The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1831-11-16
From the Ne,p Bedford Gaxstte

AmT NV Llc PERSON WHO 6IafIe q
the first newspaper in America, expressed it as his
opinion that at no more distant day than the pres
ent the art OF printing would have arrived at such
stage as we now witness, he would without doubt
have been considered insane. When the publica-
ton of the Boston News Letter" was CONNIE nc
ed, issued upon sheet Of the size and nearly the
color OF brown wrapping paper and printed on ty ne
almost as large as that now used for the titles of our
present newspapers, il viewed with wonder
by the inhabitants of the now literary empori-
um, many Of whose wise ociagenarans shook their
heads and prophesed that it never could succeed
The improvement in the appearance of the period.
Gals which at intervals sprung up after the first at
tempt had proved successful, was gradual, and as
late as ten years ago, we remember seeing tceek-
nee printed on type adapted to the eyes of the
aged, which have now appended into dailies and
are partially hiled with type too small to be read
without the aid of glasses. But within the last
four years what rapid strides havu been made to-
wards perfection! Competition has increased the
SIZE whilst 1t has curtailed the profits of newspa-
pers, until at length they appear to us more like
substitute your own comparison, reader, for we
have not one ready-than decent old fashioned
country paper.
But not only have they been improved-if i'm.
provement that may be called which takes up four
hours of the day to look over-in size but like wise
IN the information they contain Formerly it was
as hard to get news from distant country as to
make apples grow in January; and paragraph Of
six lines, containing events which had TRANSFERRED in
as many months in some of our European govern
ments, was looked upon as evncing great exertion
on the part of him who first gave it to the public
Instead Of, as in the good old times of Isaiah
Thomas, Benjamin Russell, and sundry others we
could mention, waiting until stray paper from Eu-
rope was placed upon their table by a sea captain
after being two or three days in port they have &C.
tuay built vessels of so and 10 to cruise off and
way-lay ships bound 10 this country, and when
news is obtained, put in requisition post horses to
convey 1t to their respective establishments. Eve.
ny nerve is strained to reach the city ahead of the
other competitors, and often, as are informed
the inhabitants Of Long island have witnessed a
John Gilpin himself.
The city Of New York has for the last two years
been the head quarters Of this news mania. There
are now three separate establishments in that place
Tor the collection of news each supported at an an
nual expense offrom 5000 to 1000 dollars.
To MECHANICS. mechanic promised TO do
piece Oh work Tor me at certain time. called a
.he time-it was not done-he had forgotten 1t
put promised TO do il by ten O'Clock the next day
l called again-could not possibly get it done.
discharged him, and left what he had done towards
IT, on his hands. | engaged another mechanic e
do the same piece of work at a certain time-i
was not done-I discharged him. These mechan
les had violated their word, disappointed me, ID,
which sustained loss in money and time J ant
lost customer. SO much for ,rant Of puae tuality
went to another mechanic-he promised TO d.
the work at certain time-caled for it at the
tlme--i. was ready for me. This mechanic enjoyed
The consciousness of having. kept his word, per
formed his contract and done justice to his custom
er, by which he secured not only my work in iu
ture, but my good will which gained him man,
customers. SO much for punctuality. ..e
It is but ten years since the occusrence of thes,
things, and during the interval have marked tn,
| Cf fhase fhrao u,arhnniCa "A crisis IN
wards which the affairs of all three have beef
gradually approaching, has just been reached. The
two first have lost their business their little pro
perry has been squandered; they have lost thei
! characters, and their large and helpless families
are suffering for the necessaries Of life. If yol
would know their persons, seek for them in thu
grog shop--their name, seek for them in the rec
ords OF insolvency. The last has retired with com
Portable independepcy to large farm--is blesset
ms family, admired by his friends, possesses tn
good Will of all.-Baitimore Patriot.
A REcIPE To PnryEnr Ronrs FROM rAKIx.