FOOTNOTES:[D]Copyright, 1884, by Frances C. Sparhawk.
[D]Copyright, 1884, by Frances C. Sparhawk.
[D]Copyright, 1884, by Frances C. Sparhawk.
It is not an easy task either to establish a magazine, or, having secured for it a place in public favor, to retain the good will essential to its continued success. The examples of failure on the part of those who have essayed this task are so many and so notable, that publishers and editors who enter the field of periodical literature with new ventures, must possess, first of all, not a little courage; to this, if they are to expect any degree of success, must be added araison d'êtrefor the publication; and, besides, there must be an accompaniment of managerial ability sufficient to give the reason a continual demonstration in fact. Whatever the view of the cheerful optimist who stands on the threshold of the magazine world, with his experience, like his hoped-for triumphs, all in the future, the conditions above named, as witnessed by the broken lance of many a vanquished knight of this "Round Table," are not easily met. It is with a full understanding of these facts that we record the enlarged plans of the publishers of theBay State Monthly, whereby that periodical, a vine of Massachusetts planting, seeking soil for wider growth, will send forth its roots into all New England. Chief among the features of theBay State Monthlywhich have made it acceptable to the people of Massachusetts have been the many articles relating to the history and biography of its storied towns and famous men. Material for articles of equal interest and value, and much of it as yet unused by historian or biographer in sketch or story, abounds in every State of the New England group. It is in order to make better use of this material, that a change is made, as will be seen, not in place, but in scope,—whereby the Bay State gives way to the New England; and theNew England Magazine, which is theBay State Monthlywith a wider outlook, goes forth to commend itself to the good opinion of the citizens of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, and of New Englanders everywhere.
The prohibitionists of New England find it difficult to understand why Georgia, with the immense quota of ignorance in its voting population, has been able to abolish legal rum-drinking, a thing which has not yet been found possible—notwithstanding the supposed reign of a more widely diffused intelligence—in the greater part of New England. An explanation of the fact is to be found in the homogeneity of the Georgian population, due to the vast preponderance of native born elements(there being only ten thousand five hundred persons of foreign birth in 1880), and to the popular condition affecting public sentiment in Georgia and her sister States. Among these influences may be noted that of the clergy, who reach the greater part of the population, white and black, through the churches in whose membership it is enrolled; the fact that, owing to the comparative non-use of wines and beers, the question is simply that of rum or no rum; and the added circumstance that the evils of intemperance are there greatly aggravated by the character of the whiskey almost universally used, it being an unrectified form of the article, and accompanied by the most dangerous and destructive results to individuals and to society. Among these results may be mentioned the often repeated instances of lawlessness and bloodshed, and the growing demoralization of the colored workingmen, which reacts injuriously upon every industry.
Against conditions like these, there can be found in almost any community in the land, in the aggregate, an opposing majority. In New England this majority is largely powerless, because swallowed up in the opposing votes of political parties. In Georgia it has succeeded, because it has separated the liquor question from all other political considerations and made it a separate issue, upon which men vote neither as Democrats nor Republicans, but as well meaning, and ably directed men, who are marshalled against a great social evil.
New England temperance advocates have difficulties to contend with, growing out of the foreign born elements in our midst, which do not exist at the South; but it may be well for them to consider the question of adopting the Georgian method of sticking to the temperance issue as a distinct question, instead of dragging it into general politics, where the temperance element loses in strength by a division upon other questions.
We find in thePall Mall Gazettesuggestions intended for the eyes of English matrons, but which may be equally commended to the attention of American mothers, relating to the establishment of "housekeeping schools" after the pattern of those in Germany.
Every girl in Germany, be she the daughter of nobleman, officer, or small official, goes, as soon as she has finished her school education, into one of these training establishments. The rich go where they pay highly. They are never taken for less than a year, and every month has its appropriate work: Preserving of fruits and vegetables, laying down meats, the care of eggs and butter, the preservation of woollen clothes, repairing of household linen, etc. Besides these general branches of housewifery, they are taught cooking, clear starching, thewashing of dishes, the care of silver and glass, dusting and sweeping, laying of a table and serving—in brief, all the duties which will fall to their own lot or to the servants whom they employ. As a result, theménageof a German matron is perfection, according to German ideas.
