The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-06-05

| was held by Henry j. haymonu, VIM was
well adapted to its duties. When book
has been accepted they never print less than
$500 copies, and a sale OF this quantity
pays the expense of publication. Ii more
are sold they afford profit If less then II
| is loss.
WHO WAS GREATEST.
Much less has been said concerning the
wonderful ability OF Fletcher Harper, but
while admitting his real talent, 1t is evident
that great allowance is TO be made for nat
ural feelings. The statements concerning
his rank in the firm come from the men,
bers of the latter, and it has been noticed
that as the Harpers were removed by death
each one in his turn was "the greatest"
James, Joseph, John, Fletcher-each was
The Harper, and the others were the "broth-
ers." This fact explains the eulogy and
exultation of the last of this remarkable
family. 1t is no interesting feature in the
history of the firm that it never moved
since it took its location in Cliff street and
erected the sign of "Harper Brothers" IL
has expanded, however, and from Gin
street has extended to Franklin square, in
creasiug six fold in area. but the original
plot, first occupied SO years ago, is still 10
use. Every other book firm has moved
with the progress of trade, and the Apple
tons have had halt dozen changes while
the Harpers remained permanent.
NOT AN ADVANCE.
In one thing the Hampers have shown
retrograde. This is in their present edi-
ton of Gibbons Rome. prefer the old
edition with their imprint, dated 1924, be-
caused 1t includes the authors autoblogra'
ply. The latter is so interesting and 30 in
structive that it is worth as much in litera-
ture as the history itself is in point of rec
ord 1t is the history of udent written
by student, and is in itself tul of varied
interest. He tells us how he was led to
| undertake the mighty task and where 1t was
finished, etc, Z; but all this lie omitted in re-
cent editions, and hence think that in this
| point the Harpers have made retrogade.
HIT AT GIBBoN.
He has been much praised as historian,
but his style is prolx and diffuse to de-
gree which at present seems inexcusable.
Almost any page could be abridged one
quarter by an expert accuracy. This fea-
ture is explained lin his autobiography,
where he says "my first rough manuscript,
without any intermediate copy, was sent to
the press" Well, any one might guess
this from perusal. For instance, look at
| the following sentence: 1.-The value of any
object that supplies the wants or pleasures
| OF mankind is compounded of its substance
and its form; of the materials and the man.
| ufacture. Its price must depend on the
number of persons by whom it may be &C.
| quired or used on the extent of the mark
ct and consequently on the ease or difficult
| ty of remote expectation, according to the
nature of the commodity, its local situation
| and the temporary circumstances OF the
world (Vol l., chapter e. A news
paper writer would convey the same idea by
saying that "the value iof anything is gen.
orally rated according to its cost, and that
its price must depend on supply and de-
mand" do not 30 much censure Gibbon
for his numbering style as l do for his con-
ceit in making the above mentioned boast.
He would have done better to have correc-
ted and copied his manuscript until 1t got
into proper shape. 1t is to be remem-
bered that the modern concise style is due
to the influence of the daily press, where
brevity is made an essential feature.
| wINGATE.
Speaking of journalism, I notice G. F.
Wingate has taken position on the Ia
press. He was a popular correspondent of
the Springfield Republican, and has also
published volumn on journalism. The
"Housekeeper, his last effort, deserved
better success than it received, and it's sus-
pension was regretted by many of its read.
ers. Wingate will have the best wishes of
a multitude of friends as he enters upon
his mt W position. Jones of the New York
Times is booked for another trip across the
! Atlantic, which with him is frequent &C.
cuirence. No other man OF Printing
House square can score 25 such voyages,
and the next will be the twenty sixth. AS
q business man and publisher he has never
had an equal in this city. He makes no
pretension to any skill as a writer, but he Is
good judge of newspaper work and is
said to be very exacting in his require
ments. He has published the Times ever
since Its inception, period Of &c years.
Raymond frequently vexed Jones by his
vagaries, but the terms of the compact gave
him supreme control Of the editorial de-
partment, and hence there was no redress.
Jones, however, appreciated SO highly Ray
mond's general management that he sub
mitted to his errors. Since Raymf nd q
death his photograph has hung in Jones'
memorial of faithful associate. Nine
teen years they we're united, long term
of partnership in daily journalism, and
only death occasioned their separation.
TYPOGRAPHICAL MATTERS.
The typographical union Of this city sus-
pended it's tariff few weeks ago for the
simple reason that it could not be main
tanned. The difficulty lay in competition.
A number of job and book establishments
were operating in suburban villages, and
their managers came into the city and un-
derbid the regular ficea. They hired men
at low wages, and could do their work for
so much less than city printers, 1t broke
down the old rates.
AS the old booksellers are passing away,
new men are coming into notice, and one
OF the most promising of the new houses il
Henry Holt & Co. OF Bond street. Mr.
Holt enjoys an advantage thus far of rare
occurrence 10 the trade. He is graduate
of Yale and his scholarly taste Is evident
from the choice style and elevated tone OF
his publications, This leads him into 6
speciality of marked value to the more cul.
tlvated class OF readers. AS the present il
the age OF cyclopedia, it may be added thai
Holt d Co. have recently issued the Donles
tic CycIopedia. This volume is an adaptation
of the idea to home life, and has peculiar
features Of interest and value to the family
As subscription book 1t will Eo doubl
take precedence. Other cyclopedias claim
attention, there being three new sets be
fore the public at present. The first cy-
clopedia worthy of the name was issued
1 more than a century and half ago in
London by John Chambers, and this gave
rise to the famous French encyclopedia
There had been 20 works of this kind is.