St. Nicholas Magazine for Boys and Girls, Vol. 13, May 1886, No. 7.: An Illustrated Magazine for Young Folks

In Short

This volume of a legendary children's magazine compiles a vibrant array of stories, poems, scientific curiosities, and practical tutorials. From the serialized adventures of a young Lord Fauntleroy to instructions on building mechanical models and the whimsical antics of the "Brownies," the magazine aims to educate and entertain in equal measure. It has lasted because it treats its young audience with profound respect, demanding their engagement with history, natural science, and creative puzzles while fostering a sense of community among readers across the globe.

The Story

The magazine does not follow a single linear plot, but rather unfolds as an anthology of interconnected interests. It opens with the foundational myths and histories of the era, such as the early, rugged life of William Shakspere—portrayed as a country-bred boy learning from the soil of his mother’s farm—and the political awakening of George Washington, who transitions from a planter concerned with tobacco prices to a reluctant revolutionary. These historical sketches frame the magazine’s broader concern: the cultivation of a well-rounded, inquisitive character.

As the pages turn, the narrative scope widens. We find young boys in a bustling "boys' paradise" learning the values of self-reliance, and groups of adventurous youths on tricycles exploring the coastal towns of New England, battling the elements and the "watery" sky that threatens a storm. Interspersed are fantastical interludes, such as the tale of Conrad, who stumbles into a cellar only to find an unexpected "enchanted princess" who serves him pie, reflecting the magazine’s penchant for grounding the surreal in the domestic.

Central to the volume’s heart is the serialization of Little Lord Fauntleroy, which follows a young, kind-hearted boy whose gentle nature transforms the stern, imposing world of his grandfather, the Earl of Dorincourt. The story arc here is one of social grace and moral influence, as the young protagonist’s simple, affectionate behavior disarms even the most cynical onlookers. This narrative of refinement is balanced by the more grounded, industrious pursuits found in the "Letter-box," where children from as far as Egypt and Wisconsin write in to share their observations of the world—from the height of the Great Pyramid to the discovery of gold-bearing rock in the American wilderness.

The arc concludes not with a finality, but with a challenge to the reader. The magazine shifts its focus toward active stewardship, urging its young audience to protect wild birds and resist the "cruel fashion" of using plumage as ornamentation. By the final pages, the reader is left with a dense collection of puzzles, acrostics, and mechanical diagrams, inviting them to apply their sharpened minds to the intellectual challenges of the day. The journey is one from passive observation of history and nature to the active, conscious participation in the world’s moral and mechanical life.

How It Unfolds

The historical foundation The volume begins by casting historical figures as relatable, familiar children. By placing Shakspere on a farm and Washington in the fields of Virginia, the magazine makes the past feel immediate and tangible.

The sense of adventure The middle section shifts to active exploration, following groups of children as they traverse the countryside by tricycle. The prose captures the bracing freedom of salt-wind air and the sudden, atmospheric shifts of the weather.

The moral center The serialized story of Lord Fauntleroy provides a steady rhythm, emphasizing the power of kindness in a world of rigid social structures. It highlights the protagonist’s ability to remain affectionate and brave even when scrutinized by an entire crowd.

The call to agency As the volume progresses, the tone shifts from wonder to advocacy. The magazine actively engages its readers in the formation of the Audubon Society, urging them to take a stand against the destruction of nature.

The intellectual exercise The magazine closes by inviting the reader to solve complex linguistic and mechanical puzzles. It treats the reader as a fellow scholar, offering acrostics and word-squares that require patience and analytical rigor to decipher.

The People

The figures in this collection are archetypes of late-Victorian virtue and curiosity. William Shakspere is painted as a spirited, hazel-eyed youth whose education comes not from books, but from the "country things" he observes at his family’s farm. George Washington appears as a man of duty, whose loyalty to the British Crown cools only when his practical sense of justice is offended by distant legislation. Both are portrayed as figures who must navigate the weight of societal expectations to find their true paths.

Little Lord Fauntleroy serves as the emotional anchor; he is a boy of unshakeable sweetness whose presence is a corrective force in his grandfather's life. He wants only to be kind and to understand the people around him, a goal that stands in stark contrast to the stiff, formal expectations of his aristocratic household. Alongside him, the anonymous "Deacon" acts as the voice of moral conscience, specifically regarding the treatment of birds. He wants to mobilize a new generation of defenders, turning his young readers into active participants in conservation. Finally, the earnest young correspondents—like Felix Renouf Holt or Maud Stanley F.—bring the magazine to life; they are hungry for knowledge, eager to share their local discoveries, and constantly pushing for a more interconnected, informed global experience.

In Its Own Voice

The magazine often uses a reflective, slightly didactic tone to connect historical events to the reader’s present experience.

He certainly never knew much Latin; but he knew all about country things as only a country-bred boy can know about them.

This context describes the early, informal education of William Shakspere, emphasizing his connection to the natural world.

The magazine also excels at capturing the quiet, observational moments of a nature study or a scientific observation.

As I stood looking at this odd plant and thinking what a sickly, blighted appearance the queer, yellow stains gave it, I was suddenly impressed with the fact that the plant was "making faces" at me.

This line comes from a short piece on the "Caricature Plant," reflecting the magazine's blend of botanical information and imaginative, playful writing.

What It's Really About

The central argument of this magazine is that the world is a place of boundless discovery, accessible to those who look closely enough. It posits that a child’s education is not limited to the schoolroom but is instead found in the mechanical power of a model forge, the history written in a foreign alphabet, or the moral responsibility one feels toward a wild bird. The underlying question is how to act as a "civilized" person in a world that is often cruel or indifferent. It advocates for a life of active inquiry, where being "smart" is inextricably linked to being "kind" and "observant."

Why Read It Today

Readers today will find this volume to be a fascinating time capsule. It captures the specific, mid-1880s ambition to equip children with the knowledge required for a rapidly modernizing world. Those who enjoy historical fiction or who have an interest in the history of science and education will find the magazine’s earnestness deeply charming. The writing is precise and descriptive, favoring a formal, polished style that is rarely seen in children’s media today.

However, a modern reader must be prepared for the period-specific attitudes embedded in the text. The articles occasionally reflect a colonial or Eurocentric worldview—particularly in discussions of "savage" nations or the history of written language—that will strike a contemporary reader as dated. Additionally, the magazine’s dedication to long, dense prose and complex word-games requires a level of patience that may be unfamiliar to some. Yet, the persistence of the magazine’s core message—that children have the power to observe, to build, and to change the world—remains strikingly relevant. It is a rewarding read for those who want to experience the intellectual vigor of a time when the world seemed both vast and entirely within the reach of a curious mind.