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Charles Booth was the editor of a family magazine entitled The Colony produced between July 1866 and January 1871. Booth family members and their cousins, the Fletchers contributed poems, articles and short stories including ghost stories. The magazine sought to entertain its readers as well as challenging and expressing ideas of social conscience, suffrage and religion. A selection of extracts are below:
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A Mad Tea Party And Some Other Things to be Met With At Philadelphia, U.S.
An account written by Hester E. Booth concerning an evening spent at a hospital for the insane in Philadelphia, United States. The evening was part of her stay with the doctor of the institution, a friend of hers and a Quaker. She describes the atmosphere of a Quaker house as "wholesome and charming". The Colony Vol 6 pp12-14 - To view the entire article click here
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A Voice from the People
An article written by Charles Booth 20 years before he embarked on the survey of Life and Labour in London. The article is concerning the injustice of ground rent. The article is summed up in the conclusion "The power of the rich is caused by this. The misery of the poor is caused by this". The Colony Vol 1 pp49-50 - To view the entire article click here
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Jack Allen
A poem written by Tom Fletcher about a salvage divers conversation with his wife. She suspects him of committing a crime. He tells her of his experiences and emotions when diving for treasure on a ship wreck. The Colony Vol 2 pp15-16 - To view the entire article click here
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Twelfth Night 1871
An imaginative description of Father Christmas and his friend Jack Frost. Describing their effect over Christmas and disappearance at Twelfth night. Written by Hester E. Booth. The Colony Vol 7 pp36-37 - To view the entire article click here
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The Three
A haunted tale concerning the three ladies of Hunwick. All who glimpse the ladies suffer an accident and all the heir of Hunwick suffer premature death. Note includes "Stolen by Charles Booth". The Colony Vol 1 pp54-62 - To view the entire article click here
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Daily Bread
Charles Booth discusses poverty and compares the reactions of the wealthy to the poor on issues including death. The Colony Vol 4 p32 - To view the entire article click here
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An Extract from My Diary to Constantinople
An account to a mosque of the 'Howling Dervishes' describes the building and dress of the dervishes. The writer expected to be amused or disgusted by the performance but instead was impressed. Part of the ceremony involves the Shiek standing on children, babies and men, without causing any harm. Account written by Alfred Booth. The Colony Vol 4 pp28-31 - To view the entire article click here
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Desolation
A poem written by Tom Fletcher concerning the effect of an coal pit explosion on a family of pit workers. The Colony Vol 2 pp39-41 - To view the entire article click here
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My Friend Vaughan
A story concerning an encounter with a vampire while on a visit to see a friend, Vaughan. The Colony Vol 7 pp8-16 - To view the entire article click here
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Extracts from The Colony
