We must not omit a name from this chapter, well known all the world over—that of James Bennett, the founder of what is still a power, the _New York Herald_. Scotland was the birth-place of Bennett. He was reared under the shadow of Gordon Castle. His parents were Roman Catholics, and he was trained in their religion. Every Saturday night the family assembled for religious service. James was kept at school till he was fifteen years of age, and he then entered a Roman Catholic seminary at Aberdeen, his parents intending him for the ministry. He pursued his studies, on the banks of the Dee, for three years, and then threw up his studies, and abandoned his collegiate career. The memoirs of Benjamin Franklin impressed him greatly, and he felt an earnest desire to visit America, and the home of Franklin, and he landed there in 1819. At Portland he opened a school as teacher, and thence he moved to Boston. He was charmed with all he saw in the city and vicinity; he hunted up every memorial of Franklin that could be found; he examined all the relics of the Revolution, and visited the places made memorable in the struggle with Great Britain; but he was poor, and well-nigh discouraged. He walked the common, without money, hungry, and without friends. In his darkest hour he found a New York shilling, and from that hour his fortune began to mend. He obtained a position at Boston as proof reader, and displayed his ability as a writer, both in prose and verse. In 1822, he came to New York, and immediately connected himself with the press, for which he had a decided taste. He was not dainty in his work; he took everything that was offered him. He was industrious, sober, frugal, of great tact, and displayed marked ability. He soon obtained a position on the _Charleston Courier_ as translator of Spanish-American papers. He prepared other articles for the _Courier_, many of which were in verse. His style was sharp, racy, and energetic. In 1825, he became proprietor of the _New York Courier_ by purchase. It was a Sunday paper; but not a success. In 1826, he became associate editor of the _National Advocate_, a democratic paper. Leaving that, he became associate editor of the _Inquirer_, conducted by Mr. Noah; he was also a member of the Tammany Society, and a warm partisan. During the session of Congress, Mr. Bennett was at the capital writing for his paper; and while at that post, a fusion was effected between the _Courier_ and the _Inquirer_. Again, he had to leave the paper on account of a difference between him and the editor as regarded the bank. At this time he turned his attention to the New York press, which was then seriously behind the age. He felt that it was not what was demanded, and resolved to establish a paper that should realise his idea of a metropolitan journal. He had no capital; no rich friends to back him; nothing but his pluck, ability, and indomitable resolution.