With a Christian outlook and a low price, James Hogg's Instructor, the forerunner of Titan, neatly profiled press scribes of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

1. “Thoughts at Starting.” 1 (1845): 1–3.

Proclaimed that Hogg's “motive” was “purer and better” than being distinguished or profitable. Driven by religion that other journalism ignored and aware that “nameless contributions in a cheap weekly miscellany” did not make a reputation, it planned to print solid literature and information.

2. “Biographical Sketches: Thomas Campbell.” 1 (1845): 83–86, 98–102.

Swore that while Campbell edited the New Monthly Magazine, “it became the most popular of the monthlies.”

3. “Biographical Sketches: Robert Nicoll.” 1 (1845): 114–16.

Headlined Nicholl as an editor of the Leeds Times, a writer for newspapers and magazines, and a friend of publisher William Tait.

4. “Biographical Sketches: Sydney Smith.” 1 (1845): 130–32.

Deemed Smith a “witty” critic who neither produced a master work nor created a school of literature.

5. “Eminent Living Authors: Thomas Noon Talfourd.” 1 (1845): 210–12.

Reminded that Talfourd was the theatre critic for the New Monthly Magazine and a writer for the Edinburgh Review, London Magazine, and other serials.

6. “Portrait Gallery: Thomas Hood.” 1 (1845): 275–76.

Centered on Hood's humor.

7. “Biographical Sketches: Joseph Addison.” 1 (1845): 307–10.

Claimed that Addison's best work was in the Tatler making it more popular in 1709 than any prior paper. Its successor, the Spectator, was an “immense success.”