Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-11-03
FISH AND PEITLosoPRY.u
nR. JOHN MINTOSH,

~ Would inform the inhabitants of Bradford county
that he respectfully solicits GOO subscribers for his local
work entitled "FlSH AND PHILOSOPHY or Sketches
made During a Short Soiourn in Northern Pennsylvania. =
The book will consist Of from $50 to 800 pages, 12mo.,
and will be bound in embossed muslin. The price Willie
81 90. As the work was not written to vindicate
any particular theory, or to advance any particular inte-
rest, it is difficult to say what it aims at further than 20
help while away 4 leisure hour or two, in what the Au.
thor hopes, not improbable reading.
The pages are chiefly devoted to descriptions of local
scenery incidents while Trouting on the Sciradcr branch:
literary criticisms and "reminiscences conversations, de-
velopments of local character, poetry and philosophical
reflections.
A. the publication of the book is not a question of
bread, the author can Use the liberty of speaking plain
In the first place, then, he cannot afford to publish the
book unaided-nor would he if he could for the simple
reason, he is unwilling to shoulder the responsibility of
committing a-possibly-poor book to the world. He
therefore seeks to make a corporate concern of it, and
thus share with the subscribers the odium of failure,
should it fail. 1t Is a purely gratuitous matter, gentle
men, sign, or not sim. In the second place, the author
is unwilling to have his stock of books added TO, by too
many hundred copiee of work that failed to redeem the
price of lis publication; neither does he desire the horror
of witnessing the AWFUL spectacle of an auto-da-fe, of what
cost him so much pains and time to create for he Ger
tainly would commit to the flames what remained unsold
OF the edition, should they remain too long on his hands.
He is determined to pay the publisher on the receipt of
the edition, should it be printed asking no favors and if
600 subsc berS can be had, re will do so. He can afford,
hOwever. 10 wait, should the 600 refuse to come to the
rescue. The Ms will not diminish in value. 1t will Ia-
main a il has done, cherished by the owner, as was che
ished and loved the poor mans one little eve lamb that
was unto him as a d~augher.'' The author will ask no one
10 ur, ertake To publlSh IL on the strength OF Its merits (:
perhaps from pride, perhaps from a prophetic a%ppreben-
sion OF its lack of merit. Time-perhaps-wi determine
if he did well to be Influenced by the latter consideration.
The author will further say, that should the desired num-
Der Of subscriptions be obtained, he will feel tempted to
promise an emhellished frontispiece, enclosing a medallion
likeness Of the principal character, DIR. Plum. And should
a second edition follow, he-the authOr-will exert all :the
influence he caA command to secure for the original sub
scribers Il lock of that distinguished individuals hair as
thank Heaven, he is appreciative, and, Judging from his
anteC edents, the author has no doubt that Plum would
gladly wear a wig for a whole year, to have the pleasure
OF furnishing to his friends so interesting q souvenir.
The publication Of the book, then, is dependent on the
receipt of 500 subscribers, and one month will be allowed
for names to be given in. II, at the expiration of that time
only one person has subscribed, or any other number be-
tween that and 600-unless very closely approximating it
the book will not of course be expected to see the light.
But, if the entire number be obtained, those who have
signed, will, in thu ee mo- his from the closing of tie sub
scripiion lists, be suppl with a copy, or copies, as they
may have ordered.
Subscription lists will be opened on Monday next, at all
the stores, and at the p. o. in the borough and at c. H.
HERRtcK's, at Athens. At Burlington, there will be one
at MesSrs. 1ONG & MERRYs store, and at Ulster MI. JOHN
MATHER and al Monroe, Mr.. SEYMoJ X PHlNNEY, will act
as . cents. Others may he authorized.
TOYanda, October l3. 1855.