The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 15, No. 87, January, 1865 / A Magazine of Literature, Art, and Politics

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Gutenberg ID

26047

Title

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 15, No. 87, January, 1865 / A Magazine of Literature, Art, and Politics

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A January 1865 issue of *The Atlantic Monthly* featuring diverse essays, poetry, and reviews. Highlights include Nathaniel Hawthorne's *Another Scene from the Dolliver Romance*, T.W. Higginson's Civil War journal, and profiles of George Cruikshank and Felix Mendelssohn, offering a rich tapestry of literature, art, and politics.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in January 1865, Volume 15, No. 87 of *The Atlantic Monthly* presents a vibrant convergence of literary artistry and urgent political commentary, capturing the intellectual and moral currents of the Civil War era. The issue opens with Nathaniel Hawthorne's *Another Scene from the Dolliver Romance*, introducing Edward Dolliver, a gifted apothecary who inherits a legacy of scientific curiosity from his master, Dr. Swinnerton. Dolliver experiments with mysterious herbs left by Swinnerton, blending family tradition with a daring, almost reckless scientific spirit that challenges conventional medical practices of the day. His narrative explores the tension between established authority and innovative discovery, set against the backdrop of a New England household where the line between superstition and science blurs. T.W. Higginson's *Leaves from an Officer's Journal* offers a candid, humanizing account of life at Camp Saxton near Beaufort, South Carolina. Higginson details the discipline, spiritual awakening, and profound humanity of formerly enslaved soldiers. He argues that when treated with justice and firm kindness, these men exhibit remarkable fidelity and self-respect, capable of rigorous military drill and deep moral commitment. The journal highlights the contrast between the harsh realities of war and the unexpected dignity of the freedmen, noting their ability to stand guard with conscientious devotion and their capacity for honor even in the face of extreme hardship. The text also touches on the spiritual dimensions of their experience, describing funeral rites and the men's simple, heartfelt responses to the President's Emancipation Proclamation. George Cruikshank contributes a memoir reflecting on his artistic career and travels, including a humorous anecdote about a book he temporarily took from a library in Mexico. The issue also features a review of Felix Mendelssohn's letters, portraying the composer as a man of profound character, artistic integrity, and unswerving devotion to his purpose. Mendelssohn is depicted as gentle, modest, and deeply religious, refusing fame unless it came honestly and abhorring the sensuality of the French opera. His life is presented as a rare example of a person blessed with beauty, talent, and a cloudless existence, offering a model of purity and good sense. The volume further enriches its cultural tapestry with poetry by William C. Bryant, Henry W. Longfellow, and John G. Whittier, alongside reviews of contemporary books and essays ranging from the abolition of slavery to the state of European art. Together, these pieces balance personal narrative with broader social commentary, illustrating the era's complex interplay of individual experience and collective history.

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• Periodicals