All Matters of Fact, which a Man did not know before, are News to him; and I do not see how any Haberdasher in Cheapside is more concerned in the present Quarrel of the Cantons, than he was in that of the League.  At least, I believe every one will allow me, it is of more Importance to an Englishman to know the History of his Ancestors, than that of his Contemporaries who live upon the Banks of the Danube or the Borysthenes.  As for those who are of another Mind, I shall recommend to them the following Letter, from a Projector, who is willing to turn a Penny by this remarkable Curiosity of his Countrymen.

  Mr. SPECTATOR,

’You must have observed, that Men who frequent Coffee-houses, and delight in News, are pleased with every thing that is Matter of Fact, so it be what they have not heard before.  A Victory, or a Defeat, are equally agreeable to them.  The shutting of a Cardinal’s Mouth pleases them one Post, and the opening of it another.  They are glad to hear the French Court is removed to Marli, and are afterwards as much delighted with its Return to Versailles.  They read the Advertisements with the same Curiosity as the Articles of publick News; and are as pleased to hear of a Pye-bald Horse that is stray’d out of a Field near Islington, as of a whole Troop that has been engaged in any Foreign Adventure.  In short, they have a Relish for every thing that is News, let the matter of it be what it will; or to speak more properly, they are Men of a Voracious Appetite, but no Taste.  Now, Sir, since the great Fountain of News, I mean the War, is very near being dried up; and since these Gentlemen have contracted such an inextinguishable Thirst after it; I have taken their Case and my own into Consideration, and have thought of a Project which may turn to the Advantage of us both.  I have Thoughts of publishing a daily Paper, which shall comprehend in it all the most remarkable Occurences in every little Town, Village and Hamlet, that lye within ten Miles of London, or in other Words, within the Verge of the Penny-Post.  I have pitched upon this Scene of Intelligence for two Reasons; first, because the Carriage of Letters will be very cheap; and secondly, because I may receive them every Day.  By this means my Readers will have their News fresh and fresh, and many worthy Citizens who cannot Sleep with any Satisfaction at present, for want of being informed how the World goes, may go to Bed contentedly, it being my Design to put out my Paper every Night at nine-a-Clock precisely.  I have already established Correspondences in these several Places, and received very good Intelligence.

  By my last Advices from Knights-bridge I hear that a Horse was
  clapped into the Pound on the third Instant, and that he was not
  released when the Letters came away.

  We are informed from Pankridge [1] that a dozen Weddings were lately
  celebrated in the Mother Church of that Place, but are referred to
  their next Letters for the Names of the Parties concerned.