Charting Change: Understanding the Impact of 19th Century British Periodicals

This article discusses the importance of various British literary and critical reviews, such as the Edinburgh, London Quarterly, Westminster, and North British Reviews, as well as Blackwood's Magazine. These periodicals serve as critical guides for readers in selecting valuable books and provide condensed information on a wide range of topics. The Edinburgh Review is highlighted as a champion of Whig party principles, while the London Quarterly was established to counteract its influence. Both reviews have featured contributions from notable literary figures. The Westminster Review, associated with Benthamism, focuses on liberal and reformist causes, including advocating for free trade and challenging the alliance of church and state in England.

Charting Change

The article in question provides an overview of some of the leading British periodicals of the 19th century. These publications not only offered commentary on contemporary events, but also played pivotal roles in shaping public opinion and political discourse.

The comment that these journals are "the critical censors of the British scholastic and literary world" captures the profound influence these publications carried. Among the periodicals mentioned, the London Quarterly, the Edinburg, the North British and the Westminster Reviews, and Blackwoods’ Magazine are recognized as intellectual heavyweights of their time.

The article under review emphasizes that these periodicals were conduits "for the promulgation of their antagonist principles" with the Edinburg Review exerting influence as the voice of the Whig Party and the London Quarterly Review serving the Tory party. Notably, the article recounts how "The Edinburg Review first unfurled the flag of resistance, made, by its unanswerable and eloquent appeals in behalf of inalienable rights the halls of British legislation and even the throne itself to tremble."

Furthermore, the Westminster Review is aptly described as having been "established under the patronage and support of the ultra-liberal, so styled, of the British House of Commons." It's worth recalling the historical context that "+the Westminster Review’s origination was in part motivated by dissatisfaction with the existing Whig and Tory journals+, and its contributors sought to advance a radical political agenda.

Of particular interest is the North British Review, which is noted as being the voice of Evangelicalism during a time of major ecclesiastical movement in Scotland. It is described in the article as existing to meet "the necessities of this anti-church agitation." This encapsulates the turmoil and shifting religious landscapes within the United Kingdom at the time.

Lastly, it's important to highlight the caliber of contributors to these periodicals, which included illustrious names such as Southey, Scott, Lockhart, Wordsworth, Lord Mahon, Dr. Milman, and Mrs. Somerville for the London Quarterly Review, and Jeffrey, Napier, Brougam, Mackintosh, and Macauley for the Edinburg Review. The array of contributors establishes the extent to which these publications were deemed important mediums for discourse by some of the leading minds of the era.

In conclusion, this article offers a valuable insight into the influential role of these periodicals and how they shaped the intellectual and political landscape of 19th century Britain.

Narrative Exposition:

Peering into the annals of literary history, one cannot overlook the mammoth footprint of British periodical literature, especially when acknowledging its tremendous contribution to shaping academic, political, and socio-cultural narratives. Certain periodicals, in this vast literary landscape, ludicrously tower over others, for their critical scrutiny of literature, propagation of political ideologies, and stirring of social movements. This blog post endeavors to delve into the profound influence of 19th-century British periodicals such as the London Quarterly, the Edinburgh Review, the North British, and the Westminster Reviews, not excluding Blackwoods’ Magazine.

Dipping our toes into the waters of literary history, these periodicals donned multiple caps. They crucially served as esteemed "arbiter of literary and intellectual merit," guiding readers to sift through volumes of lesser value and cherry-pick gems of literature. However, stay tuned, as we gradually peel back layers, revealing the broader spectrum of their concerns. Indeed, they transcended literary boundaries to cast a keen eye on the political, religious, scientific, and societal climate of Europe. Put succinctly, they wielded their influence to voice opinions on crucial matters and fuel dialogues with their content.

Splashing onto the scene was The Edinburgh Review, a veritable bastion for the Whig Party's ideals, advocating freedom and citizens' rights in Great Britain. Speaking volumes about its bold political accreditation, an excerpt from the Review goes: "when the British Tory rulers waged what seemed a war of extermination against France… this Review courageously raised the flag of resistance, launching powerful and persuasive appeals for inalienable rights." Such remarks echo the periodical's temerity to stand up against political despotism, unhesitatingly challenging even the most formidable power structures.

Simultaneously, The London Quarterly Review made its mark as a Tory-engineered retort to counterbalance the sway its Whig adversary held. Catalysts were primed, paving the way for a fertile ground of rich literary discourse and political debate. From these contentious beginnings, illustrious contributors like Southey Scott, Lockhart, Apperley, Ferguson, Wordsworth, Dr. Milman, and Mrs. Somerville adorned the London Quarterly Review's pages. Meanwhile, Jeffrey, Napier, Brougam, Mackintosh, and Macauley graced the Edinburg Review with their valuable insights.

