Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 9.djvu/429

 ii s. ix. MAY so, ion] NOTES AND QUERIES. 423

TO THE

READERS OF NEWS-PAPERS.

'T T| HE repeated complaints that have been made by the friends and supporters of the UNIVERSAL REGISTER, since its first establishment, of the difficulty of obtaining that Paper from some of the News-Carriers the various attempts to foist other News-papers in its room, and the facility of those mistakes which have so frequently occurred under the circumstance of the word Register being annexed to so many other publications, have determined the Proprietors on the adoption of a measure, which they conceive will obviate such impo- sitions on their friends in future.

In this measure they comply with numerous and respectable solicitations ; and therefore agree to add a first Title to the Paper.

This is not in the affectation of mere novelty in name ; but with a view to- rescue from the base arts of subterfuge and imposition a News-paper hitherto supported by a generous and discerning Public, and amply established in general estimation, in spite of the envious efforts of interested competitors, whose annual emoluments, it is confessed, may have felt no inconsiderable diminution from the success of the Universal Register, and the illiberal opposition of narrow- minded enemies to the infant art of LOGOGBAPHY, of which it was the first periodical production.

In order as well to obviate every minute cause through which the Public may be imposed on by the agents of other Prints, as that a Paper, ever devoted to their information and amusement on every subject, useful or interesting, may stand distinguished by a Title, at once more laconic, and comprehensive of its design, and less apt to be mistaken for another ; the Public are respectfully informed, that on and after the 1st of January next, it will be published under the Title of

THE TIMES;

OR, DAILY UNIVERSAL REGISTER.

The Directors are aware of the scope that envy and malevolence will assume for perversion and misrepresentation from the Titular change. Silent con- tempt is the only notice such attacks can claim, or shall meet.

To that Public, with whom merit alone must form the criterion of their deserts, the Directors will make no promises of literary miracles ; nor will they*