The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 20, No. 119, September, 1867 A Magazine of Literature, Science, Art, and Politics

This 1867 issue of a celebrated American magazine opens a window onto the literary, scientific, artistic, and political conversations of its time. Inside, readers will encounter essays on America’s destiny, vivid travel sketches of Canadian wilderness, reflections on Italian journeys, and a scholarly look at the Jesuits in early North America. Short pieces range from a sentimental homage to a nightingale in a study to a lively commentary on the post‑war United States, offering a rich tapestry of mid‑nineteenth‑century thought.

Among the varied contributions, a vivid short story draws particular attention. “The Guardian Angel” follows the bright yet modest schoolgirl Myrtle Hazard, whose striking performance at a local tableau catches the eye of wealthy patrons. As she navigates invitations from a fashionable Boston matron and a curious businessman, listeners hear the subtle power dynamics of ambition and reputation in an era of rapid social change. The narrative’s elegant prose and lively dialogue bring the period’s elegance and tension to life.