The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-08-12
From the Philadelphia Ledger.
The London Times.
LONDON, June 13, 1868.


LONDON, June Is, 1868.
To tho writer abroad the London Times
and it's Office are always objects of inter,
est, and your readers may, perhaps, like
to know something of this great news
paper, which stands at the head of the
press of Europe. In the heart of the
old city of London, near st. Paul's
Church and The Thames, arc "Printing
House Square" and "Play House Yard
the former small open space, about fifty
teot square, the latter narrow street, a
few yards, to the north; access being
gained to both through some of the
smallest, most crooked and dingiest streets
of the metropolis Hero, in dozen OF
more low, ancient-looking houses, cover
ing perhaps an acre and a halt, is pub
lished the Times, the publishing Office
being on Play House Yard, the office for
receiving advertisements on one side OF
Printing House Square, the managers
offices on another, and tho editors rooms
on q third. The place is a quiet one, SC.
cludcd. from the hustle and noise of the
traffic of the great London streets, and
none of the buildings make any preten-
sions or give, beyond one or two modest
signs, any indications of the important
business transacted within.
On January l3, 1885, Mr.. John Walter,
of London, published the first number OF
the Daily Unirersal Register, which was
printed by what was known as the logo
graphic system, in which types contain
Ing syllables and words were employed
instead of single letters. This system,
being not found TO answer, was soon dis
used. Mr.. Walter determined to change
the name of his newspaper, and on Jan
uary ], 1888, issued the first number OF
the Times, q four-page sheet, little lar
ger than the first number of the Public
Ledger, and containing four columns on
each page. II was, of course, printed on
the old fashioned hand presses. 1t had
many rivals to contend with, and gained
but slowly in circulation. having at the
start and until 1913, a sale of 1000 copies,
whilst the London Morning Post issued
1900. During this year, Mr.. Walter
gave up tho paper to his son, in whose
hands it advanced to high place in
journalism, its start being gained by en-
terprise in gathering news in Napoleon's
wars. On November 2, 1914, the Times
was first printed by steam power, using
the first English steam printing press,
constructed by NJ. KONG, and capable of
working off 1900 copies per hour. By
successive improvements this capacity
was increased, and in 1915 there were
1900 copies per hour printed. Tho pow
erful articles contributed by Edward
Sterling to the Times gained it the well
known name of "The Thunderer." Du-
ring this period it gradually increased its
size, adding a fifth, and then a sixth COL
umn to each page, and on Jan. 10, 1920,
it issued its first double number of eight
pages. In 1871, memorable event hap.
pencd in the history of the paper. 1t
used its great power to defeat and ex-
pose scheme organized by public COM
pany to defraud, by forgery, all the in
fuential bankers of Europe. This brought
upon the propretors long and vexa-
tious action for libel, involving them in
heavy expense. Finally the jury found
the charge true, but gave verdict OF
only one farthing damages, This trial
was one of the great events of the time,
and subscriptions wore set on foot in all
parts Of Europe to reimburse the proprie-
tors for their immense outlay in defend
ing the action, but this being firmly de-
clined, the money was expended in found
ing "Timcs Scholarships" at Oxford,
Cambridge and other schools, and marble
tablets commemorating the event were
set up in the.Royal Exchange, in Print
ing House Square, and other places.
These were the greatest honors ever
given to an European newspaper. Sub
sequontly, the paper came into the hands
of Mr.. John Walter, grandson Of it's
founder. In 1S45, the Times established
an overland express from India for the
conveyance Of nows In 1913, it first
used rotary printing machines, those OF
Applegath, and in 1852 it's average daily
circulation was $4,000, whilst of tho num-
ber Of Nov. 10, 1852, issued after the
death of the Duke of Wellington, and
containing his biography, $4,000 copies
were sold. In 1854, DIR. Russell was
employed as special correspondent in the
Crimea, and wrote the letters that made
him famous. During this period the
Times began issuing triple and quadruplc
sheets, papers of twelve and sixteen
pages. In 1858, Mr.. Hoes American
printing machine was first used to print
the Times In 1861, the daily circulation
had increased to 81 900 copies, over 49,
100000 copies being issued during the
year. At this time the Times began oc-
easionally issuing quadruple sheets OF
twenty pages to accommodate its bust
ness, and on Jpnc %. 1861, it issued q