tter_ of long ago."

"I don't think I know what the _Boston News-Letter_ was," Paul said.

"You've never seen a copy of this early Massachusetts newspaper?"

"No, sir."

"Well, it was a small, four-page sheet, printed in old type, and filled
to a great extent with announcements of merchandise that had been
shipped from England to the colonies for sale: pipes of wine, bolts of
homespun, pieces of silk, consignments of china. Such things came from
overseas in those days, and the arrival of the vessels that brought them
was eagerly awaited by prospective purchasers, for there were few
luxuries in the New World. Along with these advertisements was printed
the news of the day; and that all this matter could be contained in four
small pages proves how uneventful was early Massachusetts history. Now
and then some great event would command more space. I recall seeing one
copy of the paper with a picture of the first steam locomotive--a crude,
amusing picture it was, too. Later the _Massachusetts Gazette_ appeared,
and soon afterward there were other papers and other printers scattered
throughout the respective States. Benjamin Franklin was in Boston, you
remember, from 1723 until 1726, when he went to Philadelphia and did
publishing work until 1756. A hand press identical in principle with the
one he used is still preferred to this day in the large newspaper press
rooms for striking off proof when the amount of it is too small to be
put through a power press. The hand press is a simple and quick agent
for getting a result. The ink roller is run over the type and hand
pressure is applied. One could not of course print a large newspaper on
such a limited scale; but for jobbing work Franklin's variety of press
is still acceptable and unrivaled."

"It seems funny to think of a Boston paper ever being so small," mused
the boy.

Mr. Wright smiled.

"And not only small but of infrequent issue," said the paper
manufacturer. "In 1709 there was only one daily paper published in
London; twelve appeared three times a week; and three twice a week."

"Great Scott!"

"Yes, it is amazing, isn't it? _The Tatler_ began in 1709 and _The
Spectator_ not long afterward. You must recall that the entire newspaper
industry as we know it has been developed within comparatively recent
years. The great daily, with its Sunday edition of pictures, colored
sheets, news of classified varieties, and advertising and sporting
sections, is only possibl