SELECT date, text, topic_id
FROM forum_msgs
ORDER BY topic_id,date DESC

SELECT *
FROM (SELECT date, text, topic_id
      FROM forum_msgs
      ORDER BY topic_id,date DESC
    ) t1`

SELECT *
FROM (SELECT date, text, topic_id
      FROM forum_msgs
      ORDER BY topic_id,date DESC
    ) t1
GROUP BY topic_id`