In the 1860's, the literary landscape was graced by "Good Words," a periodical that played a significant role alongside illustrious magazines like The Cornhill Magazine and Once a Week. These publications served as platforms for contemporary illustrators to shine. While The Cornhill presented serialized tales adorned with illustrations and Once a Week embraced visualized poetry readings, Good Words stood out as an "improving publication" that boasted exquisite visual content.
 
Scottish publisher Alexander Strahan birthed Good Words in 1860, with the capable Norman Macleod as its inaugural editor. Following Macleod's passing in 1872, his brother, Donald Macleod, took up the editorial mantle.
Good Words found its audience among evangelicals and nonconformists, particularly the lower middle class. Its pages were adorned with overtly religious content, alongside captivating fiction and enlightening nonfiction articles spanning diverse topics, including the intriguing world of science.
 
Notably, the Dalziel Brothers, preeminent wood-engravers of their time, played a pivotal role in curating exceptional artists to grace the magazine's pages with their illustrations.