Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine - Volume 62, No. 384, October 1847

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25633

Title

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine - Volume 62, No. 384, October 1847

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This 1847 issue of Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine features a critical yet appreciative review of Hans Christian Andersen's works, contrasting early dismissals with a deeper understanding of his genius. It also explores early Christian art symbols and includes the complete story of 'My Friend the Dutchman,' a tale of redemption and fortune.

Summary up to 500 words

October 1847's Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine (Vol. 62, No. 384) presents a diverse collection of essays and fiction, offering a critical yet evolving perspective on Hans Christian Andersen. Initially, the editors critique Andersen's adult fiction, such as *The Improvisatore*, as lacking intellectual depth and resembling undisciplined foreign imports. However, they ultimately praise his children's tales for their natural feeling and truth, arguing that Andersen is a 'poet of childhood' rather than a master of high intellect. The editors use the metaphor of a rustic beauty transformed by fashion to illustrate how uncultivated genius is often misunderstood; just as a village belle loses her charm when dressed in high fashion, Andersen's raw genius is obscured by attempts at sophisticated writing. The issue also features a substantial essay on 'Art in the Early Christian Ages,' which traces the evolution from pagan idols to Christian symbols. The author discusses how persecution shaped early art, leading to the use of symbols like the cross, fish, and dove to express faith without attracting suspicion. The essay notes the transition from allegorical representations to realistic depiction, highlighting how Christianity united religion and history through figures like Christ, unlike the isolated nationalities of pagan antiquity. Finally, the magazine publishes the narrative 'My Friend the Dutchman.' The story follows Van Haubitz, a man who attempts suicide by drowning to escape his determined wife. After surviving the river, he walks to Amsterdam, only to discover his father's will was invalid due to a missing signature, restoring his fortune. He reunites with his wife and her mother, while his wife's daughter marries a count. The story serves as a moral fable about the transformative power of adversity and the enduring nature of love and loyalty, illustrating how Van Haubitz's character was refined by his trials before he could fully appreciate his restored prosperity.

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• History
• Periodicals