Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-06
The Progress Of Journalism.

When the history of the nineteenth
century comes 10 be read by sue
ceeding generations the history III which
lis men OF note shall be ranked according
To their services, Il Is not at all probable
that the journalist will occupy place IN
the rear, Notwithstanding the fact that
his occupation Is cOmuaTatively modern
institution for although we are told that
the authenticated history of newspa-
pers begins i'll Germany in the year 1918 y
we learn from the same source that true
political journalism dates only from the
Revolution, aud II then had a very bret
existence"
1t Is SAID Of Tennyson that he has con-
trlbuted much toward forming the La
tlonal mind, nut II seems that even more
credit IL due To him who Is called upon t.
"A far greater extent than either poet or
author to cater to the mass whose opln-
ions are more or less moulded after his
and the wonderful improvements tina, have
been and are continually being made IL
the way of printing greatly facilitates the
means Of gratifying the public thirst. Not
only this. but the easy communication:
which may bs had with almost any part Of
the gloue IS also a potent factor.
Had franklin, when lad employed II
the printing Office of his brother in l72l
been tod that III much less than two cen
turtles the demand for the journalists
wares should be such as to warrant on'
paper alone issuing between $1,000 t
n 900 sheets in one hour, as does the Lon
don Tunes. he would probably have looked
slightly incredulous. At that time the
paper published by franklin's brother
and known as the Nesc England C0urda'
was the second one that appeared II
America. And the prime movers In Thu.
PROCESSION, who are they? They are tn
rehccters and condensers of the world
records: they are also It's critics, unlik'
the editor Of paper published IN liO'
who explained III his Journal that ht
would not take upon himself 10 give an
comments, suppOsing other peOple TO hav'
sense enough 10 ihahc IVHeAlohs ioI th"HI
selves"
Dlckens's career in journalism rs police
court reporter has gwen to the world som
painfully true pictures OF the character
and scenes which he witnessed, withou
winch opportunity, genius though he was
| he could not have drawn so accurately
| The step from Journalism 70 authorship
with HIM was a short one III spite OF tn
gulf that divides them, for the author ma.
or may not have facts as u nucleus arOun'
which lie weaves his WEB OF fancies
depending largely upon his owl
creative power which comes from
an infinite source. while the Journals
nav always have plain, unaduiterated fact
to sustain him with but fow garnishipgs
| 1t was recently announced that Mrs. Fran
Leslie intends to bequeath ut her death
large sum of money TO found an institution
| for the benefit of those who have literar
aspirations without means Of improvin
| them, place where they where they Wi
| have every opportunity of perfecting them
selves in their chosen vocation.
| Mrs. Leslie evidently believes as does tn
| journalist who gave as his opinion tina
this profession demands special trainin
| fully as much as do physic or law" an
| when such II shall receive journalism Wi
cease to be "a trade and will be ranked trul
| as science.
And now word in conclusion as to tn
fitness of woman for this work, abou
| which no more needs &C. be- said than tina
III Boston and Its vicinity there are LII
women who make livelihood with thei
mems. l.. l.. X.