Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-08-06
ProspF ctus Of the
Southern Literary Messenger.


4 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, though its
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 unobiectionable, 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
rot 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 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 und;scriminatng
student, impartial criticism governed by the
views justmenuoned, is one of the most inesti-
mabe and indispensable of auxliaries, to him
who does wish to discriminate.
Essays, and Tales, having in view utility or
amusement. or both--Hiatoricel Sketches
and "reminiscences OF too minute for His iorv,
yet Calculating it and frightening It's inter-
est,-may he regarded as forming the staple
Of the work And of Indigenous Poetry.
enough Is Observation-Disclosures 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 ard 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 dashed 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, Ike a por-
tentous cloud over the destines of our country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more
powerful agent can be employed, than peri
odcal, 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-tlve 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
Tor IN wealth, talents and taste, we NAV 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-
sh local preiudices or to advocate supposed
ocal interests. Far from any such thought. it
IS the editors fervent wish to see the North
and South bound endearingly together forever.
n the siken 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 happr indeed will he deem him.
sell, should lIis 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 FART has acted out the ideas here uttered.
is not for the editor to say. lie believes, how
ever, that It falls not further short of them, than
human weakness usually makes Practice fall
short of Theory.
CONDITIONS.
|. The Southern Literary Messenger is
published in monthly numbers, of 81 large sn-
perroyal octave pages each, on the best Of pa
per- and neatly covered, at 50 a year, payable
IN advance.
= Or i've new subscribers by sending their
names and twenty dollars at one time TO the
editor, viii receive their copies for one year,
for that sum, or at 4 dollars for each.
.. The risk ofloss of payments for subscrip-
IONS which have been properly committed to
me mail; or the hands Of postmaster, is as
sumed by the editor.
A. II transcription is not directed to be dis
continued before the first number of the next
volume has been published, it VIII be taken as
continuance Tor another year. Subscriptions
must commence with the beginning of the
'ear's publication.
.. The mutual obligations of the. publisher
nd subscriber, for the year, are fully incurred /
s soon as the first number of the volume IS
ssued; and after that time, no discontinuanee
7 subscription win be permitted. Nor win
subscription be discontinued for anv earlier
otlee, while any thing thereon remains dine.
MESS at the option of the editor