The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-01-09

The FOURTH Estate. BY F. knight Hunt.
vols. London, 1850.
BUcKINeHAM's REMINIscEscEs. 2 vols. Boston

1HE fOUhTh ESTATE. by hulBut huHt.
vols. London, 1850.
BucKISGHAM's REmINIscEsoEs. vols. Boston
1850.
Ii is an incident worthy of remark, that the
first essays towards the history of the English
newspaper press should have been the Off
spring of two kindred lands-England and
America-and almost exactly contemporary in
their appearance.
Mr. Buckingham, the American author, has
confined himself to very limited field of re-
search; but, as far as it goes, his work is OF
signal merit, and contains much inviting
matter.
Mr. Hunt, the English author, has entered
on more extensive sphere of investigation;
he reviews the press in all its phases-when
PROSTATE in supine impotence, under the iron
rule Of tyranny, or when free and unshackled,
proclaiming its rights with the voice of "Angels,
trumpet-tongued."
To US, In land where the newspaper Is the
great exponent of the popular will, the very
pulse of the nation, positive necessity OF
civilized existence" it must, even to the de-
sultory reader, be task replete with interest
to trace the onward progress of the press, from
the little embryo to its present state of mature
development and gigantic growth.
Mr.. Hunt commences with the first English
newspaper, ''the Weekly Nspes." "Whal APP
pears to be the earliest sheet of this paper
bears date 23d of May, 1922, and has the
names of Bourne and Archer on its title; but,
as we proceed in the examination of the sub
ject, we find that Butler becomes the most
conspicuous of the set. He seems to have
been the author and the writer, whilst the
others were probably the publishers.
Our republican blood has occasionally sim
mered with Indignation while reading Of the
oppressive cruelty of the Star chamber
cat whose decree pale justice wept"-
tribunal instituted, it would appear, with
the special aim of curbng the progress of the
press, and before which every news writer, who
had disseminated opinions and sentiments at
variance with thegrinding tyranny of his rulers,
was arraigned and infallibly condemned. 1t
would be hardly possible to insert within our
contracted limits even a succinct sketch of the
proceedings of this body, or of the numerous
sufferings or barbarous punishments inflicted
by it upon those martyrs who first projected the
glorious "Fourth Estate" as Mr.. Hunt, with
great appropriateness, has denominated the
newspaper press.
Jetfreys, whose DEGREES were ''lawless law !"
and upon whose tomb should be deeply craven
the sarcastic lines of Seneca
''Deflete vrum,
Quo non alius
POtuit Citius
Dscere causas
Una tantum
Parte Rudita
Sepe ct neutra"-
stands pre-eminent among the stern oppressors
of editors. In evidence of his extreme cruelty
towards them, we instance the trial of John
Tutchin, a young gentleman of Hampshire,
who, having had the misfortune, with many
others of his acquaintance, to be in the interest
of the Duke of Monmouth, was taken prisoner
by the county guard:
"When seized he concealed his real name, and
was committed to Dorchester Jail as Thomas Pitts,
and there being evidence against him he was
acquitted. Before Tutchin could leave the prison
Jeffreys learned who he really was, and deter
mined to be revenged for the deception that had
been practised. He set the jailer to endeavor to
extort a confession from the acquitted prisoner.
but in vain; and Tutchin was once again brought
into court, when Jeffreys, mot caring to indict
HIM again for rebellion pretended that the crime
OF changing his name deserved severe sentence,
md sentenced him to remain in prison for seven
years; and further ordered, that once every year
he should be whipped through all the market
Suod[sS that b. should fine
Tor his good behaviour during life."
Certainly, says the reporter of this specimen of
judicial conduct, during the well-named bloody
assze, devil incarnate could rage, Billings
gate woman could scold worse than this judge did
at this young gentleman whilst he was at the bar.
him he rebel from Adam, that never any of
his family had the least loyalty; and, continued
he, understand you are wit and poet; pray.
sir, let you and cap verses Tutchn smiled, and
replied. he knew on what ground and when he
was overmatched."
A merited fate, however, awaited Jeffreys
himself; he, in turn; was condemned to the
Tower
s'Raro antecedentem scelestum
Deseruit pede ppna CLAUDIO
But we are admonshed to a speedy close.
These volumes evidence deal Of patient in
vestigation, highly credtable to their authors,
whose labors in this inviting but SO much ne
elected field of research we earnestly hope will
not cease, but be continued with untiring energy.
w. A. M.
The above works are on sale at Taylor s.
Maury's, Pennsylvania avenue.
Entertainment OF tho American Minister In
i've