AN OLD ESTABLISHED NEWSPAPER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 9966, 31 March 1894, Page 2

AN OLD ESTABLISHED NEWSPAPER.

On the Bth of February last the London Morning Advertiser completed its hundredth year of publication, and marked the occasion by presenting its reader with a facsimile copy of its first number, on hand-made paper with rough edges similar to those with which it first appeared. The news of that day is very interesting, as it will be remembered that the time was that of the Reign of Terror in France, and a long letter from Paris, dated only 11 days before, refers to Danton and Robespierre as living actors. Fears are expressed lest the West Indian packet, •onsiderably overdue, may not have fallen into the hands of the enemy ; and an English fleet of merchantmen, under a strong convoy, is announced as about to leave Genoa. In the parliamentary report, which is of the most meagre description, Mr Wilberioice is said to have introduced a bill for the abolition of the slave trade between Africa and the West Indies. Nor are the advertisements less quaint, including one of a marvellous invention for striking a light that may be carried in the breeches pocket, and is most useful to .ladies (?), being far superior to flint and steel. A State lottery is announced, the prizes amounting to £500,00U, and tickets numbering 50,000 which may be purchased in sixteenths, the first prize being £30,000. Among the actors performing at Covent Garden Theatre appears the name of the celebrated Richard Suett, who arrived at the stage door one very wet night, when he was accosted by a threatening-looking individual, who demanded to know if he were Suett. " No," replied the actor, " I'm dripping," and passed hastily into the theatre, thus escaping a premeditated assault. It would appear that the Morning Advertiser was originally published in order to raise funds for the Publican's Association, to provide support for decayed membera and their families, and remanded the property of that body for a number of years.