Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-07-23
Prospectus Of the
Southern Literary Messenger.
T. w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

IL chiefly to Literature, but occasionally
finding room also for articles that fall within
the scope of Science and not protesting an
entire disdar Of tasteful selections, thoughts
matter has been as it will continue to be, in
the nam 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 1T can
not well be severed from the sterling ore where
with 1t is Incorporated.
| Review. and Critical Notices occupy then
due space in the work and If is the editor
aim that they should have threelold 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 undiscrminating
student, impartial criticism governed by the
views lustmentioned, is one of the most inesti-
mable and indispensable of auxliaries, to- him
/ vino does wish to discriminate.
Essays, and Tales, having in view utility or
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 publshed-sometimes 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 allay that fever and smoothe 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 a por-
tentous cloud over the destines of our country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more
powerful agent can be employed, than aperi-
odical, on the plan of the Messenger; if thai
|
The South peculiarly requires such an agent
In all the Union, south of Washington, there
are but two literary periodicals.! NorthwarC
of that city, there probably are at least TWEEN
ty-ive or thirty! Is this contrast justified BY
the wealth, the leisure. the native talent, or thu
| actual literary taste, of the Southern people
compared with those of the Northern! No
for in wealth, talents and taste, we may iustl,
ri Of laoSt .1ytb
and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt, affords US, if we choose. twic,
the leisure for reading and writing which the
enjoy.
1t was from deep sense of this local wan
that the word Southern was engraftcd on thi
periodical. and not with any design to nour
lsh local prejudices; orto advocate suppose
local interests. Far from any such thought,
is the editors fervent wish to see the Mort
and South bound endearingly together forever
IN the sIlken bands Of mutual kindness and al
lection. Far from meditating hostility to tn
North, he has already drawn, and he hope
therefore to draw much of his choicest matte
thence: and happy indeed win he deem him
SELF should his pages, by making each regio
know the other better, contribute IN any es
sentIal degree to dispel the lowering cloud
that now threaten the peace of both, and t
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties of fra
ternal love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has nol
reached the 18th No of the third volum,
How farlthas acted out the ideas here uttere,
Is not for the editor to say. He believes, how
ever, that 1t falls not further short Of them. tina
human weakness usually makes Practice IA
short of Theory.
CONDITIONS
l. The Southern Literary Messenger
puhEshedin monthly numbers, of 81 large S,
perroyal octave pages each, on the best of y;
per, and neatly covered, at SIS ayear, pavab
in advance.
= Or i've new subscribers by sending the
names andtwenty dollars at one time 10 II
editor, VIII receive their copies for one Yea
for that sum, or at dollars for each.
8. The risk Of loss of payments for subscril
tons, which have been properly committed
the mail; or the hands Of postmaster, is a
snmed by the editor.
4. II subscription is not directed "a he n;
continued before the first number ofthe ne,
volume has been published, il win be taken
continuance for another year. Subscriptior
must commence with the beginning Of ii
volume, and viii not be taken for less than
years publication.
3. The mutual obligations Of the publish.
and subscriber for the year, are fully inc,Trre
as soon as the first number of the volume
issued; and after that time, no 1isconfinran
OF subscription win be permitted. Nor =,
subscription be discontinued for apy earl,
notice, while any thing thereon remains dp
unless atthe option Of the editor -.