Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-12-09
PROSPECTUS OF THE
sou TIL ESTERN
DtlreMoloDtcaI 1OttrMal,

Literary a. Scientific Magazine.
WNHESUBSCRIBER proposes to pub
ish, by subscription, under the Ed.
itoiship of an association Of gentlemen
well qualified for the task, at COLUMBUS,
Mississippi, monthly periodical with the
above title.
The Editors design to make Phrenolo-
gy tho leading object of the periodical; but
for the purpose Of correcting the taste,
improving the manners, and advancing
the productive pursuits Of life, much atten.
ton will be given to literature and science
in general.
The importance of such work will be
confessed by every Que who will reflect
that while we have political periodicals in
great abundance, we have not one that Is
especially adapted to the parlor and social
circle. Is it urged by any one that we
can Import, from the North, journals sim
liar TO the one proposed 2 Our reply is,
that Northern Journals are adapted to
Northern institutions--that most of the
domestic incidents, literary and scientific
objects treated of, are interesting only to
Northern readers. We have, in these
Southwestern States, variety of inci-
dent, a boldness of character, aud an ORR
ginaliIy Of thought and conception, which
VIC think can be found no where else.
We have, furthermore, in course of daily
development. an immense variety ofsci
entific objects, which ought to find a more
imperishable record than neighborhood
tradition, or even the ephemeral pages of
a newspaper, if we ever hope for a
thorough exposition of the natural history
and commercial reso urces of our coun.
try. However this may be, all hdt per-
tdinS 10 our society, and all that belongs TO
our country are our Olcn and q journal
devoted to them would be more instruc-
tive TO our readers than any foreign one
could be, because the impressions it
would make would be vivid and therefore
lasting.
Can any one reasonably contend that it
is polite, wise or patriotic for US, whose
social institutions arc sc unlike those of
the North, as to have produced already
serious discomfort and threatened danger,
to receive our mental food from that quar-
teri If it were believed that our South.
Western public would answer in the af
firmative, this enterprise would not be
attempted.
There is another consideration which
should have so much weight with every
PATRIOT as to make him jealous in the
support Of this periodical and it is this ::
In 1850, there will fall into the keeping of
the Western and South. Western citizens
of this Republic very considerable acces.
sion of political power; and in order that
this power may be properly used for our
good and the good OF the Union, our pop.
ulation must be enlightened.
PHRENoLoGY, the leading subject of the
contemplated publication, is now becom.
ing the mental philosophy OF the present
age; aud inasmuch as the education of
youth, the government OF the vicious, and
the treatment of the insane, are already
under its guidance and protection, in a
great degree, il Europe and the Northern
part of our own country, its facts and its
principles should be spread before every
family. Such are the rapid strides which
It is making among all classes Of people,
in all countries, and such is its influence
upon all the relations Of civilized society,
that the Legislator, Lawyer, Divine, Doc.
tor, Teacher and Scholar, whatever may
be his pursuit, will speedily he urged to
make his acquaintance with il, or retire
from all respectable Ffeteusions 10 useful.
ness.
For the consummation Of this depart.
ment of our design, Professor Powell,
whose name and the history of the sci.
,nce, In the Southwest, are indssolubly
associated, will be the leading contributor.
He will also contribute literally to the
other departments. The annunclation of
this fact alone, will we are satisfied, be
hailed by the intellectual reader, as fur
nishing a guarantee to the public, that the
SOUTH. WESTERN PHRENoLouIcAL jour.
NAL will take high rank among the most
useful, interesting and distincui4 he'd pub.
LEGATION Of the age.
It may be interesting 10 specify tina,
the antiquities of our coun,ry-its Miner
ology, Geology, Medicinal Waters, and
Agricultural capacities-the natural, po
l'tlcal and domestic history of our savage
tnbes--Zoology in general, as far as any
tnlng new may be discovered, and bio
graphical notices Of distinguished Ameri
cans--with appropriate wood cuts when
ever they may be required for the elucida
ton or slmpi6cation of the subject.
Should the patronage justify the ex
pense, each volume will contain goo
lithographic likeness Of some distinguish
ed Phrenologist or other scientific or lite
rary benefaclor of mankind.
The periodical will be executed in goo
taste, on fine paper and in size, quantii
Of reading matera, &C., will be placed c
par with the leading monthlies of tn
county.--.-Each number will conta
ninety pages. making two volumes P,
year of $40 pages each.
TERMs-S5 per annum-payable {
the delivery ofthe first number, which W
be issued as soon as the necessary a
engagements can be made for its pub
cation. L. PERCY HOWE.
Oxford, Nj, Oct. II, 1910.
HOLCOMBE, BROTHER Sc
Nacto,s Q3oo,u,,A,;on, ,c6ioe,cgo,