Benjamin Eli Smith

“ In the periodicals just mentioned, beginning with The Atlantic, the popular literary magazine has reached its highest point of development, not only in the United States, but in the world. Especially important has been the impetus given to developing the art of illustration, and the support given to the obsolescent art of wood-engraving by The Century and Harper's ”

“ Periodicals in Other Countries. The development in other European countries has been similar, though less extensive. Italy, in which, as was stated above, the history of periodical literature dates back to the seventeenth century, exhibits a long list of notable literary journals. ”

“ Modern British Periodicals. From the beginning of the eighteenth century new periodicals have appeared in these and in other countries in ever increasing numbers and diversity. In England, Daniel Defoe began in 1704 A Review of the Affairs of France and of All Europe, as Influenced by That Nation, issued at first weekly, then twice, and later thrice a week. ”

“ They deal either with a single subject—such as literature, or a particular science or industry—or with a group of allied subjects, or with material of the most heterogeneous character. The most important special groups of them are reviews, or periodicals devoted especially to the criticism of books, and magazines, which are designed to furnish miscellaneous and entertaining reading. In the most popular of the latter class fiction forms an important part of the contents, and pictorial illustrations, often of fine artistic quality, are frequently employed. ”

“ From this time on the number of literary periodicals—to say nothing of religious and other special publications—increased rapidly, with a corresponding improvement in quality. The following are perhaps the most noteworthy: The Analectic Magazine (Philadelphia, 1813-20) , founded by Moses Thomas, with Irving (its editor, 1813-14) , Paulding, and Wilson the ornithologist among its contributors; The Atlantic Magazine (New York, 1824-25; continued until 1827 as The New York Monthly Review) , which was edited by Robert C. Sands and had the support of Bryant ”

“ About this time the English periodical essay found imitators in France; Marivaux published in 1722 the Spectateur français, which was followed by a number of other publications of a similar character. ”

“ The United States Magazine and Democratic Review (New York, 1837-52) , later The United States Review (1853-55) ; The New Englander (New Haven, 1843-92) ; The International Review (New York, 1874-83) ; The Forum (1886—) ; The Arena (1890) .
Modern French Periodicals. In France the periodicals originating in the eighteenth century begin with Mémoires pour servir à l'histoire des Sciences et des Arts (1701-67) , founded by the Jesuits Michel le Tellier and Philippe Lalleman at Trévoux (whence it is known as the Journal de Trévoux) ”