The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-03
Ancient Newspapers GiUen
 State ArchiUes Department;
 FrankLin's First Is Included

Montgomery, February 2.-(Speciat-)- The Rev c. R. Lamar of this city mas just presented to the. state department Of archives and history, on behalf of his nephew, w. H. Lamar of Demopons. some old documents of great historicai value. which for many years were in the possession of Prof. T. J. Lamar, for merly of Auburn.
 One of these documents is the first is- sue of Benjamin Franklin's first news paper, The New England Courant.. which was printed in Boston. February II. 172S, just 19s years ago. It claims to be edited by sort of club. at the head of which stands kind of sphinx. or wiseacre, who speaks ex cathedra on ali manner of subjects.
 Is 1t possible that this is the origin of the editorial we" and also of the Argus eyed reporter of, present times? Franklin was then just IT years of age. The saiu- tatory. or preface" as it is called. fs worthy of reproduction. It is as foi- lows:
 TO ENTERTAIN
 Long has tho press groaned in bring ing forth an hateful but numerous breed of party pamphlets. malicious scribbies, and billings-gate riba1dry. The rancor and bitterness 1t has unhappily infused Into men nlnuS. ana 10 what uegTee II has soured and leavened the tempers Of persons formerly esteemed some of the most sweet and affable, Is too we'll known to need any further proof or rep resentation of the matter. No generous or impartial person, then. can blame the present undertaking. which is designed purely for the diversion and merrimcnr ov the reader Pieces of pleasantly ana mirth have a secret charm in them to ai- yox, No sl,aot tes ,,,A f.tv ,nrc oF o,,r cpfr and to make man forget his restless re- sentiments. They have strange power to tune the harsh disorders of the soui and reduce us to a serene and placid state of mind.
 ''The main design of this weekly paper will be to entertain the town with the most comcal and diverting incidents in human life, which in so large place as Boston will not not fail of universal ex- republication. Nor shall we be wanting to fill up these papers with a grate- full interspersion of more serious morals, which may be drawn from the most ludicrous and odd parts of life.
 PAINTER OBJECTS
 "As for the author, that is the next question. But though we profess our selves ready to oblige the ingenious and courteous reader with most sorts of in telligence, yet here we beg reserve.
 
 vantage to them or to the writers that their names should be published. There fore, in this matter we desire the favor of you to suffer us to hold our tongues, which though at this time of day 1t may sound like very uncommon request. yet it proceeds from the very hearts of your humble servants.
 By this time the reader perceives that more than one is engaged in this present undertaking Yet there is one person, an inhabitant of this town of Boston, whom we honor as doctor in the chair, or a perpetual dictator. The society had de- signed to present the public with his pic- ture, but the painter. to whom he was presented for a draught of his counte- nance. deserted (and this he is ready to offer upon oatl) 19 features more than fore which so raised the price of the pic ture that our master himself forbade the extravagance of coming up to it.
 ALSO DOUBLE-FACED
 "And then besides, the painter discov- cred a scisrn In his face which splits 1t from the forehead in straight line down to his chin, in such sort that Mr. Paint CT protests 1t is a double face, and he II have a4 for the portraiture- However, though this double face has spoilt us pretty picture yet we all rejoice to see old Janus in our company. There sis nc man in Boston better qualified than old Janus for Couranteer, or, If you please, an observator, being man Of such remarkable optics as to look both ways at once.
 "As for morals, he Is clearly Christian, as tho country phrase expresses 1t A man of good temper, courteous deport- mert, .and sound Judgment; mortal hater of nonsense, foppery TOT mality and endless ceremony. As for ms club, they aim at no greater happiness Or honor than that the public be made to know that it is the utmost of their