New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-06-24
HARPER AND BROTHERS.
A LETTER FROM THURLOW WEED.

LETTER FROM THURLOW WEED.
RRMISIsCENCEs OF THE BROTHERs-THE FIRMS
FIRsr YEARS IN BUSINESS.
TO the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: Your very pleasant and readable sketch Of
the business and social history and relations of the
great publishing house of Harper 81 Brothers in yes
| terdav's TRIBUNE possesses much more than ordi-
nary interest to one whose acquaintance with the
senior Harpers began when the existence of such a
printing -hcuse was but an aspiration.
The late James Harper was journeyman printer,
like myself, in 1916. We worked for Jonathan
Seymour, most excellent employer, at No. 40 john
st., as partners upon Ramage press. John Harper
was then in the last year of his apprenticeship in the
same Office. Wesley was then schoolboy, while
Fletcher was scarcely out Of his cradle. James, who
worked hard and lived frugally had but one ambl-
ton. which was to see his name on the tlte-page oil
n book as its publisher. But as his brother John
WINS TO be associated with him, they had to wait
until he had served out his apprenticeship. They
entertained fears about the success OF their en-
terpTse. James often remarked while Taking Oh
his future. that he determined To make
spoon or spoil n horn" Their father was an
influential Methodist, and the sons commenced bust
ness assured of the patronage Of that denomination
Their success exceeded their expectations. Their
modest printing Office soon expanded into large
and prosperous printing house, the title OF the urn
changing from -. & j. Harper to that OF Harper
& brothers." The brothers. though harmonious and
congenial in sentiment and sympathy, each pos
scssed an individuality, physical and mental, dis
tnct from the other. james although a thorough
and earnest business man. was never grave or
serious mixing up with the most important duties of
the office stories and jokes. The second brother,
John, was grave and quiet, rarely taking part in
hut
sought and taken upon important business questions
Wesley e. the Capflin") was small in stature, and so
modest and retiring in manner and habit as tn be
almost unnoticeablc: but ne man of mind and
culture Whose sterling qualities were appreciated by
all who knew him well. Fletcher now the only sur
yiyor with education aud refinement, plays" rs
Charles T. Clinch said of tine late Charles l.. Lly-
ingston, " the gentleman all the year round" The
four brothers were all men OF various bur marked
qualities of head and heart. The three departed
ones left in the memory of their pure lives AMI un-
sullied character legaces brighter and richer chan
the vast Accommodations resulting from their industry
and enterprise.
| look back upon nv intimate acquaintance with
Harper a Brothers and their defendants, through
a vista Of sixty years, with grateful satisfaction.
They were kind enough to say, Is they believed,
that in their earlier publications was scryiccabc to
TO send me an early copy Of all their new publica-
tons so that simultaneously with their appearance
in the bookstores somewhat elaborate criticism
would appear IN my paper. ] visited them in their
Cli!i-st Office in 1897 or lS3s, To introduce the
late James Wadsworh the great landed proprietor
Of Grues,o an enlightened and muntccnt patron OF
popular educ alton. whose advice and influence during
the years that their District School" Family" ana
Classical" Libraries were IN progress o. publication
thcv Justly and gratefully appreciated. At the sng-
gcstion OF Mr.. Wadsworth, and sympaihizing most
warmly in the effort 10 establish Common School
libraries | induced the Legislature to pass u law
imposing small tax in each school DIS net IN the
state for the establishment Of Libraries. then pre-
vailed upon the Secretary Of State John {. Spencer
who was also Superintendent of Common Schools, tn
adopt Ilarpcs's District School Library" several
of tho frs; volumes of which had then been pub
li,lcd ~ nucleus for the library in every dotrS
in the State In reply 10 my letter giving them this
information received an answer, in the clear and
beautiful chifography of Wesley Harper Of wlvh
the following is a copy:
TmuRLow WEED. esq.-DeGr Friend Your gratifying
letter oil the 81 Il ut came hand Ills moment.
You have indeed made very happy. This = giori-
ons gnung iof u.s. for which beg you 10 accept our
unbouudcd and indispensable thanks ihe bicth'r'
Cnecryc or We may be- allowed ioi QUO. 'ohply gHu
beautiful compliment To oursciycsl VIII ever remtnOcr
your kininess. Individually AMI collectively wishing
"a IIappy New Year" TO the :" DICTATOR we rcmdii
your Obliged lnrn i, hNhf"h q b"oih"''S'
In reading Nicholas Nicklcby,' which was repub-
lished by the Harpers not long before Isaw many
resefnblanccs between the "Chccryblc Brothers
and my ClllI--t. friends, that in noticing that work
made the comparison referred 10 III thiS letter.
Aer-l ork, June -. 1876. wv