Harper's Round Table, September 3, 1895

In Short

This periodical serves as a vibrant, multi-faceted time capsule of 1895, capturing the educational and recreational spirit of the era. Through a blend of serialized naval fiction, practical advice on photography and sailing, social columns, and lighthearted verse, it reflects the intellectual and moral standards of its day. Whether it is detailing the technical horrors of a future naval battle, offering tips on embroidery for home-made gifts, or fostering a sense of philanthropy through its "Order" of readers, the publication remains a deeply evocative portrait of childhood at the close of the nineteenth century.

The Story

The narrative scope of this issue is vast, anchored by a harrowing piece of military fiction centered on the U.S.S. Kearsarge. As the ship patrols the British coast, the crew prepares for a confrontation with an enemy vessel of equal, terrifying power. The Captain addresses his men with sobering gravity, emphasizing that their survival depends entirely on their individual nerve and the "lucky shot" that might turn the tide. The ensuing battle is depicted with jarring modernity; as the ships circle like "mighty birds of prey," the crew is not only pummeled by steel shells but also incapacitated by "skulonite," a poisonous gas released by the explosions. The encounter concludes with a desperate, claustrophobic retreat into a fog-bank, leaving the ship crippled but temporarily obscured from the enemy’s sight.

Parallel to this martial tension, the issue follows the domestic and social lives of the Franklin family and their peers in the town of Brenton. We see a lighter, more structured world where Cynthia and Edith Franklin organize a "character party" for New Year’s Eve. The goal is to guess one another’s identities through conversation, a game that highlights the period's emphasis on wit, social performance, and intellectual curiosity. Beneath this social veneer, however, are real anxieties. Neal, the brother, struggles with the burden of debt and a sense of entrapment by his family’s expectations and his own perceived failures. His sister Cynthia gently urges him to "turn over one more new leaf," yet the story closes on a note of unresolved tension, with the New Year arriving before any true reconciliation is reached.

The narrative also shifts to the rough-and-tumble reality of a labor dispute in the story of the "Backwoods Boys" of Company L. When a local strike turns violent, the young clerk Fred Wallace must choose between his employer, Mr. Manners, and his duty as a soldier. In a sequence of chaotic action, Fred saves the very man who had previously fired him, leading to a public reconciliation at the Amity Works. The manager, humbled and grateful, replaces his former hostility with a generous display of food and cigars for his defenders. Finally, the issue offers a surreal interlude involving an "ex-Pirate" and a Gopher, who recount a bizarre tale of a fiddler named McPhee whose ceaseless music forces an entire neighborhood to relocate. This whimsical segment descends into a debate about the necessity of "organization" among a group of animals—a Lion, a Hippopotamus, and a Sheep—before the action abruptly stops, leaving the characters on the verge of a meal and the reader with a "To Be Continued" promise.

How It Unfolds

The call to battle The crew of the U.S.S. Kearsarge is summoned to the quarter-deck to prepare for a fight against a formidable enemy. The Captain delivers a stirring, grim address, warning that no chances lie in their favor and that their success rests entirely on their courage.

The engagement begins The enemy is spotted on the horizon, and the range-finder ticks down the distance as the ships open fire. The Kearsarge suffers terrible damage, not just from the bombardment but from the deadly, unseen effects of skulonite gas.

The duel of machines The cruisers maneuver in a tense, circular dance, launching torpedoes that narrowly miss their marks. The Kearsarge eventually finds salvation by steering into a dense, protective fog-bank that hides her from the enemy.

The social stage The setting shifts to the quiet town of Brenton, where a New Year’s Eve character party tests the wit of the local youth. Participants must guess the identities of their peers through conversation, revealing the subtle social dynamics and hidden moral struggles of the characters.

The riot and the rescue A violent labor conflict forces Company L into the streets, where Fred Wallace risks his life to save his former manager from a mob. The conflict concludes with an act of corporate gratitude, as the manager rewards the soldiers for their service.

The animal assembly A surreal, humorous discussion takes place among a gathered group of animals regarding the merits of organization and the annoyance of a persistent neighbor. The segment ends abruptly, leaving the reader with a playful, unfinished anecdote.

The People

The Captain of the Kearsarge is a figure of intense focus and scientific dedication. An author of naval theory, he finds his reputation tested by the grim reality of combat, where his abstract strategies must withstand the visceral carnage of modern war. His concern is with the preservation of his ship’s name and the effectiveness of his men.

Cynthia Franklin is the social architect of her circle, characterized by a sharp tongue and a desire for originality. She is deeply aware of her own faults—specifically her tendency toward sarcasm—and she acts as a moral compass for her brother, Neal. Her desire to see him succeed is tempered by a realistic, if worried, understanding of his character.

Neal Franklin is a young man struggling with the weight of tradition and debt. He views himself as a "thief and a coward" for his inability to manage his allowance or face his guardians. He is trapped between a desire for independence and a dependence on his sister’s and mother’s charity.

Fred Wallace serves as the moral center of the industrial subplot. A clerk turned soldier, he possesses a rare integrity that allows him to forgive his employer, Mr. Manners, despite having been treated poorly. His promotion to sergeant marks the triumph of duty and decency over the bitterness of labor unrest.

Mr. Manners begins as a cold, "soulless" corporation manager but is transformed by Fred’s intervention. His transition from a man who fires his clerk to one who hosts a feast for his defenders highlights the era’s belief in the possibility of moral redemption through civic duty.

In Its Own Voice

The Captain emphasizes the gravity of the upcoming conflict to his crew, warning them that their performance will be judged by the world:

"The eyes of the world are upon you."

Cynthia admits to her brother that her sharp tongue is a character flaw she must work to overcome:

"It is such fun to make fun of people and say sharp things when I don't like them--the kind of thing I am always saying to that Bronson."

The ex-Pirate recounts the futility of trying to stop the persistent fiddler McPhee:

"All your fussing and fretting and fuming,' said he, 'Is nothing at all--it's fiddledidee!'"

What It's Really About

This collection explores the tension between duty and the individual. Whether in the naval battle, the industrial riot, or the domestic struggles of the Franklin family, the characters are constantly negotiating their obligations to their country, their employers, or their families against their own personal failings. It reflects an age that highly valued "character"—the ability to maintain one's composure, wit, and moral compass in the face of pressure. There is a strong, recurring emphasis on self-improvement, through both the formal discipline of military or athletic training and the private, reflective work of personal honesty. Ultimately, it asks what it means to be a productive, honorable member of a rapidly modernizing society.

Why Read It Today

Readers today will find this book a fascinating, if sometimes challenging, immersion into the 1890s. For those interested in historical perspectives on technology and labor, the descriptions of "skulonite" gas and industrial riots provide a startling look at how the era envisioned the future. The tone is consistently earnest, reflecting the period's Victorian optimism mixed with a surprising amount of anxiety about moral decay and social stability.

The reading experience is idiosyncratic; you move from a serious discussion of naval range-finding to a lighthearted, almost nonsensical poem about a grizzly bear, and then to a practical guide on cleaning a boat’s bottom. This variety captures the eclectic interests of a nineteenth-century teenager. While the dialect and the rigid social hierarchies of the "Bostonese" characters may feel distant, the underlying themes—the fear of failure, the desire to save money, and the importance of helping others—remain remarkably accessible. It is not a book to be read for a singular, driving plot, but rather for its rich texture. It serves as an honest, unvarnished look at a time that believed in hard work, "systematic economy," and the idea that even a small, barefoot girl could ride alongside William Penn and feel proud. It is a rewarding read for anyone who enjoys seeing how a different era taught its young to think, act, and play.