Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXX, No. 5, May 1847

In Short

This volume of Graham’s Magazine functions as a historical artifact, preserving a diverse array of contemporary fiction, poetry, and critical commentary from May 1847. It captures the era's preoccupation with Revolutionary history, sentimental tragedy, and the burgeoning American identity, while also providing a rare window into the lighter social sketches of the time. By assembling these disparate voices—from tales of the American Revolution to critiques of Napoleon—the magazine remains a vital record of the intellectual and entertainment life that captivated readers in the years leading up to the Civil War.

The Story

The narrative content of this issue is sprawling, defined by several distinct threads that reflect the diverse editorial interests of the period. We open with a historical tale set in 1776, centering on the American Revolution. Here, the focus shifts between the political fervor of Paris—where citizens champion the American cause—and the tactical maneuvers of General Washington in New Jersey. The young officer Gansevoort emerges as a focal point, having secured a commission through the influence of Benjamin Franklin. His military success and subsequent command of a fort draw in foreign allies and political intrigue, setting the stage for a conflict that balances the gravity of war with the personal stakes of the soldiers involved.

Contrasting this martial theme is the poignant, often gothic, tragedy of "Margaret’s Well." Margaret, a young woman of profound beauty and sensitivity, finds herself caught in a desperate struggle against her father’s rigid authority. He is determined to force her into a marriage with the detestable Sir Andrew Acton, viewing the union as a duty despite his daughter’s clear physical and mental decline. As the wedding day approaches, Margaret’s desperation manifests in a series of nocturnal pilgrimages to a forest spring. Her health fails, she becomes haunted by visions of her deceased mother, and she attempts to defy her father’s will through symbolic acts, such as the destruction of her wedding ring. The tale moves inexorably toward a dark conclusion, as Margaret’s resistance leads her toward a tragic, ghost-like fate that leaves her father’s household in despair.

The tone shifts abruptly with "The Irish Match-Maker," a lighthearted, colloquial sketch set in the west of Ireland. This narrative relies on wit and local dialect to explore the social maneuvering surrounding marriage and hospitality. A character named Mehicle O’Kelopauthrick acts as a fixer, using his cleverness to manipulate the social dynamics of a stingy farmer’s household. The piece concludes with a moral warning: while hospitality is a virtue, one must be cautious of the clever guest who might turn the tables on his host.

Finally, the magazine intersperses these stories with shorter, reflective works. There are poetic meditations on the passage of time, the hardships faced by early settlers in the Genesee valley, and the innocence of youth versus the corruption of age. A dream-narrative provides a humorous, slightly surreal look at the anxieties of a "lone woman" navigating the chaotic urban environment of a modern city, while the "Review of New Books" section offers sharp, opinionated commentary on contemporary biographies of Napoleon, reflecting the critical rigor of the mid-19th-century literary scene.

How It Unfolds

The patriotic horizon The issue begins by situating the reader within the international context of the American Revolution, contrasting the enthusiasm of the French public with the tactical realities of the New Jersey campaign.

The shadow of duty The focus shifts to the domestic sphere, where Margaret’s tragic resistance against a forced marriage serves as a dark counterpoint to the broader military themes.

The shift to the vernacular The narrative tone lightens through an Irish sketch, which uses local humor and dialogue to explore social dynamics rather than historical or romantic tragedy.

The final reflection The volume concludes by broadening its scope to include contemporary poetry and critical reviews, providing a final assessment of the intellectual landscape that the authors of the time inhabited.

The People

Edmund Gansevoort represents the archetype of the ambitious, honorable young officer, whose rise is fueled by the political necessities of the Continental Army and his own undeniable skill. He is contrasted with the Count De Zeng, a foreign ally whose presence highlights the complex tensions regarding military leadership during the war.

Margaret is the tragic heroine, defined by her beauty and an inner intensity that borders on the ethereal. She wants only to escape a loveless marriage, yet she is thwarted by her father, Sir Hugh. Sir Hugh is a man of "decisive, energetic obstinacy," whose love for his daughter is inextricably linked to his rigid sense of propriety and duty. His failure to recognize his daughter’s suffering until it is too late serves as the primary conflict of her story.

Mehicle O’Kelopauthrick stands as a trickster figure, a man who relies on his wits and social dexterity to thrive in the rural environment of the west of Ireland. He is the master of the "hobble," finding humor and profit in the social rituals of his community.

In the lighter sketches, characters like the aunt in the sea-side tale offer a comedic foil; she is a well-meaning but confused woman whose misunderstandings of nautical terms and modern science create a sense of grounded, domestic levity that balances the heavier themes of the longer narratives.

In Its Own Voice

“The world-renowned city of Paris, always gay, was, perhaps, never more so than in the autumn of the year 1776.”

This sentence introduces the international atmosphere surrounding the American struggle for independence at the beginning of the magazine.

“She was as beautiful a girl, of some eighteen or nineteen years, as ever gladdened the eye of man.”

This description highlights the intense, almost idealized aesthetic standard applied to the heroine, Margaret, as she is introduced in her tale.

“Love is the devil! An angel of light—madness—gladness!”

This exclamation captures the spirited and whimsical nature of the salon-style conversation among the young people in one of the issue's lighter social sketches.

What It's Really About

The central tension throughout the volume is between the individual will and the constraints of external systems—whether those systems are the battlefield, the rigid hierarchies of the family, or the social expectations of marriage. The authors grapple with how to define one's own destiny in a world where forces like war, history, and parental duty dictate one’s path. There is a deep, persistent questioning of the nature of "love" and "loyalty," testing whether these virtues are truly inherent or merely constructs of the society the characters inhabit. Ultimately, the magazine probes the instability of the era, reflecting a culture that is simultaneously looking back at the foundation of its independence and struggling to define the modern, often bewildering, social world it has subsequently built.

Why Read It Today

Reading this magazine feels like stepping into a Victorian parlor where the conversation shifts rapidly from the trenches of the American Revolution to the romantic anxieties of a young woman, and finally to the punchline of an Irish folk joke. It is a dense, varied experience that demands a reader’s patience with the flowery, often long-winded prose typical of the 1840s. You will encounter archaic spellings, a heavy reliance on sentimentality, and a period-specific social vocabulary that can feel distant to a modern ear.

However, the reward is an unvarnished look at what "literary entertainment" meant for a 19th-century audience. The poetry is deeply earnest, the criticism is biting and unapologetic, and the fiction reflects a world where the line between tragedy and morality was often blurred. You should read this if you are a student of history or a fan of the atmospheric, gothic sensibilities that underpinned the literature of the time. It is a challenging but uniquely rewarding glimpse into the collective consciousness of a generation that was actively trying to understand its place in the world through storytelling. What stays with you is the sheer variety of the voices, each trying to make sense of life’s "dizziness" in their own way.