wper, and the clang of its engine to the peaceful
purlieus of Printing-house Square. Yet these are interesting items in
the advancement of science, and in the history of mankind; for whether
taken mechanically or morally, the _Times_ is, without exception, the
newspaper of all newspapers, "the observed of all _observers_" and
altogether, the most extraordinary production of this or any other
age.

But we are more anxious to reach what may be called the philosophy of
a newspaper--that broad volume of human life, in which "the follies,
vices, and consequent miseries of multitudes are displayed." To prove
this, only let the reader glance over the twenty-four columns of a
Times newspaper, and attempt a calculation of the many thousand events
that spring from and are connected with their contents. Yet this sheet
is but as it were a day in the life of man--a mere thread of the
mingled yarn of his existence--and 313 such sheets, or 1,252 such
folios make but a year of his history. The subject is too vast and
comprehensive for continued contemplation, for it is like all other
wheels of vicissitude; we become giddy by looking too steadfastly on
its twinings.

Let us take one side of any recent _Times _newspaper--say that of
_Thursday last_--and attempt something like an abstract of its
_memorabilia_. This may appear for us a toilsome task, but if the
reader be not fatigued also, our time will not be misspent. Begin "at
the beginning" with the old English title, broken by the royal
arms--like a blocking-course; and the No. and date in a sort of
typographical entablature. The first side is filled by 188
advertisements, for the most part, classed according to their objects.

Thus, we start, and not unappropriately, with notices of vessels _to
sail_ for India and the new settlement on _Swan River_. What
temptations for adventure and avarice--what associations of industry
and indolence--luxury and squalid misery--do these announcements
create in the reflective mind. The nabob in his chintz--the speculator
with his last hundred--and the half-starved agriculturist--are but
sorry portraits beside the class to whom the next notice is
addressed.--Packets to Calais, Dieppe, and Margate--necessity on her
last leg, and luxury on the fantastic toe--the wasted mind and
famished visage beside hoyden mirth and bloated luxury. Then the South
American Mining Association Deed "lies for signature:"--what a relief
in this sheet of _chiaro-scuro_-