The Modern British Periodical

Historical and Scientific Magazines.

The revolt of the 'eighties and 'nineties, as we have termed this next period, though not quite accurate when one comes to examine details, is sig nificant of this period when historian, antiquarian and scientist first became aware that the ordinary periodical did not meet their requirements. A glance at the dates when the principal historical and other scientific magazines were founded will bring conviction to those who would be inclined to question this con tention. A few samples are sufficient to show the tendency.

The English Historical Review began in 1886, the Classical Review in 1887, the Church Quarterly Review in 1875, the Asiatic Quarterly in 1886 (since 1914 called the Asiatic Review), the Law Quarterly in 1885, the Magazine of Art in 1878, and the IVestern Antiquary in 1883. Hibbert Journal (1902) is theological and philosophical.

The Coming of Illustrations.

The late 19th century is notable for the first magazine that made illustrations a distinct feature. Many had already inserted full-page illustrations and woodcuts in the 'sixties, but none of these approached to what we now accept as an illustrated magazine. The English Illustrated Magazine (1884) may perhaps be considered the parent of illus trated periodicals, though no doubt the bibliographer would name an earlier one. The continually changing attitude of the public is clearly shown by George Augustus Sala, who had stated in Temple Bar (1861) that, with due regard to the interests of his readers, he preferred to give them sixteen extra pages of print rather than an illustration or two.

The journalism of our own day was quick to take the suggestion thus received. Popularisation is its keynote. Innumerable pub lishers adopted the view of Sir George Newnes that a magazine should give "wholesome and harmless entertainment to crowds of hard-working people craving for a little fun and amusement," and should provide the public with light literature and a large supply of illustration to please the senses. The failure of Mr. W. T. Stead to see eye to eye with Sir George Newnes when the Review of Reviews was brought out resulted in the issue of the Strand Magazine in 1891. The design of that magazine was that it should "contain stories and articles by the best British writers and special translations of the chief foreign authors." Its policy was "to change individual features as soon as there were signs that the public were tired of them." No limit was to be put to illustration. It was a bold move, and even the publishers felt that they were embarking "upon the wildest extravagance in furnishing no fewer than a hundred and ten illustrations in a single number." It must be remembered that this was before

the general adoption of process engraving, and that woodcuts were still in use. The success which followed was phenomenal. Though fiction predominated, many articles of a scientific nature, comprehensible to the lay mind, were printed. One notable ex ample deserves mention, namely, the contribution of Professor Langley on his own aeroplane with a picture of its flight, which may be said to be the first representation of the working of an aerial machine. The periodical market is now crowded to re pletion with magazines of this kind of very varying merit and popularity.

Art Journals.

The number of journals on Art is legion in every country; they do not properly come into the scope of this article but mention may be made of the principal ones in Eng land, the Studio (1893), the Connoisseur (19oi), the Burlington Magazine (1903), Apollo (1925) and Art Work (1924).

Canada.

Canada naturally did not show the same literary activity in the i8th century as the mother country, but the stand ard to which it has attained gives it precedence among British self governing dominions. The first monthly in Eastern Canada, or Nova Scotia as it was called, was The Nova Scotia Magazine (1789-92), and in Canada proper The Canadian Magazine (Que bec, 1823-25). In addition to these there were the bilingual Quebec Magazine (1791-93), a quarterly; arid several others en tirely in French, L'Abeille canadienne (1818) ; La Bibliotheque canadienne (1825-3o), continued as L'Observateur (183o-31) ; and the Magasin du Bas-Canada (1832). The Literary Garland had a longer life (1838-5o) than most of those that preceded and was for some time the only English magazine published in Canada.

A series of interesting French-Canadian reviews followed; the foremost La Revue canadienne (1864) contained the best writing of contemporary French-Canadian men of letters. A short-lived serial The Bystander (188o-83) was edited by Goldwin Smith. The quite modern publications are The Queen's Quarterly (1893), the organ of the Queen's University, Kingston, Ont.; The Cana dian Forum (1920) ; The Dalhousie Review (1921). Mention should also be made of the University Magazine, the organ of McGill University, now no longer issued; and Le Canada Fran cais (1888), published by the Universite Laval de Quebec.