A MODEST NEWSPAPER MAN.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2313, 2 September 1881, Page 3

A MODEST NEWSPAPER MAN.

Tfi£RE are degrees of everything, even of impudence. A man may be tolerably impertinent, for instance, without being absolutely offensive, or calling for special wonder. But for pure, unadulterated, self-satisfaction, which is in itself a kind of impertinence, commend us to the gentleman who now acts as Christchurch correspondent for the " Saturday Advertiser," of Dunedin, a few copies of which reach this city. It is stated, on the very best authority, that the correspondent in question has recently obtained a position on the staff of a local evening contemporary, and writing of that papor to the " Saturday Advertiser," he says : The " Telegraph " newspaper has taken a fresh start. A gentleman well-known in journalistic circles, who possesses more influence than is generally the case with dilletante pressmen, has now the control of its columns, and it is thought that the concern will soon attain respectable proportions, financially and otherwise.

Now, considering that " the gentleman well-known in journalistic circles" is himself (the said correspondent), this may be regarded as sweetly refreshing. There can be no sort of fear that that correspondent would go short of a testimonial on his own behalf whilst he could handle a pen. The concentrated essence of ten thousand quack nostrum vendors could do no more in the way of self-laudation — indeed, its " ineffectual fire " would pale before such brazen effrontery. That man's epitaph, written by himself, would be a curiosity. A strong belief in one's own excellence has its advantages, no doubt. But— O wad some power the giftie gie us. To seei ourselves as others see us; It wad icrae ncony a blunder free us, And foolish notion. Let it be hoped, however, that the acquisition of this gentlemanly journalist will do all for the " concern," as it is called, which he prognosticates—namely, the attainment of a respectable position, with unfilched telegrams and cablegrams not manufactured on the premises in Gloucester street.