The power of the newspaper is familiar in America, and in accordance with our political systemgonism with the feudal1 institutions, and it is all the more beneficent succor2 against the secretive tendencies of a monarchy4. The celebrated5 Lord Somers “knew of no good law proposed and passed in his time, to which the public papers had not directed his attention.” There is no corner and no night. A relentless6 inquisition drags every secret to the day, turns the glare of this solar microscope on every malfaisance, so as to make the public a more terrible spy than any foreigner; and no weakness can be taken advantage of by an enemy, since the whole people are already forewarned. Thus England rids herself of those incrustations which have been the ruin of old states. Of course, this inspection7 is feared. No antique privilege, no comfortable monopoly, but sees surely that its days are counted; the people are familiarized with the reason of reform, and, one by one, take away every argument of the obstructives. “So your grace likes the comfort of reading the newspapers,” said Lord Mansfield to the Duke of Northumberland; “mark my words; you and I shall not live to see it, but this young gentleman (Lord Eldon) may, or it may be a little later; but a little sooner or later, these newspapers will most assuredly write the dukes of Northumberland out of their titles and possessions, and the country out of its king.” The tendency in England towards social and political institutions like those of America, is inevitable9, and the ability of its journals is the driving force.
England is full of manly10, clever, well-bred men who possess the talent of writing off-hand pungent11 paragraphs, expressing with clearness and courage their opinion on any person or performance. Valuable or not, it is a skill that is rarely found, out of the English journals. The English do this, as they write poetry, as they ride and box, by being educated to it. Hundreds of clever Praeds, and Freres, and Froudes, and Hoods12, and Hooks, and Maginns, and Mills, and Macaulays, make poems, or short essays for a journal, as they make speeches in Parliament and on the hustings14, or, as they shoot and ride. It is a quite accidental and arbitrary direction of their general ability. Rude health and spirits, an Oxford15 education, and the habits of society are implied, but not a ray of genius. It comes of the crowded state of the professions, the violent interest which all men take in politics, the facility of experimenting in the journals, and high pay.
The most conspicuous16 result of this talent is the “Times” newspaper. No power in England is more felt, more feared, or more obeyed. What you read in the morning in that journal, you shall hear in the evening in all society. It has ears every where, and its information is earliest, completest, and surest. It has risen, year by year, and victory by victory, to its present authority. I asked one of its old contributors, whether it had once been abler than it is now? “Never,” he said; “these are its palmiest days.” It has shown those qualities which are dear to Englishmen, unflinching adherence17 to its objects, prodigal18 intellectual ability, and a towering assurance, backed by the perfect organization in its printing-house, and its world-wide net-work of correspondence and reports. It has its own history and famous trophies19. In 1820, it adopted the cause of Queen Caroline, and carried it against the king. It adopted a poor-law system, and almost alone lifted it through. When Lord Brougham was in power, it decided20 against him, and pulled him down. It declared war against Ireland, and conquered it. It adopted the League against the Corn Laws, and, when Cobden had begun to despair, it announced his triumph. It denounced and discredited21 the French Republic of 1848, and checked every sympathy with it in England, until it had enrolled22 200,000 special constables23 to watch the Chartists, and make them ridiculous on the 10th April. It first denounced and then adopted the new French Empire, and urged the French Alliance and its results. It has entered into each municipal, literary, and social question, almost with a controlling voice. It has done bold and seasonable service in exposing frauds which threatened the commercial community. Meantime, it attacks its rivals by perfecting its printing machinery24, and will drive them out of circulation: for the only limit to the circulation of the “Times is the impossibility of printing copies fast enough; since a daily paper can only be new and seasonable for a few hours. It will kill all but that paper which is diametrically in opposition25; since many papers, first and last, have lived by their attacks on the leading journal.
The late Mr. Walter was printer of the “Times,” and had gradually arranged the whole materiel of it in perfect system. It is told, that when he demanded a small share in the proprietary26, and was refused, he said, “As you please, gentlemen; and you may take away the ‘Times’ from this office, when you will; I shall publish the ‘New Times,’ next Monday morning.” The proprietors27, who had already complained that his charges for printing were excessive, found that they were in his power, and gave him whatever he wished.
