The number of news-papers already published is so great, that there appears, at the first view, very little need of another; but the truth is, that this great number makes another necessary.

The different compilers of the papers now circulated round the nation endeavor, according to their various opportunities of information, and tracks of correspondence, to excel in different kinds of intelligence: it is therefore proper to unite weekly in some single paper the different accounts of different transactions, which are now so widely scattered, that many useful hints may pass unregarded for want of leisure to peruse all the papers, and for want of knowledge where to enquire.

It is well known to all those whose curiosity hastens them to the earliest intelligence, that the same event is every week affirmed and denied; that the papers of the same day contradict each other; and that the mind is confused by the opposite relations, or tortured with narrations of the same transactions transmitted, or pretended to be transmitted, from different places. Whoever has felt these inconveniencies will naturally wish for a writer who shall once a week collect the evidence, decide upon its probability, reject those reports which, being raised only to serve the day, are naturally refuted before the end of the week, and enable the reader to judge of the true state of foreign and domestic affairs.

By such a method of intelligence, that knowledge, which, in times of commotion, every man’s interest or curiosity makes necessary or pleasing, will be obtained at less expence both of money and time; many foolish triumphs and needless terrors will be prevented or suppressed, the history of the last week will be clearly known, and the gradual progress of affairs be distinctly traced in the memory.

This Chronicle, besides a judicious collection of news, will contain a variety of such other matter as may be thought either useful or entertaining. A part whereof will be composed of letters on interesting subjects, which we expect to receive, nay, which we are assured will be communicated, by persons of eminence in the literary world, who are friends to this design; a design, not hastily conceived, and imperfectly formed, but which has, for near twelve months past, been under the inspection of those who are able to promote the undertaking.

A portion of our paper will be assigned to some of those productions of genius or learning which daily receive their birth from the press, and occasional extracts or specimens of books and pamphlets will be exhibited, with such candid remarks, as may contribute either to the instruction or entertainment of the reader; and in this last case if we err at all, we hope it will be on the side of good-nature: we shall not attempt (as many have basely done) to clip the wings of genius, but to plume and direct its flight.

This paper, which will be made as useful as possible to readers of every denomination, may be sent in a frank1 to any part of Great Britain or Ireland; and may be had from the Secretary of States office,2 or general post office, by those gentlemen, ladies, and others, who will please to leave their orders with the postmaster in their neighbourhood, or send to the publisher, Mr. Payne, in Pater-noster-Row. It may also be had of the news-carriers in town and country. And as it is intended to be bound in volumes, a general title and complete index to all the literary articles will be given gratis at the end of the year; so that those who preserve their papers will have, not only a political history, but also an useful body of literary compositions, of more value than the original price of the papers.