Injecting another shot of political potency was The Westminster Review. Helmed by Jeremy Bentham, a celebrated advocate of utilitarianism, and ably supported by ultra-liberals such as Roebuck, Mill, and Bowring, it launched fierce attacks against unjust privileges, hereditary rights, and kingly prerogatives, leaving an indelible societal mark. Notably, it advocated for the wretched living conditions of miners and fanned the flames of Free Trade doctrines propagated by Cobden.

Evolving similarly, The North British Review emerged amid the ecclesiastical commotion in Scotland. Founded as a voice for anti-church sentiments, it served to echo new emotions, sympathies, and perspectives on State and Church governance, thereby acting as a trailblazing outlet for public opinion. With a robust footing in the Evangelism of the 19th Century, it resonated with the potent voices of Robertson and Smith from the preceding century. These periodicals were ceaselessly challenging, questioning, and shattering traditional boundaries through their compelling content.

In the grand chronicle of literary history, these British periodicals swiftly outgrew their initial roles as literature curators to become catalysts for societal and political evolutions. They wielded the written word's might to proactively drive historical events rather than passively reflect upon them. Their legacies shimmer brightly on the pages of history as they uncloaked societal struggles, catalyzed dialogues, and sowed seeds for revolutions that utterly transformed our world. Hence, by drawing parallels between the past and present, we recognize the periodicals' profound imprints and appreciate the awe-inspiring potency of literature as a tool for change and progress.

Key Phrases:

1. '19th century British periodicals' - For further research, see this article on the 'Development of the newspaper in the UK in the 18th Century' from [The British Library](https://www.bl.uk/restoration-18th-century-literature/articles/the-rise-of-the-novel).
2. 'The London Quarterly' - To learn more about this publication, visit this page on 'The London Quarterly and Holborn Review' from [WorldCat Identities](https://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n50044627/).
3. 'The Edinburgh Review' - This article from [The University of Edinburgh](https://www.ed.ac.uk/alumni/services/stories/stories-archive/edinburgh-review) provides detailed information about the Edinburgh Review and its history.
4. 'The North British Review' – For additional insights, view the digitized collection of the 'The North British Review' from [HathiTrust Digital Library](https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/010687135).
5. 'The Westminster Review' - To read further, look through this profile on 'The Westminster Review' from [Online Books Page](http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/serial?id=westminsterrev).
6. 'Blackwoods’ Magazine' - Explore the archive of 'Blackwood's Magazine' from [National Library of Scotland](https://digital.nls.uk/woodiswood/index.html?page=1).
7. 'Jeremy Bentham' – For more on Jeremy Bentham, read this [Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy](https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2018/entries/bentham/.) article.
8. 'Concept of utilitarianism' – To delve deeper into this philosophical theory, refer to this [BBC](http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/utilitarianism_1.shtml) educational page.
9. 'Development of Free Trade doctrines propagated by Cobden' - For a better understanding, read this biography on 'Richard Cobden' from [EconLib](https://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/bios/Cobden.html).
10. 'Evangelism in the 19th Century' - To study further, access this collection of 'Evangelism in the 19th Century' from [Baylor University Libraries](https://www.baylor.edu/lib/gospeltracts/index.php?id=963362).

**Citation**: Trinity Journal
- MISCELLANEOUS. BRITISH PERIODICAL LITERATURE REPUBLICATION, 1855-03-17
https://cdnc.ucr.edu/ University of California Riverside Digital Newspaper Archive

Original Article:

