Monthly Packet
Encyclopedia
The Monthly Packet was an English magazine published between 1851 and 1899. It was founded by members of the Oxford Movement
to counter Anglo-Catholic extremism. It was strongly influenced by its first editor, the novelist Charlotte Yonge. Its aims were to provide instruction, entertainment, and improvement. Unstated aims were to encourage an interest in education, missionary work, and charity.
The magazine encouraged certain attitudes, among them the prevailing view of religious and social standards. Over time, the approach was modified: Anglo-Catholic contributions were accepted, and it became more tolerant of Roman Catholicism and Nonconformism
. It came to recognize that certain ills in society, such as poverty and ignorance, needed to be addressed. There was less stress on submission and obedience.
short stories that were later complied into A Tangled Tale
. Other literary contributors included Rosa Nouchette Carey
with her novel Heriot's Choice in 1879.
, one of the leaders of the Oxford Movement. She was an authoress who combined editing The Monthly Packet with writing novels, biography, history, school textbooks, and pieces for her magazine. To some extent, the magazine can be seen as an expression of her personality and beliefs. She describes her audience in the first editorial as "daughters of our own beloved Catholic church in England" (meaning that the Church of England is by definition a part of the universal church). (However, unusual work such as that by Lewis Carroll
was also included.) In 1891 Christabel Coleridge became the assistant editor and was sole editor from 1894.
The magazine has insights into Victorian life, especially regarding religious attitudes. Other subjects of interest are history, education, sociology, and women's studies.
Oxford Movement
The Oxford Movement was a movement of High Church Anglicans, eventually developing into Anglo-Catholicism. The movement, whose members were often associated with the University of Oxford, argued for the reinstatement of lost Christian traditions of faith and their inclusion into Anglican liturgy...
to counter Anglo-Catholic extremism. It was strongly influenced by its first editor, the novelist Charlotte Yonge. Its aims were to provide instruction, entertainment, and improvement. Unstated aims were to encourage an interest in education, missionary work, and charity.
Content changes
The Monthly Packet of Evening Readings for Younger Members of the English Church, as shown in "The Introductory Letter" in Volume 1, was targeted at middle- and upper-class Anglican girls. Evidence suggests readership actually included males, adults, and lower classes. (By July, 1880, the word "Younger" had been dropped from the title.)The magazine encouraged certain attitudes, among them the prevailing view of religious and social standards. Over time, the approach was modified: Anglo-Catholic contributions were accepted, and it became more tolerant of Roman Catholicism and Nonconformism
Nonconformism
Nonconformity is the refusal to "conform" to, or follow, the governance and usages of the Church of England by the Protestant Christians of England and Wales.- Origins and use:...
. It came to recognize that certain ills in society, such as poverty and ignorance, needed to be addressed. There was less stress on submission and obedience.
Literary history
The Monthly Packet was the first to publish Lewis Carroll'sLewis Carroll
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson , better known by the pseudonym Lewis Carroll , was an English author, mathematician, logician, Anglican deacon and photographer. His most famous writings are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass, as well as the poems "The Hunting of the...
short stories that were later complied into A Tangled Tale
A Tangled Tale
A Tangled Tale is a collection of ten brief humorous stories by Lewis Carroll , published serially between April 1880 and March 1885 in The Monthly Packet magazine. Arthur B. Frost added illustrations when the series was printed in book form. The stories, or Knots as Carroll calls them, present...
. Other literary contributors included Rosa Nouchette Carey
Rosa Nouchette Carey
Rosa Nouchette Carey was an English children's novelist.-Life:Born in Stratford-le-Bow, Rosa was the sixth of the seven children of William Henry Carey , shipbroker, and his wife, Maria Jane , daughter of Edward J. Wooddill. She was brought up in London at Tryons Road, Hackney, Middlesex and in...
with her novel Heriot's Choice in 1879.
Charlotte Yonge
Charlotte Yonge was a churchwoman influenced by John KebleJohn Keble
John Keble was an English churchman and poet, one of the leaders of the Oxford Movement, and gave his name to Keble College, Oxford.-Early life:...
, one of the leaders of the Oxford Movement. She was an authoress who combined editing The Monthly Packet with writing novels, biography, history, school textbooks, and pieces for her magazine. To some extent, the magazine can be seen as an expression of her personality and beliefs. She describes her audience in the first editorial as "daughters of our own beloved Catholic church in England" (meaning that the Church of England is by definition a part of the universal church). (However, unusual work such as that by Lewis Carroll
Lewis Carroll
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson , better known by the pseudonym Lewis Carroll , was an English author, mathematician, logician, Anglican deacon and photographer. His most famous writings are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass, as well as the poems "The Hunting of the...
was also included.) In 1891 Christabel Coleridge became the assistant editor and was sole editor from 1894.
The magazine has insights into Victorian life, especially regarding religious attitudes. Other subjects of interest are history, education, sociology, and women's studies.