New York Amulet.
Sixteen issues
[Periodicals] Fisk, Theophilus, ed. New-York Amulet, and Ladies’ Literary and Religious Chronicle. New York and Philadelphia, 1830.
16 vols.; 8vo.; some with ownership signatures and pencil marks; foxed; soiled; edgeworn; fragile. In a specially made cloth slipcase.
Sixteen of the 24 issues of the first volume of this short-lived bi-monthly periodical, which was printed from January 9, 1830 through March 1831; three issues (No.1; No. 5; and No. 23) are sewn and appear to have been removed from a bound volume. The issues are variously-sized, and are usually six to ten pages long.
The issues included here are all from volume one: Nos.1, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23. Although OCLC locates copies at 15 libraries, most only have one or two issues; American University has Volume 1, nos. 1-16, which is the only library that rivals this collection.
In the first issue, the Prospectus notes that:
The primary object of this work will be, to check the rapid progress of two alarming evils, so fatally prevalent in our country, viz: Intemperance and Infidelity – which like the cankerworm, are stripping the green walks of life of all the flowers, and leaving the moral world a leafless desert. To do this more effectually, we shall portray in the most vivid colours, the deformity and deleterious consequences of these most deadly evils, by interesting moral tales, sketches, fragments, essays, and scriptural illustrations. We shall endeavor to cherish in the hearts of our readers, the sublime and benevolent sentiments of the blessed gospel of Jesus Christ….to exhibit the beauties and rewards of virtue in all their captivating loveliness….to awaken the better feelings of human nature…to cultivate the social and domestic affections….to lead the mind through the most delightful avenues, to the bowers of happiness and peace….to elevate and enlarge the conceptions….to imbue the understanding with the most exalted ideas of the illimitable attributes and perfections of the Great Divinity….thereby leading mankind to “fear God and keep his commandments. (4)
The Prospectus goes on to explain that the Amulet is headed by a “distinguished literary gentleman, late from London,” and “published by an association of gentlemen” (4). However, the Ladies’ Literary and Religious Chronicle – which was issued as integral to the Amulet, shared the same editorial outlook, and was billed together on the cover sheet of each issue – was written by and for women. The contributors of each section were somewhat segregated by gender and there was not a set masthead. Contributors, when recognized, are credited by first names and last initials, or pseudonyms, though some articles – like those for which monetary compensation was awarded – note the authors’ full name.
In the first issue, in the Ladies’ Chronicle section, there is an article on religious periodicals, saying: “Periodicals of this description, scattered over our country, if properly conducted, are calculated to produce a highly beneficial effect on the moral, as well as the religious condition of society.” The concluding article in this section – titled “Intemperance” – echoes the message of morality by drawing a connection between intemperance and the slave trade: “There is a world where no storms intrude, a haven of safety against the tempests of life. A little world of joy and love, of innocence and tranquility…Peace embraceth it with outspread wings. Plenty broodeth there. When a man entereth it, he forgetteth his sorrows, and cares, and disappointments; he openeth his heart to confidence, and to pleasure snot mingled with remorse. This world is the well-ordered home of a virtuous and amiable woman.” The evils of intemperance are often given a gendered slant; women and the home are seen as havens of tranquility, and the affliction itself is described as a “man-devouring shape” (issue 10, p.79).
The Ladies’ Chronicle section regularly prints poems, moral or religious in theme, several of which were contributed by women, including Mary E. Brooks’ “Oh, Fling the Robe,” (issue 5) and “Oh, Weep Not for the Dead” (issue 16), and Miss Elizabeth Bogart’s “The Sabbath Eve”; a Mrs. Hemans also contributes (issue 11, p. 88). In each issue, there are several pieces of poetry or verse.
In issue 18, there is an anonymous article titled, “Woman,” which asserts that “Women in their nature are much more joyous than men, whether it be that their blood is more refined, their fibres more delicate and their animal spirits more light and volatile, whether, as some have imagined, there may not be a kind of sex in the very soul; I shall not pretend to determine. As vivacity is the guilt of woman, gravity is that of men” (p. 144). The article concludes that men and women are counterparts of each other, and that women are sprightly, good-humored, temperate and cheerful, “and the family like a ship that is duly trimmed, wants neither sail nor ballast” (144).
Reform periodicals flourished in the period between 1830 and 1860, with the purpose “to regenerate erring humanity” (Stearns, Bertha-Monica. “Reform Periodicals and Female Reformers, 1830-1860. The American Historical Review, Vol. 37, No. 4. Jul., 1932, 678). The emphasis, like in the New-York Amulet, and Ladies’ Literary and Religious Chronicle, was on domesticity, the importance of the woman’s ability to educate, to shun the temptation of infidelity, and inspire temperance, morality and religion in her family, especially the male members. Stearns points out that most of these kind of periodicals “lived only a brief period and are totally forgotten today; many of them are wildly absurd” (678-9), though they shed light on this period of American journalism and social thought. New-York Amulet, and Ladies’ Literary and Religious Chronicle seems to have fit into Stearns description; though it enjoyed a period of popularity – Stearns notes that at one point, there were over three thousand subscribers – it folded a little over a year of its founding.
(#6190)
Stearns, Bertha-Monica. “Reform Periodicals and Female Reformers, 1830-1860. The American Historical Review, Vol. 37, No. 4 (Jul., 1932), pp. 678-699 Published by: American Historical Association
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