The Gentleman’s Journal

The Gentleman’s Journal, an illustrated Magazine of Literature, Information and Amusement. Frank Jay in Peeps into the Past has a brief entry on Gentleman’s Journal >

“This was first published on November 1, 1869 but although splendid coloured plates, most interesting supplements, and other generous gifts were given away with it, the periodical ran to only 150 numbers, the last number being dated the latter end of September, 1872, when it was submerged with the number 436, Vol. 9, of “The Young Ladies’ Journal.”

Both periodicals were published by E. Harrison and Edward Viles (author of “Black Bess, or The Knight of the Road”), at Merton House, Salisbury Square, E. C.”

Very few serials identify the authors, Watts Phillips, Charles Stevens, ‘Ernest Brent’ (Harry Emmett), and ‘Charlton’ (Henry Charlton Emmett), both brothers of William Laurence Emmett and George Emmett contributed. Watts Phillips was a writer for the London Journal, where, under the names Fairfax Balfour, he wrote “Ida Lee; or, The Child of the Wreck.” Illustrations were by A. W. Thompson and Frederick Gilbert.

Jay again:

It was too “high-toned” to compete with Brett’s and Emmett’s journals, and although it was most profuse with its gifts of coloured plates, etc., it failed to hold its own with the other journals. A big feature was made in the addition of monthly recreation supplements, which by themselves form a good-sized volume containing some exceedingly clever articles on music, electricity, angling, gymnastics, sports of all kinds, draughts, clever problems of chess, poultry, rabbits, and other pets: in fact, everything that a youth could wish for, and yet it failed to obtain sufficient support, and so came to an end.
Some first-rate serials ran in its pages. In Vol. 1 -- “The Raven and what became of it,” “The Sea Kings,” “Saxilby Manor,” “Facing the World,” by Watts Phillips (whose name is associated with the old LONDON JOURNAL), “Gold; or, The Treasures of Ishultan,” “Mark Single,” “The Brothers’ Plot,” “The Three Volunteers.” Vol. 2, No. 36, July 1, 1870, “Townsend the Runner; or, The King’s Favourite,” “Behind a Mask; or, A Gipsy’s Hate,” “One of the Seven,” “Dick of the Diamond; or, Out on the World,” “The Tempter,” “The Life of a Soldier,” “True Blue,” by Charles Stevens, “Roland Strathorn.” Vol. 3, No. 65, no current date, only 1871 on title, “Zasco, the Corsair; or, The Lord of the Golden Island,” by Charles Stevens, “Roused at Last: or, The Slave’s Revenge,” “King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table,” by Chares Stevens, very finely illustrated, artist not given, and in the announcement of its commencement Charles Stevens is mentioned as the author of “Zasco, the Corsair,” and “Top Gallant Tom,” “Luke’s Luck,” by the author of “Dick and Dick’s Brother” (Ernest Brent.) (This tale had previously appeared in No. 1 of “The Young Briton.”) “Gipsy Monte; or, The Mystery of Oak Nook,” “Gold Mountain; or, The African Talisman,” and “Little Jim and Jack Diggory.” Vol. 4, No. 92 (no date), “The King’s Service,” by Charlton (Harry Emmett), “Paul Adair,” by Charles Stevens, “The White Indian,” “Heir to Half a Million,” “Tom Brady,” “Congo the Conjurer,” “The Secret of Hollow Oak Farm.” Vol. 5, Nos. 117 to 144, “Cosmo the Pirate,” “Dick Dareall; or, The Plague of the School,” “The Hunter’s Vision; or, The Search for the Cave of Gold,” “Mid of the Flora Dell,” by Harry Emmett. Vol. 6, 145 to 150, “Ned Hawley,” and all the other serials finished with the last number, with which was presented gratis a copy of No. 436, “The Young Ladies’ Journal,” in which periodical “The Gentleman’s Journal” became incorporated, and so ended one of the most ambitious journals for boys ever published.