The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-12-24
Harper's Magazine.


class. We find the following sketch OF
Harper in late number of the Philadel
phia Press, which, as a matter of literary
interest we transfer to the columns of TIL
Wing. The magazine is published by
Harper & Bro, New York, at 81 year:
The first number was published, without
any of the usual flourish of trumpets, on
the first of June, 1850. 1t contained 144
pages, royal Svo, in the same clear type
still used. For long time past there are
100 pages, so that each number "contains
from fifty to one hundred per cent. more
than a single number of any other monthly
periodical, its contents being equal to those
of a volume of Macaulay's History of Eng
land" At first there were 1854 pages in
each volume-there now are 9G0. The
original design was to Gull the choicest
treasures of the periodical literature of the
time, but this was soon abandoned, and
the magazine has long been, not merely
eclectic but original. In the January
number, just received, every line is new.
In the first number, (Which gave to Ameri-
can readers Dickens charming poem in
prose, GA Child's Dream of Star ", the
only original portions were the Monthly
Record of Current Events, two pages OF
book notices, short sketches to accompany
bust portraits of Allison, Macaulay, and
Prescott, and few pages, with engravings,
about the early summer fashions. The
three bust-portraits and five wood-cuts OF
fashions were the sole illustrations. In
the January number, there are sirty-nine
engravings-one series, of eighteen, illus
trating the works of Dickens in most
effective, truthful, and poetical manner.
Harper's Magazine is edited on system
with the greatest care. The articles in
any number are not pitchforked together
as SO many bundles of mental fodder, but
are selected with consummate taste and
ability from the large number Of manu-,
ccripts which the thoughtful liberality OF
the proprietors place at the disposal of the
managing editor, for it is one of the excel
lent rules of the editorial department that
an article offered for publication is paid
for Immediately on acceptance, and then OF
course it is at the option of the editor
when it shall appear. Another of the rules
in this department is worthy of notice.
Every manuscript and letter referring to
the editorial work is handed Immediately
on receipt to the gentleman acting as assis-
tant to the editors, who keeps strict
register Of every scrap of paper, noting the
date of receipt, the name and address Of
writer, and its fate, with date of reply,
acceptance or rejection. The result of this
regard for the convenience and interests OF
writers, and the wants of the readers, is
apparent in single glance at the Index tc
the forty volumes which the publishers
issued last summer. To employ the words
of the preface to the useful work, at is a
perfect cyclopGdia of travel, discovery, and
adventure" There is scarcely one name
of a writer of any note, English or Ameri-
can, which may not be found in this Index,
as contributing to the pages of this monu.
ment of American enterprise.
What reader of the magazine does not
look back with pleasure to the half hour
spent with the Easy Chair? Indeed, much
pressure has been brought to bear upon
the publishers to issue these essays-the
most perfect, it may be said, since the days
of the Spectator-in book form, but they
have resisted all such appeals, having
determined that the patrons and readers OF
Harper's shall have the exclusive benefit Of
these productions from the pen of Mr.. G.
w. Curtis, one of the most accomplished
and elegant writers of the age. The
Editors Drawer, literally crowded with
wit and wisdom, is the repertoire from
which half the country journals Throughout
the Union draw the facetia which amuse
their readers, and this department now i:
at least as affluent and racy as it has beer
at any time since its commencement in the
autumn of 1851.
The present actual circulation is 100, 00(
copies per month, or 1, $50, 900 per annum
Each number weighs half pound-tota
paper for months issue, $4,000 pounds
or 32t tons. Each number contains about
165, 900 words. There are four illustrated
sheets, or Ga pages to each number, which
having to be printed with great care
involve considerable expense, additional tt
the average cost of engravings which ma,
be placed at $3.50 per number, and the
payment for the literary work, outside o
the editorial staff, is about s., 900 month
In Volume l., Juue to November, 1850
there were (not including fashions, long
since dispensed with forty eight engravings
but in Volume Kill, June to November
1870, there are two hundred and sirty-tpo
The volumes of the magazine begin will
the numbers for June and December il
each year. The first volume of what il
virtually new series, was begun in las
June.