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Origin of Newspapers.- Studies in Old Age
these loose papers to spread about defamatory reflections, and were therefore prohibited in Italy by Gregory XIII. in a particular bull, under the name of Menantes, from the Latin Minantes, threatening. Menage, however, derives it from the Italian Menare, which signifies, to lead at large, or spread afar.
Mr. Chalmers discovers in England tl first newspaper. It may gratify national pride, says he, to be told, that mankind are indebted to the wisdom of Elizabeth and the prudence of Burleigh for the first newspaper. The epoch of the Spanish Armada is also the epoch of a genuine newspaper In the British Museum are several newspapers which had been printed while the Spanish fleet was in the English Channel, during the year 1588. It was a wise policy to prevent, during a moment of general anxiety, the danger of false reports, by publishing real information. The earliest newspaper is entitled "The English Mercurie," which by authority was imprinted at London by her highness's printer, 1588." These were, however, but extraordinary Gazettes, not regularly published. " The following are curious INSTANCES OF NEW STUDIES IN OLD AGE.-Socrates learnt to play on musical instruments in his old age; Cato, at eighty, thought proper to learn Greek; and Plutarch, almost as late in life, Latin.
Theophrastus began his admirable work on the characters of men, at the extreme age of ninety. He only terminated his literary labours by his death.
Peter Ronsard, one of the fathers of French poetry, applied himself late to study. His acute genius, and ardent application, rivalled those poetic models which he admired. The great Arnauld retained the vigour of his genius, and the command of his pen, to his last day; and at the age of eighty-two was still the great Arnauld.
Sir Henry Spelman neglected the sciences in his youth, but cultivated them at fifty years of age, and produced good fruit. His early years were chiefly passed in farming, which greatly diverted him from his studies; but a remarkable disappointment respecting a contested estate, disgusted him with these rustic occupations, and resolving to attach himself to regular studies and literary society, he sold his farms, and became a most learned antiquary and lawyer.
Colbert, the famous French minister, almost at sixty returned to his Latin and law stucies. Tellier, the chancellor of France, learnt logic. merely for an amusement, to dispute with his grandchildren.
Dr. Johnson applied himself to the Dutch language but a few years before his death. But on this head the Marcuis de Saint .