13 APRIL 1901, Page 25

Dundee Advertiser Centenary Memoir. By A. H. Millar. (J. Leng

and Co., Dundee.)—The Dundee Advertiser appeared for the first time on January 16th, 1801. Three newspapers that still exist had preceded it (the Aberdeen Journal, Glasgow Herald, and Kelso Mail); but the Advertiser claims to be the pioneer of Liberal journalism in Scotland. It was first a weekly, then a bi- weekly journal, and forty years ago it became a daily. The story of its growth and progress, and incidentally of the growth and progress of the town from which it takes its name, is related in these pages. Naturally the personal element has a place, and here we find an interest, that is common to the Advertiser and ourselveg. Robert Stephen Rintoul became the printer of the paper in March, 1809. Two years afterwards he became actually, though not nominally, editor. In 1821 the paper was " edited, printed, and published by R. S. Rintoul,"—there was not then the same division of labour as now prevails. He resigned in consequence of a difference with his co-proprietors. This was in February, 1825. After two brief and unsuccessful attempts in Edinburgh and London, he founded the Spectator, which appeared for the first time on July 6th, 1823. From this he retired in February, 1858, living only a few weeks longer. Among the contributors to the Dundee Advertiser during the last half .century we may mention the names of Thorold Rogers, George Gilfillan, and John Tulloch.