". . . of the London Quarterly, the Edinburg, the North British and the Westminster Reviews, and Black woods’ Magazine. Leonard & Co., Publishers, 70 Fulton and 54 Gold street, New York. These periodicals are the critical censors of the British scholastic and literary world. By their criticisms, they aid readers in the selection of standard valuable books; and by the epitomes which they present, often obviate the necessity of consulting works too voluminous for general examination. They fill a place which American magaziens cannot supply ; for they discuss topics relating more strictly to the affairs, political, religious, scientific, and literary of the Continent of Europe. They are conducted by the best talent of Great Britain; and are engaged with the most important questions which interest or agitate the civilized world. Whoever subscribes to them all, may read the ablest representatives of the principal parties into which the people of Great Britain are devided. The Edinburg Review. The exponent of the Whig party in Great Britain, having from its commencement advocated freedom and the rights of the people. When the war, apparently of extermination, was waged against France by British Tory rulers, and during which occurred the second great struggle of England with our own country, this Review first unfurled the flag of resistance, made, by its unanswerable and eloquent appeals in behalf of inalienable rights the halls of British legislation and even the throne itself to trimble. The graphic and stirring delineations of those events, presented in the pages of that distinguished journal, exhibit the truest portraiture of those perilous to be found, perhaps, in the language. Its influence was becoming so apparent, that at length the leaders of the Tory party, at whom the thundes of its eloquence was especially directed, found it too powerful an instrument to be resisted by ordinary means, and hence they established the ' Quarterly,” or as it is distinguished among American reprints. The London Quarterly Review Whereby to counteract that influence which its powerful rival exerted again their measures The two great political parties thus made strenuous efforts through their respective organs, for the promulgation of their antagonist principles; and during a long series of years, these two leading periodicals have concentrated the labors, the talent, and the influence of the adherents of the Whig and Tory parties of Great Britain. Men of the highest literary rank, as well as dignitaries civil and ecclesiastic, have contributed to the pages of these works ; among them might be mentioned some of the most resplendent names on the scroll of fame. Among the regular contributors to the London Quarterly Review, were Southey Scott, Lockhart, (its present editor,) Apperley, Ferguson, Wordsworth, Lord Mahon, Dr. Milman, (whose articles on Oriental Literature have been so highly esteemed,) and that wonderful woman of Science, Mrs. Somerville, with many other scarcely less celebrated. Then again in the Edinburg Reveiw, it is enough to mention the following names, any one of which would of itself insure a high degree of renown to any work with which it might be associated— we refer to Jeffrey, Napier, Brougam, Mackintosh, and Macauley; the first of whom during his long connection with the Review, actually wrote, on the average, one third of the articles that graced its brilliant pages; while the universally admired essays of the last, leave us in no manner of doubt as to their great intrinsic merit. The Westminster Review. This able Journal was established under the patronage and support of the ultra-liberal, so styled, of the British House of Commons; among whom Roebuck, Mill, Bowring, Professor Long, of the University, Miss Martineau, and others whose names need not be quoted, conspicuously figured. It was for years under the editorial supervision of Jeremy Bentham, from which fact it obtained the sobriquet of the mouth-piece of Benthanism. This work has ever been especially devoted to the great topics which interested the mass of the people—its pages have been rife—it will be remembered with a series of powerful articles, tending to the reduction of Tory and exclusive privileges, hereditary rights, Kingly prerogatives, etc — The astounding developments made a few years since, respecting the wretched, and, till then, unheard of horrors of some branches of the mining population of England, first appeared in its pages. Not only have its articles ever been directed against the aforementioned abuses, but the work has also maintained an unrelenting crusade against the alliance of church and state, and thus virtually seeking to abolish the Parliamentary Religion of England, and eventually to remove the still existing remnants of feudalism which continue to afflict the British nation — It has recently become the medium through which Cobden promulgates his Free Trade doctrines, which will give it increased interest to the numerous admirers, here and elsewhere, of that great Reformer. In many particulars the Westminister Review espouses a political faith closely allied to that of our own country —and therefore we may, without any extraordinary effort of charity, be induced to cherish it as an exotic worthy of being engrafted into our more genial soil. It has recently been united with the Foreign Quarterly Review, the more attractive fatures of the two Reviews being now combined in the Westminister, and thus adding greatly to its value as a literary periodical. The North British Review, is a work of more recent origin than those already described—but is, nevertheless, destined to occupy as prominent a place in the Republic of Letters. The great ecclesiastical movement in Scotland led to its establishment. There was no Journal in the United Kingdom which appeared to meet the necessities of this anti-church agitation. Indeed, the revolution caused by the disruption induced a new state of things, placing the actors in new positions of observation—nor could they give utterance to their new perceptions of State and Church polity—their new sympathies—their new emotions—without some other organ of thought than any then extant. Hence the spontaneous agreement of the great master minds among them, in the necessity of a new outlet of public opinion, and the immediate creation of the North British Review. The basis of this Journal is the Evangelism of the Nineteenth Century ; nor is it to be overlooked as one of the striking characteristics of the times, that the grand principle which Robertson, Smith and many of the eminent men of Scotland took the field a century ago to write down, is now advocated and vindicated in this able work, and in the same literary metropolis. This periodical is not ultra ni [ ] no. . ."