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Issue Details: First known date: 1855... 1855 The Melbourne Monthly Magazine of Original Colonial Literature
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

In its opening address to readers, the Melbourne Monthly Magazine of Original Colonial Literature declares its purpose to be the reproduction of 'the first-class magazine literature of London, the class of which Blackwood may be considered the type. This has hitherto, as far as we are aware, been unattempted in Victoria.' (1.1 (May 185): 3-4) A brief comment on the magazine's first issue in the Melbourne Argus indicates the aspiration to be like Blackwood's Magazine may have been successful. The newspaper said: 'It is got up exceedingly well, and, in having double columns, and costing half a crownn, is very like Blackwood.' (Argus, (4 May 1855): 5)

Lurline Stuart, in James Smith: The Making of a Colonial Culture (1989),writes that the promotors of the Melbourne Monthly Magazine of Original Colonial Literature believed their journal would fill a gap in Melbourne literary offerings. However, 'its appeal was confined to educated colonists like themselves, of whom there were still to few to uphold for long the multiple roles required in production and support' (p.85). The journal lasted for only seven issues.

Contributors to the the Melbourne Monthly Magazine of Original Colonial Literature included James Smith (under his own name and under the initials J. S.), R. H. Horne and Sir William a'Beckett (again, under his own name as well as the initials B. A. W.). The content included travel writing (describing visits to Europe), short philosophical dramas, poetry and short stories. (The latter included serialised tales that were left incomplete with the journal's demise.) The magazine also covered Australian natural and social history, finance, meteorology and science. Melbourne busisnesses took out advertisements in the Melbourne Monthly Magazine of Original Colonial Literature pages. Advertisers ranged from insurance agencies, banks and bookbinders to horticulturalists, drapers and undertakers.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 1855

Works about this Work

Review 1855 single work review
— Appears in: Launceston Examiner , 14 July 1855; (p. 2)

— Review of The Melbourne Monthly Magazine of Original Colonial Literature 1855 periodical (7 issues)
Salutation to an Old Friend 1855 single work column
— Appears in: The Melbourne Monthly Magazine of Original Colonial Literature , May vol. 1 no. 1 1855; (p. 3-4)

In its opening address to readers, the Melbourne Monthly Magazine of Original Colonial Literature declares its purpose as being the reproduction of 'the first-class magazine literature of London, the class of which Blackwood may be considered the type. This has hitherto, as far as we are aware, been unattempted in Victoria.'

The writer notes the existence in Melbourne of several daily newspapers, 'all conducted with a certain amount of ability and spirit', but offers the opinion that 'colonial journalism can scarcely cliam a standing in the literary world'. In contrast to the newspapers, 'the Melbourne Monthly Magazine will partake more of the character of a purely literary than of a political journal'.

Review 1855 single work review
— Appears in: Launceston Examiner , 14 July 1855; (p. 2)

— Review of The Melbourne Monthly Magazine of Original Colonial Literature 1855 periodical (7 issues)
Salutation to an Old Friend 1855 single work column
— Appears in: The Melbourne Monthly Magazine of Original Colonial Literature , May vol. 1 no. 1 1855; (p. 3-4)

In its opening address to readers, the Melbourne Monthly Magazine of Original Colonial Literature declares its purpose as being the reproduction of 'the first-class magazine literature of London, the class of which Blackwood may be considered the type. This has hitherto, as far as we are aware, been unattempted in Victoria.'

The writer notes the existence in Melbourne of several daily newspapers, 'all conducted with a certain amount of ability and spirit', but offers the opinion that 'colonial journalism can scarcely cliam a standing in the literary world'. In contrast to the newspapers, 'the Melbourne Monthly Magazine will partake more of the character of a purely literary than of a political journal'.

PeriodicalNewspaper Details

Frequency:
Monthly.
Range:
No. 1 (May 1855) - no. 7 (November 1855).
Indexes:
Index available with bound issues.
Size:
approx. 20cm.
Price:
Six shillings per quarter.

Has serialised

A Wedding Tour in Italy, James Smith , single work prose travel
A descpription of a journey through France, Switzerland and Italy.
My Second Tour, William a'Beckett , single work prose travel
William a'Beckett reflects on his visit to the city of London, after an absence of eighteen years, and draws comparisons with Melbourne. He then describes his travels through England, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.
The Adventures of George Temple, the Gold-Seeker, Vox (fl. 1855) , single work short story
Autobiography of an Australian Flea, Vox (fl. 1855) , single work short story
Last amended 18 Apr 2012 15:30:18
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