The Express.
London, England, 1847-12-16 00:00:00

LITERATURE OF THE LOWER ORDERS.

BATCH &NTH.
We feel no inconsiderable satisfaction in witness-
ing the interest and discussion which our articles under this
head are creating. It was an undertsiri.q, of a stern and
somewhat onerous kind. The evil loudly demanded inveriti-
gallon, and no one offered to conduct it. A sense of public
duty urged us to take the initiative. We knew the task,—
like the exposure of any other abase,—most prove itself an
unpleasant one ; but we felt its necessity, and in our charac-
ter of publicjourualisui did not hesitate to accept the respon-
sibility. The consciousness of doing a service to the cause for
better and sounder education for the maws is our ample
reward.

We have now briefly, but broadly., glanced at some of the
more salient points of the literature of the lowerorders. We
have indicated some of the principal genera in the system—
the horrible, the sensual, the murderous, the blasphemous,
the brutal, the trashy, and the diaorganiaing—and referred
to specimens illustrating and representing these classes. We
have pointed out—so far as our limits and the character of
the subject would admit—the nature and magnitude of the
evil; butte prescribe a certain and unexceptionable remedy
le not so eau. To some extent. however, the course to be
Mowed is clear enough. Reading habits are already formed;
the appetite for intellectual food has been created, and it
must and will be satisfied. It would be obviously idle and
unwise to attempt to discourage those habits—on the con-
trary, they ought to be fostered and cultivated; for
them lie the germs of salvation and advancement in
the social order for the labouring community. Sounder
mental and moral nourishment must be substituted
for that which now acts Go viciously. How that substttu-
ties shall, or can, be effected, is a question which must be
ereasidered as still open to discussion. It would be prema.
Sere to offer an irrevocable opinion on the point at present.
We invite discussion. Before we venture to offer any plan
*four own we shall carefully consider such suggestions as
may be offered to us—or as may be raised in the discussions
now going on in several portions of the press on the subject.
To the latter we convey our earne.t thanks for the aid which
they have afforded in the attempt to expose and eradicate a
subtle poison which is tending to corrupt the very principle
eat social ethics.
In the meantime we proceed to indicate the existing re-
lources which are available for the purposes of substitution.
And here we must note—as our heading may he liable is a
misinterpretation of our meaning—that we do not +dilate
convey the idea that the works about to be enumerated ere
now literature of the lower orders—on the contrary, we knew
that some of them circulate very extensively in what me'
called the respectable circles of society—but that they ore
more or less admirably adapted in tone, character, and cane,
to become the intellectual ministrants of those orders. Per-
haps we should have styled them literature for the lower
orders; but we wished to preserve the continuity of our
title unbroken. These are—Chambers' Edinburgh Journal,
The People's Journal, Hogg's Week!y Instructor, Sharpe's
Magazine, Howitt's Journal. All these periodicals posses
certain attributes in common. They are all respec-
table—all high-toned, moral, and talented—although not
equally. so. They are nearly alike in size and price—each
gives sateen pages, and sells for three halfpence, being
nearly equal in cheapness to the lowest rubbish of Holywell-
street, and certainly not beyond the means of the poorer
class of English artisans and peasants. But here their Mil.
nines end. For the greater number they have each a spe-
ciality, individuality, and purpose, quite distinct—represent-
ing different shades of opinion and principles of progress,
notwithstanding that they may all be said to belong to the
great section of humanity which recognises an onward-move
ment in the social and intellectual world, and the necessity
of keeping pace with it.
The priority of particular notice is unquestionably due—on
account of its long existence and extent of circulation—to
Chambers' Edinburgh Journal. This periodical was started
when the immense success of the Penny Magazine had
proved how vast was the market which might be opened for
the consumption of sound and useful literature issued at a
low rate. Its influence and circulation have been unparal-
Idled; and we may add, its conductors have well earned
their success. Besides this serial, they have produced many
other works which have done good service in the gradual
cultivation of more refined and intellectual tastes amongst
the people. Their Miscellany of Tracts is a marvellous
monument of cheapness. The information—which is com-
piled, of course—is always sound, and for the mat part useful
and amusing. The Journal is, however, the heart and centre
of their literary undertakings. Its circulation once reached
nearly 100,000 copies weekly—chiefly in the manufacturing
districts of England and Scotland. It is, perhaps, not suffi-
ciently progressive for the temper of the times ; a stereotyped
Moe is seldom a permanent one. Its tone, too, is somewhat
sold—its manner formal. A certain air of reserve hangs
ever it. This is probably incidental to it+ plan, as it colon
Wily denies itself to the divcussions of the moat important
question which the genius of man is challenged to the solu-
tion of. Yet the immense popularity of a journal con-
stained so cautiously and addressed only to the present tutu,
le ea invincible evidence of the real healthiness of the pope-
ler mind. Still it is nearer to the bueimess than to the
bosom. of working men. It is unquestionably useful to
them ; butts it does not undertake to deal with their more
serious interests, it cannot appeal to their more
active sympathies. In its chosen sphere, however, it
reigns alone; and the intellectual arena is large
enough for ail correct and generous competitors. It
is one of the moat curious and significant phenomena of the
age, that there is a large and constantly increasing clue of
workers who devote themselves to:grave, social, and political
studies—imperfect though their opportunities must necessa•
rily be—who are awakening to a consciousness of the many
mysteries of our social arrangements and governmental *roe-
nisatioes, and seeking such solutions of their difficulties as
may be within their reach. For such men the merely utili
tartan possesses but a secondary interest. The coldness and
the lessons of practical science have fewer charms for them
than intellectual courage, large views, powerful convictions
daringly expressed, and generous sympathy with their
higher interest& Of all these latter elements something
may be found in the pages of the younger rivals of the
Messrs. Chambers' Journal. During the last few years •
vast flux and movement has been witnessed in the mind of
the masses. New wants have been created—new modes of
thought evolved—strange longings for • lore, long forbidden
to the pariahs of society, manifested ,—and these literary
and popular organs have sprung up to cinema those sew
necessities, to advocate those interests which might other-
wise have remained unheard. Each, however, has its dis-
tinguishing feature—though all are liberal and progressive.
Hogg's Weekly Instructor, and Sharp's Magazine lean to
the liberalism of epiecopacy—Howites and the People's
Journals, to democracy. None of them appeals exclusively
to the mere intellect, or even to the material interests, of its
readers. Even more than instruction, the reflecting portion
of the labouring classes desire sympathy. Knowledge also
they wish and look for—but their first demand from the press
is a community, a frateraity of feeling. Their instincts are
more potential than their logic:--sad all who would success-
fully appeal to the popular heart, must carry to them a
kindly sympathy with their aspirations and their hopes. The
religious element on the one hand, and the politico-social
element on the other—both of them powerful and attractive
to certain constitutions of minds—form the mainstay of the
periodicals last named. The People's Journal stands high
111 the list of the cheap periodical press ; it is pro-eminently
the organ of progress; the social is its especial field of opera-
tion, the various abuses of which it deals with in a manly
and temperate spirit, but it does not deny itself to the
equally grave and important questions of politics and his-
tory. Some of the most distinguished writers of the day
are announced as constant contributors to its pages—
Douglas Jerrold, Harriet Martineau, Ebenezer Elliot,
Walterflavage Landor, Lord Nugent, &a.
In two respects the People's Journal departs from the
arrangements of Chambers' Edinburgh Journal—in the
annals of progress which it furnishes, and in the engra-
vings. Two pages weekly are occupied by these annals.
They consist of bonded. communications from working
men, and others, describing the doings of their particular
order in their own looalitiee—their. 'watery, social, educe-
.

