Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-11-05
Prospectus Of the
Southern Literary Messenger.
T. W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

NHIS is monthly Magazine, devoted
l. 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 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 1t 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 q threefola tenden-
cy-to convey in condensed form, such yalu-
able truths or interesting incidents as are en-
bodied in the works reviewed. 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 publ
cations that by their variety and multitude dis
tract and overwhelm every undiScrimInatIng
student, impartial criticism governed by the
views iustmentioned, is one of the most inesti-
mabIe and indispensable of auxiliaries, to him
who does wish to discriminate.
ESSAYS, and Tales, having in view utility OF
amusement, or both-Hstoricel 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 published-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 andnot 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 allay that fever and smooihe that irritation
Vice and folly are rioting abroad: they should
be driven by indignant rebuke, or lashed 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 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 a peri
odical, on the plan of the Messenger; if that
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-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 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 want
that the word Southern was engrafted on this
periodical; and not with any design to nour-
lsh 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 happv indeed win 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 farit 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 fall
short of Theory.
CONDITIONS.
l. The Southern Literary Messenger is
published in monthly numbers, of 81 LARGE su.
perroyal octave pages each, on the best of pa
per, and neatly covered, at So year, PAYABLE
In advance.
2. Or five new subscribers by sending their
names and twenty dollars at one time 10 the
editor, Will receive their eopies for one wear.
for that sum, or at 4 dollars for each.
3. The risk of loss of payments for subscriD-
tons, which have been properly committed to
the mail or the hands of a postmaster, is as
sumed by the editor.
4. If a subscription is not directed to be dis
continued before the first number of the next
volume has been published. it win be taken as
a continuance for another year. Subscriptions
must commence with the beginning of the
volume, and viii not be taken for less than a
years publication.
>. The mutual obligations of the publisher
and subscriber, for the year, are fully incurred
as soon as the 6rst number of the volume IS
issued; and after that time, no dscontinuance
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.