New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-14
THE MAGAZINES.
THEIR WORK AND THEIR TENDENCn

THEIR WORK AND THEIR TENDENCIES.
Ghe two massive volumes which rcp' esent inc i''uo
II Harpers" for the year 1897 as satisfactory eA
.r.s NJ the tst and most ad type or cosmo-
soiean mseszine az could named In looking tnrous
them IL struck by the variety interest Ana
exceience OF the prose matter ana 'ne oohs'"""' ~
,rovins character of the Illustrations The taste thar
could not nnd it, affinity here must DC peculiar Ao0
a. .,aboras illustrated descriptions OF manufactures
and aria equally fully illustrated accounts Oh Foreign
banda cspital shert stories with tendency to"aru
dialect serial novels both domestic ana foreigu careiu
sbstracts OF historical events poetry representing the
Nye,est fancy q somewhat matter-of fact epoch pro-
Auca. various depaI trnents, gossippy. critical,
an .cdotal The genial philosophy 81 the Easy CHAIR;
IN. bright and seldom paradoxcal outputtng OF the
eody the queer odds and ends of the Drawers come to
clo.e the account OF this ysided progressive anu
excellent periodical The Harper policy is as ever 10
offer all the world the mos entertaining sound sn'
instructive table OF contents that judgment genius and
artistic skill compass The extension Of the crcu-
aon through natural develop nent perhaps tends to
broaden literary menu, II there be any room left Tor
such a movement; but the programme for 1883 can
scarcely be better than that OF the presiding
year, eince both 80 satisfactory. or important
works finished nearly finished I'm the two latest
volumes may mention Mr. Blackmore's Spring
haven" Mr.. Howells's April Hopes" Kathleen
O'Mearas Narka" Blanche Willis Towards Tony the
Maid and Mr. Abbsys charming illustrations to Sally
Considerable space given to the Illustration OF
Russian national life In various phases and Russian
literature aud especially fiction was descanted upon oy
Mr. Howells with enthusiasm which time perhaps
may moderate The two numbers thus far ssued IN no
new year show Characteristic appreciation OF current
Tendencies In two lines OF discussion on tho Tarn ana
Socialism
The Centnry" for 1897 largely an historical
magazine The Life OF Lincoln" and the admirable
papers side by side, while new light was thrown
upon both series by side discussions OF special points In
national history and Biographical accounts OF famous
Americans Lincoln and the war we're illustrated with
equal profuseness and ability. SO prodgal collection
of hue portraits OF notable intimately connected
with the and the salvation OF the Republic
never before put within the reach Of every one
The military an historical were the distinguishing
features OF The Century throughout the year. but
plenty space nevertheless given TO lighter topcs
Action was well represented. science was popuarzed
sni the fine arts neglected. Statistical ques
tons dealt with by Mr.. Edward Atkinson In
series OF articles Tho strongest bent or the magazine,
however, usual towart his org and biography,
and IN following these lines 1t displayed indispensable
energy aud enterprise The announcements for 1883
Indicate little change in the general tone We may DC
that The Century will make its pex, new depart
less fruitful and attractive than Its past enter
prsss have been Ia the matter OF Illustration this
magazine shows steady growth though its original
stan lard was high avails itself however, OF every
new process graphic reproduction and encourages
American artists In the most practical ways
The first year OF soribner's Magazine should have
been prosperous II merit Is any gauge OF success
Tue new competitor for public favor stepped fully
equipped into the and has proceeded strongly ana
steadily from the II attracted and then held atten-
ton bS the Of its special features Beginning
with delightful Thackeray letters, in themselves
alone sufficient to nave foated weaker periodical the
interest was maintained by ex-Minster Washburne's
graphic sketches of life in Paris during the Siege and the
Commune AM also by the Mentessohn letters aud
several important illustrated articles such as Mr. Blash
Ield's ManatArms" Tho short stories are gOOt the
rc-,is published seriay have we do not understand
why, fallen rather below the general standard or excel
lcnce. For the present year this Will probably not oe
the case, Mr. Henry James and Mr.. II. c. Bunner both
being announced contributors of novels or noveettes
The graver papers have been exceptionally gooi,
notably by Mr.. Ropes Professor Shaler and Dr.
Sargent on physical training Much of the art work has
been excellent the rivalry OF magazines Delng greatly
e. the IMMIGRATION and Improvement OF graphic art or
AT branch of II III which America has developed Sd
signal pre- eminence. 1t Is not altogether easy TO
assign "scribncrs" any more than Harpers, par
ten ar mission The aim Of the publishers and editor
may have been the making primarily OF
the general magazine possibe AMI as yet no spec
tally has permitted 10 attain prominence or to give
an obvious basi. the policy of the publication The
p,n incln tel none of the department." which have
become important features In many magazines. The
result is no DOUBT simp1cati0n but we are not at all
sure that the omission OF the departments altogether
was IN the lire o, distinct gain After al though they
sre good deal nf trouble. they serve the purpose OF
creating between the eitor aul his puhc certain
Intimacy AMI sense of special rapport which 1t Is not
possible TO produce by merely punshng the mos' al
nirae collections of essays. stories papers and poems
Tue depart nents give hu personality TO nagazine
AMI snat is also deserving OF consideration they afford
opportunity for tho discussion OF great many little
matters which, while not weighty enough for separate
acle Ale still too generally interesting 10 he ignored
completely. Perhaps scrbners" my eventually mi
" worth while Introduce more departments
The English Illustrated Magazine is what its name
implies; that is to say not American 1t Is publica
on OF bic merit but IL Is poorly printed
pleasantly THU psper Many OF Its illustrations fan Oe
Low the American stan lart but those by Hng6 thomson
are full spirit and .huinor Mr. Crawf'rds careful
study entitled Marzos Crucihx published in this
magazine, also Mrs. CrIiks last WORK. An Unknown
Country" with very good Illustrations by F. Noel
patou There is MT tendency TO did ,ctc ltera-
ture IN The English Illustrated" descriptive travel
being apparently regarded as a staple The humorous
Illus rated poems also feature which the readers OF
>Harper's" have been famarized with by Mr.. Abbey
There is long story Is. L. Ftrson. writer who 10
IN acquired TASTE though TO our thinking not worth the
acquisition.
-The Atlantic Monthly during the last has fully
maintained its reputation the first american maya
OF purely literary aims and lis announcements or
1858 that the high plane will he adhered TO
IN the future The Atlantic mas oeeh so happy III i''
editors as TO preserve through all changes Of manage
ment the nigh intellectual tone which has been It's dis
tuguishing characteristic II is the one American pub
hcaon In which regard for letters the controlling
motive which unaffected by the fever OF haste
and res;lessness with which modern existence n6ames
and denaturalizes almost every enterprise; which
serves the mouthpece Of pure culture unadulteraed
By the aur James, Its read ers love It, and for
the best of reasons They feel that its they
certI TO find calm consideration OF intellectual ques
tions genial and practical philosophy, active regard
for and understanding OF art ripe thought luoidy
embodied upon those subjects concerning which the last
word can never le said Many names equally welcome