AustLit

'My object in publishing this Monthly Magazine is to furnish authoritative, interesting and informative articles on all manly health-giving pastimes.' Manliness was the core concern of the magazine, praising two black boxers as 'chivalrous and manly fellows, regardless of creed or color' and exhorting readers to 'Stand erect. Be a man. Maybe you are a woman, but be a man anyhow. Don't slouch.' A wide variety of sports was covered: swimming, diving, yachting, surfing, tennis, shooting, polo, sculling, rugby, roller skating, Jiu-Jitsu, and, most particularly, boxing. Annette Kellerman addressed women's fitness, and Dr Arthur MLA wrote abour eugenics. Natural living, sensible diet, and exercises to regulate posture were discussed extensively. Baker had a strong affinity with the international physical culturists and promoters Bernarr Macfadden and Eugen Sandow.

Baker left the magazine in the care of Mr E.J. O'Dowd for six months in early 1914, while he himself travelled to the United States and Europe. He declared, 'I am glad to be back again' in the June issue, but with the declaration of war in August, his manly audience dissipated and the magazine closed.