I went one day with a good friend to the “Times” office, which was entered through a pretty garden-yard, in Printing-House Square. We walked with some circumspection28, as if we were entering a powder-mill; but the door was opened by a mild old woman, and, by dint29 of some transmission of cards, we were at last conducted into the parlor30 of Mr. Morris, a very gentle person, with no hostile appearances. The statistics are now quite out of date, but I remember he told us that the daily printing was then 35,000 copies; that on the 1st March, 1848, the greatest number ever printed, — 54,000 were issued; that, since February, the daily circulation had increased by 8000 copies. The old press they were then using printed five or six thousand sheets per hour; the new machine, for which they were then building an engine, would print twelve thousand per hour. Our entertainer confided31 us to a courteous32 assistant to show us the establishment, in which, I think, they employed a hundred and twenty men. I remember, I saw the reporters’ room, in which they redact their hasty stenographs, but the editor’s room, and who is in it, I did not see, though I shared the curiosity of mankind respecting it.
The staff of the “Times” has always been made up of able men. Old Walter, Sterling33, Bacon, Barnes, Alsiger, Horace Twiss, Jones Loyd, John Oxenford, Mr. Mosely, Mr. Bailey, have contributed to its renown34 in their special departments. But it has never wanted the first pens for occasional assistance. Its private information is inexplicable35, and recalls the stories of Fouche’s police, whose omniscience36 made it believed that the Empress Josephine must be in his pay. It has mercantile and political correspondents in every foreign city; and its expresses outrun the despatches of the government. One hears anecdotes37 of the rise of its servants, as of the functionaries38 of the India House. I was told of the dexterity39 of one of its reporters, who, finding himself, on one occasion, where the magistrates40 had strictly41 forbidden reporters, put his hands into his coat-pocket, and with pencil in one hand, and tablet in the other, did his work.
The influence of this journal is a recognized power in Europe, and, of course, none is more conscious of it than its conductors. The tone of its articles has often been the occasion of comment from the official organs of the continental42 courts, and sometimes the ground of diplomatic complaint. What would the “Times” say? is a terror in Paris, in Berlin, in Vienna, in Copenhagen, and in Nepaul. Its consummate43 discretion44 and success exhibit the English skill of combination. The daily paper is the work of many hands, chiefly, it is said, of young men recently from the University, and perhaps reading law in chambers45 in London. Hence the academic elegance46, and classic allusion47, which adorn48 its columns. Hence, too, the heat and gallantry of its onset49. But the steadiness of the aim suggests the belief that this fire is directed and fed by older engineers; as if persons of exact information, and with settled views of policy, supplied the writers with the basis of fact, and the object to be attained50, and availed themselves of their younger energy and eloquence51 to plead the cause. Both the council and the executive departments gain by this division. Of two men of equal ability, the one who does not write, but keeps his eye on the course of public affairs, will have the higher judicial52 wisdom. But the parts are kept in concert; all the articles appear to proceed from a single will. The “Times” never disapproves53 of what itself has said, or cripples itself by apology for the absence of the editor, or the indiscretion of him who held the pen. It speaks out bluff54 and bold, and sticks to what it says. It draws from any number of learned and skilful55 contributors; but a more learned and skilful person supervises, corrects, and coordinates56. Of this closet, the secret does not transpire57. No writer is suffered to claim the authorship of any paper; every thing good, from whatever quarter, comes out editorially; and thus, by making the paper every thing, and those who write it nothing, the character and the awe58 of the journal gain.
