Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 06.djvu/534

This page needs to be proofread.
LEFT
442
RIGHT

NEW SWEDEN 442 NEWTON taken place in the relative importance of the editorial and the news sections of newspapers. In the days of Greeley, Dana, Bennett, Raymond, and other great editors, the editorial page had great influence in molding popular opin- ion. In the latter days, however, the tendency has been to subordinate the editorial features of the paper to the news section, so that it is probable that the influence of editorial writing as a molder of popular opinion has waned. Newspapers in the larger cities have obtained enormous circulation, in some cases exceeding 500,000, This has been rendered possible by the use of wood pulp in making paper. On the other hand it has also resulted in a shortage of wood pulp and a corresponding short- age of print paper. This became pai'- ticularly acute during the war, when newspapers were hard pressed to obtain paper enough for their use. A large portion of the pulp from which the paper is made is obtained from Canada. Partly as a result of this situation and partly from other reasons, a tendency has developed for the consolidation of papers in the larger cities. The most notable instance of this was the consoli- dation of the New York "Herald" and the New York "Sun" in 1920, following the death of James Gordon Bennett, the former proprietor of the "Herald." The "Herald" was purchased by Frank A, Munsey, who was also the owner of the "Sun." Mr. Munsey also purchased in November, 1920, the "Baltimore Ameri- can," one of the oldest of American newspapers. NEW SWEDEN, the former name of the territory lying between the English colony of Virginia and the Dutch col- ony of New Netherlands. The Swedes founded a settlement here in 1638. NEWT, a small reptile of the family Salamandridse, of which there are many varieties, the principal one being termed the great water newt, Triton <yristatus. This specimen, when it is full-grown, measures about six inches in length, and in its appearance greatly resembles the salamander. On the back the color is a dark brown; the sides are speckled with spots, and the under-surface of the body is a bright orange, variegated with black patches. The head is rather small, and the eyes are of a bright golden hue; the tail is flattened in form, and has thin edges at the extremities; and the limbs are short, the fore-feet being divided into four, and the hind into five toes. The newt inhabits shady places and stagnant waters, and lives principally on insects, of which it consumes an immense quan- tity. Besides the great water newt there is the common water newt, Triton aquaticus, found in the Atlantic States, which, in its habits and appearance, so closely resembles the former, as not to need a distinct description. Other species, from 4 to 12 inches long, are also found in the United States. NEW TESTAMENT. See BiBLE. NEW THOUGHT, a name commonly used to describe the belief in the power of the spirit to create and control con- ditions and circumstances by mental causes. New Thought is based on old truths maintained for ages, but to many it offers a new viewpoint on the conduct of life. Metaphysical healing as dem- onstrated in mental science is based on the same curative methods as New Thought. Unlike Christian Science, it does not deny the existence of matter, while affirming the reality of the spirit. Phineas Parkhurst Quimby, the first practitioner of mental science, and his contemporary, John B. Dods, in the first half of the 19th century believed and wrote that disease could be cured by a change of belief. New Thought first be- came known about 1906 as a system that included mental healing, and supplied a philosophy of life and conduct, and was opposed to the control of individual in- dependence by a church organization or particular faith. New Thought litera- ture displays variation in points of view, but general hostility to materialism, and faith in the power of the inner spirit to rule the senses. The number professing New Thought cannot be estimated as it includes many church members, but there are between 300 and 400 centers in the United States and Canada where the system is taught, and there are centers in England and the larger European cities. Among the most important books on New Thought are: "Power of Silence" (H. W. Dresser, 1904); "New Thought Simplified" (Henry Wood, 1904) ; "A New Alinement of Life" (R. W. Trine) ; "Increasing Your Mental Efficiency" (E. H. Williams). NEWTON, a city of Kansas, the county-seat of Harvey co., 27 miles N. of Wichita, on the Missouri Pacific and the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe rail- roads. It is the center of an irnportant farming and stock-raising region and has manufactories of flour and machin- ery. There is a library, hospitals, parks, and Bethel College. Pop. (1910) 7,861; (1920) 9,781. NEWTON, a city in Middlesex co., Mass.; on the Charles river, and on the Boston and Albany railroad; 7 miles W.