Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 61, No. 380, June, 1847

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26484

Title

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 61, No. 380, June, 1847

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This 1847 issue of Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine presents a diverse collection of essays, travelogues, and fiction. Highlights include a vivid account of Sir George Simpson's overland journey from North America to Russia, a satirical novella by Prosper Mériméé exploring religious hypocrisy in 16th-century France, and sonnets by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. The volume offers sharp social commentary, historical sketches, and literary criticism.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in June 1847, Volume 61 of Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine presents a diverse collection of intellectual and cultural works. The volume opens with a detailed travelogue by Sir George Simpson, Governor of the Hudson's Bay territories, chronicling his unprecedented overland expedition from the Atlantic to the Pacific and onward to Russia. Simpson describes the treacherous ice fields of Newfoundland, the rapid expansion of American settlements like Nashua, and the challenges of winter travel, including a humorous anecdote involving a confused innkeeper in Canada. The journey continues via canoe down the St. Lawrence River, featuring descriptions of Iroquois voyageurs and the shifting demographics of Montreal, where English industry has quietly displaced the French in commercial sectors. The literary centerpiece is a novella by Prosper Mérimée set in 16th-century France. The narrative follows Bernard de Mergy, a Protestant novice, and his Catholic brother, Captain George. Through scenes in Paris, the story exposes the moral decay and political intrigue of the court of Charles IX. Key figures include the beautiful but haughty Countess de Turgis, the notorious duellist Count de Comminges, and the witty, irreverent Franciscan Father Lubin. The plot builds toward a duel between Mergy and Comminges, driven by a perceived insult regarding a dropped glove. The novella blends historical detail with satire, highlighting the tension between fanaticism and irreligion. Other contributions include sonnets by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, essays on popular superstitions such as divining rods and witchcraft, and sketches of Constantinople and the declining Ottoman Empire. The collection also features reviews, historical anecdotes, and short pieces covering topics from the Mexican War to the state of Ireland. The volume reflects the magazine's commitment to a wide range of intellectual and cultural interests, offering readers a comprehensive view of global affairs, literary innovation, and social commentary of the era.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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