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Literary
March 17, 1841
Arkansas State Gazette
Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas
What is this article about?
In a dialogue, Corporal Trim pities the printer's plight to Uncle Toby, describing how printers struggle to please subscribers, face harsh criticism from various readers, and even suffer non-payment, with Uncle Toby sympathizing deeply.
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Full Text
The Printer. I pity the printer, said my uncle Toby.
He is a poor creature rejoined Trim.
How so? said my Uncle.
Because in the first place (continued the corporal, looking full upon my uncle ) because he must endeavor to please every body and ten to one if he pleases any body. In the negligence of a moment perhaps small paragraph pops upon him he hastily throws it to the compositor it is inserted and he is ruined to all intents and purposes.
Too much the case Trim, says my uncle Toby, with a deep sigh; too much the case.
An please your honor, (continued Trim elevating his voice and striking an imploring attitude and please your honor, this is not the whole of it.
Go on Trim, said my uncle feelingly.
The printer sometimes (pursued the Corporal) hits upon a piece that pleases him mightily, and he thinks it cannot but go down with his subscribers but alas sir who can calculate the human mind? He inserts it and it is all over with him. They forgive others, but they cannot forgive a printer. He has almost to print for nothing every one sets up for a critic.
The pretty Miss exclaims why dont he give us more poetry. marriages and bon mots. Away with these stale pieces. The politician claps his specs on his nose and runs it over in search of violent invectives he finds none: he takes his specs off folds them sticks them in his pocket declaring the paper good for nothing but to burn So it goes. Every one thinks it ought to be printed expressly for himself as he is a subscriber and yet after all this complaining would you believe it sir. (said the honest Corporal, clasping his hands beseechingly would you believe it sir, there are some subscribers who don't hesitate to cheat the printer out of his pay!! Our army swore terribly in Flanders but they never did any thing so bad as that.
Never! said my uncle Toby, emphatically.
He is a poor creature rejoined Trim.
How so? said my Uncle.
Because in the first place (continued the corporal, looking full upon my uncle ) because he must endeavor to please every body and ten to one if he pleases any body. In the negligence of a moment perhaps small paragraph pops upon him he hastily throws it to the compositor it is inserted and he is ruined to all intents and purposes.
Too much the case Trim, says my uncle Toby, with a deep sigh; too much the case.
An please your honor, (continued Trim elevating his voice and striking an imploring attitude and please your honor, this is not the whole of it.
Go on Trim, said my uncle feelingly.
The printer sometimes (pursued the Corporal) hits upon a piece that pleases him mightily, and he thinks it cannot but go down with his subscribers but alas sir who can calculate the human mind? He inserts it and it is all over with him. They forgive others, but they cannot forgive a printer. He has almost to print for nothing every one sets up for a critic.
The pretty Miss exclaims why dont he give us more poetry. marriages and bon mots. Away with these stale pieces. The politician claps his specs on his nose and runs it over in search of violent invectives he finds none: he takes his specs off folds them sticks them in his pocket declaring the paper good for nothing but to burn So it goes. Every one thinks it ought to be printed expressly for himself as he is a subscriber and yet after all this complaining would you believe it sir. (said the honest Corporal, clasping his hands beseechingly would you believe it sir, there are some subscribers who don't hesitate to cheat the printer out of his pay!! Our army swore terribly in Flanders but they never did any thing so bad as that.
Never! said my uncle Toby, emphatically.
What sub-type of article is it?
Dialogue
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
Commerce Trade
What keywords are associated?
Printer Woes
Subscriber Complaints
Public Criticism
Uncle Toby
Corporal Trim
Satirical Dialogue
Literary Details
Title
The Printer
Key Lines
I Pity The Printer, Said My Uncle Toby.
He Is A Poor Creature Rejoined Trim.
They Forgive Others, But They Cannot Forgive A Printer.
Would You Believe It Sir, There Are Some Subscribers Who Don't Hesitate To Cheat The Printer Out Of His Pay!!
Never! Said My Uncle Toby, Emphatically.