The victories of Cromwell gave Scotland her first newspaper. This was called the _Mercurius Politicus_, and appeared at Leith in October 1653; but it was in November 1654 transferred to Edinburgh, where it was continued until the 11th April 1660, when it was rechristened, and appeared as the _Mercurius Publicus_. This paper was but a reprint, for the information of the English soldiers, of a London publication. But a newspaper of native manufacture, we are told by a contemporary writer, soon made its appearance under the title of _Mercurius Caledonius_. The first number of this was published at Edinburgh on the 31st December 1660, and comprised, as its title sets forth, “the affairs in agitation in Scotland, with a summary of foreign intelligence.” The publication, however, extended to no more than ten numbers, which, it is said by Chambers, “were very loyal, very illiterate, and very affected.” After the Revolution the custom was still to reprint in Scotland the papers published in London, an economic way of doing business, which savours much of the proverbial thrift peculiar to the Land o’ Cakes. In February 1699 the _Edinburgh Gazette_, the first original Scotch newspaper or periodical, was published by James Watson, author of a “History of Printing;” but he, after producing forty numbers, transferred it to a Mr John Reid, whose son continued to print the paper till even after the Union. In February 1705, Watson, who seems to have been what would now be called a promoter of newspapers, established the _Edinburgh Courant_, but relinquished it after the publication of fifty-five numbers, and in September 1706 commenced the _Scots Courant_, with which he remained connected until about 1718. To these papers were added in October 1708 the _Edinburgh Flying Post_; in August 1709 the _Scots Postman_, “printed by David Fearne for John Moncur;” and in March 1710 the _North Tatler_, “printed by John Reid for Samuel Colvil.” In 1715 the foundation was laid of the present splendid Glasgow press by the establishment of the _Courant_, but this did not in any way affect the publications in the then far more important town of Edinburgh. In March 1714 Robert Brown commenced the _Edinburgh Gazette_ or _Scots Postman_, which was published twice a week; and in December 1718 the Town Council gave an exclusive privilege to James M‘Ewen to publish three times a week the _Edinburgh Evening Courant_, upon condition, however, that before publication “the said James should give ane coppie of his print to the magistrates.” This journal is still published, and it is but fair to assume that the original stipulation is yet complied with. The _Caledonian Mercury_ followed the _Courant_ on the 28th of April 1720, and was, like its forerunner, a tri-weekly organ. In these, as well as in those we have mentioned, advertisements slowly but gradually and surely began to make their appearance, and, as the sequel proves, to show their value.