The English like it for its complete information. A statement of fact in the “Times” is as reliable as a citation59 from Hansard. Then, they like its independence; they do not know, when they take it up, what their paper is going to say: but, above all, for the nationality and confidence of its tone. It thinks for them all; it is their understanding and day’s ideal daguerreotyped. When I see them reading its columns, they seem to me becoming every moment more British. It has the national courage, not rash and petulant60, but considerate and determined61. No dignity or wealth is a shield from its assault. It attacks a duke as readily as a policeman, and with the most provoking airs of condescension62. It makes rude work with the Board of Admiralty. The Bench of Bishops64 is still less safe. One bishop63 fares badly for his rapacity65, and another for his bigotry66, and a third for his courtliness. It addresses occasionally a hint to Majesty67 itself, and sometimes a hint which is taken. There is an air of freedom even in their advertising68 columns, which speaks well for England to a foreigner. On the days when I arrived in London in 1847, I read among the daily announcements, one offering a reward of fifty pounds to any person who would put a nobleman, described by name and title, late a member of Parliament, into any county jail in England, he having been convicted of obtaining money under false pretences69.
Was never such arrogancy as the tone of this paper. Every slip of an Oxonian or Cantabrigian who writes his first leader, assumes that we subdued70 the earth before we sat down to write this particular “Times.” One would think, the world was on its knees to the “Times” Office, for its daily breakfast. But this arrogance71 is calculated. Who would care for it, if it “surmised,” or “dared to confess,” or “ventured to predict,” &c. No; it is so, and so it shall be.
The morality and patriotism73 of the “Times” claims only to be representative, and by no means ideal. It gives the argument, not of the majority, but of the commanding class. Its editors know better than to defend Russia, or Austria, or English vested rights, on abstract grounds. But they give a voice to the class who, at the moment, take the lead; and they have an instinct for finding where the power now lies, which is eternally shifting its banks. Sympathizing with, and speaking for the class that rules the hour, yet, being apprised74 of every ground-swell, every Chartist resolution, every Church squabble, every strike in the mills, they detect the first tremblings of change. They watch the hard and bitter struggles of the authors of each liberal movement, year by year, — watching them only to taunt75 and obstruct8 them, — until, at last, when they see that these have established their fact, that power is on the point of passing to them, — they strike in, with the voice of a monarch3, astonish those whom they succor, as much as those whom they desert, and make victory sure. Of course, the aspirants76 see that the “Times” is one of the goods of fortune, not to be won but by winning their cause.
“Punch” is equally an expression of English good sense, as the “London Times.” It is the comic version of the same sense. Many of its caricatures are equal to the best pamphlets, and will convey to the eye in an instant the popular view which was taken of each turn of public affairs. Its sketches77 are usually made by masterly hands, and sometimes with genius; the delight of every class, because uniformly guided by that taste which is tyrannical in England. It is a new trait of the nineteenth century, that the wit and humor of England, as in Punch, so in the humorists, Jerrold, Dickens, Thackeray, Hood13, have taken the direction of humanity and freedom.
The “Times,” like every important institution, shows the way to a better. It is a living index of the colossal78 British power. Its existence honors the people who dare to print all they know, dare to know all the facts, and do not wish to be flattered by hiding the extent of the public disaster. There is always safety in valor79. I wish I could add, that this journal aspired80 to deserve the power it wields81, by guidance of the public sentiment to the right. It is usually pretended, in Parliament and elsewhere, that the English press has a high tone, — which it has not. It has an imperial tone, as of a powerful and independent nation. But as with other empires, its tone is prone82 to be official, and even officinal. The “Times” shares all the limitations of the governing classes, and wishes never to be in a minority. If only it dared to cleave83 to the right, to show the right to be the only expedient84, and feed its batteries from the central heart of humanity, it might not have so many men of rank among its contributors, but genius would be its cordial and invincible85 ally; it might now and then bear the brunt of formidable combinations, but no journal is ruined by wise courage. It would be the natural leader of British reform; its proud function, that of being the voice of Europe, the defender86 of the exile and patriot72 against despots, would be more effectually discharged; it would have the authority which is claimed for that dream of good men not yet come to pass, an International Congress; and the least of its victories would be to give to England a new millennium87 of beneficent power.
