Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-02-10
From the Cincinnati Commercial.
Wh0t are Printers made of!
More than once we have had occasion to regard


More than once We have had occasion to regard
printers as strange and more than ordinary men,
An experience Of some fifteen years with the craft
has offered innumerable opportunities to find them
OUT and study in measure their natural history
Printers are to greater extent than any other class
OF professional men, migratory. The printing Office
of itself, being literary Institute, few abide or
labor long in it without getting somewhat enlight.
ened upon the historical scientific and general intel.
ligence of the day. and about soon as the appren-
lce gets into his freedom suit or his head crammed
with knowledge of the craft, his ambition tends 10 go
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 10 make
fortune, and the expense of professional ftout
being mere song, or rather piece Cf brass rule
which serves as sort of cabastic sign to the broth
erhood scattered over creation, clean dickey light
heart, and equally hefted pocket book, the printer
goes on hIs way OF exploration and adventure. Pos
ted up in price currents, he talk business with
the merchant or planter versed in general statistics
OF the nation, he can hold bis with your coun-
try politician and for whom if he takes notion, he
can set down in ourishpg settlement, start paper,
repenish his purse and wardrobe, write and sci up
patriotic leaders and irresistible pufs which sends
his patron to Congress or the Legislature. He has
long been accustomed 10 tattle, squibs, poetic
gems" =" tho ladies Department. &C., and proves
quite at home in conversational circles where he can
illuminate old ladies, the girls and children equal to
pedagogue, Hoods works, Baron Munchausen or
Robinson Crusoe
He can talk horse or horned cattle, all over the
fields of agriculture. He has had many cases in his
time to attend to, such law reports, and wonderful
cures, and hence, is something versed in law and
physc. Having set up and proved astronomical ia
bles, he knows something, also, about the starry
heavens, waters and winds. And, indeed, not TO he
too prolix the printer, if thorough one, is of
science well as art, and backed by his collegiate
education his views expanded by travel, and himself
made practical by the vicissudes of miscellaneous
and peregrinating life he is often living wonder,
and most always whole history of human nature
under hat.
In this Office 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 10 some that
might crawl through creased flute some as white
as Circassians, and others brown or rosy-your
" Georgia Cracker" or Pennsylvania Publican.-
Some bearded like the Pard, others smooth-faced as
the Greek Slave. Oac has travelled all the North
American continent hunted bears in Arkansas, and
the wild horse in the rampas of South America an.
other has been out on the broad ocean, and seen fe
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-Often. Two have been " on the STAGE" q
profession printers much addicted to; for about
half the actors on the American boards were print
ers. One, we believe, has preached sermons and
other has lectured to crowded houses Another has
served in Mexico with Gen. Scott. sixth has been
stump orator, member ofthe Legislature tout West,'
and fought duel, we believe Three have practi-
ced medicine kept store, dealt in horses cotton and
negroes. Two have held municipal Offices. Four
or five have been officers and privates in various mil
itary companies. One served with Gen. Houston in
the Texan revolution, and one in the Canadian re-
bellion Six eight have edited and published news
papersn various parts of the United States One has
been first officer of packet the " ragn canawl"
One was wocnded-leg of-at the stormng of Mon
terey. Another has clerked on!a Mississippi steam
er Was blown up and slightly killed. Some or
have been married. old bachelors. All
have more less of life, and lis changeabc
scenes. They are all live men, good practical print
ers, speak various languages, and form a newspaper
corps hard to surpass equal.