by William Howitt and Mary Howitt.
Originally published in Howitt's Journal (William & Mary Howitt) vol.1 #1 (01 Jan 1847).
A merry New Year to all our friends and readers! Amongst the many means for realizing this seasonable wish, which seems to carry in its very sound the spirit of its own accomplishment, we trust that Howitt's Journal will prove not the least efficient. So far as in us lies, there shall be wanting no exertion, as there is wanting in our hearts no zeal and enthusiasm, for the purpose. For years it has been our resolve to devote ourselves by such a periodical to the entertainment, the good, and the advancement of the public. We thought a year ago that the time was come for the experiment. It proved not to be the case. There were obstacles to be overcome, a forest of thorny experience to be cut through, limed twigs above, and beams in the darkness, to stumble over below. These are past; we are come out into the open air, free-handed and free-hearted, "no jot of hope or heart abated;" and look over the champaign of our future life as devoted to the people and their cause.
We are bound to no class, for we believe that in the cultivation of the whole, lies the harmony and the happiness of the whole. Where there needs the greatest effort, thither our efforts shall be most immediately and zealously directed. Amid the million there lies enormous need of aid, of comfort, of advocacy, and of enlightenment; and amongst the million, therefore, shall we labour, with hand and heart, with intellect and affection. To promote their education, and especially their self-education—a process full of the noblest self-respect and independence—to advocate their just rights, to explain their genuine duties, to support the generous efforts of those many wise, good, and devoted men and women who are now everywhere labouring for their better being and comfort: these will be the dearest employments of our lives, the truest pleasures that we can experience. It is with a most grateful feeling that we acknowledge that the people at once perceive and reciprocate what is genuine love of their cause; and the delightful confidence which they every day more and more manifest in our humble endeavours on their behalf, will, of itself, stimulate us to a more active watchfulness for their true interests, and a bolder, yet not the less prudent, championship of their rights.
To all the onward and sound movements of the time—a great and glorious time!—to the cause of Peace, of Temperance, of Sanatory reform, of Schools for every class—to all the efforts of Free Trade, free opinion; to abolition of obstructive Monopolies, and the recognition of those great rights which belong to every individual of the great British people—our most cordial support shall be lent. Everything which can shorten the hours of mere physical labour, and extend those of relaxation, of mental cultivation, and social, domestic enjoyment—everything which tends to give to labour its due reward, and to furnish to every rational creature his due share of God's good gifts—food, raiment, a pleasant fireside, and the pleasures of an enlightened intellect—as it must have the approbation of every good man, so it must have our best and most unremitting exertions for its establishment.
But not the less do we regard the rights and enjoyments of every other class. They who would advocate the claims of one section of the community at the expense of those of the others, or of any other, would, so far from advancing the happiness of the section they appeared to patronize, inflict the severest blow on its progress. Rights are the rights of all; duties are the laws and the inviolable obligations of all. Between the employer and the employed, between the more and the less wealthy classes, there lies one common ground of truth and sacred right, which the efforts of the wise will only make more clearly seen, more solidly and securely felt. All that separates and embitters are the briers and the brushwood of old error, which advancing knowledge will show in their true deformity, and which the axe of education, and the fire of a wise discussion, will consume out of the way.
In this faith we shall move and act. We shall say to the people, inform your minds on your rights; combine to maintain them; be industrious and get money; be temperate and save it; be prudent and invest it to the best advantage; but learn at the same time to respect the rights of your fellow-men. Look around, and be at once firm and patient. The old times of ignorance and obstruction are past. We are now working out the future on the clear ground of a most blessed experience—and that is, that the path of liberty and knowledge is the sure path of peace and general union. Where are the terrors and the evils which have been prognosticated of the spread of education? Where are the insurrections, the massacres, the bloody and barbarous deeds of men and multitudes? They are not in our time; they lie behind us, in the years of ignorance and despotism.
The Inquisition is abolished; St. Bartholomew is a name of departed terror; the very French Revolution, the fruit of popular oppression and neglect of education, is a warning and lesson of the past. Turn from that to the Revolution in America, where a Christian and an informed people worked out their own independence; and behold in its order and merciful magnanimity the results of knowledge. Through all the sufferings which war and bad government have conducted our labouring millions, with what a display of virtue and heroism it has conducted them; and mark the result— what numbers are starting up every day to assist in removing this mass of evil—to place the entire people in the enjoyment of comfort and intelligence! See what a different tone has manifested itself in government and in the press. How the old dogmas of a stereotyped condition slide away into oblivion; how the popular rights are acknowledged; and what men and women, too, of rank, and wealth, and intellect, are zealous to put a shoulder to the wheel of peaceful progression. Every omen of evil has been falsified—knowledge and discussion are found not to promote riot or discontent, but a firm assurance of all necessary reforms, which is the root of peace and harmony.
On this high ground of a most animating experience we are prepared, therefore, to march in calm confidence; perceiving that the current of true civilization has set in with a force that no contrary force can overcome. The truth of ancient prophecy has vindicated itself:—"Many, already, run to and fro in the earth, and knowledge is increased." We mean to run too, and add our share to the heap of increase, cheerfully and with right good will, smoothing the way for others, and now and then lending a hand to a weak brother under a heavy burden.
We have made our arrangements for all these purposes; and the workmen who are about to contribute to the different departments of literature, art, and science; to the furtherance of sound opinion; to music, criticism, and even a rational merriment, will soon, in the words of the old adage, be "known by their chips." We shall gather information from all pure sources. One object for which we have prepared ourselves by study and travel, will be to introduce to our readers whatever is most delightful in the literature of other nations; of America, and of Europe, from France and Italy to the very North; and in so many regions of which Providence and the facilities of modern intercourse have made us zealous friends. The bulk of our matter will be original; but, in order to embrace all the solid information possible, we shall, where it is desirable, also extract and quote from the best authorities, Above all, it shall be our anxious care that not a word or a sentiment shall appear in this Journal which the most refined individual may not read aloud in the family circle, or which we would not freely introduce to our own children. With this assurance—let us now advance at once from promise to performance. Eds.
Note.—In order to secure all possible space for our letter-press, which will be needed to advocate the many great causes of social improvement which mark the age, and to furnish every variety of matter to our readers, we shall print at the back of our illustrations, but shall strike off separate impressions for such as may desire it, which shall be sold at the most reasonable possible price.