The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 05, No. 31, May, 1860: A Magazine of Literature, Art, and Politics

In Short

This volume of the mid-nineteenth-century magazine offers a wide-ranging collection of critical essays, narrative fiction, travel sketches, and cultural commentary. It moves through deep metaphysical inquiries into animal instinct, intense personal dramas of romantic pride, harrowing historical encounters with Maroon rebels, and vivid scenes of seasonal life in Rome. Balancing rigorous intellectual debate—such as textual criticism of Dante and lexicography—with imaginative storytelling, the issue captures a vibrant period of American literary culture, reflecting a society carefully balancing tradition, scientific curiosity, and artistic expression.

The Story

The volume opens with a contemplative exploration of instinct and intelligence, tracing how humans and animals process the world around them. Referencing figures from Shakespeare's Falstaff to philosophers like Sir William Hamilton and Sir Henry Holland, the discourse considers the limits of human knowledge and the mysterious impulses that guide living creatures.

From this philosophical foundation, the journal transitions into emotional, character-driven fiction. A heroine reflects on her complex relationships with a trio of men—Maurice, Harry Lothrop, and Redmond. Through summer excursions, intimate conversations in light-filled rooms, and a trip to Bird Island, a delicate psychological drama unfolds. The narrator wrestles with her own pride and coquetry while navigating the subtle power dynamics of romance, ultimate loss, and the unpredictable twists of human affection over time.

The perspective then shifts to historical and military accounts, detailing Colonel Fougeaud’s perilous march through hostile territory against Maroon rebels. The narrative captures the tension of bush warfare, where soldiers face sudden ambushes and discover that their opponents are using unconventional ammunition like buttons and pebbles.

Interspersed with these historical records are quiet, spiritual reflections. A woman finds profound comfort in sacred song and communion with nature, turning ancient psalms into a personal anchor against cold, isolation, and despair.

Travel narrative and personal biography follow, taking the reader to Italy. The volume offers an affectionate portrait of the scientist Mrs. Somerville in Florence, detailing her domestic life, her garden, and her continuous intellectual pursuits. This leads directly into vibrant descriptions of May in Rome, where the narrative captures the spontaneous, outdoor existence of the local populace, the artistic beauty of unposed daily life, and the joyful energy of traditional festivals like the Infiorata di Genzano.

Finally, the issue delves into political history, literary reviews, and language studies. It examines the first filibuster trials in the United States, offering a critical look at public sentiment surrounding foreign interventions. Literary essays offer acute assessments of contemporary works, such as Nathaniel Hawthorne's The House of the Seven Gables, evaluating its dark themes of inherited guilt against the bright relief of its characters. Scholars debate subtle textual variants in Dante's Divine Comedy, while another piece defends Noah Webster’s ambitious work on the American English dictionary, arguing for a living language capable of adapting to new human realities.

How It Unfolds

Analyzing the unseen mind The volume begins by exploring the boundary between animal instinct and human reason. Philosophers and naturalists attempt to classify actions that bypass conscious thought, acknowledging the ultimate mysteries of mental existence.

Navigating social currents Narratives of New England social life unfold through quiet room conversations and summer boat trips to light-houses. A young woman weighs her suitors' motivations, calculating the emotional costs of romantic pride and lost opportunities.

Marching through the wilderness Historical military accounts detail Colonel Fougeaud's expedition against Maroon forces. The narrative traces the tension of forest ambushes and the unusual realization that the rebels are firing makeshift projectiles.

Singing through the shadow In a moments of solitary hardship, a protagonist turns to internal faith. Recalling the peace of early communion, she finds strength by singing psalms that transform her fear into quiet acceptance.

Visiting Florence and Rome Travel sketches detail encounters with the aged scientist Mrs. Somerville before immersing the reader in Italian street life. Springtime in Rome brings open windows, public singing, and vibrant flower festivals.

Critiquing literature and language The final sections weigh political trials, scrutinize Dante’s original text, analyze Hawthorne's study of hereditary sin, and champion Webster’s effort to define an evolving American vocabulary.

The People

• Falstaff – The Shakespearean character whose humorous rationalizations serve as the entry point for a serious debate on the nature of instinct and self-preservation.
• The Female Narrator – A proud, observant woman navigating a web of suitors, balancing her intellectual independence against the subtle emotional claims of her companions.
• Redmond – A charismatic yet emotionally turbulent man whose past actions and tragic family ties exert a persistent pull on the narrator.
• Harry Lothrop – An accomplished, fastidious man of the world whose patient pursuit of the narrator reveals both deep attraction and strategic vanity.
• Maurice – An earnest, transparent friend whose open affection and easy confidence provide a warm contrast to his more guarded companions.
• Colonel Fougeaud – A military officer leading his troops through treacherous rebel territory, forced to adapt to unpredictable guerrilla tactics.
• Mrs. Somerville – A distinguished Scottish scientist living in Florence, combining rigorous mathematical study with a warm domestic life and a love for her rose garden.
• Noah Webster – The resolute lexicographer whose insistence on adapting the English language to American life sparks intense scholarly debate.

In Its Own Voice

"It is vain to inquire what instinct is, before there has been an accurate observation of its manifestations."

This reflection grounds the issue's scientific opening, urging readers to observe the living world before rushing to abstract theories.

"Time whirls us round, showing us our many-sided feelings as carelessly as a child rattles the bits of glass in his kaleidoscope."

A quiet realization from the fictional narrative, capturing how unpredictable events reshuffle human emotions and relationships over the years.

"All things are easy and careless in the out-of-doors life of the common people,--all poses unsought, all groupings accidental, all action unaffected and unconscious."

A vivid scene from the Italian travelogue, celebrating the effortless, unscripted beauty of daily street life in spring.

What It's Really About

Beneath its variety of topics, the volume is fundamentally concerned with the tension between innate impulses and calculated choices. Whether examining how animals navigate their environments, how lovers conceal their motives behind social performance, or how languages evolve away from rigid rules, the texts return repeatedly to the hidden forces shaping human action. It questions how much control individuals truly exert over their destinies when faced with hereditary traits, historical movements, or sudden romantic reversals. Ultimately, the collection asks how one can maintain personal integrity, faith, and observational clarity in a world where external circumstances and internal feelings are constantly shifting.

Why Read It Today

This issue offers a fascinating window into the intellectual life of pre-Civil War America. Readers who enjoy Victorian literature, historical essays, and keen cultural observation will appreciate the volume's sharp prose and expansive scope. Reading it feels like sitting in an armchair beside a remarkably well-read nineteenth-century companion who moves easily from deep psychological insight to vivid descriptions of Italian festivals.

The collection does carry the markers of its period. Readers will encounter dense philosophical phrasing, detailed textual analysis that assumes some familiarity with classical works, and nineteenth-century perspectives on military conflict and region. The fiction relies heavily on subtle emotional shifts rather than fast-paced action.

Yet these elements are balanced by remarkably modern moments of psychological nuance, candid character studies, and crisp humor. It remains a rich, rewarding read for anyone who delights in watching sharp minds wrestle with big questions of science, art, and human nature.