8/30 Periodical Search

On my search of the periodicals today, I discovered one particular work that provides insight into the moral implications of novel reading in the early nineteenth century.  Beware, dear readers, for this is not a light-hearted account of the novel in the early 1800’s; rather, it explores the role of the novel in relation to criminal behavior and moral depravity.

In “Effects of Novel Reading: From the London,” published by the Boston Recorder on April 14, 1818, the writer explores the connection between novel reading, check fraud, and a execution.  To recount, “On the 11th of December, 1817, John Verile was executed before Newgate, London, for forging a check for 400l, with an intent to defraud Messrs. Brenchley and Co.”  The reader would assume that the executed, Mr. Verile, received due punishment for his crime of fraud.  In an imaginative sense, the reader might go on to hypothesize about the reasons for this man’s criminal behavior, but in fact, that hypothesis is not necessary, as the article clearly explains the cause of Mr. Verile’s downfall: “At 15 he engaged with an attorney; when he began the fatal course of Novel reading, and the perusal of infidel writings.”  Fatal course – no pun intended, right?  All joking aside, the writer forms the connection between Mr. Verile’s crime, punishment, and the cause – novel reading.  Though we, as modern readers, may not be able to draw this “obvious” connection, there was a clear relationship between the cause, effect, and punishment in 1817, as the writer reveals the cause, novel reading, just four sentences into the essay.

This connection must have been common, for even Mr. Verile offered analysis on his criminal behavior before his execution: “The seeds of infidelity which had been sown [from novel reading], began now to make their appearance […] From a course of novel-reading, which I pursued three or four years ago, I had contracted principles of infidelity, which I never rejected till within these past few weeks.”  Upon his conviction and during his time of reflection, the convicted man reached the moral high ground and rejected his wicked ways, which were a direct result, of course, from the novel reading of his youth.  This article serves to forewarn readers of the perils that may result if youth engage in this unsavory activity and directly connects novel reading with acts punishable by death.  Reading, specifically novel reading, is a cause for concern and serious study in this example, and though he had to pay the physical cost of his crime, Mr. Verile was only venerated – publically, at least – by his acknowledgment and rejection of this genre.

Let us end with a closing section from the article: “Let them [the rising generation] beware of those infidel writing which seduce the mind and destroy the principles of moral obligations.”  You, dear reader, have been forewarned of the perils that reading – yes, novel reading – can do to your innocent and susceptible mind!