Youth Citizenship in the Golden Age of Periodicals, 1870-1910. Philip Andrew Keirle, BA(Hons)

324 Pages·2012·8.88 MB·English

Youth Citizenship in the Golden Age of Periodicals, 1870-1910. Youth Citizenship in the Golden Age of Periodicals, 1870-1910.

Philip Andrew Keirle, BA(Hons), LLB Philip Andrew Keirle, BA(Hons), LLB

This thesis is presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of This thesis is presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of
The University of Western Australia The University of Western Australia

School of Humanities School of Humanities
Discipline of History Discipline of History

February 2012 February 2012

Abstract Abstract
Youth Citizenship in the Golden Age of Periodicals, 1870-1910 Youth Citizenship in the Golden Age of Periodicals, 1870-1910

In this thesis, I explore the ideational contours and performative dimensions of ‘youth In this thesis, I explore the ideational contours and performative dimensions of ‘youth
citizenship’ in the late-nineteenth century. The identity was a complex one, with citizenship’ in the late-nineteenth century. The identity was a complex one, with
myriad voices – editors, physicians, rhetoricians, sanitary engineers, moral reformers, myriad voices – editors, physicians, rhetoricians, sanitary engineers, moral reformers,
politicians, and psychologists – contributing to its articulation as a composite set of politicians, and psychologists – contributing to its articulation as a composite set of
habits, behaviors, character traits and ideological commitments. Not surprisingly, the habits, behaviors, character traits and ideological commitments. Not surprisingly, the
various projects that sought to mobilize youth in the performance of this identity were various projects that sought to mobilize youth in the performance of this identity were
varied in their aims and foci. Some sought to promote patriotism through participation varied in their aims and foci. Some sought to promote patriotism through participation
in patriotic rituals, while others sought to enlist students in the hygienic revitalization in patriotic rituals, while others sought to enlist students in the hygienic revitalization
of their schoolhouses. Whatever the focus, correctly socialized youth were portrayed of their schoolhouses. Whatever the focus, correctly socialized youth were portrayed
as a safeguard against a range of threats to social stability. For those interested in the as a safeguard against a range of threats to social stability. For those interested in the
civic socialization of youth, these included urban vice, immigration, individualism, the civic socialization of youth, these included urban vice, immigration, individualism, the
corruptive influence of the marketplace, and the scourge of contagious disease. corruptive influence of the marketplace, and the scourge of contagious disease.
Throughout, I emphasize the importance of youth periodicals as sites through which a Throughout, I emphasize the importance of youth periodicals as sites through which a
wide range of civic visions and ideals were formulated and presented to young wide range of civic visions and ideals were formulated and presented to young
Americans, particularly those of the middling sort. While I draw on a wide range of Americans, particularly those of the middling sort. While I draw on a wide range of
source materials – elocution manuals, conduct of life books, success manuals, and source materials – elocution manuals, conduct of life books, success manuals, and
periodicals – my primary focus throughout is on the Youth’s Companion, the nation’s periodicals – my primary focus throughout is on the Youth’s Companion, the nation’s
most popular and influential youth periodical. As with a host of other texts, the most popular and influential youth periodical. As with a host of other texts, the
Companion conveyed the civic hopes and fears of various experts and moral reformers Companion conveyed the civic hopes and fears of various experts and moral reformers
to its readers. In so doing, the Companion was simply one part of a broader cultural to its readers. In so doing, the Companion was simply one part of a broader cultural
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apparatus of print that circulated and shaped a vision of the young citizen as one who apparatus of print that circulated and shaped a vision of the young citizen as one who
saluted the flag, obeyed sanitary laws, adopted hygienic habits, cultivated eloquence, saluted the flag, obeyed sanitary laws, adopted hygienic habits, cultivated eloquence,
participated in debates, monitored and managed their physique, eschewed cigarettes participated in debates, monitored and managed their physique, eschewed cigarettes
and dime novels, repudiated wit and laughter, supported tenement reform, and and dime novels, repudiated wit and laughter, supported tenement reform, and
opposed immigration. opposed immigration.
The Companion, though, was unique among youth periodicals in systematically The Companion, though, was unique among youth periodicals in systematically
wedding this discourse to a set of programs and projects designed to train youth in the wedding this discourse to a set of programs and projects designed to train youth in the
habits, behaviors, and ideological commitments associated with good citizenship. The habits, behaviors, and ideological commitments associated with good citizenship. The
aims of many of these projects – the Schoolhouse Flag movement, the Lyceum League aims of many of these projects – the Schoolhouse Flag movement, the Lyceum League
of America, the Beautify the School campaign – resonated not only with readers, but of America, the Beautify the School campaign – resonated not only with readers, but
with a range of civic organizations and state institutions. Through tapping into the with a range of civic organizations and state institutions. Through tapping into the
organizational structures, supervisory mechanisms and influence of the public schools, organizational structures, supervisory mechanisms and influence of the public schools,
veterans’ organizations, village improvement societies, education boards, and health veterans’ organizations, village improvement societies, education boards, and health
departments, the Companion was able to exert an influence that extended far beyond departments, the Companion was able to exert an influence that extended far beyond
the confines of its immediate readership. By looking at the these networks, the role of the confines of its immediate readership. By looking at the these networks, the role of
periodicals in circulating a vision of what it meant to be a good citizen, and at the periodicals in circulating a vision of what it meant to be a good citizen, and at the
various projects that sought to fashion this identity, this thesis explores the role of various projects that sought to fashion this identity, this thesis explores the role of
print culture in shaping the civic culture of late-nineteenth-century America. print culture in shaping the civic culture of late-nineteenth-century America.

