The Covent-Garden Journal was an English literary periodical published twice a week for most of 1752. It was edited and almost entirely financed by novelist, playwright, and essayist Henry Fielding (pictured), under a pseudonym. The Journal incited the "Paper War" of 1752–1753, a conflict between a number of contemporary literary critics and writers, which began after Fielding declared war on the "armies of Grub Street" in the first issue. His proclamation attracted multiple aggressors and instigated a long-lasting debate argued in the pages of their respective publications. Initially waged for the sake of increasing sales, the Paper War ultimately became much larger than Fielding had expected. Further controversy erupted in June, when Fielding expressed support for a letter decrying the Government's 1752 Disorderly House Act in the Journal. His remarks were viewed by the public as an endorsement of the legality of prostitution. The final issue of the Journal was released on 25 November 1752. In its last months, poor sales had resulted in a transition from biweekly to weekly release. Ill-health and a disinclination to continue led Fielding to end its run after the 72nd number.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Covent-Garden_Journal
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1322:
Having defeated his half-brother Stephen Constantine in battle, Stephen Dečanski (fresco pictured) was crowned King of Serbia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Uro%C5%A1_III_De%C4%8Danski_of_Serbia
1839:
The most damaging storm in 300 years swept across Ireland, with 100-knot winds damaging or destroying more than 20% of the houses in Dublin. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_of_the_Big_Wind
1953:
The first Asian Socialist Conference, an organization of socialist political parties in Asia, opened in Rangoon, Burma, with 177 delegates, observers and fraternal guests. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_Socialist_Conference
1993:
Indian Border Security Force (BSF) units killed 55 Kashmiri civilians in Sopore, Jammu and Kashmir, in revenge after militants ambushed a BSF patrol. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sopore_massacre
2005:
About 60 tons of chlorine gas were released when two Norfolk Southern trains collided in Graniteville, South Carolina, US. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graniteville,_South_Carolina_train_crash
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
at first blush: (idiomatic) Upon first impression or consideration; seemingly, apparently, ostensibly. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/at_first_blush
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
When no risk is taken there is no freedom. It is thus that, in an industrial society, the plethora of laws made for our personal safety convert the land into a nursery, and policemen hired to protect us become selfserving busybodies. --Alan Watts https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Alan_Watts