Page:Notes by the Way.djvu/232

 162 NOTES BY THE WAY.

posing they were to be led to execution. In 1858 space is largely appropriated to the Indian Mutiny, and a description of the laying of the Atlantic cable is also communicated in a series of papers. In 1859 Dr. Scoff ern contributed articles on the South Kensington Museum ; and an illustration is given of the first public drinking fountain, opened on the 21st of April near the church of St. Sepul- chre, Skinner Street. In 1861 the war in Italy and the Civil War in America are among the subjects treated at length.

^ n 1862, a new and enlarged series was launched, and the

Life's Secret.' contents included Mrs. Henry Wood's tale ' A Life's Secret,' which touched on the question of strikes. While she was writing this her ' East Lynne ' appeared, and The Times pronounced it to be the novel of the year. In 1863, for the first time, coloured plates were inserted, twelve being given in the volume. In 1864 the subjects include ' Four Years in the Prisons of Rome,' by one who had been a judge in Venice ; ' African Exploration ' ; and ' The War in New Zealand,' the criticism on which is very severe. In 1866 Mr. Edward Whymper relates his ascent of the Aiguille Verte ; and in 1868 the Abyssinian War is described in a series of articles by one of the captives at Magdala.

The contents of the volume for the year 1901 include ' Queen Victoria,' by the Dean of Canterbury, and ' The Inauguration of the Australian Commonwealth,' by " Our Australian Correspondent."

1902, Jan. 4. Like Chambers 's Journal, which was started on the 4th of

Becomes a February, 1832, The Leisure Hour used to be published in weekly

monthly. numbers as well as in monthly parts, but the sale of the weekly

issue gradually fell off, while that of the monthly part increased,

and in 1881 the weekly issue was abandoned. In the fresh series

music was introduced, Sullivan contributing a duet, ' The Sisters,'

based on newly published words, for the use of which Tennyson

gave special permission. In 1900 great changes were again made,

both in the size and appearance of the magazine, bringing it well

John Francis U p to modern requirements. My father frequently advised that advises adver- advertisements should be taken for the monthly parts, and repre-

tisements in. j i u- i t IT.

monthly sented what an additional source of revenue they would prove ;

parts. but for many years no advertisements except a few from its own publisher were inserted, " the commercial advantage being held to be subordinate to the general aim."

Gilbert, its r^he Leisure Hour has always been noted for its excellent

^artist* 3 illustrations. Mr. (afterwards Sir) John Gilbert was for a long

period its principal artist, and as a contrast to later times, it is

interesting to note that at the height of his fame he never charged

more than five guineas a drawing.

James Through the kindness of Mr. James Bowden and the Rev.

Bowden and Richard Lovett, I am in a position to give the number of publica-

eV LoveTt ai tions of all kinds issued by the Religious Tract Society during the

year ending March 31st, 1901, and the total issues from the forma-

�� �