Arkansas intelligencer., 1844-02-17
PROSPECTUS
y N - PKOSPECIUS -
OF THE
IITHERN LITERARY MESSENGER.


SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGERS.
VENillS'is monthly Magazine, devoted chiefly
II to Literature, but occasionally finding room
also for articles that fail within the scope of Sci
ence; and protesting no dsdain of tasteful selec-
fions. though its matter hos been, as il will CONT
nue. to be, in the main, original. -.g-,ua
Party Politics and controversial Theology, as
far rs possible, are jealousy excluded. They are
sometimes so blended with discussions in lrera-
ture or in moral science, otherwise unobjeciiona.
ble to gain admittance for the sake Of the more
valuable matter 70 which they adhere; but when
ever that happens, they 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. r" ,s.IlHA7
Reviews, and critical notices occupy their due
space in the work: and it is the Editors aim that
they should have three.f 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 10 be read-and to warn him against vast
ing time and money upon that large number,
which merits only to be burned. In this age 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 most inestima-
BILE and indispensable Of auxilaries, to him who
Goes nish to discriminate.
Essays, and Tales. having in view utility or
amusement, or both-H istorical Sketches and Re.
miniscences Of events too minute for History, vet
calculating it, and frightening its interestingly
be 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. ~" 10. .... I..
The times appear for several reasons, to donna nd
1rh n -pndvHo -
public mind is feverished and irrtated still from re-
cent political strfes: the soft assuasive influence Of
Literature is needed to allay that fever, and sothe
that irritation. Vice and folly are riotng abroad:
they should be driven by indignant rebuke, or
dashed by ridicule, into their fitting haunts. Ig-
norance lords ii 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 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 q periodical on the
plan of the Messenger: if that plan be but car
ried out in practice.
lie 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 itera
ry taste OF the Southern people, compared 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 institu.
ton exclusively our own. beyond all doubt afford
us, if we choose, twice the leisure for reading and
writing which they enjoy.
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 design to
nourish local prejudces, 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
sken bands of mutual kindness and Affection
Far from meditatng hostility to the north, he has
already drawn, and hopes hereafter to dra ", much
OF hls 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 lower
ing clouds that so lately threatened the peace of
both, and to brighten and strengthen the sacred
ties Of fraternaI love.
The Southern Literary MESSENGER has now
commenced It's ninth rolume and ninth vear.--
low far it has acted out the ideas hero uttered,
IS moi for The Editor to say. He bell ,ves, howev.
er, that 1t falls not further short of them, than
human weakness usually makes Practice fall
short of Theory.
Richmond. Va. October, 1913. ..a