Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-07-16
ProSp' ctus Of the
Southern Literary Messenger.

TO CtWo ~ deC
Southern Literary Messenger
T. W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
FNHIS 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 disdam 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 unobectionable, 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 1t Is the editor 5
aim that they should have a 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 70 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 Understanding
student, impartial criticism governed By the
| views justmentioned, is one OF the most inesti-
mabe and indispensable OF auxiiiaries, ohm
who does wish to discriminate
Essays, and Tales, having in view utility OF
amusement, or both-Historcel 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 NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. 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: and not one alone, but
many. The public mind is feverish and irrita-
ted still, from recent political strifes. The
soft assuasive influence of lite allure is needed.
to allay that fever and smoolhe that irritation.
Vice and folly are rlotIng abroad they should
be driven by indignant rebuke, or dashed by
ridicule, into their fitting haHnts. 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, ike 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. I Northward
of that city, there probably are at least twen-
fxrf ~ Let ! L
the wealth, the leisure. the native talent, or the
actual literary taste, of the Southern people.
compared with those of the Northern! No
for in wealth, talents and taste, we NAV Justly
claim at least an equality with cur 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.
ltwas from deep sense of this local wan,
that the word Southern was engrafted on this
periodical and not with any design to nour.
lsh local preIudices or to advocate supposed
local interests. Far from any such thourht +
IS the editors fervent wish to see the North
and South bound endearingly together forever,
IN the sllken bands of mutual kindness and az
lection. Far from meditating hostility to the
North, he has already drawn, and he homes
thence: and happr indeed will he deem him.
sell, should his pages, by making each reg;;on
know the other better, contribute IN any es.
sential degree to dispel the lowering clouds
that now threaten the peace of both. and IN
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties of fra.
ternal love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now
reached the 18th No of the third volnme
How farit has acted out the ideas here uttered
is notfor the editor to say. He believes. how.
ever, that it falls not further short of them than
human weakness usually makes Practice fal
short of Theory.
CONDITIONS.
!. The Southern Literary Messanoor !.
published in monthly numbers, of Ga large s,,.
perroyal octave pages each, on the nest Of ~.
per, and neatly covered, at SIS wear. pavab1s
In advance. = -
2. Or five new subscribers by sendino tba;,
names and twenty dollars at one time 10 tbe
editor, viii receive their copies for one year
for that sum, or at dollars for each.
3. The risk ofloss of payments for snhscr;sn.
tons, which have been properly COMMITTED T.
the mail; orthe hands OF postmaster. & e..
suned by the editor.
4. If a subscription is not directed to be dis.
continued before the first number of the nexi
volume has been published, it will be taken as
a continuance forancther year. Subscriptions
must commence with the beginning of the
volume, and win not be taken for less than !
years publication.
,. The mutual obligations of the publisher
and subscriber, for the year, are fully incurred
as soon as the first number of the volume IS
issued and after that time, no discontinuance
Of subscription win be permitted. Nor win
subscription be discontinued for any earlier
notice, while any thing thereon remains due.
unless at the option Of the editor.