Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-09-19
TEE BOOK .fGR.v'T.
GAN OVER TRUE TALE"

l have had visit from a book agent.
Books may be good and agents may be
| necessary, but no excellence of one can
| furnish any excuse to the other for making
himself nuisance. /. talked and reason
ed with him, but my words seemed to have
! no effect on his hrazen nffrontory. uo wac
shielded by such determination that he
would not, or by such wiful stupidity that
he could not understand anything but that
he must sell and the public must buy. The
front attack failed. / wish now to send
shot after him. 1t may do him no GOOD,
but it will relieve my mind Or it may
serve as well as many another shot ut
venture, and bring down some other one of
| the numberess nuisances who waste time
and wear temper.
was called from my study by the mes
sage that gentleman wished to see me,
and could not send up his errand. l came
| down with pen in hand that the visitor
might see that | was busy.
as this Rev. Mr.. So-and-so?"
"Yes SIR"
~ have called" Spoken in one breath af-
| ter the manner Of agents, as if they were
trying to pronounce that famous word of
Aristophones with its one hundred and fif-
! ty-four letters). 81 have called to bring
your attention to new, important, inter-
esting and very valuable WORK which sup
plies place long felt to be vacant in sacred
literature, which | am sure you will find
to be storehouse of instruction, much
needed companion for the study-table, an
excellent volume for devotional reading.
It's subject is ono of transcendent interest.
1t is written in clear and lucid style, and
illustrated by seventeen steel engravings
by the most celebrated living engravers of
the world, and bound in any style you may
| desire. 1t is"
"Yes sir. But l do not care to buy it, l
believe"
at is entitled The Lives and Times of
the Prophets and Apostles Is is by Rev.
Theopilus Thistlewister, ID. D., LII. D., and
is universally commended as one of the
most learned and brilliant expositions of
Biblical themes ever offered to the public.
| 1t is"
"Yes sir; but believe that do not want
it,"
at is published only by subscription,
| anu ~ WA w hilJOSolblC W JlOCuIG IL tA-
cept through me, and it contains all the
fruits of the most recent study of the BIZ
BILE, and the investigations of the best schol-
ars brought up to date. 1t is"
"Yes, sir; but don't want it,"
at is adorned with engravings in the
highest style Of the art, and profusely il
lustrated with wood-cuts from pictures
taken on the spot, and bound in red mo-
rocco and gilt it would make"
"But l don't want it,
at is very valuable and interesting
work, and it would be Il very great assist
anco to any minister TO have it scattered
broadcast through his congregation, as
ii would excite deeper interest in the
study of the Bible andadd charm
to the pulpit ministrations by connec-
ting with them the brilliant writings
of Rev. Dr. Thistlewister. l had an uncle
who was a chaplain in the army and de-
sire to do what / can to introduce in the
families of this place, good, sound, relig
ious reading"
ayes, sir, but do not wish for the book >
"Then you will be so kind as to give mt
the list of the members of your congrega
ton, so that 1 can call on them, and
would be obliged to you if you would give
me a note commencing the book"
"No, sir; l never send people to my
congregation on such errands. | have
/ principle against giving names for any par
pose of the kind. And l cannot commend
the book, for have never examined it,"
: "Well, If you would just put down you
/ IfCt Lot L ,,Nfc
; one who could direct me TO some of you
prominent people, l would be very glad t.
leave you a copy at half price, for an
very anxious to do what can in diffusinl
solid and religious reading. And if 20,
= could just say word or two approving tn
book"