Modern journalistic methods are reduced to absurdity in the account of the staff of a daily paper, who are all football players, cricketers, clairvoyants, crystal-gazers, music-hall artists, or burglars. In the verses on "Journalistic Evolution," in 1907, the tendency to condense everything is specially noted. Leaders have become "leaderettes," and will in turn yield to "leaderettelets"; the writer prophesies a day when The Times will only consist of headlines.
Dasent's Life of Delane appeared in 1908, and Punch's reviewer reminds us of the commanding position occupied by that great editor, who was consulted by all Premiers, except Gladstone, and to whom Palmerston actually offered office. The gist and sting of the review, however, is to be found in a sentence not merely true but almost tragic in its bearings on the history of English journalism:—
Delane accepted the favour of contributions by Cabinet Ministers to his news-chest, but he recognized that the power and influence of The Times were based upon the foundations of public spirit, concern for national interest, and absolute impartiality in dealing with statesmen.
PENNY WISDOM
("In view of the grave importance of the present political situation, The Times will be reduced in price to a penny."—Press Association.)
The Times passed under the financial control of Lord Northcliffe at the beginning of 1908, and in the spring of 1914, "in view of the grave importance of the political situation," its price was reduced to one penny. Punch's comment took the form of a cartoon in which the new Dictator of Printing House Square is shown as a salesman at the door of the "Northcliffe Stores" with the legend on a slate, "Thunder is cheap to-day."
Homage to Andrew Lang
By way of contrast with hustling methods Punch had noted with regret the passing in 1905 of Longman's Magazine, in whose pages Mr. Andrew Lang had for many years presided so gracefully "At the Sign of the Ship":—
Formerly, when, sated by sensation,