Reading the Regency

Newspapers & Magazines - part 2

"We have a great many reports in circulation. One day speaks of a prospect of peace, the next of an exchange, and another of war. Many reports, 'tis true, but like a newspaper, full of advertisements, and a great many of them without foundation."
[October the 24th, 1809, The diary of Peter Bussell (1806-1814) by G. A. Turner, pub. 1931]

National Newspapers

The London Gazette was published from Canon Row, Parliament Street, Westminster on Tuesdays and Saturdays. It was the official court and government newspaper, where royal proclamations, court announcements, government notices, military promotions, insolvencies and bankruptcies were officially recorded. The cost of a Gazette in 1813 was three shillings.

There were no regular news articles, no adverts, and no fashionable gossip, except articles recording those who had been presented to the Queen during one of her drawing rooms.

To be a "gazetted colonel" or a "gazetted captain" meant that their commission or promotion had been reported in the London Gazette. A young man, hoping for an army commission in the future, might "hope to be gazetted"—meaning to see his promotion printed in the Gazette.

All the other newspapers reprinted selected notices from the London Gazette, often in a column of the same title.

Some of the daily (morning and evening) newspapers available at this time were:

The Times - (morning paper) - Printing House Square, Blackfriars

Founded as the Daily Universal Register in 1785, it became the Times in 1788. The editor received money in return for printing favourable articles about the government of the day. The Times moved towards being more independent of the government from 1803 onwards. Cost 6 pence in 1805. The Times is Britain's oldest surviving newspaper with continuous publication.

The Morning Chronicle - 143 Strand

Founded in 1770, their editors supported the Whig party in parliament. Described as an opposition paper in 1802. Charging six pence in 1801, the price rose to 6½ pence by 1810, when it had a circulation of 7,000. Closed in 1862.

The Morning Post - 335 Strand

Founded in 1772, it was considered a supporter of the moderate Tories, it's writers included William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Merged with the Daily Telegraph in 1937.

The Morning Herald - 18 Catherine Street, Strand

Founded in 1780 by a former editor of the Morning Post, it started off as a liberal paper, supporting the Prince of Wales. Later it became aligned with the Tories, and in 1802 it openly supported the government. Closed in 1869.

The Morning Advertiser - Fleet Street

First published in 1794 by the London Society of Licensed Victuallers. It was more interested in trade interests than political coverage, and was most likely read by businessmen rather than gentlemen. In 1805 it cost 5½ pence.

The Public Ledger - 12 Warwick Square, Newgate Street

Founded in 1760, the Public Ledger avoided being tied to a particular political party, stating that it was 'Open to All Parties, Influenced by None'. One of its early writers was 18th-century author Oliver Goldsmith. Although it started out as a regular daily newspaper, over time it concentrated on business and financial news, and by 1802 it was already considered a commercial paper. In 1805 it cost 5½ pence. Still published today as a magazine providing agricultural and commodity news.

The Globe - 127 Strand

Also known as the Evening Literary Advertiser. The Globe was an evening newspaper that began in 1803. Their offices were situated opposite the Exeter Exchange. This newspaper continued until it merged with the Pall Mall Gazette in 1921.