The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-03-15
THE HINDOO EDITOR.

The Indian press Is OF ancient origin
Ages before the European conquest
every court had its weekly, I'm som,
cases It's daily. Journal. which was sen
out 10 the principal towns and atten.
lively read by mobiles, wealthy peopl,
and offcials. These journals contained
prociamations and DEGREES. and chroni-
ced the movements OF the court and All
Things likely TO be of interest 10 the
faithful subjects OF the rulers OF the
various principalities.
Newspapers. in our meaning OF the
word. were first published I'm 1918. saws
Pearson's Weekly. But these were i'm
English The first native newspapers
was not Issued until the middle OF the
century. The native press of the pres
ent day may be divided into two class
es, papers edited and published by ma
uNes, tne matter being generally half
IN English and half i'm native lam
guage. this class being much more nu-
merous.
As rule these last are small. very
poorly printed on cheap paper often
on only one side OF the sheet ana moi
fnfrequently the same Journal varies
greatly in size. according TO the amount
OF news obtainable and the personal
circumstances and convenience of the
editor.
Generally speaking the native is very
anxious 10 acquire knowledge OF Eng
iish. liz not only opens the way to an
pointments insthe government service
but also makes him a person of great
Importance In the district, as compar-
aavely few OF the millions OF natives
read English or even understand a.
when spoken. A working knowledge ~
our tongue is Indispensable TO "A native
editor. because all the important news
Is first published In the Anglo Indian
newspapers
The native writer is fond of evtrava-
CANT expressions. and makes use. when
ever he can. of quotations from Shake
speare or Milton. ana the reIigious
phrases he has seen in missionary lit
erature. In the use OF metaphors he of-
ten gets much mixed up
The editorial page OF the Indian
country paper is a literary CURIOSITY
ror instance, the reader Is assured i'm
an article on a political crisis. that ''su
The crowned heads OF Europe are sbals-
ing In their shoes" Sometimes we reod
that the editor expects. with divine |
heip. 10 have more reading suited IN |
the Intelligence OF his subscribers i'm l
the next issue"
But the editor Is seen at his best In !
MS own announcements His whole vo- \
cabulary il brought into play Ia i'm 4
press the readers Sometimes the an /
nouncement takes the tone of apology. I
as IN the case Of the editor who innn !
Gently declared; This Is only The bn-
ginning or our paper. We were not sure |
how much matter was REQUIRED to an |
u up. and. thinking we had sufficient
we did not exert ourselves much % pet
any more. We. therefore. beg that our
readers VIII excuse us this time f,r !
the space left blank. ana promise tn do
bVfer and get more in The future"
still more curious was the announce
rnent OF paper which tame ont FOR the
hrst time with two columns blank no !
editor making the bold announcement
that IA large quantity OF exceedingly
Interesting matter has been left out for
want ~ space"
When native editor wants boli-
lay nc suspends publication until IN Ia
convenient 20 resume. and. taking his
'esders into his confidence. Informs
hem plainly why the ranor wa- MI
ssuen on the expected dates with |
he consent of our readers We. now p-,-
,ose 10 take our annual holiday Ne |
Ire sure none of them will bcgrudge us
'ur relaxation" 4"
N Il were not FOR The Er~lish news
'npcrs published in Calcutta. BOMBAY |
nd other large cities. which are rfifal !
N cultured Enrlishmen ana Auala.Tu-
Ians. the native journals would b.
cry poor productions rs nearly ali
NJ news and much of The other road
'c matter 10 translated In order % nli
Isw