periodical publications, daily, weekly, &c. for the purpose of communicating to the world every thing of importance, whether political or literary, &c. which is going on. They have tended much to the dissemination of learning, and have served many other valuable purposes; and while they are carried on with candour, impartiality, and ability, they are unquestionably a great national benefit. When this, however, is not the case, and it often happens, they disgrace their authors, and are highly injurious to the public. They were first published in England, August 22, 1642. Journal des Savants, a French paper, was first published in 1665, though one was printed in England, under the title of the Public Intelligencer, by Sir Roger L'Estrange, 1663, which he dropped, on the publication of the first London Gazette. Newspapers and pamphlets were prohibited by royal proclamation 1688. Though at the revolution prohibitions of this kind were done away, and the press set at liberty, yet newspapers were afterwards made objects of taxation, and for this purpose were first stamped 1713. The number of them, however, gradually increased; and there were printed in the whole kingdom during the years 1775, 12,687,000; 1776, 12,839,000; 1777, 13,159,042; 1778, 13,240,559; 1779, 14,106,842; 1780, 14,217,371; 1781, 14,397,620; 1782, 15,272,519. They are now still more numerous.