AustLit

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'.