
arouse the enlightened, and to increase thei
number; so that the great enemy of popular
governmentmay no longer brood, Ike por
tentous cloud over the destines of our country
And to accomplish all these ends, what NOR,
powerful agent can be employed, than peri
odical, on the plan of the Messenger; if tina
plan be but carried out IN practice!
The South peculiarly requires such an agent
In all the Union, south of Washington, there
are hut f1-n Etn-aIu I1nr;oA;oals1 Nnrfhvr,arf
OF that city, there probably are at least TWEEN
ty-five or thirty! Is this contrast justified BY
the wealth, the leisure the native talent, or tht
actual literary taste, of the Southern people
compared with those of the Northern! No
for ID 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.
1t was from deep sense of this local wan,
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 thon6bt +
is the editors fervent wish to see the NORTH
and South bound endearngly together forever.
in the silken bands of mutual kindness and af
| lection. Far from medtating hostility to the
North he has already drawn, and he hopes
therefore to draw much of his choicest matter
thence: and happr 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 IoweriINg 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 fari has acted out the ideas here uttered.
Is not for the 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.
l. The Southern Literary Messepper ;s
published in monthly numbers, of 81 large sr-
perroyal octave pages each, on the best Of ma
per- and neatly covered, at So year, payable
in advance. 80
= Or tive new subscribers by sending their
names and twenty dollars at one time 10 the
editor, will receive their copies for one wear
Tor that sum, or at dollars for each.
.. The risk of loss of payments for subsrriin-
1ons' which have been properly Committed f.
the mail or the hands of postmaster. s as
sumed by the editor.
A. II subscription is not directed to be dis
continued before the first number Of tbe nevt
volume has been published, it viii be taken ne
continuance for another year. Subscriptions
must commence with the beginning Of the
volume, and viii not be taken for less thar :
years publication. 4'o-A'
o Ihe mutual obligations of the publisher
ana subscriber, for the year, are fully incurred
as soon as tue hrst number Of the volume S
issued and after that time, no discontinuance
q subscription viii be permitted. Nor VIII
SUBSCRIPTION be discontinued for any earlier
hoece' Winnie any thing thereon remains due.
unless ct the optionof the editor.