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Literary
June 3, 1835
The Rhode Island Republican
Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
A satirical essay humorously depicts the grueling, contradictory life of an editor, advising against it due to demands to publish news, uphold morals without offending patrons, write constantly, please all, and maintain independence, ending in toil for a good name.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
AN EDITOR'S LIFE.
Reader! you know but very little about the life of an editor; and it is not worth while for us to try to tell you what sort of a life he leads. Paper, ink, and types cannot describe it. Pencil and paint may be essayed in vain. To know how an editor lives, you must become an editor. But we say to you, as we have said to almost every one who has ever thought it worth while to advise with us upon the subject-don't try it we beseech you. Stick to the lapstone, the shears, the sledge, the handsaw, the plough, the pestle, or even be a lawyer, and whistle for a client, and you may chance to "go ahead," but as you value quiet and consistency, as you wish to have comfort by day, and rest by night, don't be an editor,
Do you ask why? Just think, for a moment, what an editor must do, and what he must not do; and your question will be answered.
He must publish all the news. he must not publish any thing that is not founded on fact.
He must endeavor to raise the standard of public morals. but he must not attack any vice, or error, or infirmity, to which any of his patrons or friends are subject.
He must write, whether he is gloomy or gladsome; sick or well; whether the mercury runs high or low; whether political prospects are fair or foul: still write he must, and he must produce something that is pretty or popular, or he is deemed a stupid fellow.
He must print whatever is sent or handed to him for insertion, whether he can read it, let his space be little or much, at the very time, and in the very manner that he is requested.
He must remember and daily execute all orders. verbal or written, that his kind patrons are so obliging as to declare.
He must be literally "all things to all men," and try to please every body, or he must "take the responsibility" of acting upon principle; pursue an independent course, labor to uphold the rights and liberties, and improve the morals, of his country: determined to be honest at the worst of times: write like a freeman, and toil like a slave; wear out his press and types, and finally himself; and leave to his children, if he can keep one, and accumulate the other-a good name and a file of old papers.
Westchester Herald.
Reader! you know but very little about the life of an editor; and it is not worth while for us to try to tell you what sort of a life he leads. Paper, ink, and types cannot describe it. Pencil and paint may be essayed in vain. To know how an editor lives, you must become an editor. But we say to you, as we have said to almost every one who has ever thought it worth while to advise with us upon the subject-don't try it we beseech you. Stick to the lapstone, the shears, the sledge, the handsaw, the plough, the pestle, or even be a lawyer, and whistle for a client, and you may chance to "go ahead," but as you value quiet and consistency, as you wish to have comfort by day, and rest by night, don't be an editor,
Do you ask why? Just think, for a moment, what an editor must do, and what he must not do; and your question will be answered.
He must publish all the news. he must not publish any thing that is not founded on fact.
He must endeavor to raise the standard of public morals. but he must not attack any vice, or error, or infirmity, to which any of his patrons or friends are subject.
He must write, whether he is gloomy or gladsome; sick or well; whether the mercury runs high or low; whether political prospects are fair or foul: still write he must, and he must produce something that is pretty or popular, or he is deemed a stupid fellow.
He must print whatever is sent or handed to him for insertion, whether he can read it, let his space be little or much, at the very time, and in the very manner that he is requested.
He must remember and daily execute all orders. verbal or written, that his kind patrons are so obliging as to declare.
He must be literally "all things to all men," and try to please every body, or he must "take the responsibility" of acting upon principle; pursue an independent course, labor to uphold the rights and liberties, and improve the morals, of his country: determined to be honest at the worst of times: write like a freeman, and toil like a slave; wear out his press and types, and finally himself; and leave to his children, if he can keep one, and accumulate the other-a good name and a file of old papers.
Westchester Herald.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Political
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Editor Life
Journalism Satire
Moral Dilemmas
Public Morals
Editor Duties
Literary Details
Title
An Editor's Life.
Subject
The Hardships And Contradictions Of An Editor's Life
Form / Style
Satirical Prose Essay
Key Lines
Don't Try It We Beseech You. Stick To The Lapstone, The Shears, The Sledge, The Handsaw, The Plough, The Pestle, Or Even Be A Lawyer, And Whistle For A Client, And You May Chance To "Go Ahead,"
He Must Publish All The News. He Must Not Publish Any Thing That Is Not Founded On Fact.
He Must Be Literally "All Things To All Men," And Try To Please Every Body, Or He Must "Take The Responsibility" Of Acting Upon Principle; Pursue An Independent Course, Labor To Uphold The Rights And Liberties, And Improve The Morals, Of His Country