This collection contains nine works by early female science fiction authors, including The Description of a New World, Called The Blazing-World, often considered the first piece of science fiction literature. Also included are works by Mary Shelley, Edith Nesbit, Mary Wilkins Freeman, Francis Stevens, and more.

The "Gentleman's magazine" section is a digest of selections from the weekly press; the "(Trader's) monthly intelligencer" section consists of news (foreign and domestic), vital statistics, a register of the month's new publications, and a calendar of forthcoming trade fairs.