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Table of Contents Table of Contents

Abstract i Abstract i
Images and Tables iv Images and Tables iv
Acknowledgements vi Acknowledgements vi
Introduction 1 Introduction 1
Chapter 1 The Age of Print 36 Chapter 1 The Age of Print 36
Chapter 2 The Citizen as Patriot 64 Chapter 2 The Citizen as Patriot 64
Chapter 3 The Citizen as Orator 106 Chapter 3 The Citizen as Orator 106
Chapter 4 Sanitary Citizens and the Physiology of Citizenship 158 Chapter 4 Sanitary Citizens and the Physiology of Citizenship 158
Chapter 5 Laughter, Humor, Wit, Character, Citizenship 212 Chapter 5 Laughter, Humor, Wit, Character, Citizenship 212
Chapter 6 Citizens in the Marketplace 245 Chapter 6 Citizens in the Marketplace 245
Conclusion 278 Conclusion 278
Bibliography 290 Bibliography 290

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Images, Tables, Appendices Images, Tables, Appendices

Introduction Introduction
Table 1a The Premium System at Work, 1877 10 Table 1a The Premium System at Work, 1877 10
Image 1a Testimonials on the Beneficial Nature of the Youth’s Image 1a Testimonials on the Beneficial Nature of the Youth’s
Companion, 1902. 12 Companion, 1902. 12
Image 1b The Companion’s State-by-State Subscriptions, 1902 17 Image 1b The Companion’s State-by-State Subscriptions, 1902 17
Appendix 1 Eminent Contributors to the Youth’s Companion 35 Appendix 1 Eminent Contributors to the Youth’s Companion 35

