St. Nicholas Vol XIII. No. 8 June 1886: An Illustrated Magazine for Young Folks

In Short

This volume presents a monthly installment of a premier children’s magazine from 1886. It weaves together the ongoing saga of a young boy’s life in a British castle, historical accounts of George Washington, travelogues of Paris, and practical advice on hobbyist clubs and natural history. By curating a mix of moral instruction and imaginative wonder, the magazine provided a structured, literate environment for children. Its longevity rests on its commitment to treating the young reader as a serious, capable participant in the intellectual life of the nation.

The Story

The magazine operates as a mosaic rather than a single linear narrative, yet it possesses a clear emotional arc across its pages. The most prominent thread is the serialized tale of Little Lord Fauntleroy. Having moved from a humble life in America to the grand, somber halls of his grandfather’s English estate, the young protagonist faces the challenge of softening the heart of the "wicked" Earl of Dorincourt. His natural kindness and unabashed affection for his grandfather gradually erode the old man's cold pride. The Earl, who once felt only disappointment in his own sons, finds in the boy a source of genuine pride and an incentive to become a better, more noble man. As they ride together and share quiet moments, the Earl’s infirmities, both physical and spiritual, begin to recede.

Intersecting with this domestic drama are the rigorous, duty-bound lives of historical figures and the adventurous spirits of modern boys. Horace Scudder’s biography of George Washington tracks the General’s transition from a reluctant leader to a commander who demands respect for his office, culminating in the pivotal, icy crossing of the Delaware. Washington’s development into a figure of "wisdom, vigor and uprightness" provides a masculine, patriotic ideal that mirrors the moral growth sought in the fiction.

Simultaneously, the magazine takes the reader across the Atlantic to the streets of Paris, detailing the history of Notre Dame and the somber echoes of the French Revolution within the Conciergerie. These factual accounts are punctuated by the lighthearted, rhythmic musings of poets and the industrious, collective activities of boys at Camp Chocorua. At the camp, boys learn the value of labor, business, and physical fitness through organized sports and charitable efforts.

The volume also includes darker, more suspenseful notes, such as a young man drifting toward a perilous, lonely sea in a dory, and a mysterious, chemistry-obsessed uncle whose experiments hint at hidden dangers. The magazine concludes by fostering a sense of community among its readers, who write in to share their own scientific collections, puzzles, and letters. From the "country of Somewhere," where everything is a fairy tale, to the reality of athletic records and tax-paying, the magazine bridges the gap between childhood fantasy and the responsibilities of the "larger sphere in life" that awaits every reader.

How It Unfolds

The promise of wonder The volume opens with a whimsical invitation to a dreamlike "country of Somewhere," where knights and princesses replace the mundane chores of gardening and sewing. This sets a tone of imaginative freedom that balances the more rigid lessons to follow.

The transformation of an Earl The central narrative focuses on the young Lord Fauntleroy, whose innocent, affectionate nature acts as a catalyst for his grandfather's redemption. Through their daily interactions, the Earl moves from being a bitter, isolated recluse to a man actively planning for his heir’s future.

The shaping of a nation Historical sketches provide a grounding in the founding of America, portraying George Washington as a man who understands that moral authority is just as crucial as military strategy. His growth into a trusted national leader mirrors the personal development of the magazine's younger characters.

The exploration of the world The magazine shifts to the cultural geography of Paris, where the beauty of cathedrals and the tragedy of the French Revolution are presented as essential knowledge. This encourages the reader to view the world as a place rich with history and artistic significance.

The discipline of play The final beats focus on the practical, organized lives of boys in summer camps, who treat athletics, business transactions, and charity with the seriousness of adults. This transition from individual stories to a collective community of young readers completes the portrait of a well-rounded, industrious youth.

The People

Little Lord Fauntleroy is the moral anchor of the collection. He is defined by his unwavering sweetness and his ability to see the best in others. His grandfather, the Earl of Dorincourt, serves as his foil; he is a man of pride, gout, and cynicism who is gradually transformed by the boy's influence. George Washington appears as the archetypal leader, whose evolution from a man facing colonial grievances to a decisive military commander provides a template for growth and integrity. Percival and his friends, "Moke and Poke," represent the energetic, adventurous spirit of the magazine’s youth, while the various correspondents in the "Letter-box" show the diverse, intelligent, and often scientific interests of the real-life children who read the magazine.

In Its Own Voice

"Instead of a boy, with the garden to weed, You might be a knight, with a sword and a steed."

The opening poem contrasts the drudgery of childhood chores with the romanticized, magical possibilities of a land where one can choose their own identity.

"He began to take pleasure in showing his heir to the world."

In the story of Fauntleroy, the narrator describes how the Earl’s pride, once a source of bitterness, is repurposed into a new, healthier interest in life through his grandson.

"The bravest are the tenderest,-- The loving are the daring."

This sentiment, found in the magazine's puzzle section, captures the underlying philosophy that courage and emotional openness are not opposites, but requirements of a noble character.

What It's Really About

The book is fundamentally an argument for the cultivation of character through a blend of high-minded literature, scientific curiosity, and social responsibility. It suggests that the transition from childhood to adulthood is not a loss of magic, but the acquisition of agency. The themes of duty, whether to one’s country, one’s family, or one’s community, are central. By presenting history, travel, and personal ethics as interconnected, the magazine posits that a child’s world is not separate from the "real" world, but a training ground for it. The text asks: how does one remain innocent while learning to navigate a complex, often harsh, and historically significant world?

Why Read It Today

Reading this volume is like stepping into a time capsule of earnest, high-reaching optimism. For the modern reader, it offers a fascinating, if sometimes jarring, look at a period that valued formal decorum, patriotic fervor, and the rigorous categorization of knowledge. You will encounter writing that is sophisticated in its vocabulary and precise in its descriptions, which can be a refreshing change from contemporary children's literature.

However, it is not without its difficulties. The prose can feel overly didactic to modern ears, and the period-typical attitudes—particularly regarding class structure, gender roles, and the occasionally breathless, uncritical view of colonial figures—reflect the limitations of its time. You will also encounter dialect and stylistic choices that are distinctly nineteenth-century. Despite this, the warmth and genuine respect the magazine shows for its audience remain palpable. It stays with you because it treats the reader as a fellow traveler in the pursuit of wisdom. It is a rewarding read for anyone interested in the history of education or those who simply enjoy the earnest, adventurous, and highly literate voice of a bygone era. It captures a version of childhood where every day was an opportunity for improvement, and every reader was invited to be a part of a larger, global conversation.