Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-11-30
OUR MAGAZINES.
The Dead and Living Observation-Disclosures,
Scribner's, the Atlantic, and others
Their Antecedents and Success The
Manuscript Murket-InterestinE Gossip.


Manuscript Murket-Inierestins Gossip.
New York Cor. Chicago Tribune.
Twenty years ago our monthlies were
in no wise creditable, being tawdry,
fimsy, cheap, mixture of frontier au-
thorship, diluted sentiment, and weak
imitation. Those were the days when
Graham's, Peterson's and Godey'S Lady'S
Book purported to represent the talent
and the taste of the writing and reading
community. They were once found at
all the booksellers on every private
library-table; and, strange enough,
were thought to have merit. They were
born OF Philadelphia, and, saving, Ora
ham's, still exist,-even flourish in a
mildly-inane way. Their reputation,
however, is extinct, except among
school girls and rustic milliners, who
enjoy the feeble pages as children enjoy
molasses and water.
The one magazine in this city and
country deserving of esteem was the
hnickcrJockcr. 1t had merit equal to its
fame, and, thsh Oh we should not regard
it highly now, its literary qualities and
tone were in advance of its time.
Begun in 1882, by Charles Fenno Hotf,
man, WHO subsequently became insane,
and is still, think, an inmate of a
lunatic asylum, it passed into the hands
of the Rev. Timothy Flint, and, soon
after, into those of Louis Gaylord Clark,
almost forgotten now, though still sur
wing in one Of the dreary departments
of the Custom House.
Another monthly, deceased, revived,
and dead again, which merited better
fate was Putnam'S. In the first stage OF
its existence, 1t was remarkably able ;
Parke Goodwin, George William Curtis,
and Charles F. Briggs being its editors,
and many of the very best writers OF
the day among its contributors. Com
menced in 1852, the magazine virtually
expired in SO, and, some twelve years
after, reappeared, only to continue, in a
teehler life than it had formerly known,
until 1870.
The oldest of the established and
prosperous monthlies is HGper'S: now
III its twentythird year, and, for that
reason, perhaps called New by its pub
fishers. 1t was hazardous experiment
after the failure of so many magazines
that had set out with much promise
and high expectations but the capital,
facilities, and connections of Harper a
Brothers were so ample that they had
faith in its success. Their confidence
was justified. The monthly paid almost
from the start, and its circulation has
steadily increased, until it is at present
nearly 100000, giving it not far from
100000 readers.
Henry j. Raymond was its first editor,
and continued to be for some years after
founding the New York Times. The
early issues were largely made up Of
selections from English sources, and the
illustrations altogether inferior to what
they have since become. The improve
ment in literary and artistic tone has
been marked and regular, and it has
long been recognized as the model of a
popular magazine. OF late years its
contributions have been either original
or from the advauce.sheets of British
authors while its illustrations have
been carefully, correctly, and conscien-
tiously made by q corps of artists and
engravers connected with the house.
The Harpers expend $4,000 or 100000
year in procuring literary and artistic
matter for their monthly, and usually
have on hand some $4,000 worth of
manuscripts and illustrations. They
pay for these on acceptance, being the
first house in the country which estab-
lished this rule,-the only just one to
authors and artists. The rate generally
allowed to writer's is $40 per page ,00O
words), though it is sometimes more,
and not infrequently less; while for
drawings the figure varies from $40 to
800, according to subject and quality.
The regular artists are engaged at week
siders can, from the nature of the Cir
cumstances, be furnished to the maya,
zine
The number of manuscripts accepted
and awaiting publication averages, in
dependent of serials, about 2OO-enough
to support the magazine for nearly two
years in advance The proportion of
accepted to rejected manuscripts, as |
have learned by careful inquiry, is as
one to thirteen, which certainly is not
encouraging to novices in ink, or to
those ambitious of earning fame and
fortune by their pen. The articles re-
ceived average from 25 to 80 a day
generally about $50 per week-from
every IJel VI Tic COuutlNY anu llOlll VII
ferent cities Of Europe.
One person is actively employed in
merely taking charge of the manuscripts
ottered--entering them, with title, name
of author, date of receipt, return, or
acceptance, in volume kept for the
purpose, and corresponding with the
numerous approved and rejected con-
tributors. One has only to run over the
pages Of this volume to be convinced of
the uncertainty and precariousness of
the literary profession.
HUper's is the sole monthly in the
Republic, except the Overland, that does
not print names of authors with their
articles. Some names it prints, and
othefs-the great majority, indeed-it
onlits; the publishers exercising the
right to follow their inclination in this
regard.
The Atlantic, nearly fifteen years old
now, stands at the head of nonthlies in
respect to pure literature and the stand
ing of its contributors.
The circulation of the magazine is
about $4,000, though over $4,000 is
cl lined. The highest rate paid for
contributions is $3.50 each, and this to
not more than half dozen writers,
such as Holmes, Emerson, and Lowell ;
and the best general rate is $40 per
page of $50 words. Of the manuscripts
offered, not more than one in sixteen is
accepted, and the number received is
1 IA