The Washington times., 1901-12-22
Old Journals in the Library
Of Congress.
FIRST WASHINGTON NEWSPAPER.
French Papers Containing Reports
of Events of the Revolution
Quaint Advertisements in Eariy
English Periodicals.

!
of curious information of "ye oldyn
time" In the quantity worded adver-
| tisements alone there are pictures OF the
| tastes and habits of century or two ago.
| A visit to the shelves where rows upon
rows OF the bound files of these early
newspapers are stored, in company with
Mr.. Slauson. who is the urhane and able
head OF the periodical department. is
both interesting and instructive.
Among the old papers. to commence
with those OF local interest, one notices
copies of the Georgetown Weekly Lodg-
er.'' the earliest number dated in the year
| 1892. There is the Alexandria Adyer-
tiser," from July 2. 179S to 1901, and one
issue o. the Virginia Journal" also pub
lished in Alexandria, for August 30, 1881.
The Times and Advertiser published
in Alexandria, is represented by files en-
bracing the years 1879. inclusive.
THE Washington Gazette. the initial
number dated in 1896, the earliest paper
printed in this city. is contained in one
large bound volume, from its first issue
to the last in 1898. There is a compile, e
| file of the National Inteiligencer," tie
| publication of which was commenced in
1900, and continued until 1870.
There is also a file Of the Universal
| Gazette the publication OF which was
commenced in PHILADELPHIA. and which
was removed to Washington when the
/ seat of government was changed from the
/ former to the latter city. ..-.,-.-
Early English Newspapers.
One OF the most valuable possessions OF
the Library is a complete set Of ;.Ie
representative London newspapers, dat
| ing back as far as 1865. Starting with the
complete nle OF the London Gazette" a
semi weekly, in 1865. the sequence is con-
tinued uninterruptedly down to the pres
ent day through an entire set Of the
London Times" the latter beginning
where the former leaves or.
There is an extensive file, too. of the
London Advertiser" the precursor OF
| the Times" which started simply as an
advertising medium, but after a month "
! co devoted space to local and foreign
] news. The advertisement OF the publish
ers of the first number OF this sheet.
which is in the Library. starts with a
notice to the effect that the paper would
be delivered free to all coffee houses for
the first four days.
The wording Of the medical advertise
ments is remarkably plain. Oae Of these
notices commences by informing persons
| that, by taking a certain turning up a
given street, over against the sign Of the
Blue Dragon. red lamp viii guide them
TO where they may consult physician Of
established renute.
The entire history of the first French
revolution is contained in the very com
! plete reports of lie Monijeur Universal.
| the numbers Of which are complete for
| that exciting and extraordinary period.
Looking over the iszue Of this paper. for
instance, which reports the voting in the
national convaltion on the fate OF King
Louis XVI. one reads the very words in
which each member delivered his verdict.
Robespierre makes the longest speech,
and Marat comes next in volubility. The
greatest number OF votes. however, are
couohed simply in the omlnous words
LA mort"
Guizot's Paper.
There IS a file Of the Journal des De-
bats" formerly owned by Guizot, the his
torian. containing his bookmark stamped
on the ly leaves Of the bindings. This
also covers the period OF the Revolution.
There is a copy of what is. probably,
the Oldest English newspaper. This is
entitled News from Divers Countries. rs
from sraine. Anlwerpe Collin. Venice,
Rome, The Turke, and the Prince Doria.
And how the Arch Duke Of Austria in
tended to resigne his cardinalrs hat
through his marriage with the King OF
spaine's daughter. Printed al London by
Yalentln Simms, and are 10 be sold in
Gratious streete, l597.'
Among the early papers Of this coun-
try IS to be seen file ot the New Eag-
| land Weekly Journal" from i727-29. in
elusive; also complete file Of the New
York Tribune from the first number In
1871 Horace Grceley's campaign paper,
The Log Cabia" complete nle). pub
lighed during the year 1910. furnishes
some Of the earliest examples of news
paper illustration. the arst pages OF many
numbers being adorned with crude wood
cuts. It was customary to issue a sheet
Of music set to the words OF campaign
song with every weekly copy.
Garrison's ..LIbcrator."
There is a complete file OF William Lloyd
Garrlson's paper. THE Liborator." first
issued in 1881. The first newspaper publ
cation Of the Declaration OF Independence
is TO be seen in the contemporary issue
Of the Pennsylvania Evening Pest" and
A day or so later. in the New York Ga
zaftc" file Of which from its first issue
In 1873. to its last in 1893. is to be seen
At the Library.
A copy Of the New York Herald" for
the date following that of the burial of
Alexander Hamilton in 1904. contains a
lengthy account Of the Hamilton Burr
duel. and the obscques Of the former,
adorned with a cut of coffin. in black.
on which is depicted in white letters
Hamilton's monogram. This tasteful wori
Of art Is labeled Tho Corpse"
There has recently been purchased by
the Library a large file of the "Amster-
| dam Ccurant" covering the entire period
Of the American Revolution, and inter
| csting as giving foreign opinion on the
merits and probable results 81 that great
struggle fer liberty.
Strange 10 say, the Library does not
possess copy Of the first issue OF the
Boston Newsletter" of 17o4. the earli-
est successful newspaIer in this country.
| although there is to be seen fac-simile