Arkansas intelligencer., 1844-02-03
PROSPECTUS



9NiilS is monthly Magazine, devoted chiefly
to Literature, but occasionally finding room
also for articles that fall within the scope of Sci
ence; and protesting no dsdan of tasteful selec-
tions. though its matter has been, as it will CONT
nue. to be, in the main, original.
Party Politics and controversial Theology, rs
far as possible, are jealousy excluded. They arc
sometimes so blended with discussions in litera-
ture or in moral science, otherwise unob jectiona-
bic, as to gain admittance for the sake of the
valuable matter to which they adhere: but when
ever that happens, they incidental, only; not
primary. They are dross, tolera ted only because
they cannot well 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 tina,
they should have a three. fold tendency-to con.
vey, IN condense form, such valuable truths or
incidents as are embodied in the works reviewed;
to direct the readers attention to books that de-
serve TO be rcad-and to warn him against vast
ing time and money upon that large number,
which merits only to be burned. In this II &c of
publications, that by their variety and multitude
distract and overwhelm every undiscriminating
student, impartial criticism, governed by the
views just mentioned, is one of the mos, inestima-
Bile and indispensable Of auxiaries, to him who
does Wish to discriminate.
Essays, and Tales. having in view utility or
AMUSEMENT, or both-Eistorical Sketches and Re-
mIniscencos of events too minute for History vet
Calculating II, and frightening its interests-may
be regarded as forming the staple of the work.
And of Indigenous Poetry. enough is published
--sometlmes OF no mean strain-;o manifest and
to cultivate the growing taste and talents of the
country.
The times appear for several reasons, to demand
such work-and no, one alone, but many. The
public mi nd is fevershed and rrtated still from re.
cent political strfcs the soft assuasive influence Of
Literature is needed, to aay that fever, and sothe
that irritation. Vice and folly arc rioting abroad
they should DO driven by indignant rebuke, or
Iashod by ridicu!e, into their fitting haunts. Ig
norance lords it over an immense proportion of
our people: every spring should DO set in motion,
10 arouse the enlightened, and 10 increase their
number; so that the great enemy of popular GO
vernment may no longer brood, like a portentous
cloud, over the destines 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
rled out in practice.
TIE South peculiarly requires such an agent
In all the Union, south of ashin,-,on, there are
but two Literary periodicals! Nor,hward of that
city. there are probably at least twenty five or
thirty! Is this contrast justified by the wealth,
the leisure. the native talent, the actual litera
ny taste of tho Southern people, compar red with
those Of the Northern! No. for in wealth. Ia.
tents and taste. we may justly claim at least an
equality with our brethren; and domestic inoti,u-
ton exclusively our own, beyond all doubt ford
us, if we choose twice the leisure for reading and
writing which they enjoy.
1t was from deep Of this Local want
that tho WORD Southern was engrafted on the name
of this periodical; and not with any design to
nourish local prcjudices, or to advocate supposed
local interests. Far from any such thought, it is
the Editors fervent wish. to see the North and
South bound endearingIy together forever, in the
sItkcn bands Of mutual Kindness and affection.--
Far from medita,ing hostility to the north, he has
already drawn, and hopes hereafter to dra w. much
OF his choicest matter thence; and happy indeed
vii! he deem himself, should his page by making
each region know the other better, contribute in
any essential degree to dispel forever the lower
ing clouds TINT so lately threatened the poace of
both. and TO brighten and strengthen the sacred
ties Of fraterna love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now
commenced its ninth rolume and ninth year.
How far it has acted out the lens hero uttered,
is not for the Editor to say. He believes, howev-
er, that it falls not further short of them, than
human weakness usually makes Practice fall
short of Theory.
Richmond. va. October 1913.
GEO. AUSTIN. Ewp. CLEeG.