Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-10-13
THREE MAGAZINES

! AT this season OF the year. when every
! intelligent family is considering the ques-
ton. which is the best periodical for Us TO
take: the following just and able review
Of the magazine field by the editor of the
New York Erening Aaa. will be read
with great interest:
The recent announcement OF the intcn-
ded ABSORPTION OF Pmndm's Magdsiae in q
new periodical. TO be called Serb rer's
Monthly. makes il proper TO say some.
thing about some Of the present aspects
of our magazine literature. The Oldest.
and on the whole perhaps the best, OF
our monthlies has not been aife cted by
the appearance OF vigorous competitors
for popular favor. Hdrper's had consti-
tuency Of unprecedented extent before the
atlantic or GALAXY was thought OF, and it
has each year enlarged the number OF its
readers. Its great variety OF conteuts is
made possible by its large amount Of read
ing matter, but there has been unsual taste
and knowledge of the popular wants in
making up this variety, while the wealth
Of Illustrations has given to Harper's an
advantage peculiarly its own.
The Atlantic has made q history OF
which its founders may well feel prout
1t has given US some Of the finest speci-
mems extant Of the scholarship, originate
~, rhetoric, logic, and humor OF the
school of literary men whose headquarters
may be located either in Boston or in
Cambridge, indinerent;y. 1t has Crap
pied with living is use in politics and Soc
ial philosophy with vixor and earnestness,
and has contributed the best thought in
New England toward their solution.
Such galaxy Of contributors IS have,
nrst and last, given their intellectual Offer
ings to the Atlantic have seldom been
gathered In support Of any magazine.
Emerson, Holmes, Lowell, Mrs. Stowe,
Motley, Longfellow, Agassiz, Thoreau,
Hawthorne, Parton, and a score of others
whose names are known on both sides OF
the Atlantic, are among the long list.
Many of those whose contributions first
gave its peculiar character to the Atlantic
have latterly written little, or not at all
for the magazine, but its old features re-
main unchanged 10 an extent greater than
might have been expected.
Since the Atlantic reached its highest
fame, new and vigorous rival, an occu-
pant Of a similar aeld, has made its ap-
pearance. and grown with a steadiness
and rapidity which have been really re.
markable. We mean, Of course, the
GALAXY. In the good sense Of the word it
has shown more Of the spirit and enter
prise Of young America" than any other
Of the monthlies. 1t has not refused the
aid Of the old and well known writers, but
It has never hesitated to give its imprint
to articles OF originality and merit from
those who had to make their regulations
through the Gdiaxg. 1t. violated all the
old magazine precedents BY publishing the
names Of contributors, thereby Offering
fresh incentives to young writer's and en-
larging its list Of available" articles, By
absolvng itself from full responsibility
The reform which it thus began its con-
tenporaries have been forced, one by one,
to adopt In one way or another.
Its editors have also shown their enter
prise in procuring articles on fresh and
timely topics. The Galazy has thus had
somssAias sffhe hEeaA "A svely interest
OF TIE newspaper. Lately it has brought