Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1854-03-08

WHAr ARE PRrSrEas MADE orr More than once
we have had occasion to regard printers ss strange
and more than ordinary men. An experience of
some fifteen years with the craft has offered innu.
merable opportunities to find them out, and study
in measure their natural history" Printers are
to greater extent than any other class of profes.
sionat men, migratory. The printing Office, of it.
SELF being literary Institute few can abide or Ia.
Dor long in it without getting somewhat enlightened
upon the historical scientific and general intelligence
OF the day, and about the apprentice gets
into his freedom suit or his head crammed with
knowledge OF the craft his ambition tends to 20 out
into the wide wide world, and the works Of art
and nature he has read, and enabled others to read
about. Few seem bent on setting down to make
fortune and the expense of professional ft-out be-
ing mere song, or rather piece of brass rule,
which serves as sort Of cabalistc sign to the broth
erhood scattered over creation, clean dckey, light
heart and equally hefted pocket book. the printer
goes on his way of exploration and adventure Pos
ted up in "price currents" he can talk business
with the merchant or planter versed in general sta
usucs OF the nation, he hold his own with your
country politician, and for whom, if he takes no.
oon he can set down in fourishing settlement,
start paper, replenish his purse and wardrobe
write andet up patriotic leaders and irresistible
Puffs, which sends his patron to Congress the
LEGISLATURE. He has long been accustomed to tat
tic, .s9ulbs," "poetic gems" "the ladies depart
ment, &c, and proves quite at home in CONVERSE
tlonai circles where he can illuminate old ladies' the
girls and children, equal to a pedagogue, Hoods
works, Baron Munchausen or Robinson Crusoc
lie can talk horse or horned cattle, all over the
fields OF agriculture He has had many cases in his
time to attend to- such as law reports, and wonder
fIi cures and hence is something velsed in law and
physic. Having set up and proved astronomical ia
6ies he knows something also, about the starry
heavens, waters and winds. And, indeed not to be
too proix, the printer, if thorough one, is man
OF science as well as art and backed by his coegi-
ate education, his views expanded by travel and
hrp,calf do 81 L.
cellaneous and prcgrinating life, he is often living
wonder, and most always whole history of human
naturc-under q hat.
In this office some twenty printers engaged;
only look at them! In ages ranging from twenty
to forty in size and complexion, from the ordinary
stout, 1--WE never knew fat printer) to some that
might crawl through creased flute some as white
as Circassians, and others brown or rosy-your
Georgia Cracker" or Pennsylvania Publican
Some hsarded like the Pard, others smooth-faced as
the Greek Slave. One has travelled all over the
North American continent, hunted bears in Arkan-
sas, and the wild horse in the pampas of South
America another has been out on the broad ocean,
and seen life before the mast; another graduated
at West Point, served in the army, and accompanied
Col. Doniphan in his Zenophenic grand campaign
all over New Mexico. What book he can write
Another has kept tavern. sold goods at auction
travelled over the United States several times, been
we'll off and been broken-oftcn. Two have been
ION the stage" profession printers arc much ad-
dcted to; for about half the actors the American
boards were printers. One, we believe has preach
ed sermons, and another has lectured to crowded
houses Another has served in Mexico with Gen.
Scott. sixth has been stump orator, member of
the Legislature out West" and fought duel, we
believe Three have practiced medicine, kept store
@ dealt in hoSsss cotton and negroes Two have held
and prirates in various military companies. One
served with Gen. Houston in the Texan revolution,
and one. in the Canadian rebellion. Six or eight
have edited and published newspapers in various
parts of the United States. One has been first off,
Ger of packet on the "ragn' canawl" One was
wounded-leg oG-at the storming of Monterey.
Another has cerked on Mississippi steamer, was
blown mp and slightly killed. Some or have
been married old bachelors. All have
seen less of life, and its changeable
They all live men, good practical printers, speak
various languages, and form newspaper corps hard
to surpass or equal. Cincinnati Commercial