igS TiMEHRI. 



had been anticipated by other vessels. The desire for 

 European and American news was well met by the 

 " Royal Gazette" and " Guiana Chronicle", which almost 

 ignored local items, while their sele6lions were very 

 good. The rivalry of the two local newspapers kept 

 them on the look-out for vessels, and every now and 

 again a complaint comes up, that the " Chronicle" 

 had succeeded in getting hold of a newspaper that should 

 have gone to the " Gazette." 



On the 8th of March 1822, the editor of the Royal 

 Gazette wrote : — 



** Confound the regulators of the Post Office, say we, who do not 

 make our packets come by steam ; then we should go on at a nice jog- 

 trot, from fortnight to fortnight, knowing exaftly what quantity of 

 pap we could afford to give our nursling at a time, being well assured 

 of a fresh supply at the moment required ; but now in this lubberly 

 way of one packet staying a week beyond, and another coming two 

 weeks before its time, we are bothered for three weeks together to find 

 wherewithal to make a respeftable appearance. And what kind of 

 appearance do we make? One talks nonsense of scarlet fever and 

 small pox and t'other responds about do6tors and hempen cures. Alas ! 

 alas ! for the poor folks who belong not to any book club ; for if they 

 depend for intelleftual food upon the newspapers, thay must starve." 



The anxiety for news is well portrayed in some verses 

 by " Jerry Sneak," " scribbled in consequence of the 

 hubbub the signal for a ship made this morning," July 

 nth 1838, of which the following extra6ls will show the 

 style : — 



•• A sail — a sail— a promised prize to hope — 

 Her nation— flag— what says the telescope? 

 Is it the " Underwood" from London, fraught 

 With doleful tidings, that too soon are brought? 

 Or shall the " Hopkinson" the bearer be 

 Of what we're anxious for, yet dread to see ? 



