The Review in review, 1853
A look inside an issue of this early Peterborough newspaper ... all four pages of it
When the Peterborough Examiner archives came to the Trent Valley Archives, it was evident that the producing of newspapers was the work of a village. We received more than a thousand reels of microfilms. We also received incredible photo archives documenting the 1960s to 2002. We have some of the day-to-day work of the newspaper: its advertising department, the sports department, the city and county government reporting, the entertainment press releases and reports.
The complexity of newspapers is evident from the earliest days. One issue of the Peterborough Review from its first year of publication, 1853, provides considerable insight into how newspapers coped in simpler times.
Before the rotary press after the 1870s, newspapers were mostly produced on flat bed printers, and the paper only had the inside and the outside. As papers sought to have more news and advertising, the size of the bed was changed. By the 1860s, it was nearly impossible for a person to hold Toronto’s The Globe in his outstretched arms, and the pages were long as well.
The Peterborough Review of 1853 was quite small compared to what it became, about 18” x 22”. The main local news was found on pages two and three, the inside pages of the four page sheet.
The semi-weekly newspaper itself was the subject of this issue, August 5, volume 1, number 19. There was the prospectus for the newspaper, advertisements for its job printing operation, notices of its bookstore supplies and books, and debates with the Port Hope newspapers and with the Peterborough Despatch, which later became The Peterborough Examiner.
The paper was printed and published by Thomas White, Jr. It self-identified as “devoted to News, Commerce, Agriculture and General Literature.” The basic advertisement, six lines and under, cost 2s. 6d.; our currency did not go decimal until 1857! At this point, it had only been running for 10 weeks. The owner of the paper was Robert Romaine, White’s cousin.
According to the prospectus the paper was Independent, although in later years it would become the voice of the Conservative party locally. White in the 1880s was in Sir John A. Macdonald’s cabinet. In 1853, White described himself as “A Canadian by birth, and by his convictions a disciple in the school of thorough practical reform.” He considered it “his duty always to support that party, which, in his judgment, shall appear best calculated to promote the interests of Canada.”
In order to promote the agricultural interests of this “rural district”, White was subscribing to the best English and American agricultural journals. “The reader,” he hoped, “will always be informed of the most approved modes of Farming, and of the latest improvements in the Rural Art.”
The paper was aimed at the family, and so would not have objectionable material, and selections from other newspapers would reflect White’s “desire for the mental advancement and social happiness of his patrons.” Six month subscriptions were priced at 12s. 6d. when paid in advance; 15s. otherwise. When the dollar was introduced, it was assumed that a pound was worth $5. There were 12 pennies in a shilling and 20 shillings in a pound.
The single issue was also instructive about the source of financing for the operation of the newspaper: advertising and political support were more important than subscribers.
The Business Directory dominated the front page, as had long been the practice of newspapers. The directory adds seemed limited to one sentence. The county officials noted were W. S. Conger, sheriff; W. H. Wrighton, the Clerk of the Peace; W. Sheridan, the County Treasurer and Clerk; W. Crawford, the Government Land Agent; and Mr. Dennistoun, “Barrister at Law, Master Extraordinary in Chancery and Notary Public.”
Robert Romaine’s advertisements were very interesting. He ran the Peterborough Book-Store. He carried books designed for people wanting to learn the trades. They were also connected to the Wesleyan Book-Room, and so carried hymn books, Bibles and other religious items. The large frontpage ad described his business as the “New Book & Stationary Establishment and Fancy Store.” It was located in Roe’s Buildings on George Street, just south of Brock Street and on the west side. Roe’s Block was the oldest brick building on George Street and is noticeably shorter than the other buildings in the block. The ad listed many book titles, stationary, pens, inks, penknives, drawing pencils and other stationary items. It had “A complete Set of Large Colored Maps, for the use of schools.” The Fancy items included items from “Berlin Wools, Canvas, Purse Silk and trimmings” to jewelry and children’s clothing.
