Journalism

Of the difficulties and dangers of journalism the London World basthis to say: - It is because journalisui has becouie more of a profession now than it ever was before that it requires a largar degrae of' traiuinjr and practice. It needs ooncentration oo behalf of him who betakes himself to it ; and it may be said with confidence that there is no training in the world less likely to produce a Maeauley or a Goorde Eliot than that of journalistu. Maoauley was tried as a newspaper writcr, and failed. George Kliot took up the same role, and was not suocessful. As a matter of f act it is probable that the procer has been as nearly as possible reversed, and that the aspiring historian or novelist has found the lioal of hú labors ia a newspaper offiee._ There are, of course, niany varieties of newspaper writers, and all, from the humblest writer to the editorial Jove, rank as journalist. But the pan who intends to uiake anything out of journalism must not look at bis apprentjocship to it as a probationary stage in his literary experiences ; he uiust regard it as a profession in itself ; and unless he devotes himself heart and soul to jts duily labors, and disniisses the uoble ambition to oiualoto Shttkaspflarfl and others, he will tind journalism a bcggarly business. If journalismis approached in a spirit of earnest industry, and with some natural qualiíications, if it is persevered in for years, and if the worker enjoyn an average aniount of good fortuno- the newspaper writer will, perhaps, find hitnMi 11' in possession of about onc-tlnrd of the income which would be onjoyed by a barrister or doctor who had achieved a correnponding maasure of sucoess. Yet, altlioiuli journalism, when all the qualities which contribute to secure success in it are remembered - the disciplined capaoity of work, tho well-drilled alertness of mind, the quickness of observation, the readiness to seize essential points, the necessity of being in a constant state of intellectual training - is paid {ar worse than any dther kind of profession. Only-heaven-born authors, poets, historians, or novelihts can hope to live by their pen without the as sistance of jourDalism. Yet it is ouly in a very suiall percentage of cases that journali.sm can bo said to lead to anything. In ninety-nine intitances out of evcry hundred the career of journalist resembles the canc of oíd age- it bas uo future. The nuwspaper writer who receives a consulshij) after tiveandtwenty years of unfluggins: industry may esteeui himself lucky. Hei liolds his uJaofi at the sword's jioiot ; and if his attention wauders or bis courage flinchüs, or his couduct fails, the chances are that he collapses in the struggle. Tbere nru those who persist in spoaking of the journ list, even in these dys, as a genial, reclfless, thoughtless Bohemian, bnlliant, but unsteady; his conversat ion a perpetual flow of good things; and his life a succession of uharming impudenoa. Tho typioal journalist of the period is a grave, sédate, selfcontaincd gentleman; who talks a little, and who, for the most, Uves severely by rule; who is much given to the consumplion c f blue-book, aod whu is frugal even to austerity in his habits. " $2,346,000 in gold were brought from Europi' by the steamer Wieland.