The ‘constant reader’ of the newspaper always reads, or at least glances at the advertisements. Those who merely take up the broad sheet to glean the passing news of the day, might think time so employed wasted or ill-bestowed; but the experienced and leisurely newspaper reader knows better. He has discovered that the department mentioned contains bits of news, and information, and amusement, very varied, often very curious and useful, and such as are to be obtained through almost no other channel. He has learned gradually to find in it something more: something to open his mind, to excite his imagination, to soften his heart. In the case of a metropolitan print, it appears to him to be an epitome of London, just as London is an epitome of the world; and his soul expands as he sees within its grasp, in one sweep, as it were, of his mental vision, the joys, the sorrows, the recreations, the sufferings, the longings, and attainments of society – in short, the whole social microcosm.