Adelaide miscellany was begun as a revival to Adelaide musical herald. It was published by printers Walter Simms and Joseph Elliott and regularly included supplements of sheet music (songs), composed by Elliott. There were also articles about musical theory, history and biography. The first issue of the magazine stated, "We doubt not abundant literary talents lay dormant in the colony ..." (30 July 1868, p. 2) Most of the content of Adelaide miscellany was literary. Serials and poems by well known local amateur writers including 'Ellie' (Ellen Debney), 'Clotilde', 'Myrtle' and 'Agnes Neale' (Caroline Agnes Leane) filled its pages. The numerous other contributions included stories by Andrew Anderson of Norwood, Augusta Catlow and 'S' of Norwood and poems by 'J.E.' (Joseph Elliott), William Sanders and Ehol Trebla (Albert Lohe). Police Trooper George Hamilton was also a regular fiction contributor. The editorial comments suggest the magazine received far more contributions than they were able to print. A chess column and quiz page completed the small magazine, while the back and front pages consisted of advertisements for Adelaide businesses. The magazine was forced to close after a year through lack of subscribers.