The London Times

Permit me to say a few words as to the modus operandi of journaliste on the chief London press. Sinoe Mr. Delaine has oeased to be the chief " leader " editor of the Times, and is a valetudinarian in the south of Frailee, many changes have taken place in the writing departments of "The Fourth Estáte Thunderer." Three representatives of the great nniversities - Oxford, Cambridge, and Trinity Ooilege, Dublin - now sit in judgment on the leaders they respectively write. There is always a supply of old-stock leaders ready in type, held in abeyanoe for the proper time in the Times' chief office. These are under lock and key and the supervisión and eustody of two men, who are held responsible for them. Obituary criticisms of ceiebrated men or personages of the world are always ready in type, subject to finish or amendments. One gentleman in particular has charge of this department, with some three or four subeditors under him. Most of the " leaders " of the Times on daily events that are fresh, are written by the university men I alluded to. They sit in council and amend, alter, or reject, as seems prudent. This is done between the hours of 10 and 12 p. m. I have known, however, the best "leaders" written for the Times of the same day at 3 a. m., or two hours before going to press. The late Lord Palmerston frequently sent "leaders" to the Times, after a debate in Parliament, when the clock was striking 4 in the morning. His mode was after this manner: "Lord Palmerston's compliments to the editor of the Times, and begs to say:" Here commenced the "leader," the chief night editor first carefully examining it and cutting oñ the bit above quoted before sending it to the compositora or chief foreman. At present this foreman or press manager is Mr. MacDonald, a Ssotchman about 37 years of age, but a keen and far-seeing man. Here let me note another matter. Press cable news henee to America goes at 5 :30 a. m. for ] 2 cents per word. Before that hour the charge is 25 cents per word. From 5 :30 a. m. to 12 m. you can senel cable news henee to America for 12 cents per word. The aim of American newspaper men in Europe is to give their papers at home the first and best service of news. They have to contend with one or more news associations here, and the efforts to get an early edition of the morning papers are humorous to behold. Many a ruse has been employed to get a copy of the Times to skim its " specials " and forward them in season to New York. A certain paper styled " enterprising " took much pains in many ways to get the Times under such early oircumstances. Mr. MacDonald "espied the stranger," as they say in the House of Commons, and lay in wait for him. An old copy of the body of thé Times was prepared with the new date put on the headline. The "enterprising" Col. A., like a rat-terrier at a hole where no rat is, was fussing and smiling, having only a few minutes to send off his skimmings as "specials." Words alone were what he wanted; sense he had not time to dweil on. Off went many words, and at a cost of $50 per ten words in those days. Out came the great " enterprisirg" detonator, and all Gotham was amazed. Since then Mr. MacDonald has not been troubled much by demands for early copies of the Times.