The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1874-12-29 00:00:00

Dotal Countg Exprpo.

TUESDAY. DECEMBER 18. 1874.

In completing the publication of the Express
for the year 1874, we cannot forbear thanking
our numerous readers and friends for their con-
tinued support, and many marks of kindness
bestowed upon us. Conducting a newspaper—
although it it popularly supposed to be ono of
the easiest things in the world—is, we believe,
as a matter of experience, at least as difficult as
the management of any other business; and,
probably, from its manysidedness and variety,
requirts a larger !treasure of Sptitude and judg-
ment than some other professions. Our earnest
endeavour has alwaysbeen to support the right and
contend against the wrong; and with honesty of
purixse to supply our columns with news which
shall be interesting and useful to the community at
large. We constantly aim to reflect as far as
possible the mind of the county as expressed in
its various public channels, whether in the pulpit,
at county meetings, in municipal assemblies, or
in parochial gatherings ; and we strive faithfully
to record every phase of feeling that is current,
ignoring no class and no party, but giving to
each its duo share of prominence or obscurity.
We have no interest to servo but that of truth,
and no other desire than to make our journal
an honest, fair, and ample record of public
events. Being untrammelled by the petty con-
siderations which the exigencies of party politics
impose on their advocates, we are free to treat
every subject, whether of politics, religion, or
social life, on its merits alone. But our main
object is to give news; and we have sufficient
respect for the good sense of our readers, con-
tendly to leave them to form their own judg-
ments upon the various matters recorded.
During the past year we have extended our
literary staff by appointing reporters at Bridport
and at Poole. These, added to those long
established at Dorchester and Weymouth, with
correspondents in various other towns and
villages, constitute a body of contributors equal
to that of the highest-priced papers; and by
their united labours we are enabled to give an
amount of original matter which is seldom found
in country journals. A constantly increasing
number of readers testifies to the suocess of our
efforts, and while we gratefully acknowledge
this fact, it is to our advertising friends that we
are more particularly indebted. Were it not
for them, instead of extension of news facilities
we should have to diminish our sources of
; supply. Advertisers are the life-blood of a
t newspaper, whether it be The Times or the
r Dorset County E.epress. Wu are thankful to
; theta for past support, and hope that they will
, find our increasing circulation largely beneficial;
and that others will take advantage of the
r publicity afforded by our columns, and mutual
advantage be the result We look forward to
the future with confidence. Pursuing an judo-
pendent and straightforward course, and doing
' our last to make this journal satisfactory and
r pleasing to our readers, we cheerfully rely upon
the continued support of our old friends, and
; anticipate a constantaocessiou of new subscribers.
r May 1875 bring to all of us prosperity, and ovary
blessing included in the wish—