13 
_“Venus at Paphos, Jupiter Melicnius at Corinth, and divers others 
“of their Idols under the same Figure ; by which you may see the 
“ Bath will soon show an exact Pattern of one of the most eminent 
“ Monuments of Antiquity.” 
The first Bath newspaper of which there is any record is the 
“ Bath Journal” of which the second volume lies upon the table.* 
It is commonly stated and believed to have been founded in 
1742. But this volume proves distinctly that it was founded in 
1744. The first number before you is stated to be “No. 1 of 
Vol. 2., No. 57 weeks since this Journal was first published,” 
and it is dated “ Monday, March 25th, 1745,” so that the first 
number must have been issued on Monday, February 20th, 1744. 
By the courtesy of Mr. Alfred Keene I have been allowed to 
examine the files preserved at the office; they are unfortunately 
not quite complete, some volumes being missing, among them the 
first, so that I do not know of any earlier copy in existence than 
that before you. The title is “‘The Bath Journal, printed at 
“ Bath by Thomas Boddely, where all manner of printing is done 
“very reasonable.” It is a small four-page paper, with three 
wide columns on each page, set in old style type, and very well 
printed. This volume, and those for some years following, have 
an index and a title page printed in red, which was given gratis 
to subscribers at the end of the year; this will show how much 
scarcer newspapers were then than now. Its contents consisted 
of news, and advertisements of property to let and sell, and of 
medicines retailed by the printer and his newsmen. Of the 
leading article, or any sort of editorial expression of opinion there 
was none, until the present century had well begun. During 
1745 the “Journal” quoted from the “London Evening Post” 
some jeering paragraphs at the expense of the army, and upon 
auspicious occasions in the history of the Royal Family the 
editor burst forth into expressions of loyal cofgratulations. 
* Lent by-Mr. William Lewis. 