The advertisements provide indications about the range of services available in the small, but ambitious, town. This is important as the first business directory in book form did not appear until 1865, although Peterborough was included in the huge Business Directory for the whole Province of Canada.
The hotels included Victoria Inn; Temperance Hotel in Mount Pleasant; and the Commercial Hotel. The Commercial Hotel was on George just south of Brock Street. There was an ad, dated June 7, for the Albert House, which was on the south west corner of George and Hunter. “T. J. Fisher Begs to inform the inhabitants of Peterborough and the public generally, that he has taken the “Albert House,” which he has fitted up in a comfortable manner,…” It had a stable and a “thoroughly planked” Stable Yard.
There were hardware merchants, shoe stores, and insurance companies. Robert Walton was looking for four good journeymen saddlers. E. C. Hill was making “carriages of all descriptions” at his plant on Hunter street just west of George: “Coaches, Charotees, Britzkas, Barouches, Cabriolets, Rockaways, Railroad Movable Seats, Dog Carts, Sulkies, Fancy Cutters and Sleighs, &c, &c.” Hill added that “Painting, Trimming and Repairing Neatly Executed.”
The most surprising aspect of this early Review was the absence of real news stories. There were several one liners carrying news. For example, “Mr. Spaulding the talented engineer of the Cobourg and Peterboro Railroad, has been presented with a testimonial by the Great Western Company by whom he was employed prior to his engagement by this road.” This is likely the son of Clark Spaulding the brewer on Little Lake for whom Spaulding Bay (now under the Marina) was named. Some stories were copied from other newspapers. The Hon. John Ross was coming to Belleville after going to New York on Railroad business. Quebec has established a Nautical College.
The most interesting discussions came from letter writers. Anti-Fossil responded to AntiHumbug’s previous lament about Peterborough’s lack of growth. He lamented people who only find fault with the world and make no effort to improve things. “they are an incubus upon the energies of a people and the sooner they are sent to the ‘horse pond’ or the Asylum the better.” Anti-Humbug says we are ‘behind the age” and that a few blocks of brick buildings now under construction is no evidence of prosperity. He also said our communication with the Front [Cobourg and Port Hope] in spring and winter is worse than 25 years ago. However, “Is this true?” “25 years ago we had no steamers on our lakes and rivers; now we have four! 25 years ago we had no mail coaches, or mails to carry in them; now we have a daily line, and room for another!”
Anti-Fossil had other samples of the progress over a quarter century. Population had doubled since 1841. Then, Peterborugh had 8 or 10 stores and shops; now, “over 30, and many of them large!” Then, we manufactured nothing; now, square timber, sawed lumber, wheat, butter, wool, and farmers’ wagons! “And yet these things afford no evidence in the mind of your intelligent correspondent that Peterborough is either a thriving Town, or that its inhabitants are an enterprising, and improving people.”
In the lead editorial in this issue Thomas White defended his editorial of July 19 in which he argued that the railway from Port Hope to Peterborough had been shifted suddenly to Lindsay. The two Port Hope newspapers and J. Shuter Smith denied changes had been made. Cavan decided not to take shares in the Port Hope railroad, and the leaders of the railroad now claimed they would build to Millbrook; it was up to communities further north to decide where it went from there.
The Review was also engaged in rebutting editorials in the Despatch. White said the paper specialized in taking both sides on any issue. The Despatch, which formerly supported Orangeism, now argued that it would not discuss religious issues because the community was diverse. The Review asked, “Of what value is the discovery of printing to society if it be not to facilitate the discussion of all matters, civil, political and religious?” The Despatch had suggested that the Review should “Be a little more cautious in making statements…” The Review challenged the Despatch “to place his finger upon the insulting paragraph that was not the truth!”
Each issue of the newspaper contains much that deserves some reflection, and provides some insight on past times.
Elwood H. Jones, historian and Archivist, Trent Valley Archives, can be reached at elwood@trentvalleyarchives.com. Lakefield’s Christ Church Cemetery book is available at Trent Valley Archives, 567 Carnegie Avenue, Peterborough K9L 1N1. Visitors and book browsers always welcome.