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Below is a list of all the articles and advertisements which appeared in the first issue of the Bridgnorth Beacon, dated 1st October 1852. The transcriptions can be viewed by clicking on the titles.
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Bridgnorth Beacon
Our Objects
In the present day, when education is becoming universal, and when men are beginning to think that they are made for greater ends than the inferior animals they see around them, it becomes the duty of every one who would contribute food even of the humblest kind to that generally awakening intelligence which seems the great feature of the day, to see that he puts before the public wholesome food, homely and even in cases unpalatable though it be; if it were only to counteract the insidious poison that is daily and hourly issuing from a cheap Press to degrade and pollute men’s minds. Impressed with this conviction we purpose (we were just writing "I purpose" when the recollection of our editorial dignity stopped the egotism) in our humble columns to give over and above the due amount of local and other matters, occasional short articles on various useful topics, for some of which we hope to be indebted to our friends in this locality. There is a great field for enterprize of this kind even in Bridgnorth; and if aiming to be in any degree useful to our fellow men we are going beyond our vocation, we shall at any rate not be harshly judged. It may be that our plans will prove unrealizable—to coin a word for the occasion—but we intend to do our best, and then, if our Subscribers are willing to help in the work, it may certainly be done.
Don’t let anyone imagine that we intend to be always prosy and dry. No no, our columns will always be open to light and amusing reading; but not being overstocked with it ourselves we shall depend for fun and facetiae on our more witty neighbours. The Grammar School Boys surely might help as in this way; and in return, we will promise to give true and faithful accounts of all their cricket matches and other successes, whether in flood or field, on the sunny banks of the Severn, or in the Academic Bowers of Alma Mater.
As regards Politics we have our opinions and shall, if need be, fearlessly express them; though never continuously, violently, or intolerantly. But when we find a prime Minister "elected to be tried by God and his country," evincing sincerity in all his actions, it is a hard matter to separate Politics from social topics.
There are various literary societies in Bridgnorth. To these we would extend the right hand of fellowship and co-operation; to these we appeal for support and encouragement, solely on public grounds. Let not one of the oldest of England’s represented boroughs be unrepresented by an organ of some kind. Let us each and all endeavour that our good old Town shall not be behind the spirit of the age, but that even in her antiquity she shall have the advantage of modern improvements and facilities for intercourse. Let us not be mistaken. We love antiquity, and if by modern innovations is understood the leveling spirit of Chartist Democracy, perish modernism altogether, say we, sooner than let those Institutions, Customs, and Ranks, which are as valuable as they are ancient, and which have raised England to the position she enjoys, be uprooted by the headlong torrent of encroaching Americanism.
But we are getting beside the mark. To return—our objects are to afford a monthly repertory of local and general information to give opportunity for correspondence on local or literary topics, to provide a medium for Advertisements, and to adapt our space to any other useful purpose which may seem desirable. May be, we shall be able eventually to publish weekly; may be we shall not succeed even in our monthly attempt. But in either case we shall have done our best. And if in appealing to those higher considerations which we have slightly touched upon, we fail to carry with us the sympathies of the clergy and other well wishes to the cause of popular education, if the Inhabitants generally of Bridgnorth and the surrounding townships are not disposed to wish us good speed in our endeavors, we shall impute the want of success, not to their want of discrimination, but to our own deficiency.
A word as regards our larger and more important contemporaries. We hope they will not convict us, or rather attempt to convict us of poaching on their demesnes, or fishing in their preserves. There is room for us all, and we are at peace with them all, Pax Vobiscum "Journals" and "Chronicles" and "Advertisers" and all the rest! Pax Vobiscum!
Such is our somewhat formidable prospectus. We commend it to the attention of our readers, and with a friendly shake of the hand, or a formal bow (if they like that better) hope to become better acquainted with them.
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