Arkansas intelligencer., 1844-02-10
PROSPECTUS
SOUTHERN L1TERARY MESSENGER.

PROSPECTUS .,.r
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGERS.
vHsiIlS is monthly Magazine. devoted chiefly
II to Literature, but occasionally finding room
also for articles that fall within the scope OF SCI
encc; and protesting disJain of tasteful se'ec-
ions, though its matter has beep as it Will contl'
nue. to be, in the main, original. w,fr
Party Politics and controversial Theology, as
far as possible, are jealousy excluded. They are
sometimes so blended with discussions IN litera-
ture or in moral science, Otherwise unobjectona.
bic. as to gain adnitance for the sake Of the more
valuable matter to which they adhere: but when
ever that happens, they are incidental, only; no,
primary. They are dross, tolerated only because
they cannot we'll be severed from the sterling ore
wherewith it is incorporated.
Reviews, and critical notices occupy their due
space in the work: and it is the Editors aim tbar
they should have three fold tendency-to con.
vey, in a condense form, such valuable truths or
incidents rs are embodied in the works reviewed;
to direct the readers attention to books that dc.
serve 10 be read-and to warn him against vast
ing time ana money upon that large number,
which merits only to be burned. In this aye Of
publications, that by their variety and multitude
distract and overwhelm every undiscr;mina,ino
student, impartial criticism, governed bv the
views just mentioned, is one of the most ines,im,.
bic and indispensable of auxilares, to him who
does wish to discriminate.
Essays, and Tales. having in view utility or
amusement, or botli-lstnrical Sketches and Re-.
mln,scences Of events too minute for History. We,
Calculating II, and heightening its interesrs-m,y
be rcga rded as forming the staple of the work
And of Indigenous Poetry. enough Is published
sometimes of no mean strain-;o m, nfes, and
10 cultivate the growing taste and talents of the
country. c-
The times appear for several reasons. to dema nd
such work-and not one alone, bur many. The
public mind is fevershed and rrtatch still from re-
cent political strfes tho soft assusive influence of
Literature is needed, to aay that fever. and soth,.
that irritation. Vice and folly are riong abro,d:
they should be driven by Indignant rcbuke or
dashed by ridlcule, into their fitting haunls. g-
norance lords It over an immense proportion OF
our people: every spring should be set in motion
to arouse the enlightened, and 10 increase their
number; so that the great enemy of popular 90
vernment may no longer brood, like porten,ous
cloud, over the destinies 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 car
rIed out in practice.
TIE South peculiarly requires such an agent.
In all the Union, south of Washington, there are
but two Literary periodicals.! Northward of tina,
city. there are probably at least twenty-five or
thirty! Is this contrast justified by the wealth
the leisure. tho native talent, or the actual Ii,era
ny taste Of the Southern people, compa red will,
those OF the Northern! No: for in wealth. Ia.
tents and taste, we may justly claim at leas, an
equality with our brethren; and domestic instu-
ton exclusively our own, beyond all doubt afford
u.s. we choose, twice the leisure for reading and
writing which they cnjoy.
1t was from deep sense Of this Local want
that the word Southern was engrafted on the name
of this periodical; and not with any dcslgn%o
noursh local prejudces. or to advocate supposed
local interests. Far from any such thought it is
the Editors fervent wish. to SEQ tho North and
South bound endearingiy together forever, in tn.
silken bands of mutual Kindness and Fiction
Far from meditating hostility to the north, he ha:
already drawn, and hopes hereafter to dra ", mucl
OF his choicest matter thence; and happy indeed
will he deem himself, should his pages, by making
each region know the other better, contribute If
any essential degree to dispel forever the lower.
ing clouds that SO lately threatened the peace o.
both, and to brighten and Strengthen the sacred
ties of fraternal love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now
commenced its ninth rolume and ninth uear.--
how far it has acted out the IDEAS hero uttered
IS not for the Editor to say. He believes. bowev
er, that it falls not further short of them, than
human weakness usually makes Practice fall
short of Theory. - wv.
Richmond, va. October, 1913.