_Scotch Newspapers_ (Vol. viii., p. 57.).--In Ruddiman's _Life_, by G.
Chalmers (8vo. Lond. 1794), it is stated that Cromwell was the first who
communicated the benefit of a newspaper to Scotland. {162} In 1652,
Christopher Higgins, a printer, whom Cromwell had conveyed with his army
to Leith, reprinted there what had been already published at London, _A
Diurnal of some passages and affairs for the information of the English
Soldiers_. A newspaper of Scottish manufacture appeared at Edinburgh, the
same authority relates, on the 31st of December, 1660, under the title of
_Mercurius Caledonius_; comprising the affairs in agitation in Scotland,
with a survey of foreign intelligence. It was published once a week, in a
small 4to. form of eight pages. Chalmers adds, that--
"It was a son of the Bishop of Orkney, Thomas Lydserfe, who now
thought he had the wit to amuse, the knowledge to instruct, and
the address to captivate the lovers of news in Scotland. But he
was only able, with all his powers, to extend his publication
to ten numbers, which were very loyal, very illiterate, and
very affected."