The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-30
correspoadenceot the Commercial Advertiser.
THE ANNIVERSARY OF PRINTING.

4 he ANN v Ehohh VT TRIN liNo'
BosToN, June 25, 1870
arrived here yesterday, in season TO attend
the celebration for which the Bostonans have
been preparing for some time, of the four humid
redth anniversary of printing with movable
types regular holiday was made oft among
the trade. The streets where the printing bust
ness is principally carried on were decorated
with flags stretched across them. The Offices
were closed, as were also the different bookstores
in the afternoon and no morning papers are 10
be issued to-day. The procession was formed
at the State House, at three O'Clock, and pro-
ceeded through fremont and several other
streets TO Faneuil Hall, where preparations had
been made for the celebration of the festival
The large room was appropriately decorated
Directly behind the chair Of the presiding officer
was statue OF Faust. On the columns Of the
building, one letter upon each, was the inscrip-
ton, Art Of printing invented 1440." On sign
boards, arranged completely around the apart
ment Were the names Green, Thomas, Ram
age, Dodge Wells, Ronaldson, Guttemburg,
Franklin, Schaeher Clymer, GRAFTON, Caslon,
Stanhope, Bramah, and Napier Mr.. Bucking
ham, the veteran editor of the Boston Courier,
presided. On his right hand was the mayor of
Boston, on his left a clergyman--I believe the
Rev Mr. Young After the good things which
had been amply provided were properly dis
cussed, Mr. Buckingham opened the intellectual
feast with a sketch of the history of printing
nterspersed with amusing "reminiscences and
anecdotes. The first toast called out the mayor
OF Boston, who made most humorous speech
He said that the magnitude OF the subject made
il impossible to dilate upon the benefits of the
art of printing. You might as well speak about
the benefits of the sun. So he should content
himself with talking about the evils engendered
hutRdrPeeefne Teoumgeineht wmcnr II gave 10
the manufacture of public speeches, which had
now become so common that if he were asked
what were the principal products of the New Eng
land States, he should not answer granite and
ice, but public speeches. This was all the fault
of the press folks would not take the trouble Of
making addresses if it were not for the pleasure
Of seeing in the paper next day that Mr. So-and-
so electrified most delighted audience with
the most thrilling eloquence. Nay, such was
the benevoence Of the press that if any gentle
man was particularly dull or stupid in his re-
marks it was announced that Mr. Blank made
most sensible speech.
His honor the mayor was succeeded by mem
Der of the Legislature, whose name as an
nounced did not cach-a most capital speaker
During the evening addresses were delivered by
the attorney general of Massachusetts; Mr..
Bancroft, the historian; H. B. NJ cons"l, Mr.
Grattan: DIR. Howe, the principal OF the lnstitu
ton for the blind; Mr.. Prentiss, editor OF the
New Hampshire Sentinel the editor Of the Far
mer's Cabinet and several other gentlemen,
whose names did not learn. An ode of pecu
liar appropriateness to the occasion, and chaste
and beautiful composition, was read by MI.
Shepherd, formerly an apprentice TO the printing
business, but now an under graduate Of Harvard
university.
The whole affair went off well. 1t was such
a celebration as none can get up in so good style
as the Bostonans.