A good illustration of the historical spirit, which happily has come to stay in our midst, is seen in the instructive and entertaining articles which have recently been published in the newspapers concerning some old New England homesteads. Among these is one in the BostonCourierof Oct. 4, 1885, telling of the Pickering house in Salem, built in 1659, and still in the Pickering name, and also of the Porter place in Wenham, which, although it had been in the Porter name without alienation since 1702, was of much older date. In the BostonTranscriptof Nov. 28, 1885, was also an interesting account of the old Curtis house at Jamaica Plain, which was finished in 1639. Its builder, William Curtis, was its first occupant; and from that time to 1883 none but his descendants occupied the house. A number of ancient dwellings still standing in New England were referred to in the same article.
Such public notices of time-honored landmarks are to be commended, not only because they serve as historical links, but because they develop that historical imagination which enables one to clothe with a tender reverence places so rich in interest.
The presentNew England Magazineis not the first of the name. Another New England Magazine was established in 1831, by Joseph T. Buckingham and his son Edwin, who died and was buried at sea in 1832. His cenotaph may be seen in Mount Auburn, bearing the inscription, "The sea his body, heaven his spirit holds." This magazine included among its contributors John Quincy Adams, Oliver Wendell Holmes (who commencedThe Autocrat of the Breakfast Tableas a serial in it), Jeremy Belknap, Jared Sparks, Edward Everett, Charles C. Felton, John G. Palfray, Gardner Spring, Joseph Story, Francis Wayland, Daniel Webster, and Nathaniel P. Willis. It contained articles upon the authorship of Junius, American Colonization Society, and Spurzheim, who died in 1832, and was among the first tenants of Mount Auburn, and the elegy upon whom, composed by John Pierpont, commencing
"Many a form is bending o'er thee,Many an eye with sorrow wet,"
"Many a form is bending o'er thee,Many an eye with sorrow wet,"
pronounced at the funeral services at the Old South Church, is still remembered by many. It also containedGarrett's Fly-Time,Reflections of a Jail-Bird, etc., etc. It was discontinued in 1834, for want of patronage. We have the courage to believe that the success so justly merited, butdenied to the projectors of this pioneer among American periodicals, will not fail to reward the efforts of those who, at the end of a half-century, take up the broken thread, and give the time-honored name once more a place in American literature.
In a future number, we shall have more to say concerning our worthy predecessor in the Magazine field. It will be seen that there is much in common in the aims of the two periodicals, especially in the purpose to represent, and loyally serve, the best interests of New England and its people.
As theNew England Magazineseeks to become a repository for material of interest concerning the New England States worthy of preservation, we cordially invite contributions to its pages, from all sources, of matter relating to town and local history, and the manners and customs of early times, and of biographical and other sketches relating to the notable men and women, the social and religious life, the occupations and industries, of colonial and later days.
Under the head ofNecrologythere will be published obituaries of notable New England men and women recently deceased, accompanied, where possible, by brief genealogical records. The value of material thus placed in permanent form, within reach of future investigators, will be at once evident; and we shall be glad to receive properly prepared brief contributions to this department.
We shall seek to make the "Notes and Queries" department of the Magazine of use and interest to our readers, as a medium of communication between those seeking or possessing information as to New England persons and places. Communications intended for this department should be written separately from the letter enclosing them, and should be brief.
Brief records of the genealogy of families resident in New England during and prior to the war of the Revolution are invited; and by furnishing such records, especially in instances where they have not already been fully published, valuable additions will be made to the store of material relating to both history and biography—which is reallyfundamentalhistory. Men and womenmakehistory.
In this connection we shall welcome not only articles of length, but anecdotes and scraps of information, for which a special department will be furnished, under title of "In Olden Times."
November 3.—Elections were held in twelve States of the Union. In Massachusetts, a full list of state officers and a legislature were chosen. Governor Robinson was elected for the third time, and all the other members of the Republican ticket were chosen,—it being a re-election for each one, excepting Alanson W. Beard, who succeeds D. A. Gleason as Treasurer.
