From 1817 to 1823, a newspaper called *Kharkiv News* was published in our beloved city.
Its publisher was Verbitsky, a teacher at the Kharkiv Gymnasium. The history of this newspaper, incidentally, is quite complex and interesting. However, the articles published in it are no less important and significant to us.
After all, thanks to them, we can learn a great deal about life in our city in the early 19th century.
In Issue No. 1, Friday, January 5, 1817, we find a very interesting letter from an anonymous resident of Kharkiv. His enthusiastic comments clearly underscore the significance and importance of the newspaper for the residents of our city.
To the editors of *Kharkiv News*.
Thank you, Messrs., for your kind intention to assist us in our industry and our economic endeavors. How often have two neighbors living five versts apart needed—one to buy, the other to sell—Spanish wool, bricks, canvas, and other goods, yet, unable to find a way to publicize this, each of them has lost out on potential profits. Now things will be quite different; just arm yourselves, Gentlemen Publishers, with patience and equanimity. At first, you may well be criticized, and advertisers may be reluctant to send you notices; your pages may be sparse; but in time (in March or April), you will be providing us with dozens of different news items. May God grant you success; but do not lose heart. I have heard that even the *Moscow Gazette*, when it first began publication, sold no more than 600 copies a year; and now? So be patient, Gentlemen Publishers! However, I sincerely hope that the *Kharkiv News* will be of interest not only to this province but to the entire southern region. I shall always remain a devoted reader of your newspaper.
From the newspaper ads, you could find out, for example, about the purchase or sale of a house;
We need to buy a house—either in town or along the main street outside Lopan—that has a stone foundation, all the necessary utilities, and at least a small garden. Anyone wishing to sell such a house may place an ad in these pages.
And some advertisements, even after 200 years, have, as it turns out, remained virtually unchanged;
“A man traveling to Moscow in his own carriage is inviting a traveling companion at a reasonable price; further details can be obtained from the publishers of *Kharkiv News* or from the agent of the University Printing House, Peter Fedorovich Lyubi.”
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