“It is impossible to look down the columns of a newspaper,” replied Tom, “without finding subjects to impart light; and of all the journals of the present day, the _Times_ appears to me the best in point of information and conduct; but I spoke of newspapers generally, there is such a mixture of the _utile et dulce_, that the Merchant and the Mechanic, the Peer, the Poet, the Prelate, and the Peasant, are all deeply concerned in its contents. In truth, a newspaper is so true a mark of the caprice of Englishmen, that it may justly be styled their coat of ~211~~arms. The Turkish Koran is not near so sacred to a rigid Mahometan--a parish-dinner to an Overseer--a turtle-feast to an Alderman, or an election to a Freeholder, as a Gazette or Newspaper to an Englishman: by it the motions of the world are watched, and in some degree governed--the arts and sciences protected and promoted--the virtuous supported and stimulated--the vicious reproved and corrected--and all informed.” “Consequently,” said Bob, “a good Newspaper is really a valuable article.” “Doubtless,” continued Tom; “and John Bull--mistake me not, I don't mean the paper which bears that title--I mean the population of England, enjoy a Newspaper, and there are some who could not relish their breakfasts without one; it is a sort of general sauce to every thing, and to the _quid nunc_ is indispensable--for if one informs him of a naval armament, he will not fail to toast the Admirals all round in pint bumpers to each, wishes them success, gets drunk with excessive loyalty, and goes with his head full of seventy-fours, sixty-fours, frigates, transports, fire-ships, &c. In its diversified pages, persons of every rank, denomination, and pursuit, may be informed--the Philosopher, the Politician, the Citizen, the Handicraftsman, and the Gossip, are regaled by the novelty of its contents, the minuteness of its details, and the refreshing arrivals of transactions which occupy the attention of human beings at the greatest or nearest distances from us-- “----a messenger of grief Perhaps to thousands, and of joy to some: What is it but a map of life, Its fluctuations and its vast concerns?”