General News in Early and Mid-Victorian Class Periodicals: The Gardeners’ Chronicle , 1841–70

Abstract: Responding to legislation or market pressure, many Victorian periodicals went through dramatic changes throughout their careers by redefining their target public, excluding or adding content, or most notably, modifying their titles and subtitles. This study examines the transformation of class periodicals, particularly through the lens of general news content. Analyzing the approaches adopted by the Gardeners’ Chronicle and two similar titles regarding the provision of general news, this article explores the content evolution in specialized periodicals across three decades.