The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 18, No. 107, September, 1866 / A Magazine of Literature, Science, Art, and Politics

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

23743

Title

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 18, No. 107, September, 1866 / A Magazine of Literature, Science, Art, and Politics

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This September 1866 issue of The Atlantic Monthly presents a diverse collection of literature, science, and politics. Features include the poignant story of a soldier's family, humorous essays on public fame, lyrical poetry about nature, and critical reviews of contemporary novels and scientific works, offering a rich snapshot of mid-19th-century American culture.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in September 1866, Volume 18, No. 107 of The Atlantic Monthly presents a poignant exploration of the Civil War's human toll alongside a vibrant landscape of contemporary literature and science. The issue opens with the narrative 'The Surgeon's Assistant,' a story set in the fictional town of Dalton that starkly illustrates the devastation wrought on families by the conflict. The plot follows Nancy Elkins, a gentle woman transformed into a hardened figure by poverty and social stigma after her husband, Ezra Cramer, enlists. While Ezra is away, he rises in rank, yet remains separated from his family. The narrative culminates in a tender moment where a young girl, Jenny, aided by a blacksmith, writes a letter to her promoted father, symbolizing enduring hope and connection despite the war's disruptions. The volume also features an essay by Dionysius Green titled 'The Voice,' which offers a candid reflection on the burdens of fame. Green describes the exhaustion of public speaking and the intrusive nature of a curious public that dissects an author's personal life, turning the writer into a 'Distinguished Character' whose every move is scrutinized. In a shift of tone, the poem 'The Bobolinks' provides a lyrical celebration of nature, capturing the joy and freedom of birds in the meadows. The issue further includes critical reviews of Charles Dickens' 'Griffith Gaunt,' where the reviewer critiques the novel's reliance on plot mechanics over character development, and Colonel Harry Gilmore's 'Four Years in the Saddle.' Gilmore's memoir is portrayed as a dashing but controversial account of a soldier who exhibits traits of a romantic hero, engaging in wild exploits and displaying a lack of remorse for his actions against Union forces. Finally, the volume concludes with a comprehensive list of recent American publications, covering diverse subjects from zoology and history to theology and literature, offering readers a snapshot of the intellectual and cultural landscape of the era.

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4.2/5

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• Periodicals