Page:The Southern Literary Messenger - Minor.djvu/235

Rh as the orator for the public celebration in honor of the Hon. Benjamin Watkins Leigh. Mr. Leigh was truly a great man and the orator eulogized him appropriately and deservedly. His effort was published in the Messenger.

The celebration took place in the Capitol Square, where preparations had been made for it, in the walk which runs now at the foot of the steps to the new State Library.

Though Mr. Thompson did not tell it to the readers of the Messenger, he had accepted a position with the Field and Fireside, a weekly agricultural and literary journal of Augusta, Ga. He had given it several flattering notices in the Messenger, which stated that it was edited (perhaps founded) by his friend and Paris correspondent, W. W. Mann. Mr. Thompson did a good part by the Messenger for about thirteen years.  

The leader for Editor Bagby's first numberis: "The Difference of Race between the Northern and Southern People." It was his purpose to admit and even solicit articles treating of public affairs, but they were to be done in fairness and "with breadth of contemplation" and non-partizan. He says that the above leader is open to