The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-03-10
ms MAJESTY, THE DEVIL
SERIOUS HISTORY OF THE MOST
THRILLING CHARACTER cox.
NECTED WITH LETTERS.

~
The mlnistering imps Of the press
were credited with an internal origin
at a,YcTy early stage in the history OF
printing. According to the absurd
old story, which still crops up oeca-
sionally, Johann Fust, Of Mentz. one
Of the earliest German printers. was
the original Of pr. Faustus in the
legend immortalized by Goethe. Fust
kept his knowledge of the art Of
printing secret; but when people
found him Offering books at price
far below the usual cost of manu-
scripts, and supplying copies with
miraculous rapidity, they at once
came TO the conclusion that such
wonders Jould only be wrought BY
diabolical agency, and to give color
to the suggestion they pointed to the
boys who ran his errands. and who,
like their successors. were literally
BACKED. and called them his devils.
The upshot of the matter was the
printer, to save his life. was Obliged
TO reveal the new process, and so,
Of course. lose his chance OF exclu-
sive profit. Il Is not very probably.
however. that this comical history
of Johann Fust had anything TO do
with the tragical history of DR..
Faustus.
To another OF the early printers Is
sometimes alJudged the honor OF
originating the devil The famous
Aldus Manutius, the founder OF the
great Venetian printing house, is said
TO have employed a black slave who
was thought by the ignorant TO be
an imp: so Aldus issued the follow
ing proclamation. which. by the way.
Is probably apoeryphal: II. Aldus
Manutius. printer to the Doge. have
this day made public exposure OF the
printers devil. All who think he is
not flesh and blood may come and
pinch him''--an offer doubtless much
appreciated by the unldcky black.
But apart from these somewhat
mythical origins, the name of print
er's devil. derived from the blackness
engendered by the nature Of his oc-
cupation, was certainly In existence
at an early period In the history OF
the press. A seventeenth century
writer. Randle Holme. In his "Acad-
envy OF Armory." gives explanations
Of a large number of the terms and
that. were then in use
In various arts and trades and his
notices of printers terms are par
full. He does not forget
the attendant imps OF the prIss. for
these boys. he remarks. 10 In a.
printing house commonly black and
bedaub themselves. whence the work
men do loosely call them devils. and
sometimes spirits. and sometimes
flies
! Foote, In his farce OF THE
speaks OF q printers prime
minister. called the dewitt but this
is undue and unwarranted promo
ton. The name was formerly APP
pilcu 70 Uotb VINO tuOh tut lFiutct.
sheets from the tympan Of the press.
but the title Is now enjoyed by err
rand boys OF printers establish
ments. Punch once defined an
authors paradise as place where
there are no printers devils" since
II Is the devil who vexes the souls
OF the luckless writer's behindhand
with their copy and who carry the
proofs TO and fro.
A hundred years ago Il seems 10
have been not uncommon for female
devils" to attend the press In Bos-
wells johnson" there Is record OF
a conversation In the presence OF the
doctor and Sir Joshua Reynolds.
when certain respectable author
was spoken OF as having married a
printers devil" n printers devil.
sir," cried Sir Joshua why. n
thought a printers devil was a crea-
ture with black face and In rags"
yes. sir" replied Johnson; but 4
aunnoea he had her face waahad and