Chapter 1 Chapter 1
Table 1.1 Standout Periodicals of the 1850s and 1860s 38 Table 1.1 Standout Periodicals of the 1850s and 1860s 38
Table 1.2 Growth of the United States Postal Services, 1790-1840 43 Table 1.2 Growth of the United States Postal Services, 1790-1840 43
Table 1.3 Railroad Mileage Increase by Groups of States, 1850-1890 44 Table 1.3 Railroad Mileage Increase by Groups of States, 1850-1890 44
Image 1.1 The Youth’s Companion’s ‘Immense Circulation’ 47 Image 1.1 The Youth’s Companion’s ‘Immense Circulation’ 47
Table 1.4 Periodical and Book Requirements for North Carolina Table 1.4 Periodical and Book Requirements for North Carolina
High Schools, 1928 57 High Schools, 1928 57
Table 1.5 The Periodical Collection of the Los Angeles Table 1.5 The Periodical Collection of the Los Angeles
Public Library, 1889 59 Public Library, 1889 59
Table 1.6 Periodicals with multiple copies for circulation in the Table 1.6 Periodicals with multiple copies for circulation in the
Los Angeles Public Library, 1891. 60 Los Angeles Public Library, 1891. 60
Table 1.7 Most borrowed American periodicals for the year 1893, Table 1.7 Most borrowed American periodicals for the year 1893,
Detroit, Michigan. 60 Detroit, Michigan. 60
Table 1.8 Records of Periodical Circulation from the Los Angeles Table 1.8 Records of Periodical Circulation from the Los Angeles
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Public Library, 1893. 61 Public Library, 1893. 61
Appendix 1 Subscription Figures for the Most Prominent Children’s and Appendix 1 Subscription Figures for the Most Prominent Children’s and
Youth Periodicals in the United States, 1875-1890 62 Youth Periodicals in the United States, 1875-1890 62
Appendix 2 Subscription Figures for the Most Prominent Children’s and Appendix 2 Subscription Figures for the Most Prominent Children’s and
Youth Periodicals in the United States, 1895-1910 63 Youth Periodicals in the United States, 1895-1910 63

Chapter 2 Chapter 2
Image 2.1 Hezekiah Butterworth’s ‘Raising the Schoolhouse Flag.’ 73 Image 2.1 Hezekiah Butterworth’s ‘Raising the Schoolhouse Flag.’ 73
Appendix 1 Winners of the Flag-Essay Competition 104 Appendix 1 Winners of the Flag-Essay Competition 104

Chapter 3 Chapter 3
Image 3.1 ‘The Lyceum League of America.’ 107 Image 3.1 ‘The Lyceum League of America.’ 107
Image 3.2 Advertisement for Frank Fenno’s Elocution and Speaker 124 Image 3.2 Advertisement for Frank Fenno’s Elocution and Speaker 124
Table 3.1 The Lyceum League of America’s Canon of Approved Texts 132 Table 3.1 The Lyceum League of America’s Canon of Approved Texts 132

Chapter 4 Chapter 4
Image 4.1 ‘Beautify the School Grounds.’ 175 Image 4.1 ‘Beautify the School Grounds.’ 175
Image 4.2 ‘The Schoolhouse Yard.’ 178 Image 4.2 ‘The Schoolhouse Yard.’ 178
Image 4.3 ‘But Our Young Folks Are Weak.’ 189 Image 4.3 ‘But Our Young Folks Are Weak.’ 189
Table 4.1 Normal Weight and Height by Age, 1911 206 Table 4.1 Normal Weight and Height by Age, 1911 206

