"Publications of the Mississippi Historical Society, Volume 02 (of 14), 1899" is a historical account compiled by the Mississippi Historical Society during the late 19th century. This volume focuses on various aspects of Mississippi's history, featuring essays and discussions by different authors about significant contributors to Southern literature, the experiences of the local population, and the sociopolitical developments in the region. The opening of this volume presents the organizational and administrative structure of the Mississippi Historical Society, detailing its officers and inviting members to support its mission. It then transitions into a scholarly essay by Professor C. Alphonso Smith, discussing the transition in Southern literature post-Civil War, highlighting authors like Irwin Russell who drew inspiration from contemporary Southern life rather than classical influences. Smith emphasizes the historical significance of literary works that accurately reflect the lived experiences of the South, showing how literature serves as a vital recorder of societal conditions and cultural identity. (This is an automatically generated summary.)