Magazines

1881 · 55698 — London 1881. Very good. Twelve monthly parts quarto 22 by 17.5 cm. 379 leaves 8 final blank. Original manuscript penned in several neat hands including 40 original illustrations mostly tipped-in on heavier paper. Title pages for vol. 1 January-June and vol. 2 July-December; index for vol. 1. Recent foliation in pencil; 75 pages with contemporary numeration in ink. Navy blue polished calf lettered and tooled in gilt marbled endleaves. Covers lightly chafed at extremities; occasional mild smudging else text about fine.<br /> <br /> Privately circulated magazine comprising essays often on historical subjects travel accounts short stories poetry riddles and puzzles along with some letters to the editor. This particular collection affords a unique perspective on a Victorian-era co-ed literary project born of youthful enthusiasm. Many of the pieces unfold serially across several issues. Floral themes depictions of girls and landscapes abound among the watercolor and ink illustrations most of which are on heavier paper and have been tipped-in. All but the last issue contain an opening illustration invoking the month. The illustrations and written pieces are pseudonymously signed by no fewer than sixteen contributors many of whom are women: Ad Lucem; Amicus; Beth; Constancy; Daphne; Elaine; Gh; Granta; Hope; Iris; Ivy; Mezereon a species of Daphne; M'one; M:zone; One of the Mob; Sinon the cousin of Odysseus who persuaded the Trojans to open the gate for the Trojan Horse; Viola. The editor's introduction and subsequent addresses attest to the ephemeral nature of the project including financial pressures. In the address to the members which appears at the opening of the second volume the editor raises the issue of increasing the subscription rate for 2 to 5 shillings per annum. <br /> <br /> "At a meeting of a few friends it was suggested that a publication of a Magazine to be circulated among the members only should be undertaken. Two members undertook to draw up a code of rules and issue a circular inviting members to join the Society the magazine of which was to be called 'The Folia Peripatetica.' The encouragement which the proposal received was quite equal to the anticipation of the promoters and many hailed with joy the advent of the Folia as a pastime and an occupation for the long winter evenings and sunny days of summer. All the contributors it is needless to say were born authors and though perhaps some were comparatively young in years yet their light was no longer to remain dimly burning under the bushel. Poets Musicians Novelists Historians all found here the medium they had long wished for. Joy joy unspeakable joy reigned supreme in the Editors office and for a season all went on as 'merry as a cricket.' But alas! vain are the hopes of man. Time was when lo a change came oer the spirit of my dream. Members finding they were after all condemned to 'blush unseen' and waste their fragrance on the limited circle of the Folia's members began to find that other and more important duties claimed their time. Some retired into distant parts of the country others went abroad or got married. In vain fresh nurses were called in and a change of Doctors -- I mean Editors -- effected Hope for a short while revived but this soon gave place to despondency. A change to Sidmouth and Plymouth only accelerated the malady. But the Folia was not to perish in this obscure way. Fate had ordained a fairer destiny. The two volumes now handsomely bound will remain for many a long year to come a fitting monument to the memory of the 'Folia Peripatetica'" editor's preface. vol. 1. <br /> <br /> "Granta" contributes several notable pieces: "University Degree Day" an eye-witness account of the 1877 ceremony where Charles Darwin received an honorary degree at Cambridge; "Jesuit Schools" prompted by the "advent of a colony of Jesuits in our secluded valley;" and "Capital Punishment" in which the author argues against "a practice entirely barbarous horrible in its details and brutalising in its effects." A piece on "Women's Rights" written under the pseudonym "Ad Lucem" is illustrated with pen drawings of butterflies. An account of Autumn maneuvers with the 20th Yorkshire Amateur Carabineers written by a participant is provided by Gh. "Hope" writes about "Shakespeare's Heroines" and "Viola" explores the lives of "Some of Our King's Wives." "One of the Mob" offers an account of "two bachelors of limited incomes" visiting Paris on the cheap. An anonymous writer compares "the translations of the old and revised versions of the New Testament" that appear in the Gospel of Matthew. "Music in Worship" by "Amicus" includes a score entitled "Augusta." An ultra-miniature 30 cm text penned within a circle and requiring magnification to read includes The Lord's Prayer a Creed and the Ten Commandments the final line noting "St. John's College Cambridge 1881."<br /> <br /> Provenance: Editorial note at close of first monthly issue noting that subscriptions for the current half year are now due and should be forwarded to No. 43 Oakley Street Chelsea.<br /> <br /> Binding: ticket of Macmichael. Stationer to the Queen. 207 Kings Road. Chelsea<br /> <br /> Watermark: Jordan Superfine. unknown