The name of the West Roxbury Park, in the city of Boston, has been changed to the Franklin Park, and a fund established by Dr. Franklin applied to its purchase. In 1791 he left to the city £1,000 which was to accumulate for one hundred years, when £100,000 was to be appropriated for some public object, and the balance to accumulate for another century. The amount specified will not be realized, however, in 1891, as the fund will then reach only about $350,000.
December 8.—Elections were held in thirteen Massachusetts cities. The Mayors elected are as follows: Chelsea, Mayor Endicott, re-elected; Somerville, Mayor Burns, re-elected; Cambridge, Mayor Russell, re-elected; Brockton, John J. Whipple; Salem, John M. Raymond; Gloucester, Mayor Parsons, re-elected; Haverhill, C. H. Weeks; Lowell, J. C. Abbott; Lawrence, A. B. Bruce; Taunton, R. H. Hall; Fall River, W. S. Greene; Springfield, E. D. Metcalf; Newton, D. H. Kimball.
FOOTNOTES:[E]This department hereafter will be made much more complete, and will cover all of the New England States.
[E]This department hereafter will be made much more complete, and will cover all of the New England States.
[E]This department hereafter will be made much more complete, and will cover all of the New England States.
November 21.—The death occurred of Hon. Elizur Wright, a well-known Massachusetts man, and a resident of Medford. Mr. Wright was born in South Canaan, Conn., February 12, 1804, and graduated at Yale, in 1826. In his early life he was a teacher, from 1829 to 1833 being Professor of Mathematics in Western Reserve College. He became in 1833 Secretary of the American Anti-Slavery Society in New York. In 1838 he came to Boston, and for twenty years was actively engaged in editorial work, taking a stand as a most pronounced abolitionist. Since then he has been Insurance Commissioner or Actuary for the State till the time of his death. Mr. Wright has been an earnest advocate of the project for converting the "Middlesex Fells" into a park in later years. He was always an earnest, active man.
For more than twenty-five years the public has been familiar with the products of the skill and genius of John Rogers, in which he has illustrated a variety of social, domestic, literary, and political subjects. During the War of the Rebellion, when the hearts of the people were quickly reached by anything that brought vividly before them the scenes of soldier life or the experiences of the "brave boys in blue," the artist won his way to a wide circle of admirers by his stirring representations of those scenes and experiences. His illustrations of Rip Van Winkle touched another chord in the public heart and increased the number and the enthusiasm of those who acknowledge the charm of his rare and facile power. He has produced three groups illustrative of scenes in Shakespeare, of which the latest, representing the interview between King Lear and Cordelia,[F]described in Act IV. Scene VII., is one of his best. The king had discarded and banished Cordelia, and divided his kingdom between his other two daughters; but their ingratitude and ill-treatment had driven him crazy. He had been brought in and laid on a couch by his old friend Kent,—who is disguised as a servant,—and the doctor. Cordelia, who still loves him truly and tenderly, tries to recall herself to his wandering mind. The whole group is conceived with remarkable power and truthfulness, and in it nothing is more noteworthy than the expression of filial love and sorrow on the face of the daughter. This group will both sustain and increase the artist's well-won reputation as an interpreter of life and its experiences.
The first two or three books of "Charles Egbert Craddock" secured to their author a most enviable literary reputation, and the writer's latest book[G]will be regarded with no less interest because it is now known that "Mr. Craddock" is Miss Mary Murfree. As in her other works, the book before us deals with the peculiar characteristics of life in the mountains of Tennessee, and is largely in the dialect of that region. Her rendering of this dialect has been strongly criticised by some, but we do not know who can be better authority than Miss Murfree herself, who has spent years among the people, engaged in careful and intelligent observation and study.
TheProphetis eminently a readable book, and is charming to those who like stories in dialect. The Prophet, which one would expect to bea very strong character, is not brought out to such a degree as the writer, it would seem, could have easily done; but there are many word pictures which will long remain vivid in the reader's memory. We think Miss Murfree's literary reputation will be still further enhanced by theProphet of the Great Smoky Mountains, and the book may be wisely selected for reading, even by those who take time for only a very few stories.