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feudal
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| adj.封建的，封地的，领地的 | |
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succor
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| n.援助，帮助；v.给予帮助 | |
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monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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monarchy
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| n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国 | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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relentless
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| adj.残酷的，不留情的，无怜悯心的 | |
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inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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obstruct
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| v.阻隔，阻塞(道路、通道等)；n.阻碍物，障碍物 | |
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inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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pungent
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| adj.（气味、味道）刺激性的，辛辣的；尖锐的 | |
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hoods
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| n.兜帽( hood的名词复数 )；头巾；（汽车、童车等的）折合式车篷；汽车发动机罩v.兜帽( hood的第三人称单数 )；头巾；（汽车、童车等的）折合式车篷；汽车发动机罩 | |
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hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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hustings
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| n.竞选活动 | |
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Oxford
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| n.牛津（英国城市） | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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adherence
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| n.信奉，依附，坚持，固着 | |
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prodigal
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| adj.浪费的，挥霍的，放荡的 | |
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trophies
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| n.（为竞赛获胜者颁发的）奖品( trophy的名词复数 )；奖杯；（尤指狩猎或战争中获得的）纪念品；（用于比赛或赛跑名称）奖 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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discredited
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| 不足信的，不名誉的 | |
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enrolled
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| adj.入学登记了的v.[亦作enrol]( enroll的过去式和过去分词 )；登记，招收，使入伍（或入会、入学等），参加，成为成员；记入名册；卷起，包起 | |
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constables
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| n.警察( constable的名词复数 ) | |
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machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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proprietary
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| n.所有权，所有的；独占的；业主 | |
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proprietors
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| n.所有人，业主( proprietor的名词复数 ) | |
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circumspection
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| n.细心，慎重 | |
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dint
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| n.由于，靠；凹坑 | |
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parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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sterling
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| adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑) | |
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renown
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| n.声誉，名望 | |
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inexplicable
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| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
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omniscience
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| n.全知，全知者，上帝 | |
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anecdotes
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| n.掌故，趣闻，轶事( anecdote的名词复数 ) | |
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functionaries
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| n.公职人员，官员( functionary的名词复数 ) | |
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dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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magistrates
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| 地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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continental
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| adj.大陆的，大陆性的，欧洲大陆的 | |
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consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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adorn
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| vt.使美化，装饰 | |
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onset
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| n.进攻，袭击，开始，突然开始 | |
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attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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judicial
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| adj.司法的，法庭的，审判的，明断的，公正的 | |
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disapproves
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| v.不赞成( disapprove的第三人称单数 ) | |
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bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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coordinates
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| n.相配之衣物；坐标( coordinate的名词复数 )；（颜色协调的）配套服装；[复数]女套服；同等重要的人（或物）v.使协调，使调和( coordinate的第三人称单数 )；协调；协同；成为同等 | |
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transpire
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| v.(使)蒸发，(使)排出 ；泄露，公开 | |
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awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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citation
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| n.引用，引证，引用文；传票 | |
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petulant
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| adj.性急的，暴躁的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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condescension
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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bishops
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| （基督教某些教派管辖大教区的）主教( bishop的名词复数 )； （国际象棋的）象 | |
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rapacity
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| n.贪婪，贪心，劫掠的欲望 | |
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bigotry
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| n.偏见，偏执，持偏见的行为[态度]等 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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advertising
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| n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的 | |
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pretences
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| n.假装( pretence的名词复数 )；作假；自命；自称 | |
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subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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arrogance
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| n.傲慢，自大 | |
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patriot
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| n.爱国者，爱国主义者 | |
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patriotism
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| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
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74
apprised
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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75
taunt
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| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
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76
aspirants
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| n.有志向或渴望获得…的人( aspirant的名词复数 )v.渴望的，有抱负的，追求名誉或地位的( aspirant的第三人称单数 )；有志向或渴望获得…的人 | |
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77
sketches
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| n.草图( sketch的名词复数 )；素描；速写；梗概 | |
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78
colossal
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| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
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79
valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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80
aspired
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| v.渴望，追求( aspire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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81
wields
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| 手持着使用（武器、工具等）( wield的第三人称单数 )； 具有； 运用（权力）； 施加（影响） | |
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82
prone
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| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
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83
cleave
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| v．(clave；cleaved)粘着，粘住；坚持；依恋 | |
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84
expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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85
invincible
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| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
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86
defender
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| n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人 | |
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87
millennium
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| n.一千年，千禧年；太平盛世 | |
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