Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-10-01
Prospectus Of The
Southern Literary Messenger.

OhE ElNG 1114zl[-
January %, 1889. %
Prospectus of The
Southern Literary Messenger.
T. W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS Is a monthly Magazine, devoted
A. 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, thoughits
matter has been as II viii continue to be, in
the main original
Party Politics and controversial Theology.
as far as possible, are jealo1sly excluded.
They are sometimes so blended with discus
sionS InlIterature OF In moral science, other
wise unobjecuonable, as to gain adnitfance
for the sake of the more valuable matter to
which they adhere: bat 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 II 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 reyiewed,-to direct the
readers attention to books that deserve 10 be
reaG,-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 oFeTwhelm every Understanding
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.
! r.
aIIIuSrIIIeIIIs DUrfT-ITIsIUTfCei Sketches
and "reminiscences of too minute for History,
yet calculating if and heightening 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 aud talents of our coun-
try.
The time appears, for several reasons, to
demand such work: and not one alone. but
many. The public mind IS feverish and irrita-
ted still, from recent political strifes. The
soft assuasive influence of literature Is needed.
TO allav that fever and smoothe that irritation.
Vice and folly are notIng 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 Their
number; so that the great enemy Of popular
government NAV no longer brood. ike por-
tentous cloud over the destines of our country.
And 10 accomplish all these ends, what more
powerful agent can be employed, than peri
odical, on the plan of the Messenger: # that
plan be but carried out IN pFacticel
The South peculiarly requires such an agent.
In all the Union, south of Washington. there
are but two literary periodicals. Woodward
of that city. there probably are at least twen-
ty-five or thirty Is this contrast justified BIZ
the wealth, the leisure. the native talent. or the
actual literary taste, of the Southern people.
compared with those of the Northerni No
for IN wealth, talents and taste, we NAV iuStIv
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 want
that the word Southern was engrafted ON this
periodical; and not with any design to nolIr-
ISL local prejudices; or to advocate suuposas
local interests. Far from any such thoE5ht- +
IS the editors keFvent wish to see the North
and South bound endearingly together forever.
IN the sllken bands Of mutual kindness and Al.
lection Far from meditating hostility To the
North, he has already drawn, and BE hoDes
therefore to draw much Of his choicest mafter
thence and happ- indeed VIII he deem him
sell should ms pages, By making each reuion
know the other better, contribute IN any e.
sential degree to dispel the lowering clouds
that now threaten the peace Of both. and 10
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties of fra
teEnal lore.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now
reached the 18th No Of the third volume.
How farIt has acted out the ideas here uttered
IS not Tor the editor to say. He BELIEVES. how
ever, that It falls not further Of them. than
human weakness usually makes Practice fan
shortof Theory.
CONDITIONS
1. The Southern Literary Messenoe~ <
puhlshedin monthly numbers, OF 81 large sr-
peTroyal octave pages each, on the best Of ma
per, and neatly covered. at IS ayear, payable
Or I'VE new subscHhers by sending their
names and twenty dollars at one time Ia ne
editor, WIN receive their copies for one vear.
for that sum, or at dollars for each.
. The rlsk ofloss Of payments for snbscrip-
tons, which have been properly committed 10
the mail OF the hands Of postmaster. IS as
suned By the editor.
8 Il subscription Is not directed to be dis
continued before the first number Of the nsxt
volume has been published, L VII be taken as
a continuance for another rear. Subscriptions
must commence with tie beginning Of the
volumes and WI not be taken for less than
years publication.
3. The mutual obligations Of the publisher
ana SUBSCRIBER. 1ar the year, are fully incurred