Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-04-30
Prospectus of de
southern Liferary Messenger.


7. ". WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
NHIs is monthly Magazine, devoted
chiefly to Literature, but occasionally
finding room also for articles that fail within
the scope of Science and not processing 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 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 a threefold tenden-
cy-to convey in condensed form, such valu-
able truths or interesting incidents as are en-
i 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 publi-
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-
mable and indispensable Of auTiliaries, 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 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 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 por-
tentous cloud over the destines of our country.
powerful agent can be employed, than aperi-
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-five 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 in wealth, talents and taste, we may 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.
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-
ish 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 sllken 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 viii he deem him
sell, 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.
Il The Southern Literary Messenger has now
reached the 18th No of the third volume.
How farit has acted out the IDEAS here uttered,
is otfor the editor to say. He believes how
eVer that It falls not further short Of them, than
human weakness usually makes Practice fall
shortof Theory.
CONDITIONS.
4 l. The Southern Literary Messenoer s
published IN monthly numbers, Of GA largg sIi-
perroyal octave pages each, on the best Of "a.
per, and neatly covered, at IS ayeaT, PAYABLE
in advance.
Or I'VE new subscribers by sending their
names and twenty dollars at one time 10 tie
editor, will receive their copies for one wear
for that sum, or at dollars fJr each.
5. The risk loss Of payments for sul1ser;n-
tons, which have been properly committed ia
the mail orthe hands Of postmaster. s -.
sumed By the editor
II subscription IS not directed "a IL 3;sz
continued before the first number 81 he new
volume has been published, it win be taken as
continuance fof another year. Subscrpfions
must commence with the beginning y fbe
J, volume, and WI not be taken for less Thar
years publication.
3. ne mutual obligations Of the rSbl:sbc
and subscriber, for the year, are fully incnffed
as soon Is the first number 0f the volume g
issued and after that time. 30 discontinranee
IF subscli pion win Be- permitted Nor ,;iI
subscription be discontinued fof anv -
notice, while any thing thereon remains 6s
unless 1t The option 81 Gle editor.
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