St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-10-05
A PLEA FOR THE MAGAZINE CLUB.

With the advent OF the railway
and the steamship the modern mag
azine became possible. The iron
tiers of nations proved but frail bar
riers for our quests, for after all
that can be said, human interests
are cosmopolitan. Mutual interests
created new wants, and among them
the need of larger field for the en-
ployment of our sympathies and Tor
the extension ofthe bounds of knowl-
edge, assumed Importance. The
magazine found form and friends.
Its growth has been as surprising as
itsinhuence remarkable. 1t responds
to latent but genuine human i'm
pulse. 1t holds a unique position in
the affections ofthe American people,
and rivals the weekly newspaper in
carrying messages to weary and
care worn souls. In many house
holds it is even now an imperative
necessity. An air of exuberant con-
tentment exists wherever the maya
zine has found permanent entrance.
In no other way is so much provid-
ed at so little expense. For the
fraction of cent per diem, contin-
ued for a year in any wisely served
magazine club, the reader may make
his choice from many thousands of
pages spat king with wit and story.
Our well-born inclination to levy
upon the whole world for our stores
of knowledge finds renewed stimu-
lus from the narratives of unkno wn
friends. Would we learn more of the
nations beyond the seas, straight
way the magazines bring to our own
6resides pictures from the daily life
of the people, and glimpses of the
architectural splendors of the old
world. The quick perceptions of
travellers afford us charming Wis
ions of the luxuriant growths of the
tropics and the little known soil
tudes of the frozen zone. BY the en-
terprise ofsome pruprietors, we have
this year seen the glories ofthe Colum-
bian Exposition brought to our
homes. The columns of every well
appointed magazine reflect the va
ried activities of the whole world.
They abound in high class descrip-
tons from every cline. The islands
of the sea, the archaeological excava-
tions on the sites of buried cities
the savage races Of Africa, the ap.
paliug wretchedness found today in
many lands, and the unequal condi
tions which prevail in Russia and
Siberia and the tickle governments O
South America, all provide materia
for the tireless and busy workers or
the magazine.
The mechanism of the club is very
simple. At an annual meeting let 6
committee, say of three, be appointed
to manage affairs. Elect your mag
azines mainly from the illustrated
class; for thereby you may offe,
hours of pleasure to those who hav,
0 little time for the text. Remember
that pictures have language al
their own, and serve a unique pur
pose in charging the boundaries O
human knowledge. Best of all med
iums for this object, they are wis
provision for teaching the forms q
things, andin a certain sense are a
universal language.
Good friends of the New Englan
village, enliven the genial warmt
of your winter firesides with cheer
full tales from the magazines
Framed in the splendors of Twin
speech, bring before yourselves tn
brave deeds and gentle manners {
loyal men and women of this niue
wronged but purposeful worlt
Monarchs are no better served tina
you, at this soross of fine soul
They also are delighted readers
that which you may have, almo
for the asking. No Arthur at h
Table Round ever sat with goo
lier company ofchosen knights, Tor,
and ladies, than you shall find fro
month to month, within the pag
that come to you from your ov
well-founded Magazine Club.
S. o. TODD.