A LITERARY CURIOSITY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 30, 19 August 1871, Page 4

A LITERARY CURIOSITY.

We have been shown, says the " Otago Daily Times," what may fairly be termed a literary curiosity—the first number of what is now the leading provincial newspaper in England, viz., the " Manchester Guardian." Its date is the sth May, 1821, just a little over half a century ago. The " Guardian" was started as a weekly newspaper, at the price of 7d, of which 4d was for the duty stamp. It was in size rather smaller than the " Daily Times," and contained little more than a page of advertisements, the total number of which, exclusive of the births, deaths, and marriages, is only forty-seven in the issue under notice. At the present time there are 1,000 advertisements for every ten in. the- first issue. The obituary notices contain, in some cases, a brief sketch of the life of the deceased, and among the marriage notices is the following :—" On Friday, the 27th ult., at Dolgelly, an amorous couple, whose united ages amounted to 149 years. Humphrey Thomas, aged 73, was father to 4 children, grandfather to 28, and great grandfather to 11. The bride, Elinor Thomas, was 76." The reading matter of the paper is well selected, containing a good summary of foreign news, a number of home items, and nearly two columns of parliamentary intelligence. The latter, it is curious to note, is three days old, telegraphs and railways being then unknown. We find, however, a paragraph regarding the launch of "a beautiful steamship," of 346 tons burden, "from the building yard of Messrs John Scott and Sons, Greenock, in presence of an immense concourse of spectators." Care has evidently been taken in the compilation of the commercial intelligence; and there is also a poets' corner, containing some " Stanzas, by Thomas Moore, Esq." There is also a detailed account of a thunder-storm in Liverpool, in which the electric fluid appears to have played some extraordinary pranks. In conclusion, we cannot do better than give an extract from the opening announcement of the editor as to the duties and responsibilities of the journalist. He says :—" We are entering upon an undertaking of an important and responsible character, and the duties of which we cannot but estimate highly. When the influence of the periodical press upon the public morals and conduct is so great as at the present time, he who connects himself with it ought not to regard as an indifferent matter the principles he may attempt to disseminate, or the conduct he may endeavor to induce. His first care should be that his pages are not stained by anything offensive to correct moral feeling ; his next, that the political opinions he promulgates are such as will tend to advance the social prosperity of his country."