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Acknowledgements Acknowledgements
The first big thank you must go to my supervisor Ethan Blue, particularly for telling me The first big thank you must go to my supervisor Ethan Blue, particularly for telling me
to breathe. His incisive comments, suggestions, technical advice, and enthusiasm for to breathe. His incisive comments, suggestions, technical advice, and enthusiasm for
this project have been of great benefit; as have coffees and free lunches. The project this project have been of great benefit; as have coffees and free lunches. The project
has also benefitted immeasurably from Susan Broomhall’s advice, eye for detail, has also benefitted immeasurably from Susan Broomhall’s advice, eye for detail,
administrative genius, and general support throughout. administrative genius, and general support throughout.
Many of the ideas that follow have been fleshed out and improved (I hope) in a range Many of the ideas that follow have been fleshed out and improved (I hope) in a range
of seminars, conferences and lecture theatres. I register my debt to students, fellow of seminars, conferences and lecture theatres. I register my debt to students, fellow
grads and faculty here. In particular, I would like to thank Ethan Blue, Sue Broomhall, grads and faculty here. In particular, I would like to thank Ethan Blue, Sue Broomhall,
Giuseppe Finaldi and Tarryn Phillips for invitations to teach and lecture in their courses Giuseppe Finaldi and Tarryn Phillips for invitations to teach and lecture in their courses
in American history, population health and medical anthropology. in American history, population health and medical anthropology.
Anonymous reviewers at Isis, the American Journal of Periodicals, the Journal of Anonymous reviewers at Isis, the American Journal of Periodicals, the Journal of
Consumer Culture, and the History of Education Quarterly have provided superb Consumer Culture, and the History of Education Quarterly have provided superb
feedback, gentle encouragement and stinging rebukes. Chapters Two, Four and Six feedback, gentle encouragement and stinging rebukes. Chapters Two, Four and Six
have benefited from their complicated kindness. have benefited from their complicated kindness.
Judy Johnston, stalwart of Victorian periodicals’ scholarship, provided valuable Judy Johnston, stalwart of Victorian periodicals’ scholarship, provided valuable
suggestions on the first chapter. I would also like to thank Professor Cryle and others at suggestions on the first chapter. I would also like to thank Professor Cryle and others at
the University of Queensland for all their support and advice during my stint at UQ as a the University of Queensland for all their support and advice during my stint at UQ as a
Visiting Research Fellow. Visiting Research Fellow.
Thanks also to the very helpful, very patient and very sympathetic staff in the Thanks also to the very helpful, very patient and very sympathetic staff in the
Microform Reading Room at the Library of Congress. Six weeks with nothing but Microform Reading Room at the Library of Congress. Six weeks with nothing but
microform required plenty of all three. A big thank you also to the staff in the microform required plenty of all three. A big thank you also to the staff in the
Manuscript Reading Room at the LOC, the incredibly swift staff at the New York Public Manuscript Reading Room at the LOC, the incredibly swift staff at the New York Public
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Library and to all those who rendered assistance at the Bancroft in Berkeley and the Library and to all those who rendered assistance at the Bancroft in Berkeley and the
Harold Washington Library Center in Chicago. Harold Washington Library Center in Chicago.
Generous funding from the Australian government in the form of an APA (Australian Generous funding from the Australian government in the form of an APA (Australian
Postgraduate Award), as well as additional funding from the University of Western Postgraduate Award), as well as additional funding from the University of Western
Australia has helped immeasurably. Travel funding and awards from the Graduate Australia has helped immeasurably. Travel funding and awards from the Graduate
Research School and the School of Humanities at the University also made an extended Research School and the School of Humanities at the University also made an extended
research trip to the United States possible. The University’s Completion Scholarship research trip to the United States possible. The University’s Completion Scholarship
has also assisted greatly in bringing this project to its conclusion. has also assisted greatly in bringing this project to its conclusion.
Finally, an enormous thank you to friends and family. To Mum and Dad, I really don’t Finally, an enormous thank you to friends and family. To Mum and Dad, I really don’t
know what to say other than that I love you and am thankful for your support, your know what to say other than that I love you and am thankful for your support, your
patience and your enthusiasm for everything I do. To Ryan Walter, your friendship and patience and your enthusiasm for everything I do. To Ryan Walter, your friendship and
advice have always been gifts beyond compare. A big thank you also to Brooke May advice have always been gifts beyond compare. A big thank you also to Brooke May
Lamperd, Ruth Morgan, and Elizabeth Gralton; wonderful colleagues and great friends. Lamperd, Ruth Morgan, and Elizabeth Gralton; wonderful colleagues and great friends.
To Mieke, a beacon of light, love and happiness throughout the project; and to Matilda To Mieke, a beacon of light, love and happiness throughout the project; and to Matilda
Lillian Keirle, who loves a good story, especially when they’re about emus. Lillian Keirle, who loves a good story, especially when they’re about emus.
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