Monthly Packet

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The Monthly Packet, a Victorian era magazine, was founded in 1851 and ceased publication in 1899. The magazine was founded by some of the original members of the Oxford Movement to counter what they saw as the extremism of the new wave of Anglo-Catholics, and was strongly influenced by its first editor, the novelist Charlotte Yonge.

[edit] Aims

The full title, The Monthly Packet of Evening Readings for Younger Members of the English Church, made it clear that the magazine was intended for youthful Anglicans. The Introductory Letter in Volume 1, and the correspondence of the first editor, show that it was for girls of the middle and upper classes. Later, the omission of the word "Younger" from the title and the inclusion of much material suitable for adults reveal the widening age range of the readership. Internal evidence suggests that this readership was considerably larger and more socially mixed than might have been expected from the price and number of the copies.

The aims of the magazine, as stated in the Introductory Letter, were to provide instruction, entertainment, and improvement, together with reasons for remaining loyal to the Established Church. These aims were always fulfilled, though in differing proportions, and interpreted in different ways.

Like other magazines, then and now, The Monthly Packet offered a particular view of life, and encouraged certain attitudes in the readership. Central to this view of life was the belief in the need to preserve a largely imaginary status quo in religion, politics, and society. Here God ruled the Universe, the clergy of the Church of England ruled the laity, the party most opposed to change ruled (or should rule) the United Kingdom, landowners and employers ruled tenants and workers, husbands ruled wives, and parents ruled children. The response required from the readership was to uphold this status quo, and submissively accept their own position within it. The magazine actively discouraged readers from learning other viewpoints.

However, over the years, the Packet modified its stance. In later years, many Anglo-Catholic developments were accepted by the magazine, which also became more tolerant of Roman Catholicism and Nonconformism. It came to recognise that certain ills in society, such as poverty and ignorance, needed to be addressed rather than accepted or ignored. There was less stress on submission and obedience in the family.

Another unstated aim was to encourage an interest in education, missionary work, and charitable giving. These reflected the concerns of the first editor, and throughout her rule of over forty years, they were steadily promoted.

Charlotte Yonge

The magazine's first editor was Charlotte Yonge, a devout churchwoman who was greatly influenced by John Keble, one of the leaders of the Oxford Movement. She was a successful authoress who combined editing The Monthly Packet with writing novels for adults, teenage and children's fiction, biography, history, school textbooks and much else. As well as editing The Monthly Packet, Yonge contributed largely to it. She exercised tight control over the material submitted for publication, and the magazine can be seen as an expression of her personality and beliefs. In 1891 her friend Christabel Coleridge became assistant editor and then was sole editor from 1894 when Yonge withdrew.

[edit] The modern reader

For the general reader, the magazine offers an interesting picture of Victorian life, with the changing prejudices, ideals, and attitudes of a particular religious and social group.

For the Charlotte Yonge enthusiast, there is the opportunity to read many of her works in their original context, and to gain a clearer understanding of her views.

In its articles, fiction, and correspondence pages, the magazine provides much useful evidence for specialists in history, theology, education, sociology, and women's studies.

[edit] Further reading

• Sturrock, June, 'Establishing Identity: Editorial Correspondence from the Early Years of The Monthly Packet', Victorian Periodicals Review 39: 3, Fall 2006, pp. 266-279