Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

A NEW PAPER,

We have received the first number of the "Maryland Censor," published in Baltimore, by Mr. William F. Redding. It exhibits an appearance of mechanical skill and elegance superior, we believe, to any weekly newspaper of its size in the union.

Although it is the editor's misfortune to differ from us in politics, and although his political remarks are written with an asperity which the tranquillity of the times and the moderation of his opponents do not justify—(we believe he will soon see the impolicy of such a course)—still we wish him success, on the laudable ground he has taken to devote a large portion of his paper to essays illustrating the principles of agriculture and experimental philosophy. The following ingenious address, showing the superiority of weekly over daily gazettes, is from the number before us; and will, no doubt, be very cheerfully admitted as orthodox by all his brother publishers of weekly newspapers.

From the Maryland Censor.

EDITOR'S ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC.

As is customary in such cases, we too must be permitted to say something to the public, in the way of promises, and in explanation of our motives for soliciting their patronage to a new weekly paper.

Daily Gazettes, though of indispensable utility in their way, are peculiarly suited to the convenience of those in populous cities, whose chief business consists in buying and selling the numberless commodities that constitute the material of commerce.

"Sugar, rum and molasses"—"for freight or charter"—"soap and candles"—"just received"—and "for sale," with much other intelligence of like nature, preceded by a column or two of "ship news," make up the usual contents of a daily paper; except when his legitimate majesty, the great sea serpent graciously shoots up his head "the size of a ship's long-boat," to dissipate the monotony of their columns.

The conductors of daily papers possess as much talents and patriotism as other citizens; but we cannot expect individual editors more than other individuals, to sacrifice the interests of their family, and the success of their trade, to promote the general interests of society; as alternate rain and sunshine are indispensable to the farmer and the planter—so are advertisements to the prosperity of a daily paper. To that object therefore, all others must be regarded as of subordinate consideration; and 'tis useless to expect to see it otherwise, as long as it remains impossible to alter the nature of things.

But as to a paper projected on the plan of the "Maryland Censor," the case is, in many respects, exactly the reverse. The success of a weekly paper must depend on the number of subscribers, and they are only to be procured and retained by spreading on its surface, plain dishes and ragouts seasoned to the taste of all classes. It ought to abound with disquisitions and essays, to stimulate the zeal of the philosopher and the politician; with experimental facts and discoveries, to instruct the agriculturalist and manufacturer; with new theories and problems, to amuse and to puzzle the mechanic, and the man of science. Thus it is by the novelty and interesting character of its original matter, and by industry in the collection of useful articles, most especially in the sciences of agriculture and politics, that the editor hopes to make the Censor worthy of the public attention. With this brief exposition, the editor contents himself, not being of opinion, with the Pharisees of old, that a man should be heard because of his much talking.