The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-01-11
PROSPECTUS
Southern Literary Messenger
T. w. WHITE, Editor and Proprietor.

This is monthly Magazine, devoted chiefly Ia
Literature, but occasionally finding room also fol
articles that fall within the scope of Science; and
not profcssg q an entire disdain otastefu selections
though its matter has been, as it will continue 10
be- in the main, original.
Party politics and controversial Theology, as
! far as possible, are ieolously excluded. They are
sometimes so blended with discussions in literature
or in moi nj science, otherwise unohjrcllonabe, as
to gain admtunce fol the sake of the more valua-
lie matter TO which they adhere but whenever that
happens, they are incidental, only; not primary
| They are dross tolerated only because il cannot
well he severed from the stcridg ore wLcrcwith is
Incorporated.
Reviews, and Critical Notices, occapy THAR due
spree in the work: and il is tie Editors aim tha
! thev should have thrccfohl tendency-to convey
in condensed form, such valuable truths or inter,
csting incidents as are embodied in the works re
viewed TO direct The readers attention 10 books
that deserve to he read, ,-and to warn him against
wasting time and money upon that large number
which merit only to be burned. In this age, of pub
licaions that by their variety and multitude distract
and overwheln every undiscri mating student, i'm
partial criticism, governed hy the views just men
toned, it is one of the most nesinable and indls-
pcnsabIe of auxilliarics, to him who docs wish to
discrimin
Essays, ami Tales, having in view utility or
anIlsc nrnt, or both Historical Skcichcs-and Re-
mnisccuccs Of events too Minute for hi: tory, yet
clucid ting it, and hcightcning lis interest -lDay
b. regarded as fo!ming the staple CT lie work And
Of Indigenous Poetry, enough is puhlished-soilc-
times of mean stTain-to manifest and to cult
vate the growing poct:cal taste and talents oi our
country.
The times appear for several reasons, 10 demand
such work-and not ono alone, but many. the
n bIic mind is ,eyersh and irritutcd STILL fTonl re-
# ,l
Of Literature is needed 10 allay that fever, ana
soolhe IN / irritation Vice and folly are r!ctlng
abro rt--Thcy should be drivcnI'y indignant Fcukr
or IsI:eI by fiiculc into their lifting haunts Ig-
nor nee lords it over an immense proportion OF our
Iro, l:--t.,cry spring Should lie sct III mellon, 10
arous the c,lghtcn d. and to ncrc.,sc their num-
be. So th It he great enemy oil popular government
Il ay 10 longer hood, like Il poHcIlous cloud, over
the desinics Of cur country. And to accomplish oil
thcse ends what more sowcrful agent can lie employ
c,I, than periodical, on the plan Of the Messensei;
if that plan he carried ort in practice!
Th South prcnlia:lr Irqu;es such an agent. IN
all the Union, south of Washington, there are but
two Literary qualifications NoTthward ol that city,
there are probably at least twenty five or thirty! Is
this contrast justified by the wealth, the klsure, The
native talent, or tie actual literary taste OF the
Southern people, compared with those oI tho North
crn! No. for in wealth, la!cnts, ana taste, We may
Justly claim at least an equality with our brchrcn;
and domestic institution exclusively our own, be.
vond all doubt affords us, if we choose, twice the
i,.surc for reading aid writing, which they en~
Joy
1t was from deep sense OF this local want, that
the word Southern was engracd on the name oil
this periodical. and not with any design 10 nourlSh
lcal prrudiccs to advocate supposed locI inter
csts Far from any suc! thought it is the Editor S
Icryant wish TO sre the North and South bound en-
| 1 ,I, in ciE at
mutual kindness and affection. Far from mcdIla
ting hostility to the north, he has already drawn
ID hr hopes hereafter to draw, much OF It's chol-
ccst m. tier thence: and happy indie: will ne deem
himself should his pages, by making each region
know the either better, contribute III any essential
degree 10 dispcl the lowering clouds that now threa-
ten the peace of BOTH and 10 brighter and strength
en- sacred ties OF irattrual love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now
rcaohed tic May No Of its fourth volame. How
far il has acted out the ideas lcre uttered is not Tor
The Editor 10 say. lie beliSGN, however, that 1t
Ills not further short Of thsIn, than human weak
ness usually makes PIactcc fall short of Theory.
CONDITIONS.
|. The Southern Literary Messenger is publish
cd in monthly numbers, of Gl large snpefroyal &C.
tayo pages each, on the best Of paper, and neatly
covered. at IS a year-payablc in advance.
9. Or five new subscribers by sending their
names and $50 at one time to the editor, will re.
ccive their copies for one year for that sum, or al
81 i)r each.
g. The risk of loss ofpayments for subscriptions,
which have been properly committed to the mail,
or to the hands of a postmaster is assumed by Ge
editor.
a. lfa subscription is not directed to be discon-
lnued before the first lumber of tie next volume
has been published, it will be taken as contlnn-
allce for another year SUBSCRIPTIONS must com.
mcnce with the beginning Of the volume, and snot
be taken for less than years publication, unless
the individual subscribing is willing to pay - Tor
shorter pcriod--evea if it be for single number
snbscsiber, for the year. are fully incurred as soon
as the first number Of the volume is issued and al
will bt time, 10 dlsconlinuance of subscription
oontie permitted. Nor will subscription be dis
remantcdror any carlir notice. while any thing
rldh' euufe un[ass ache option of the editor.
NEIy7 NRV HnHhN