The Sun.
London, England, 1838-09-24 00:00:00

TO THE LICENSED VICTUALLERS
OF ENGLAND.

GENTLEMEN,—You will perceive by the accompanying Prospec-
tus, that the Trade have seriously and unanimously taken up the
question of establishing a National Paper connected with their in-
terests. lam happy to congratulate you on this event, and to state
that your " Metropolitan Committee," in conjunction with many
influential members of the " London Protection Society," have
united in carrying out this great object. Every member of the
Trade, taking in the Paper, will participate in its profits, without
being in the slightest degree liable or responsible. The regulations
relative thereto will be decided by the Delegated Authorities from
the Provinces, who will be entitled to a voice in the laws, which
will be hereafter submitted for their approval. Trusting to your
firm and united support,
I remain, Gentlemen, yours faithfully,
G. S. KEYMER, Hon. Sec.
_

London, Sept. 4, 1838.
PROSPECTUS OF " THE ERA,"
A Weekly Journal of News, Politics, Commerce. Industry,
ar
e clearnt e sharpthrae
ot
yn
eS.
and
Sunday, the
willEt hßbeAe3swOutishl
cl
eohpfet
ipSbrleiepo ttoee
printed
boe
ieonr ;fi iodneisvtiadnetd,
paper,pa tred
and
i le
pleasure
sou.
Manners, Literature, Arts, and Sciences, to be printed and published
distinct sheets, each as large as a London Evening Paper.
11. The matter contained in this ample space will be classified
under various heads, such as News—Politics—Literature, &c., so
as to enable the reader to find at once the kind of amusement or
information he seeks.
Under the head of " News" will be found every thing of popular
interest, whether foreign or domestic, that has transpired during
the week ; with the frequent addition of information accessible only
to this Paper. '
The department of " Politics" will be distinguished by reason
and moderation, not by ranbour and malevolence. It will not
become subservient to any clique. The Tories, Whigs, and Ra-
dicals, have each their peculiar organs already ; and it will be the
province of THE ERA to watch their conflicting struggles, and in-
terpose a warning voice when public opinion seems likely to be be-
trayed into lending itself to mere party purposes.
In the space devoted to Commerce and Industry will be traced,
week by the week, the position of this great trading and manufac-
turing Country, both as regards her internal prosperity, and her
foreign relations. It will comprise not only statistical tables, bat
original articles on the policy and prospects of the nation. In this
department will come in the state of the Markets and Shipping In-
telligence, up to the latest moment possible.
The department of Manners will be novel and comprehensive in
its arrangements. It will present an a.necdotical history of the vir-
tues, vices, crimes, follies, and fancies, of the people of all classes.
Nothing will escape its research, from a sermon to a song, from a
murder to a lampoon. The courts of justice—the police offices—
the ball-room—the soiree—the masquerade—all will be ransacked
for subjects of interest or mirth. Even the changes of dress and
fashion will be noted as carefully as in another department the re-
volutions of empires; and an important place will be allotted to
Sporting Intelligence of all kinds.
The remaining department will contain a more elaborate sketch
of the progress of Literature, Art, and Science, in England, than
has yet been attempted in a general newspaper : comprising every-
thing of interest and amusement that has hitherto been found only
in the " Literary Journals."
111. THE ERA being the property of the Licensed Victuallers
of England, will devote special attention to the interests of that
body. The profits of the Paper will be devoted to the purpose of
increasing the funds of those two excellent institutions, the Li-
censed Victuallers' School, in Kennington-lane, and the Asylum,
in the Kent-road, London, and at the rame time extend, in just
roportions, to the provincial towns, the advantages derived by the
Aletropolitan trade from the " Morning Advertiser," in the insti-
tution of establishments of charity and education ; while the public
importance of the Journal will also, it is hoped, have the effect of
raising the whole body in public estimation. It will liberate from
one-sided views, and narrow prejudices, the questions that affect
their trading interests, and place their business in its true position,
i
as the necessary concomitant of civilization, growing only d then the
growth of industry, and flourishing only in the prosperity _
people. Connected with such objects, it will be the business of
üblic
this Journal to assist the friends of public morals and p
health, and the well-wishers of the Revenue, in their attempts
to convince the Legislature of the singular and dangerous mistake
they committed in passing what is commonly called the Beer-shop
Bill.
IV. But the public, it is admitted, have no concern with the nature
.
of the Proprietory of the Paper, further than that it guarantees its es
tablishment on a scale, and with a certainty of continuance;
alto-
gether unattainable by a private speculation. The first talenottoant
the country will assist in its production, directed by a gentl
well known in the literary world. The various great questions
that occupy the public mind will be treated, not in a spirit of par-
tisanship, but with calmness and deliberation. The grand object,
it is repeated, will be, not to add to the clamour of parties, but. to
prevent the people from being bewildered and deluded by the noisee.
The present state of the Poor-laws, for instance, will receive th
most anxious examination ; but instead of joining in the wild out-
cry en one side or other, the business of THE ERA will be to T-
Vestleate facts, and lay the whole question fairly before the public.
But, with regard to another class. of subjects, on which there
can be no dispute as to facts, the advocacy of this Jourual will be
direct, bold, and unwearied. Among the greatest of these maybe
mentioned the question of National Education; and, in connection
with the intellectual progress of the people, that of the gradual
Extension and Equalisation of the Suffrage. It may he added that
the condition of the Naval and Military Services will receive the
minute investigation it demands. All such subjects—including the
various Irish questions, the question of Corn Laws, Vote by Bal-
lot, Duration of the Sittings of Parliament, &c. &c., will be tem-
perately discussed, with the purpose neither of lulling nor exciting
the public mind, but of disseminating sound practical information,
and promoting calm, moderate, and enlightened views.
V. THE ERA will be published in London every Saturday, in
time for transmission to the country by the evening mails ; and a
Second Edition, bringing down the intelligence to the latestminute
possible, will appear every Sunday morning, for circulation in the
Metropolis.
Communications, postage free, may be addressed to the Editor,
No. 20, Catherine-street, Strand.
G. J. KEYMER, Hon. Sec.
P. BRENAN, Acting Sec.
Orders received by all Newsmen in
Town and Country.