Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 December 1891 — HARPER’S PERIODICALS. [ARTICLE]

HARPER’S PERIODICALS.

There are lour periodicals published at Franklin Square, New York, which are read! and admired by a more numerous and more widely spread constituency than any similar 1 üblications in the world. These periodicals—- ‘ Harper’s Magazine," “Harper’s Weekly,” “Harper’s Bazar” and “Harper's Young Peo. pie”—have a circulation, extending around the globe, and embracing every community in which the English language is understood. In America the name “Harper's” has long been a houseliold word, and is synonymous with whatever is best in periodical' “IT we Im* quire into the reasons for the unparalleled popularity of these publications we shall not have to go far nor seek long to find them. Intelligent people everywhere speak of their merits; and the daily press, representing and directing the opinions of the masses, is unanimous in acknowledibg their superiority. The New York Times, in a recent editorial, says: "Whether treated eac i one as an individual, or genrally as a class, Harper’s Periodicals represent the highest type of American literary and illustrative work A column eulogistic of these publications might be written, and would barely suffice to specify their many singular merits. It must be at least satisfactory to the publishers to know that wherever English is the lan. guage in use, there a‘Magazine,’a •Weekly,’ a‘Bazar’or a‘Young People,’bearing the imprint of Harper & Brother, is read. There are other triumphs than ‘the drum-beats' which circle the world.” The New York Tribune says; “These four publications virtually cover the whole field of periodical literature for recreative and generally instructive purposes, and no expanse or pains are spared to secure reading matter that is pure in tone, entertaining and elevating. All the trained energies of the great institution, as the publishing house of Harper & Brothers may justly be called, have been employed to make their publications the best possible; and the result of these efforts has aided greatly In elevating American literature to an eminence wfccre it is admired by all the world,” ——‘ The educative influence of Harper’s Pebiodicals has been felt tnroughout the country tor almost a generation past. Indeed, it would be hard to estimate the value of their services in imparting useful information on subjects of general and current interest, their influence in tbe formation of correct literary tastes, and the aid which they constantly exert towards the advancement of.the true principles of pictorial art. What they have donrt towards the moulding and directing of public opinion in matters affecting morals, manners, and the country’s welfare, would be equally difficult to define, although the importance of their Influence in this respect is universally acknowledged.