Princes, Authors and Statesmen,[H]edited by James Parton, is a collection of very entertaining sketches of noted persons, written, for the most part, by relatives, personal friends or others who have known them under favorable circumstances. The habits and demeanors of eminent persons are always matters of curiosity and interest to the general public, and this book contains abundant material which will gratify just this harmless instinct, and yet there is no violation of that privacy which always ought to be observed. The volume contains "Dickens with his Children," by Miss Mamie Dickens; "Reminiscences of Arthur Penrhyn Stanley," by Canon Farrar; "Victor Hugo at Home," by his secretary, M. Lesclide; and valuable chapters on Emerson, Longfellow, Gladstone, Disraeli, Thackeray, Macaulay and many other authors, besides emperors, kings and princes. The illustrations are numerous, and include many scenes of places and excellent portraits.
In no department of publishing has there been a greater advance than in the production of juvenile literature. Not many years ago there were very few really appropriate books for children published, and hardly anything in the way of periodical literature of a high standard for young folks. To supply a long felt need, Harper & Brothers began a few years ago to publish a weekly magazine for children, employing in its production not only the best writers but the best artists to be found. The year's numbers up to November last, make a bound volume[I]of more than eight hundred pages of choicest juvenile reading, all crowded with beautiful illustrations, about 700 in number, and many of them gems of art. It would hardly seem possible to praise such a book too much. It is a storehouse of pleasure which may well delight any intelligent boy or girl.
The art of sculpture is commanding the interest of a steadily growing class outside the practical workers with the chisel, or the professional critics. Clara Erskine Clement's new book[J]is on the plan of her "OutlineHistory of Painting." For beginners in the sculptor's art, it is an admirable text-book, which must be welcomed by all in that class, while to the amateur, or the mere admirer of the art, it is a very pleasing and instructive book. It presents the salient facts about sculptors and their works from the earliest times, and the reader is given a large amount of help in the illustrations, which represent specimens of the art in every age and of every school.
Mr. Hamerton'sParis[K]is a work which is sure to attract attention, to be read, and to be highly prized. The author's long residence in the great French metropolis has given him rare opportunities for this work, and he has given us the result of painstaking research in every quarter of the city. The author has made special reference to changes in the architecture and topography of Paris, and the book contains a large amount of matter of antiquarian value. The illustrations, of which there are many, are mostly simple outline sketches, or in the etching style, relating to architectural forms, and well serve their purpose.
Lovers of the quaint and curious in art, science, and literature have formed a pleasing acquaintance withNotes and Queries,[L]which has reached its forty-second number. The latest issue (December, 1885), which closes the second volume, contains a full and carefully prepared index to the entire work, which was begun in July, 1882. This magazine abounds in information concerning matters not usually treated of in more formal and pretentious works, and well deserves a cordial support from an inquiring public.
For the best quality of American humor it is pretty well settled that the popular weekly paperLifeis not equalled by any of its contemporaries. From the fifty-two numbers of the last twelve months the best of the humorous designs have been selected and bound into a handsome quarto volume.[M]Pen and pencil combine in making its pages laughable, and there are many incisive thrusts at the weak spots in society, but without coarseness or vulgarity.
FOOTNOTES:[F]King Lear and Cordelia. Roger Groups of Statuary. New York: John Rogers.[G]The Prophet of the Great Smoky Mountains. By Charles Egbert Craddock, Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co.[H]Some Noted Princes, Authors and Statesmen of Our Time. Edited by James Parton. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co.[I]Harper's Young People, Volume VI. New York: Harper & Brothers. Price $3.50.[J]An Outline History of Sculpture. By Clara Erskine Clement. New York: White, Stokes & Allen.[K]Paris, in Old and Present Times. By Philip Gilbert Hamerton. Boston: Roberts Brothers.[L]Miscellaneous Notes and Queries, with Answers in all Departments of Literature. One Dollar a year. S. C. & L. M. Gould, Manchester, N. H.[M]The Good Things ofLife. Second Series. New York: White, Stokes & Allen.
[F]King Lear and Cordelia. Roger Groups of Statuary. New York: John Rogers.
[F]King Lear and Cordelia. Roger Groups of Statuary. New York: John Rogers.