60044 and mental movements and improvements—all given
In their own simple language; the secretaries connected
with popular societies also record every important fact
relating to their progress in these annals; so that much
curious information respecting the condition of the muses,
and the constitution and operation of the secondary orga-
nisatiorui of the people, can be gathered from them.
Hogg's Weekly Instructor is an imitation of Chambers'
Journal. It was projected, we believe, by a certain section
of the Scotch church to counteract the supposed too cold and
worldly tone of the latter. On their plan and under their
auspices it is carried out It aims at uniting religious with
secular information—and to give a sectarian interpretation to
the revelations of nature. The necessity for such a work
was, we believe, ample and intelligible, and we are led to
supposethat an unequivocal moues has crowned the efforts
of its originators. Shaeye's Magazine occupies almost
similar ground in the southern capital. It boasts of the
patronage of several high dignitaries of the established
church—some of whom are understood to contribute to its
pages. Its contects, with the tone which this connexion
must necessarily give to them, are of miscellaneous charac-
ter, with • tendency, perhaps, towards the encyclopeclian.
A very aico story, under the title of Frank Fairleigh, is
appearing in its columns. It is also handsomely illustrated
—but has no claim to be considered peculiarly as an art-
journal. Of Howirt's Journal it is not nec.emary to say
much, as nearly all that we have said respecting the plan,
arrangement, and objects of the People's Journal will apply
to this.

With alight differences in value, these five chest, and
popular periodicals are all available for the purposes of the
public teacher. All are moral, sound, useful, elevating on
the whole in tone and tendency. They may be commended
to the attention of these interested in the education of the
masses. Each of them may be safely resorted to, to supply
the place of those groaner publications which have merited
condemnation and banishment from the cottages of the
industrial @leases.