Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-10-26

TrninIng ior LournnIisIn.


o. Congdon in n. Y. Tribune.l
have said that the newspaper Of
fee itself is the Lest school Of journal
ism. This is probably the reason why
in past times, practical printers have
sometimes made such good editors
They had mastered the economy of
the whole business. They know,
while they were writing it, how a
thing would look in type. Business
brought them in constant association
with mea Of all classes of society
The Fart preseryatiye ofall arts was
in itself a liberal education. What
ever happened 10 the world at large
was brought directly to their notice
and was reproduced for the reader
partly through the medium of then
own intelligence aud skill. In stormy
political times these who were fighting
the battle could not b. without the
newspapers, any more than they can
now. The printer became an impor-
tant person. lie did not a%lWays-in-
deed, not often-develop into a IA
nous character; but if he did moi
wear a sign, thesword Of a gentleman
by his side, as Gutenberg and Faust,
and other early printers did, it was
because everybody had given up such
mark of social distinction.
There are many things which il be-
hooves a journalist to know which can
hardly be learned outside the Office
but there is not much less needful,
which may, and must be, acquired be-
forehand. If There be any young gen
tleman in college or elsewhere who
may read this paper, and who intends
TO engage in the profession Of WHICH ii
treats, | would iain impress upon his
mind the necessity of full and aceu-
rate knowledge, especially Of Ameri-
can history. At nineteen, 1t is easy
and pleasant to spend ones spare time
In the desultory reading Of novels, Of
poetry, Of light and amusing essays; il
is not so pleasant afterward, when q
man is thrown upon bis own resources
to find them wofully wanting. ]
ought TO speak knowingly, | am sure
that l speak feeliugly, upon this point
for, put to the confession, | should b.
obliged to say that all my life | have
been trying. and tryingin vain, tomak,
up for lost chances, 0nly the othel
day | attended, for the first time in 2
years, a college commencement. ]
happened to 90 into the room of
young gentleman, the place in which
he is supposed to be preparing for tn,
serious business Of life. | was mucl
astonished at the extreme scantines
Of his library; but to compensate 70
this photographed paucity, be had, j
| counted rightly. one pianoforte, tw.
guitars and a banjo 1t was a pleasan
place, quiet, clustered and shady;
good library was at hand; there wa
excellent tuition and perfect leisure
all the rational wants Of life supplied
no cares to modest, no divided dutie
to distract, everything to make toi
tOlerable and study pleasant aud Va
my young friend did not seem to az
p%reciate my remark when said: "Al
what would we old fellows give if v
could row have four years Of study ]
this pretty little room, without a lurl
ing sense OF impending necessity {
make US afraidl | could not ask Ii
unsteady minded young gentlema
il he was preparing for journalism
for that might have smeiled Of Il
! shop but | felt certain, that he woul
hayea good deal % learn-and unlcar