The Reformation
Frontispiece, Youth's Magazine; or, Evangelical Miscellany
1807
John Hay Library, Brown University
The image on the frontispiece illustrates the text on p. 200 and has the following caption: "She took an opportunity when they were alone of throwing herself upon her knees at their feet and with a voice interrupted by sobs imploring their pardon for the uneasiness she had given them &tc."The mother against whom the repentant child leans looks at her with an intense expression while the father seems to stare ahead in thoughtfulness. Next him a large book, almost certainly the family Bible, lies open on a table, while several other books and the father's top hat rest on a sideboard or cabinet. Behind the figures appear a framed mirror and a painting. These objects, like the sofa on which the well-dressed mother sits, establish the prosperity and class position of the family. The frontispiece with its kneeling girl is juxtaposed with the image of a kneeling boy on the title-page. — George P. Landow
Related Material
Photograph and Text by Siobhan Lam
The frontispiece from The Youth's Magazine illustrates "The Reformation; or, The History of Miss Mancel." which was published in June 1807. Eliza Mancel, the only daughter of fond wealthy parents, although "endowed by Heaven with a very beautiful person, a fine capacity, and a very retentive memory" was alas burdened with a "badness" of temper (meaning she was passionate and spoiled) (198). After alienating all her friends and family, Eliza becomes ashamed of her behavior, but she fails to better herself until she asks her parents for "advice and directions" (200). This is what she is doing in the frontispiece, she throws herself at her parents' feet and implores their pardon for her behavior at which point her "humble and ingenuous confession rekindled all the latent sparks of love in the bosoms of her parents" (200). While her mother is incapacitated by her feelings, Mr. Mancel teaches Eliza to look to God. From then on, Eliza Mancel is utterly good and pious, all her friends and family love and admire her — apparently to the extent that lady visitors will not leave the Mancel house until Eliza has presented them with a glass of wine or bit of cake. Having reformed Eliza, the narrator quickly finishes the tale, noting that she grows old and dies happy then admonishes his readers to remember to check their tempers and beware of gaining evil habits that may be hard to reform later. In true evangelical fashion, this is rather high-handed, and finally ends with a short gospel, Luke 18: "God be merciful to me a sinner." The piece is signed E.T.
References
The Youth's Magazine; or, Evangelical Miscellany. Ed. William Lloyd. London: W. Kent, 1807.
Last modified 2 August 2007