Page:The Southern Literary Messenger - Minor.djvu/162

 144 Nearly 26 pages are given to an address to the Memphis Convention, by Harry Bluff, upon the Warehousing System, and a number of other important topics. Some time previously he had furnished The Southern Quarterly Review a long and brilliant article, such as his pen alone could have produced, on "The Maritime Interests of the South and West." The Messenger republishes the greater part of it and addresses that, not only to the Memphis Convention, but to Congress.

Whilst attending to these important public matters, the Messenger does not neglect its literary features, but makes them highly attractive, with the aid of a number of favorite writers, besides some things by the editor. There is a humorous sketch, "Canvassing," by Gen. Taliaferro, the author of the Mocking-bird julep song.

Gertrude is finished in 25 chapters, with a hint that there may be a sequel to it; but the author doubts whether he could ever man himself for that painful task.

The Memphis Convention was deemed of such importance that Richmond sent to it delegates, of whom the editor was one, and he attended. On his way thither, he visited Dr. W. Gilmore Simms, at his country seat, Woodlands, and purchased from him his magazine that it might be incorporated with the Messenger, with the