Chambers's Journal of Popular Literature, Science, and Art, Fifth Series, No. 23, Vol. I, June 7, 1884

A sharp, tongue‑in‑cheek portrait of a Victorian-era information dealer, this essay follows the self‑styled “Newsmonger” who seems to know every scandal before it erupts. He relishes the bitter flavor of gossip over sweet good news, and his uncanny foresight lets him predict bankruptcies, illicit affairs, and broken engagements while staying comfortably in the background.

Through lively anecdotes—an abrupt divorce, a secretive political upheaval, and a baffling financial windfall—the piece sketches a world where rumor and reality intertwine. The author winks at the reader, exposing the absurd pride of those who claim omniscience, while gently mocking the society that glorifies such whispers. The narrative’s brisk, witty tone makes it feel like a lively salon conversation, offering both amusement and a sly critique of the ever‑present hunger for scandal.