The paper and type used by the Argus are similar to those of the Times, and in the arrangement, contents, and general style of the paper the same model has been followed.  The standard issue is an eight-page sheet about three-quarters the size of the Daily News; but when Parliament is sitting, a two or four-page supplement is nearly always issued; and on Saturdays the number of advertisements compels a double issue, which includes ‘London Town Talk,’ by Mr. James Payne, and about half a dozen columns of reviews, essays, etc.  On ordinary days four to five out of the eight pages are always covered with advertisements in small type, charged for at the highest rate obtainable in the colonies.  The published price is threepence, and the circulation must be from ten to fifteen thousand.

As the Argus may be considered as the type of the Australian press at the highest point it has yet attained, it is worth while to make a short examination of a casual copy.  The reading matter begins at the left-hand corner of page 6, with the heading ‘Shipping Intelligence,’ under which we learn that six steamers and one sailing-ship have arrived in Hobson’s Bay on December 21st, and that four steamers and one sailing-ship have cleared out.  Next comes a Weather Chart of Australia and New Zealand, after the model of the one in the Times; and then follow the observations taken at the Melbourne Observatory, a synopsis of the weather, and the state of the tide, wind and weather at twenty-two stations on the Murray, Murrumbidgee, Ovens, and Goulburn rivers.  About halfway down the third column, we reach the heading ’Commercial Intelligence,’ with a report upon the state of the market, and the sales reported during the day, auctioneers’ reports, list of specie shipments, amount of revenue collected during the previous day at the Custom House (L7,498), stock sales, calls and dividends, and commercial telegrams from London, Sydney, and Adelaide.

The next heading is ‘Mails Outward,’ which are separated from the leading columns only by the special advertisements, of which there are over a column.  It happens that this day there are only two leading articles, whereas generally there are also two small or sub-leaders.  The first leader is on the finding of the Coroner’s jury anent a disastrous railway accident which has recently taken place.  The second on the preference of colonial girls and women for low-paid factory-work, when comparative independence, easier work, and much higher wages are obtainable in domestic service.  These two leaders occupy altogether nearly three columns, and are followed by five columns of ‘News of the Day,’ split up into fifty paragraphs.