The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-10-29
Gbt Rsbish.

est In many quarters, and we presume with
critical eyes. Whether it claims much for it.
self or not, the public have claimed for it a
great deal, and will be disappointed unless it
satisfies its high expectations But who does
not know that the first number of a serial work,
be it newspaper, or magazine, or quarterly,
often falls in merit far short of the succeeding
issues?
But this issue Of the atlantic Monthly will, we
believe, satisfy reasonable people, who remem-
Der the difficulties in the way of getting out q
nonpareil first number. In the style in which
it is Issued, it reminds us of the lauented Put
MANS Monthly, in its palmy days. The col
umns are double on each page, the type is clear
and open, while the paper rivals the snow in
purity. The peagreen of Putnam is exchanged
for more sober lightbrown Thus much for
the apparel of the Atlantic Monthly.
The more prominent prose articles we will
mention. The leading article, and one of the
best in the number, is entitled Douglas Jer-
rold." 1t was written by an intimate friend of
the deceased subject, and is at the same time
sketch of the life Of Mr.. Jerrold, and crit.
clsm of his works It is finely written, and
worthy to lead off in the new magazine.
Florentine Mosaics" is an article interesting
to artists, scholars, and all lovers Of the fine
arts. The same may be said Of "The Man
chester Exhibition" A story, by the name of
"Sally Parsons's Duty" is in the popular vein,
and is q sketch Of life in Revolutionary times.
The best story, to our thinking, in.the number.
: -
is that entitled "Pendlam q Modern Reform
er." 1t is a vivid, rscy, and original sketch,
and carries a frst-rate moral with it. Or,
rather, it abounds with wholesome truths.
" Pendlam is q man without ballast, who turns
retormer, and from an orthodox clergyman be-
comes wild spirituslist and Fourierite, and
finally brings up at last in the Romisb Church
The history Of his life is told with great power.
An able, solid article upon British Iadia "
follows, which is peculiarly appropriate at this
time. " Akin by Marriage" is a tobe-contin-
ued story, and opens well. The last article is
" The Financial Furry" OF course, it ire ats
upon the distressing revulson among business
men. 1t touches lightly upon it, however 1t
does not descend to profound argument upon
the subject, and it will neither offend believers
in shin.plaster currency, or hard.money I'd.
vocates.
1t will be observed, that there is nothing in
this number to show the position of the new
magazine upon political subjects Yet we learn,
from the prospectus, that it will hold opinions
upon these questions, and express them fear.
lessly.
The poetry of this number is not remarkable.
There are two or three fine pieces, hut nothing
which we might naturally expect in a specimen
initial number, which adverises Longfellow
Whittier, Bryant, Emerson and Lowell, among
its contributors This will be rectifed, we pre-.
sumo, in future numbers
The editorial department is also little def
Gent. This corner should be- in a frst.class
magazine, the most interesting and able portion
OF the whole. Ia some, it is We recollect at this
moment the ChriStian Examiner, of Boston,
and the Westminster Reoie'c, as examples.
Unquestionably, this department will improve
with age.
Upon the whole, then, we commend the IL
tantic Monthly to our readers. 1t occupies a
position peculiarly its own. Il runs no race
with any established serials. 1t has no iustra-
lions, publishes only original matter and will,
we are told by its publishers, treat upon polii.
cal and national subjects on proper occasions.
The matter furnished for its columns will be
from the best authors and writers, both of this
country and Europe. Such magazine is worth
reading, worth sustaining, for its success will
be an honor to the nation. If the United States
cannot support an Independent literary maya
zine without pictures, what commentary will
1t be upon our intelligence So, the Atlantic
Monthly has our best wishes for its success.
Household Words New York: John Jansen, publisher
The November number of this excellent peri
odical has been received. 1t has passed into
new hands-we refer to the repriat-~but is pub.
lished in the old style. The present number
contains the usual variety of good matter One
article bears directly upon the matter in dispute
between Mr.. Dickens and the Edisburgh Re-
oieW, respecting the Circumlocution Office 1t
gives some facts which 60 to prove that the
English Government has in its epploy men
who are utterly unfit for their placer,
" Mrs. Badgery" is humorous sletch, writ
ten to ridicule over-done sentimental SIN. The
monthly reprint of this periodical is now so is
sued that the continued story ususIJ occupies
four weekly numbers, is commenced IN each
monthly part, whereas il should beg and end
in each number. ri
The Eclectic Magazine. New York n, n Bidwen
proprietor.
The November number Of this favotite maya
zine lies upon our table. Its general character
our readers are acquainted with. 1t selects
matter from the whole range of European liter
allure, and publishes it on large open page.
In addition, it gives every month fnely-exe.
cuted portrait of some distinguished parsonage.
In this number, we have the portrait of Agnes
Strickland, so widely known and admired for
her gossiping sketches of the Englsh Queens.
If the portrait is good one, we cannot but
think what pity it is that she is an "od maid 1"
Such sweet and wholesome-looking face should
certainly have made some lover wild-some
household happy. The latter may have been
the case as it is.
This number Of the Eclectic contains variety
of excellent articles. The leading one is emit.
tied Philosophy, Old and New-Ancient and
Modern" 1t is profound treatise upon very
interesting subject. The articles which follow
are, with two or three exceptions, brief and
sketchy. Several capital stories are published
in this number, one Of them, " A Queens Re-