Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-04-16
Prospectus Of lie
southern Literary BIesse1ger.

New 0fks Jdlsudlj A29V'
Prospectus Of lie
Southern Literary Messenger.
T. W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
NHIS is a monthly Magazine, devoted
chiefvto 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 inliterature 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.
Reviews 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 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
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 overwhelm every undiscriminating
student, impartial criticism governed by the
views aforementioned, is one of the most inesti-
mable and indispensable of auxilaries, tohim
who does wish to discriminate.
Essays, and Tales, having in view utility or
amusement, or both-Historicel Sketches
and "reminiscences of too minute for History,
yet calculating it and heightening It's inter-
est,-may be regarded as forming the staple
of the work. And of Indigenous Poetry
enough spublished-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, Il
demand such work: andnOt one alone, bu
many. The public mind is feverish andiHita
ted still, from recent political strifes. Tn
soft assuasive influence Of literature is needed
to allay that fever and smoothe that irritation
Vice and folly are rioting abroad they shOul
be driven by indignant rebuke, or lashed b
ridicule, into their fitting haunts. lgnoranc
lords it over an immense proportion Of our pee
pie. Every spring should be set in motion, t
arouse the enlightened, and to increase thei
number; so that the great enemy of popula
governmentmay no longer brood, like por
tentous cloud over the destines of our country
And to accomplish all these ends, what NOR
powerful agent can be employed, than aperi
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, Their
are but two literary periodicals.! Northwar'
of that city, there probably are at least TWEEN
ty-five or thirty! Is this contrast justified b.
the wealth, the leisure. the native talent, or tn
actual literary taste, of the Southern people
compared with those of the Northern! No
for 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, twic'
the leisure for reading and writing which they
enjoy.
ltwas from deep sense of this local wan
that the word Southern was engrafted on TIM
periodical; and not with any design to nour
lsh local prejudices or to advocate supposed
local interests. Far from any such thought, i
is the editors fervent wish to see the NortE
and South bound endearingly together forever
in the silken bands of mutual kindness and at
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 t
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, thar
human weakness usually makes Practice fal
short Of Theory.
CONDITIONS.
/. The Southern Literary Messenoer !,
published in monthly numbers, Of. 81 large 81
perroyal octave pages each, on the best Of pa
per, and neatly covered, at S. year, PAYABLE
IN advance.
= Or i've new subscribers By sending ther
names and twenty dollars at one time to n,
editor, vii receive their copies for one Veaf
for that sum, or at dollars for each.
=. The risk Of loss Of payments for So bscrip
tons, which have been properly committed (,
the mails orthe hands Of 4 p0slFaaster. q IS
sumed BY the editor.
4. If subscription is not drec ~ ii IL Al.
continued before the FIRST number a. lie nex
volume has been published, II VII Sc taken =
a continuance for another year. ~
must commence with the bepinn1no 81 Is.
volume. and WI not Be taken l5r ~ fker
year publication.
b The mutual oblieaIiose IF rs ,i,sl.s