Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-03-26
Prospectus Of the
Southern Literary Messem ger.


T.w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
NHIS is a monthly Magazine, devoted
4 chiefly to Literature, but occasionally
finding room also for articles that fall within
the scope of Science and not protesting an
entire disdan of tasteful selections, thoughts
matter has been as it will continue ., he. in
the main origir.,
arry 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 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
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 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
read,-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 matchmaking
student, impartial criticism governed by the
views justmentioned, is one of the most inesti-
mable and indispensable of auxiliaries, tohim
who does wish to discriminate.
Essays, and Tales, having in view utility or
amusement, or both-Historicel etches-
and "reminiscences Of too minute for History,
yet calculating it and frightening ITS inter-
est-may be regarded as forming the staple
of the work. And of Indigenous Poetry,
enough is published Of no mean
strain-to manifest and to cultivate the grow
ing poetry taste and talents of our coun-
try.
The tune 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 smeothe that irritation
Vice and folly are rioting abroad: they should
be driven by indignant rebuke, or lashed by
ndicule, 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
And to accomplish all these ends, what more
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-fve 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 Northernl No:
for in wealth, talents and taste, we may Justly
clam 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
It was from deep sense Of this local want
that the word Southern was engrafted on this
periodical; and not with any design to nour-
lsh local preludIces or to advocate supposed
local interests. Far from any such Thought, L
g me editors teFvent wish to see the North
and South bound endearingly together forerer.
% me sllken bands Of mutual kindness and al.
lection. Far from meditating hostility to the
worth, ne has already drawn. and he hopes
therefore % draw muchof his hottest matter
tnence and happy indeed win Re deem him.
SCI, should llis pages, By making each region
Know the other better, contribute "a anV e.
'sentlai degree 70 dispel the towering cloud.
mar now fhEeaten the peace 81 both. and Ia
brighten and strengthen tie sacred fis 81 ~.
tefna love.
The Southern Literary n1 rs roo
reached 1he Alth No 81 The tH,fd rolnma
siot7 q II las ..led %. tie idea here
g not tef me editor % He htr
ever IIisf ffsIsI rs mas ff.aa r|.s.a4 "a