THE FRENCH PRESS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1191, 26 September 1874, Page 4

THE FRENCH PRESS.

The principles upon which French newspapers are managed are exceedingly curious, and no doubt differ entirely from your system. The journals which have the largest circulation in Paris do not trust to their political, social, financial; and com-|( mercial articles to procure' them a large sale. The editor of the Figaro admitted a short time ago that in order to make a sober leading article go down he was obliged, to suit the taste of his readers, ( to give them so much chit-chat and scandal. The other day, following close on an article advocating the cause of the Comte de Chambord came a string of fashionable on dits, gossip, and such anecdotes as this : — "The other day a little girl, reading the history of England, came to the part where it was said that Henry 11. never laughed after the death of his son. The child looked up and said, 'But, mamma, what did he do when they tickled him 1 ' " In addition to the above attractions, editors offer the most tempting inducements to subscribers. At the present moment the Figaro is offering to its subscribers for the small sum of 30 francs a handsome watch, and the Paris Journal is giving a watch to every one who will subscribe for a year — the yearly subscription being under £3. A few years as;o I remember the Figaro offering a box of oranges to its subscribers, and ,a rival paper instantly tendering baked apples. There' is a small satirical paper called 1 Polichinelle, which professes its readiness to take all who will subscribe on a trip to Enghien — a few miles from Paris-j-to row them about on the lake, give them refreshments, and treat them to the theatre in the evening. After this, how are you to judge of a person's politics by his journal, since a Radical may prefer even the Figaro and oranges to a revolutionary paper and ( apples. These prizes and all these anecdotes and bits of scandal prove how very few serious readers there are in this country. One may certainly say with Prince Bismarck, as far as the French press is concerned, that it has failed in its mission. — Paris Correspondent of The Scotsman.

The report of the Government Statistician states that the total population of the town and suburbs of Melbourne in 1871, was 206,780, while in 1861 it was only 139,916, showing an increase in the last decade of 66,864.