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This volume, VII., is the largest that was ever issued, for it has 876 pages; yet several others have exceeded the appointed number.

Mrs. Seba Smith has the honor of ushering in the year 1841 with a poem on "Youth and Old Age," and afterwards attention is directed to her "Sinless Child," her "Powhatan" and other productions. The editorial, "The New Year; to our subscribers," is rather stilted, but thankful and hopeful, and has some remarks which are here quoted: "It is true we hold our Messenger as peculiarly the herald of Southern talent. * * * We have made and, by every consideration of kindred and sympathy, shall make our Journal the medium for the defence and exposition of Southern interests and Southern rights. * * * In all this we have been sectional, and we humbly opine that if we had not been so, not only would the proud word that stands first in our title be a mockery and a sound, but we should stand recreant to gratitude and to duty. * * * Above the discordant strife of sectarism and the heated atmosphere of party, in a region of