Arkansas intelligencer. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1842-1859, 1844-03-02
PROSPECTUS

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SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGERS.
VNiiIS 10 a monthly Magazine, devoted chiefly
to L3tcrafsrs, bat occasionally finding room
also for articles that fall within the scope Of Sci
snee; and protesting no disdain Of tasteful selcc-
tsors though it's matter has been, it will conti
nue. to be, 10 the main, original.
Party Politics ard controversial Theology, as
far as possible, are jealously excluded. They ar.
sometimes so blended with discussions in htera-
ture or in moral science. Otherwise unobjectiona-
bic, to gain admittance Coz the sake of the more
valuable matter to which they adhere: but when
over that happens, ihey are incidental, only; not
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 works and il is the Editors aim that
they should have three-foId tendsncy-to con-
vey, in a condense form, such valuable truths or
incidents az are embodied in the works reviewed;
TO direct the readers attention to books that de-
serve TO be read-and to warn him against vast
ing time and money upon that large number,
which merits only TO be burned. Z In this age Of
publications, that by their variety and multitude
distract and overwhelm every undiscriminating
student, impartial criticism, governed by the
Vows just mentioned, is one of the most inestma-
bio and indispensable Of auxilaries, to him who
does wish to discriminate.
Essays, and Tales. having in view utility or
amusment, or both--H istoricel Sketches and Re-
riniscences Of events 100 minute for History, vet
Calculating it, and hsightening it's Interestingly
b regarded as forming the staple of the work.
And Of Indigenous Poetry, enough is published
sometimes of no mean strain-:o manifest and
to cultivate the growing taste and talents of the
country. fi9rI53-f
The times appear for several reasons, to demand
such work-and not one alone, but many. The
public mind is fsyershed and rritated still from re-
cent political strfes: the soft assuasive influence of
Literature is needed, to aay that fever, and sothe
that irritation. Vice and folly are rioting abroad
they should be driven by indignant rebuke, or
dashed by ridicule into their fitting haunts. Ig-
norance lords il over an immense proportion of
our people: every spring should be set in notion
10 arouse the enlightened, and 10 increase their
number; SO that the great enemy of popular 60
vernment may no longer brood. like portentous
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: il that plan be but car
Tied out in practice.
The South peculiarly requires such an agent.
In all the Union, south Of Washington, there are
but two Literary periodicals! Northward of that
city, there are probably at least twenty five or
thirty! Is this contrast justified by the wealth,
the leisure. the native talent, or the actual litera
~ taste Of the Southern people, compared with
those Of the Northerni No; for in wealth, Ia.
Tents and taste. we may justly claim at least an
equality viii our brethren; and domestic institu-
ton exclusively our own, beyond all doubt afford
us, if we choose. twice the leisure for reading and
writing which they enjoy. A., .yI
II was from a deep sense of this Local want
that the WORD Southcrn was engrafted on the name
OF this periodical; and not with any design to
nourish local prejudices, or to advocate supposed
local interests. Far from any such thought, it is
the Editors fervent wish, to see the North and
South bound endearingly together forever, in the
sllken bands Of mutual kindness and Affection
Far from meditatng koaiiity to the north, he has
already drawn, and hopes hereafter to dra W; much
OF his choicest matter thence; and happy indeed
will he deem himself, should his pages, by making
each region know the other better, contribute in
any essential degree to dispel forever the lover
ing clouds that 80 lately threatened the peace of
both, and to brighten and strengthen the sacred
ties Of fraternal love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now
commenced its ninth volume and sinh year.
How far it has acted out the ideas here uttered,
il 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.