The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-13
First Newspapers in War.

In the present exciting epoch of great
national Importance when news and news
papers take on an extraordinary interest,
some information of their first publica-
ton can not fail to be of especial con-
sequence.
For this important information we are
indebted TO George Chalmers of London.
who after thorough investigation, found
that mankind is indebted to England and
to the wisdom of Queen Elizabeth and thu
prudence and sagacity of Burleigh for the
first newspaper. And also that the epoch
of the Spanish armada Is the epoch of
the genuine newspaper. In the British
Museum are several newspapers which
were printed while the Spanish fleet was
in the English channel during the year
1888
1t was here that the great utility and
Importance of the newspaper was nrst
recognized, as it was a wise policy to
prevent during the time of general excite
ment and anxiety the danger of false re-
ports by publishing real and authentic in
formation.
The English Mercurie was the first news
paper published, which by authority was
imprinted at London by Christopher Bar
kerr her highness' printer, 1888.
Burleighs newspapers were all extraor-
binary gaZettes, which were published
from time to time as that profound states
man wished either TO inform or terrify
the people. The Mercuries were probably
first printed in April, 1888. when the Span
ish armada approached the shores of En-
gland After the Spanish ships had been
dispersed by wonderful exertion of pru-
dence and spirit these extraordinary ga
zettes very seldom appeared.
The Mercurie. No 81. dated Monday, No
vember "a. 1888. informed the public that
the solemn thanksgiving for the successes
which had been obtained against the
Spanish admada was this day strictly OBJ
served. This number also contains an ar
ticle of news from Madrid, which speaks
of putting the queen to death and of the
instruments of torture that were on board
the Spanish feet.
We may suppose that such paragraphs
were designed by the policy of Burleigh.
who understood all the articles of print
ing such reports TO excite the terrors Of
the English people. to point their hatred
and resentment against Spain and to in
fame their love for Elizabeth. OF the
three numbers of the English Mercurie
preserved Two are printed in modern type
and one in old English.
In the reign of James l., packets OF news
were occasionally published in the shape
of small pamphlets entitled: News From
Italy. Hungary" etc. In the year 1922,
when the thirty-years war was on and
the exploits of Gustavus Adolphus excit
ed curiosity. the occasional pamphlets
were converted into a regular weekly, en-
titled. Certain News of the Present
Week
1t was during the civil war that news
papers first acquired that political impor-
lance which they have ever since retain
ed Whole flights OF 'Diurnals" and
''Mercuries' in small quorto then began
to be disseminated by the different par
ties into which the state was divided.
Nearly a score are said TO have been
started in 1913, when the war was at its
height Peter Heylin, in his "CosmOg-
raphy" mentions that the affairs Of each
town or the war was better presented in
the weekly news books. Some papers were
entitled News From Hull" Truths
From York" Warranted Tidings From
Ireland" and Special Passages" from
other places.
As the contest proceeded the impotence
OF the public for early intelligence short
ened the intervals Of publication. and pa
pers began 10 be distributed twice or
thrice a week Among these were the
French IntelIigencer. the Dutch Spy. the
Scoc's Dove. the Parliament Kite. The So
cret Owl and other odd titles. One paper
would have printed on ore side The
Weekly Discoverer strippeds Naked, !"
There were also papers OF humorous
kind. such as News From Hell. TIE
Laughing Mercury etc
The first newspaper ever printed n
Scotland was issued under the auspices
Of a party OF CroaweIFs troops. al Leith.
who caused their attendant printer 70 fur
nish impre ssions q a London dIUrnal for
Their information and amusement
The MercurlOgs Caled0n-us bad some
very amusing traits Of the eEtravsEsn:
Soy occasioued by the restoration. along
with much thzt must be set down as o1ly
the product Of a very poor Wit trying -
say clever and amusing things After this
the Scotch had ouly reprints q toe Ectn-
hnrgh Gazette was established
The first newspaper publishes n this
country appeared about tas beginning q
l7a0, emitted. the Boston Meas Letter II
I7-s-1 a second pape- was started y Doz-
to1-ths New England CouTzn1-ey jams.
brother Of BENJAMIN Franklin. and La
later In I71s became editor ard publisher
81 the Pennsylvania Gazette. IN Phit$@e.-
pAia-shs best paper tnsn pa5llsas4