On the Interesting History of an Early Aquarium Article

In the November 3rd, 2023, issue of this web publication I presented an article under the title “DIY – Building your own Aquarium in 1862.” This was based on an 1862 article which appeared in the February 1862 issue of “Peterson’s Ladies National Magazine” which was published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This article was titled “A Cheap And Simple Aquarium” and was noted to have been written by H[enry] J. Vernon.

As part of a now known to be a highly unsatisfactory background check, I had consulted an unpublished listing of 19th Century U.S. magazine appearances of aquarium articles (Finley, no date) and there was no such title previously listed. Within that time frame there was a large amount of non-attributed article republishing, especially from British sources, taking place.

I will skip over some of the other backgrounding and move right to the point of what I later discovered. In July of 1857, in another Philadelphia based magazine, an article titled “Aquariums – NO. II”, with no given author, was published in “Godey’s Lady’s Book and Magazine.” (In the previous issue an article titled “Aquariums – NO. I” had been published.) The 1862 article that I had written about appeared to have been basically modified from this article. Most of the text is the same with some deletions and/or changes here and there. There was also expanded material in the 1857 article that was not in the 1862 presentation. The same illustrations were used in both articles. From some of the included material in the 1857 article it became clear that it was of British origin. Notable among these was the mention of certain fishes. In the “Vernon” article he had noted “…I procured some fish…”. In the earlier article this was presented as “…I procured some fish – a dace and two gudgeons…”. In the U.S. we do have a large group of fishes called dace and these are placed among six or seven genera. The dace of the British is Leuciscus leuciscus which is not found in the U.S. Likewise the mentioned gudgeon, Gobio gobio, is not seen here. Additionally, the unknown author of the 1857 article mentions first seeing aquariums at the London Zoological Gardens in Regent’s Park. These were obviously important, but deleted, observations.

I then, as I should have done previously, dug deeper into various British sources and finally discovered in an advertisement that in September of 1856 an article titled “A Cheap and Simple Aquarium” (noted to “contain engravings”) was published in a magazine with the title of “The Family Economist.” The search for this on the internet was undertaken, alas, with no satisfaction. My librarian friend at the MCZ Library at Harvard University was also unable to locate any copy of the 1856 piece among various library collections. In my subsequent searching I did find a copy of the volume for 1856 for sale at a UK bookstore which I immediately ordered.

Upon examining the article when the volume arrived it was obvious that it was basically the same expanded version seen in Godey’s magazine from 1857. But there are several places where differences are noted. The number of paragraphs is different (Editor’s work) and there is a greater use of semicolons as opposed to periods. Additionally, in various spots the author discusses the costs of materials…in Pence and Sterling (Vernon had on cash value noted in Dollars.) In that this article is “patient one” it is what the subsequent ones must be compared with and judged by. And importantly, at the end of the additional material it is clear that the Editor obviously inquired regarding certain aspects of the text. This is not clear in follow-up renditions. Also, and most important to my mind is the following which is written at the end of this material: “I am, Sir, your obedient servant, “J.C.”.” This was deleted from all follow-up versions that I have examined. I will emphasize that this is NOT H.J.V. The identity of J.C. is unclear, and I can offer no guess or theory as to whom it might be.

I must, in coming towards an ending, note the additional appearance of the article in a shortened version in another British magazine named “The Family Friend.” In the Christmas issue of 1861 is this piece which is for all practical purposes the same as that used by Vernon the following year. A copy of this article may be seen on HathiTrust Digital Library by following this link: #9 – Family friend christmas 1861. – Full View | HathiTrust Digital Library. I will avoid using the “P” word herein, but I cannot help in thinking it for “Vernon’s article.” But I certainly remove my suggestion, used in my initial article, that he was “…a potential candidate for an early member of the North American Native Fishes Association (NANFA).” It is beyond my thoughts, or wishes, to pursue the topic of Henry J. Vernon. But certainly, a full reading of his over 60 widely titled published articles of which I am aware might offer up some clues to various aspects of his writing.

One last note: On receiving my copy of the bound 1856 volume of “The Family Economist” I was amazed to see the picture of the window aquarium beautifully hand colored (in addition to a few others within other articles). Having, and finding, no point of reference to this I contacted the book dealer who had supplied the copy. He noted that he was not aware of the publication doing this and suggested that a previous owner might have done it. In any case, for whomever did it, I am happy and proud to have this well-done aquarium coloration in a volume residing in my library. I guess I don’t have to know who did the work to enjoy it. And by including it herein hopefully you might all gain a bit of enjoyment for yourself.

So, what follows for any future reference purposes are copies of what now appears to me to be the original presentation of the article (1856) followed by the 1857 U.S. publication (under a different title). Both are from my personal library. The 1861 version is important for its apparent use by Vernon, and I have provided a link to its presence on the internet. My original article is available here on this site in the Article Archives section.