Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1855-08-15
What are Printers Made of ?

We copy the following from the Uniomist,
published in Cincinnati, Ohio, by an associa-
ton of journeyman printers, and decidedly the
best daily paper in that region.
More than once we have had occasion to
regard printers as strange and more than or
binary men. An experience of some fifteen
years with the craft. has afforded 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
can abide or labor long in it without getting
somewhat enlightened upon the historical, SCI
entifc and general intelligence of the day, and
about as soon as the apprentice gets into his
freedom suit, or his head crammed with knowl-
edge OF the craft, his ambition tends to go out
into the wide wide world, and see the works
and wonders Of art and nature he has read,
and enables others to read about. Few SEEM
ingly bent on settling down to make fortune,
and the expense of professional fit ont being
mere song, or rather piece of brass rule,
which serves as sort of cabalistc sign to the
brotherhood scattered over creation. A clean
dickey, light heart, and equally hefted pocket
book, the printer goes on his way of explora-
ton and adventure. Posted up in "price
currents" he can talk business with the mer-
chant or planter versed in general statistics
OF the nation, he can hold his own with your
country politician, and for whom, if he takes a
notion, he can set down in fourishing settle
ment, start paper, replenish his purse and
wardrobe, write and set up patriotic leaders
and irresistible puffs, which sends his patron
to Congress or the Legislature He has long
been accustomed to tattle," "squibs,n "po-
etc gems" "the 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 Cru
soc.
He can talk horse or horned cattle. and all
over the fields of agriculture. He has had
many cases in his time to attend to. such as
law reports, and wonderful cures, hence, is
somewhat versed in law and physic. Having
set up and proved astronomical tables. he
knows something, also, about the starry heav-
ems, waters and Winds And, indeed not to
be too prolix, the printer if thorough one.
is man OF science, as well as art, and backed
by his collegiate education, his views expanded
by travel. and himself made practical by the
vicissitudes of miscellaneous and peregrina-
ting life, he is often living wonder, and most
always whole history of human nature-un-
der hat
In this Office are some twenty printers en-
gagged only look at them in ages ranging
from twenty to forty; in size and complexion,
from the ordinary stout man 1--WE never knew
a fat printer,) to some that might crawl
through creased flute some white as Cir
cassians, and Others brown or rosy as young
" Georgia cracker" or Pennsylvania publican.
Some bearded like the pard, others smooth
faced as the Greek Slave.
One has Travelled all over the North Ameri-
can continent, hunted bears in Arkansas, and
the wild horse in the pampas of South Amer-
ca /; 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 Keno
phonic 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
well off and been broke-often. Two have
been on the stage" a profession printers are
much addicted to for about half the actors
on the American boards are printers One,
we believe, has preached sermons, and another
given lectures to crowded houses.
Another has served in Mexico with General
ScoTT. A sixth has been stump-orator, mem
Der of the Legislature, tout West" and
fought a duel, we believe Three have prac-
ticed medicine, kept store, dealt in horses, cot
ton and negroes Two have held municipal
offices. -Four or five have been officers and
privates in various military companies One
served with Gen. Houston in the Texan Rev
oution, and one in the Canadian Rebellion.
Six or eight have edited and published news
papers in various parts of the United States.
One has been first officer of packet on the
"ragln' canawl." One was wounded-leg off
at the storming of Monterey. Another has
clerked it on a Mississippi steamer, was blown
up and slightly killed. Some are, or have
been married some are old bachelors. All
have seen more or less of life, and its changa
BILE scenes They are all live men, good prac-
tical printers, speak various languages, and
form newspaper CORPS hard to surpass or
equal"
We have "typo" employed in our Office,
at the present time, who, we think, is deserv-
ing of sit" among his typographical breth-
rem OF the Unaonist. He is IS years of age,
and has seen fife before and behind the mast y
In the true sense Of the term, having ploughed
the raging main" on four long. and tedious
voyages, during four months of which be was
on short allowance, and suffered extreme pri-
walton. He has doubled Cape Horn twice;
stopped at Rio de Jaueiro, capital of Brazil,
and visited all the public places there, and
crossed the Brazilian Andes. Spent a short
time in Talcahuano and Conception, in Chill :;
was in the ancient city of Lima, capital of Peru,
On speculation in " Yankee Notions" DUR
ing the civil war in that Republic. Was two
years in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. in Up-
per California, among the Indians hunted
Wolves and Grizzly bears was miner: was
clerk at trading post ran an express from
Marysville over the mountains to Fosters Bar
on the Yuba River, and engaged in various
other occupations.
subsequently he cruised about the Pacific
Ocean, and visited the Sandwich and Friendlv
Islands, Juan Fernandez, &c. again doubled
Cape Horn, and sailed along the coast of At
RIGA, Spain and FrsIoe was at Cork and
Waterford, in Ireland the Isle of Wight