The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-01
news In IT'S INFANT ERA
Collections o. Old Journals in Tie
National Library.
That Were Published in
Ancient Dnys-Their Contents Read
prietors who Could Afford to Pay
the Price Asked for subscriptions.

The collection of old newspapers in the
northwest gallery of the Congressional Ii
| hrary. which was organized by Mr. Aims
worth Spofford some thing over a year ago,
will in course of time. it is said be one of
the most interesting and valuable acquisi-
tions of the Library. Its purpose is to il
lustrate the history of the newspaper an
object inseparable from the illustration of
history, or at least considerable part of it,
by the newspaper. The collection already
contains some ancient English journals OF
sixteenth and seventeenth century dates, as
well as the earliest copies of several Amer
lean papers. Among these latter may be no.
ticed the first newspaper report of the De-
claration of independence which was the
first Washp -.on paper. The history of the
newspaper i,dtes from the invention of
printiI g. Even before printing was known
the prototype of the modern newspaper eX-
listed in the news letter and the up-to-date
journalist recognizes his likeness in the
news letter writer.
Instead, however of the news writer
working in the interests of the public at
large he devoted his energies to the col
lection of news for the benefit of those who
could afford to pay the high price asked
for his sheet. This class was further linz
tied in the centuries preceding the inven-
ton of printing 10 those who could read
but in many instances a benevolent country
gentleman would call his tenants before his
house at certain time. and. standing on
his front steps, would read to them the
news. perhaps a week. or maybe many
weeks old. which he had received in his
letter from the metropolis.
ba u-h
onomous with a budget of news. had
rather singular origin, and is thus de-
scribed
During the war between the Venetians
and the Turks in 1868. the Venetian Gov
eminent being DESTROYS of communicating
news or public affairs to the people. caused
sheets of military and commercial intelli-
gence to be written. These sheets were
read out publicly at certain places. and the
fee paid for hearing was small coin called
a gazzetta. By degrees the name of the
coin was transferred TO tbc written sheet:
and an official or government newspaper
became known as GazZetta.
For some time afterward. the Venetian
Government continued the practice send
ing several written copies to several towns
where they were read to those who chose
to listen 10 them.
Hence, from that time the term Ca
zette" has been used in connection with
the newspaper. Many European newspa-
pers claim TO be two hundred years old or
more. and. in many cases, their pretcn-
tions are well founded. Some Of the most
.ncient of these journals are in Holland
the HARLEM Courant' having completed
Its two-hundredth year of publication in
1856 and il continues TO be a hourishing
paper. Lord Macaulay is said when in !
Holland, to have made considerable use of
the earlier numbers of this newspaper for
the purposes of his history. The first
number contained simply two small folio |
pages. The Gazette of Rostock" has !
been very nearly two hundred years in ex-
istence. and the Gazette of Leipsic'' has |
flourished for an even longer period. The |
of the latter paper celebrated |
the two-hundredth anniversary of its |
by issuing to their subscribers !
fac-smiles of two old numbers, of January |
l. 1860, and January l, 1860, representing /
the old typographical appearance as nearly
as they could.
1t is said that some Russian newspapers
late from the year 11G3 One OF these
claims the honor of having been estab-
ished by Peter the Great, who was its first
=ditor Some of the proof sheets with the
Peters own corrections in the
margins. are still extant. Old newspapers
have been found printed At Numberg in
571. at Dnlinger in 1863. at Ratisbon in
52S, and at Vienna as early as 1924.
The value of complete or even Partially
complete files of the old newspapers to the
tudent of history cannot be overestimated.
rhsy represent more clearly than the page
If the philosopher or even the historian
he ''age and body of the time its form
md pressure" aud their aid has been in
Toked by the most prominent modern es- ,
ayists and commentators.