[G]The Prophet of the Great Smoky Mountains. By Charles Egbert Craddock, Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
[G]The Prophet of the Great Smoky Mountains. By Charles Egbert Craddock, Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
[H]Some Noted Princes, Authors and Statesmen of Our Time. Edited by James Parton. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co.
[H]Some Noted Princes, Authors and Statesmen of Our Time. Edited by James Parton. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co.
[I]Harper's Young People, Volume VI. New York: Harper & Brothers. Price $3.50.
[I]Harper's Young People, Volume VI. New York: Harper & Brothers. Price $3.50.
[J]An Outline History of Sculpture. By Clara Erskine Clement. New York: White, Stokes & Allen.
[J]An Outline History of Sculpture. By Clara Erskine Clement. New York: White, Stokes & Allen.
[K]Paris, in Old and Present Times. By Philip Gilbert Hamerton. Boston: Roberts Brothers.
[K]Paris, in Old and Present Times. By Philip Gilbert Hamerton. Boston: Roberts Brothers.
[L]Miscellaneous Notes and Queries, with Answers in all Departments of Literature. One Dollar a year. S. C. & L. M. Gould, Manchester, N. H.
[L]Miscellaneous Notes and Queries, with Answers in all Departments of Literature. One Dollar a year. S. C. & L. M. Gould, Manchester, N. H.
[M]The Good Things ofLife. Second Series. New York: White, Stokes & Allen.
[M]The Good Things ofLife. Second Series. New York: White, Stokes & Allen.
4.—A good account of the "Know-Nothings" is to be found in the "Magazine of American History," Vol. 13, p. 202, in article "Political Americanisms," by Charles Ledyard Norton.
6.—That antiquarian scholar, Samuel Gardner Drake, made an exhaustive study of the Massachusetts Indians, which is embodied principally in his "Book of the Indians," the "Old Indian Chronicle" and the "Particular History of the Five Years' French and Indian War." Much Indian history is also given in notes, introductions, and appendices, in his editions of Church's and Mather's "King Philip's War," and Mather's "Early History of New England."
7.—There is no extended biography of Robert Rantoul, Jr., but sketches of him may be found in the "North American Review," Vol. 78, p. 237, and the "Democratic Review," Vol. 27, p. 348; the latter containing a portrait.
3.—A lady thoroughly identified with the Anti-Slavery cause, and abundantly able to answer the query "Who was the first American woman to publicly espouse the cause of Anti-Slavery," writes as follows in response to a request for her opinion:—
The question is on some accounts rather a difficult question to answer, as I do not quite understand its intent. You doubtless know that until the Anti-Slavery movement and some time after, no woman, except those of the Society of Friends, ever spoke or even prayed in public. If women wished to show their interest on any question, it was in societies and meetings exclusively for women. And this was the case with the Anti-Slavery women. Women's Societies were very early organized, and a great many women were active in them.But I suppose the question relates to the women who addressedmixedaudiences of men and women.At the convention held in Philadelphia, 1833, to form the National Anti-Slavery Society, all the delegates were men, but a large number of women were present, and Lucretia Mott, who was a minister of the Friends' Society, and consequently was used to speaking to both sexes in Friends' meetings, spoke at the convention, but did not make any formal address. Several other women, also "Friends," spoke; and several years after, Samuel J. May, in speaking about it, said he was ashamed to say that though the convention passed a vote of thanks to the women for their interest, no one thought of asking any of them, not even Lucretia Mott or Mary Grew, to sign the "Declaration of Sentiments." I think the first women, undoubtedly, who addressed amixedaudience of men and women ofalldenominations were Angela Grimké, afterwards married to Theodore D. Weld, and her sister Sarah M. Grimké. Being Southerners, and having been slaveholders, being allied to the best families of Charleston, S. C., their knowledge was considered authentic, and a great interest was shown tohear them. They too began by addressing meetings of women, but when they spoke in Boston, in 1837, so great was the desire of themento hear them, that they were persuaded to hold public meetings of both sexes. I well remember the crowded audiences which listened to them with rapt attention.One can judge somewhat of the interest they excited from the fact that, at a time when no large halls or churches could be obtained for any kind of an Anti-Slavery meeting, the "Odeon," at the corner of Federal and Franklin Streets, then the largest and most popular hall in Boston, was obtained for a course of five lectures by these ladies, and was filled every evening by a dense crowd. Angelina was the finer speaker and gave three lectures out of the five. This was the only time the Odeon was ever opened to Anti-Slavery. They were members of the Friends' Society, which undoubtedly prevented them from embarrassment in addressing mixed audiences.Wendell Phillips says of them, "No man who remembers 1837 and its lowering clouds, will deny that there was hardly any contribution to the Anti-Slavery movement greater or more impressive than the crusade of these Grimké sisters from South Carolina, through the New England States."You see my answer to the question would be emphaticallyAngelina and Sarah M. Grimké.
