When letters to the editor got right to the point

The following letter dated October 7th 1779 appeared in the Worcester [UK] Journal columns while Elizabeth Berrow was at the Helm

''To the Printer of the Worcester Journal. I take the liberty of informing you and the public that the account of a melancholy accident happening to a poor man at Evesham which was inserted in your last paper is utterly devoid of foundation: as is likewise that part of it which mentions a certain person being mayor elect of that borough for the ensuing year. - It would better become that ridiculous scribbler who sent you such a paragraph to employ this wonderous abilities to a more laudable purpose than to intrude such an empty piece of pretended intelligence which is equally as void either of with or instruction as it most certainly is of truth. I am yours etc. H.'' This letter had the following footnote: (In order to suppress the like impositions on the public, the Printer in future will not insert any articles of deaths, marriages, etc which are sent by anonymous writers.) The actual occurence was that a man was reported to have fallen into a vat of boiling ale