The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-01-12 00:00:00

PERIODICAL LITERATURE OF EN LAND.

The most remarkable character of the press of this country
is its periodical literature. Looking back to the first half
century of printing, we see Gutenbergand his successors
slowly. producing a few costly books, 'fur which they had
great difficulty in finding purchasers. ire think that it might
be asserted, without exaggeration, that the periodical works
issued in Great Britain during one year comprise more sheets
than all the books pointed in Europe from the period of Guten-
hurg's discovery to the year 1500. A few of the details of this
wonderful branch of the commence of literature may amuse
our readers.

The number of newspapers published in the United Kingdom
is about 370; of which 51 are published in London, and 190 in
the English provinces; 53 in Scotland; and 76 in Ireland. The
stamps annually issued for these newspapers is now about
45,000A0. In the quarter ending Ist April last (the last re,
turn) 11,500,000 were issued. This number shows an annual
increase of about 15,000,000 since the reduction of the stamp
to one pehuy. The quantity of paper required for the annual
supply of these newspapers ►s 99,000 resins. In a petitio❑ to
Pope in 1471, from Sweynheini and Pannartz, printers at
Rome, they bitterly complain of the want of demand fur their
books, their stock amounting to 12,000 volumes; and they say,
t, You will admire bow and where we could proeure a sufficient
quantity of paper, or even rags. for such a number of volumes."
About 1200 reams of paper would have produced all the poor
printers' stock. Such are the changes of four centuries.
The number of weekly periodical works (not newspapers)
issued in London on Saturday. December 16, was about fifty.
01 these the weekly sale of '' Chamber's Journal," the " Penny
Magazine," the " Saturday Magazine," the " Mirror," " The
Mechanics' Magazine." the " Lancet," the "Church of Eng-
land Magazine," and several others of the more important,
amounts to less than 200,000 copies, or about 10,000,000 copies
annually. Of these weekly periodical works the following is
an analysis .-
6 Relig,ious.
2 Literary Criticism—Literary Gazette, Athenaunt.
1 Musical.
2 Scientifiz.
2 For the advocacy of peculiar opinions, one advocating
opinions similar to those in works of Carlile, and one by
the friends of co-operation.
18 Miscellanies. The more extensively circulated weekly
periodicals belong to this class. New ones are con-
stantly added, and perish in a few weeks.
5 Tales and Stories.
7 Attempts at fun, some of them called forth by the success
of the Pickwick Papers,—mostly trash.
1 Sporting Slang.

Out of,this number twenty-one are published at Id. eight at a
lid, and seven at 2d. Of the remainder prices are higher,
varying up to Bd.
The monthly issue of periodical literature from London is un-
equalled by any similar commercial operation in Europe. Two
hundred and thirty-six monthly periodical works are sent nut
on the last day of each month, to every corner of the United
Kingdom, from Paternoster-row. There are also thirty-four
periodical works published quarterly ; making a total of 270.
Of the monthly periodicals—including, the weeklies issued in
parts tthere are 58 devoted to general literature ; 48 to
various branches of science, natural history, &c.; 46 religi-
ous and missionary—many the organs of particular sects ; 4
histories of England—appearing, periodically ; 17 works issuing
in volumes—a few in parts •20 fine arts—picture galleries.—
topography; 6 fashions. parts;
the remainder, many are very
cheap periodicals, addressed chiefly to children. A bookseller,
who has been many years conversant with the industry of the
great literary hive of London on the magazine day, has fa
voured us with the following computations, which we have every
reason to believe perfectly accurate :—The periodical works
sold on the last day of the month amount to 500.0(X) copies.
The amount of cash expended in the purchase of these 500,001)
copies is I.:95,000. The parceladespatehed into the country, of
which very few remain over the day, are 2000.—Pen•iy May.

NAVIGATSON OF THE LurvE.—We have much satisfaction in
being able to inform our readers, that the commissioners of St.
George's Quay have resolved to employ an eminent civil engi-
neer to. tnakea survey; and report on the praeticaliiiity of improv-
ing the navigation of the river from Glaseort to tht, Old Bridge.
—Lancaster Guardian.
ROCHDALE FLANNEL MARKET, MONDAY, JANUARY S.—
Th4ogh it has been what is called the new market, yet there
has.been no great quantity of business done to-day The at-
tendance of buyers has been rather thin, and the prices given
no better than those of last week. Wool remains steady, but
can be easily purchased at last market's price.