Arkansas intelligencer., 1844-02-24
PROSPECTUS

1f.f4 IA PHOSPECTUSt t4fJ tr-.-ast.- /
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER.
vkNlIlS is a monthly Magazine, devoted chiefly
"A to Literature, but occasionally finding room
also for articles that fall within the scope Of Sci
ence; and protesting no disdain Of tasteful selec-
tions, though its matter has been, as it will CONT
nue. to be, in the main, original.
Party Politics md controversial Theology, as
far as possible. arc jealously excluded. They are
sometimes so blended with discussions in ltera-
ture or In moral science. otherwise unobjectiona
Bile, to gain admittance for the sake of the
valuable matter to which they adhere: but when
ever that happens thoy are incidental, only; not
primary. They ore dross, tolerat ted 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 that
they should have three-fold tcndency-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 read--and to warn him against vast
ing time and money upon that largo number,
when merits only to be burned. In this age Of
publications, that by their variety and multitude
distract Add overwhem every Understanding
student, Impartial criticism, governed by the
views just mentioned, is one of the most inestma.
Bile and indispensable Of auxiIares, to him who
00eS U1Sh to discriminate.
Essays, and Tales, having in view utility or
amusement, or both-Historical Sketches and Re.
miniscencsa Of events too minute for History yet
Calculating it, and frightening its intoresls-may
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. tl' asf.l I ~. III ~ rEr
The times appear for several reasons, TO demand
such work--and not one alone, but many. The
public mind is fevershed and irrtated still from re-
cent political strfes: the soft assasive influence of
Literature is needed, to aay that fever, and sothe
that irritation. Vice and folly are riong abroad:
they should be driven by indignant rebuke. or
dashed by ridicule, into their fitting haunts, Ig.
norance lords it over an immense proportion of
our people: every spring should be set in notion
to arouse the enlightened, and 10 increase their
number; so that the great enemy of popular GO
vernment may no longer brood, like portentous
cloud, over the destinies of our country. And to
accomplish all these ends, what moro powerful
agent can be employed, than a periodical on the
plan Of the Messenger: if that plan be but car
ried cut 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
70 s'S SoisIuSt JuStlueO Dy the wealth.,
the leisure, tho native talent, or the actual itera
ry taste Of the Southern people, compared with
those of the Northernl No; for in wealth, ia.
Tents and taste, we may Justly claim at least an
eqndlaty with our brethren; and domestic institu-
ton exclusively our own. beyond all doubt afford
US, II we choose, twice the leisure for reading and
writing which they enjoy.
II was from deep sense of this Local want
that the WORD Southern was engrafted on the name
OF this periodicals.; 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 endenringly together forever, in the
s!lken bands Of mutual kindness and affection
Far from meditating hostility to the north, he has
already drawn, and hopes hereafter to draw, much
OF hls choicest matter thence; and happy indeed
will ne deem himself, should his pages, by making
each region know the other better, contribute in
any essential degree to dispe forever the lover
ing clouds that SO lately threatened the peace of
both, and tosbrghten and strengthen the sacred
ties of fraternal love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now
commenced its ninth rolume and ninth year
How far it has acted out the ideas hero uttered.
IS not for the Editor to say. He believes, bowey.
err that it falls not further short of them, than
human weakness usually makes Practice fall
short Of Theory.
Richmond, Va. October, 1913.