The question is on some accounts rather a difficult question to answer, as I do not quite understand its intent. You doubtless know that until the Anti-Slavery movement and some time after, no woman, except those of the Society of Friends, ever spoke or even prayed in public. If women wished to show their interest on any question, it was in societies and meetings exclusively for women. And this was the case with the Anti-Slavery women. Women's Societies were very early organized, and a great many women were active in them.
But I suppose the question relates to the women who addressedmixedaudiences of men and women.
At the convention held in Philadelphia, 1833, to form the National Anti-Slavery Society, all the delegates were men, but a large number of women were present, and Lucretia Mott, who was a minister of the Friends' Society, and consequently was used to speaking to both sexes in Friends' meetings, spoke at the convention, but did not make any formal address. Several other women, also "Friends," spoke; and several years after, Samuel J. May, in speaking about it, said he was ashamed to say that though the convention passed a vote of thanks to the women for their interest, no one thought of asking any of them, not even Lucretia Mott or Mary Grew, to sign the "Declaration of Sentiments." I think the first women, undoubtedly, who addressed amixedaudience of men and women ofalldenominations were Angela Grimké, afterwards married to Theodore D. Weld, and her sister Sarah M. Grimké. Being Southerners, and having been slaveholders, being allied to the best families of Charleston, S. C., their knowledge was considered authentic, and a great interest was shown tohear them. They too began by addressing meetings of women, but when they spoke in Boston, in 1837, so great was the desire of themento hear them, that they were persuaded to hold public meetings of both sexes. I well remember the crowded audiences which listened to them with rapt attention.
One can judge somewhat of the interest they excited from the fact that, at a time when no large halls or churches could be obtained for any kind of an Anti-Slavery meeting, the "Odeon," at the corner of Federal and Franklin Streets, then the largest and most popular hall in Boston, was obtained for a course of five lectures by these ladies, and was filled every evening by a dense crowd. Angelina was the finer speaker and gave three lectures out of the five. This was the only time the Odeon was ever opened to Anti-Slavery. They were members of the Friends' Society, which undoubtedly prevented them from embarrassment in addressing mixed audiences.
Wendell Phillips says of them, "No man who remembers 1837 and its lowering clouds, will deny that there was hardly any contribution to the Anti-Slavery movement greater or more impressive than the crusade of these Grimké sisters from South Carolina, through the New England States."
You see my answer to the question would be emphaticallyAngelina and Sarah M. Grimké.
Very truly,Sarah H. Southwick.Wellesley, Mass.
The Publishers and Editors ofThe Bay State Monthly, in compliance with urgent suggestions from many friends, and in the belief that its interests will be in every way promoted by the change, have decided to enlarge the scope of the Magazine so as to include in its plans not only the "Bay State" butallof its sisters in the historical New England group.
The New England Magazinewill, therefore, aim to become a treasury of information relating to matters of special interest to citizens of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, and to be of incalculable value as an authoritativerecorderand medium of interchange and information for all Libraries and Historical Societies especially, and for all history and literary loving people generally.
Especial attention will be given to the features which have made the Bay State Monthly so acceptable, andnewfeatures will be introduced which it is believed will add greatly to the interest and value of forthcoming numbers.
MADAM SARAH ABBOT.MADAM SARAH ABBOT.FOUNDER OF ABBOT ACADEMY, ANDOVER.From the original portrait in the possession of the Academy, supposed to have been painted by T. Buchanan Read.