Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 12, No. 28, July, 1873

In Short

This volume serves as a time capsule of 1873, presenting a curated selection of serial fiction, travel essays, and cultural criticism. It captures the era’s fascination with global exploration, the complexities of romantic social dynamics, and the shifting boundaries of class and gender. By gathering these disparate voices—from the rugged landscapes of the Tyrol to the drawing rooms of London—the collection provides a comprehensive look at what interested the educated reader of the period. Its enduring appeal lies in its vivid, unfiltered preservation of the Victorian creative spirit.

The Story

The collection opens with the wanderings of a traveler in Europe, setting a tone of inquisitive observation that persists throughout the volume. We are quickly ushered into the domestic and social dramas of Berrytown, where the lives of Catharine and Hugh Guinness unfold. Catharine, an ambitious and active woman, finds her life intertwined with a doctor who is "hedged in by circumstances." The narrative follows her through personal trials, including illness and the intricate, often frustrating, social maneuvers of her small community. She eventually settles into a life where, despite her own capabilities, she finds herself playing the role of the devoted, influential wife in a traditional household, ultimately ruling her husband’s life with a quiet but firm hand.

Parallel to this, the reader is transported to the high seas and the American West. Tales of "Strange Sea Industries" recount the morally fraught efforts of divers seeking sunken treasure, exploring the tension between greed and survival. In the American West, the narrative shifts to the trials of Doctor Hanchett and the hopeful, if naive, journey of a woman named Dora who seeks her lover, Posey. The realities of the frontier—loneliness, disease, and the degradation of character—are laid bare. Posey, once a failed miner, evolves into the proprietor of a gambling house, a transformation that underscores the harsh, opportunistic nature of the era’s "gold fever."

The narrative scope then widens to the European continent, specifically the Tyrol region, where travelers struggle with the boisterous reality of local life, from raucous village celebrations to the historical echoes of peasant uprisings against French soldiers. This is contrasted by the experiences of the American Ambulance Corps in Paris, where the grim, fragmented reality of the Franco-Prussian War is witnessed. Amidst the chaos of shelling and the collapse of order, the everyday resilience of the French people—a man moving his family to a safer house while calmly smoking his pipe—stands as a stark testament to survival.

The volume concludes with a focus on the personal lives of literary giants like Shelley, whose early indiscretions and conflicts with his family provide a glimpse into the human side of historical figures. We are also introduced to the domestic adjustments of Sheila, a young woman navigating the high-society expectations of her husband’s world in London. Her journey from the simplicity of her home in Lewis to the ornate constraints of city life acts as a final meditation on the tension between authentic identity and social performance.

How It Unfolds

The traveler’s departure The narrator sets out on a journey from Paris, defying the concerns of his servants regarding his age and appearance. He embraces the freedom of the road, prioritizing his own observations over social decorum.

Domestic tensions in Berrytown Catharine and her circle navigate the rigid expectations of their society, where professional ambitions and romantic desires frequently clash. The arrival of telegrams and the departure of key figures shift the balance of power, forcing characters to define their futures.

The lure of the frontier Across the Atlantic, gold seekers and opportunistic traders face the brutal environment of the West. Hopes of sudden wealth are met with the reality of isolation and the loss of one’s moral or professional standing.

War and upheaval in Europe The perspective shifts to the turmoil of military conflicts in the Tyrol and Paris. Scenes of chaotic battle and historical resistance illustrate the fragility of order in a rapidly changing political landscape.

Cultural and biographical reflections The collection closes by examining the lives of poets and the social adjustment of individuals within the English class system. It highlights the persistence of identity against the pressures of social expectation and historical scrutiny.

The People

Catharine, the central figure of Berrytown, is defined by her restless energy and her desire to shape the lives of those around her. She begins as a vibrant, independent spirit but eventually finds her influence confined to the domestic sphere, where she manages her household and husband with subtle, absolute authority.

Doctor McCall is the elusive, idealized figure whose presence—and eventual disappearance—drives the romantic tension of the narrative. He represents the "high social position" and constraints that limit the characters' choices, particularly in matters of the heart.

Sheila, appearing in the selections from A Princess of Thule, is a character of genuine, unaffected grace. She is initially overwhelmed by the social artifice of London society, specifically the expectations regarding her appearance and behavior. Her journey is one of maintaining her dignity and honesty while adapting to a life that often treats her background with a mixture of condescension and curiosity.

Posey represents the cynical reality of the American frontier. Starting as a discouraged miner, he sheds his earlier identity to become a successful manager of a gambling house, highlighting the shift from idealistic ambition to the cold opportunism of the gold fields.

In Its Own Voice

"The behavior of a great Hope is like the setting of the sun."

The narrator uses this reflection to introduce his own personal journey, capturing the sense of inevitable, often ironic, change.

"The diver concluded that his only way to secure his sixty per cent. salvage was to take it."

This remark illustrates the desperate, morally ambiguous situation of those working in the dangerous sea industries.

"She rules him and the house and their lives absolutely, with but little regard for justice."

This observation summarizes the domestic reality of Catharine, reflecting the complex power dynamics within her marriage.

What It's Really About

At its core, this collection investigates the friction between personal authenticity and the rigid structures of society. Whether in the quiet domesticity of a small Delaware farm or the war-torn squares of Paris, the characters are constantly grappling with the disparity between who they are and what their world expects of them. The text asks: how does an individual maintain their integrity when faced with the "ironical" nature of life, the pressures of class, and the unpredictable turns of fortune? It highlights the tension between the romanticized view of human endeavor and the often messy, unvarnished truth of how lives are actually lived and how authority is exerted within the private home.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate a slower, more deliberate pace will find much to admire in these pages. The prose is rich with the sensory details of the nineteenth century, from the "puffing steam" of a morning kitchen to the "black, oleaginous water" of the Florida reefs. It is not a quick read; rather, it is an immersive experience that requires the reader to sit with the period’s specific dialect, its lingering Victorian attitudes, and its occasional fascination with the melodramatic.

For those interested in history, the volume provides a remarkable, unedited look at the concerns of the 1870s—a time of rapid change, where the old world of the Tyrol and the new world of the American West collide in the reader's imagination. You will notice the period’s stark gender roles and its frequent reliance on class-based assumptions, which may feel jarring to a modern reader. However, these elements are precisely what make the book valuable; it does not shy away from the prejudices of its time. What remains with you is the humanity captured in the margins: the quiet dignity of a mother clipping chrysanthemums, the absurdity of a man moving his household while under fire, and the persistent, simple beauty of a blue serge dress.