The Knickerbocker, or New-York Monthly Magazine, March 1844 Volume 23, Number 3

"The Knickerbocker, or New-York Monthly Magazine, March 1844" by Various is a compilation of writings from the 1840s that includes essays, poems, and articles touching upon cultural and philosophical subjects of the time. Readers are presented with different viewpoints and literary styles from various writers. One significant piece revolves around Transcendentalism. This section begins with a discussion of Transcendentalism between a narrator and a friend, who initially dismisses the concept. The narrator then goes on to explain the philosophy using references to thinkers of the day, such as Carlyle and Emerson. This opening dialogue critiques the tendency of writers to mock Transcendentalism while highlighting how even its critics might practice its principles unconsciously, inviting readers to ponder spirituality, morality, and reason within the context of 19th-century American thought.