The Arkansas banner., 1843-12-16
PROSPECTUS
 OF THE Southern Literary Messenger.

TE1IIiS is monthly Magazine, devoted chiefly to K LIrnRATuRE, but occasionally finding room also for articles that fall within the scope of SclENcE and proessingno dsdan of tasteful seiections though its matter has been, it will continue to be- in the inan original.
 Party Politics and controversial Theology, as far as possible, are icalousy excluded. They are some-
 times so blended with discussions in literature or in moral science otherwise unobjectonable, as to gain admttanee for the sake of the more valuable matter to which they adhere but whenever that Happens, they are incidental, only: not primary. They dross, tolerated only because they cannot wei be severed from the sterling ore whercwith it is incor porated,
 Reviews, and Cridcd Notices OCCUPY their duo space in the work and it ia the Editors aim that they should have three-lod tcndeney--to convey, in condensed form, sucl valuable truths or incl. dents as arc embodied in the works rcyiewed---to direct the readers attention to books that deserve 10 be read-and to warn him against wasting time and money upon that large number. which merits only 10 be burned. In this age of publications that by their variety and multitude distract aad over whelm every uadiscriminating student, IMPARTIAL CRITICISM. governed by the views just mentioned, is one of tho most inestimable and indispensable of au<arics, to him who DOES WISH to discriminate.
 Essays, and Tales, having in view utility or amusement, or botl,--lIistorcal Sketches and Re- miniscenccs of events too minute for History vet oncidang fl, and heightenin5 its interests, ,-nlay be regarded as forming the staple of the work. And of indigenoas Poetry, enough is published--some- times of no mean strain--to manifest and to culG- yatc the growing taste and talents of the country The times appear for several reasons, to demand sach woik-and not one aoae, but many. The public mind is eveshed and fritated still from re- cent political strifes the soft as5nasve influence of Literature IS needed o aliay that fever, and soothe
 hat irritation. Vice and folly are rioting abroad :- they should b. driven by indignant rcbuka or lash ed by ridicule, into their fitting hauns. Ignorance
 lords it's over an immense proportion oi people every spring should be set in motion, to srou5e the enlightened and to increase their number; so that the great enemy of popular government may no
 longer brood, ike portehous cloud the dessi- nes of our country. And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful agent can be employed. than periodical on the plan of the Messenger: if that plan be but carried oGtin practice
 l The SouTH peculiarly requires such an agent 1 In all the inion, south of X ashington there are but Two Literary periodicals! Nortllward of that city, there are probably at least twenty-five thr- y Is this contrast justified by the wealth. the les- ure, the native talent 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 our breshren and domestic institution exclusively cur own, beyond all doubt afford us if we choose, twice theleiiare for rellnyal writing whch they enjoy.
 It was from deep sense Of this LOCAL want, that the word SOUTHERN was engraftcd on the name of this periodicals and not with any design to nourish
 local prejnd.ees or to alYoeata supposed local inter- ests. Far from any such thought, it is the Editors feryent wish, to see the North and South bound en- dearingy together forever, in the sillscn bands of mutual kindness and affection. Far from neditating HOSTILITY to the north, he has already drawn, and he hopes hereafter to draw, much Of his choicest matter thence; and happy indeed will he deem him. self. should his pages, by na aking each region know the other batter, contribute in any essential degree to dspe forever the lowering clouds that so lately threatened the peace of both, and to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties of frateraal love.
 The Southern Literary Messengar has now com menced its ntah roluiae and niaM year. How far it has acted out the ideas here uttered is not for the Editor 10 say. He believes, however, that it falIs not firther short of them. than human weakness usually makes pRAeTIcG fall short of THEORY. Rsehaona. Ea. Ocio5ef, I3t3.