It was some time before our hero acquired dexterity1 in his new trade: his companions formed, with amazing celerity, whole sentences, while he was searching for letters, which perpetually dropped from his awkward hands: but he was ashamed of his former versatility2, and he resolved to be steady to his present way of life. His situation, at this printer’s, was far better suited to him than that which he had quitted, with so much disgust, at the brewer’s. He rose early, and, by great industry, overcame all the difficulties which at first so much alarmed him. He soon became the most useful journeyman in the office. His diligence and good behaviour recommended him to his master’s employers. Whenever any work was brought, Forester was sent for. This occasioned him to be much in the shop, where he heard the conversation of many ingenious men who frequented it; and he spent his evenings in reading. His understanding had been of late uncultivated; but the fresh seeds that were now profusely3 scattered4 upon the vigorous soil took root, and flourished.
Forester was just at that time of life when opinions are valued for being new: he heard varieties of the most contradictory5 assertions in morals, in science, in politics. It is a great advantage to a young man to hear opposite arguments, to hear all that can be said upon every subject.
Forester no longer obstinately6 adhered to the set of notions which he had acquired from his education; he heard many, whom he could not think his inferiors in abilities, debating questions which he formerly7 imagined scarcely admitted of philosophic8 doubt. His mind became more humble9; but his confidence in his own powers, after having compared himself with numbers, if less arrogant10, was more secure and rational: he no longer considered a man as a fool the moment he differed with him in opinion; but he was still a little inclined to estimate the abilities of authors by the party to which they belonged. This failing was increased, rather than diminished, by the company which he now kept.
Amongst the young students who frequented Mr.——‘s, the bookseller, was Mr. Thomas ——, who, from his habit of blurting11 out strange opinions in conversation, acquired the name of Tom Random12. His head was confused between politics and poetry; his arguments were paradoxical, his diction florid, and his gesture something between the spouting13 action of a player, and the threatening action of a pugilist.
Forester was caught by the oratory14 of this genius from the first day he heard him speak.
Tom Random asserted, that “this great globe, and all that it inhabits,” must inevitably15 be doomed16 to destruction, unless certain ideas of his own, in the government of the world, were immediately adopted by universal acclamation.
It was not approbation18, it was not esteem19, which Forester felt for his new friend it was for the first week blind, enthusiastic admiration20 — every thing that he had seen or heard before appeared to him trite21 and obsolete22; every person who spoke23 temperate24 common sense he heard with indifference25 or contempt; and all who were not zealots in literature, or in politics, he considered as persons whose understandings were so narrow, or whose hearts were so depraved, as to render them “unfit to hear themselves convinced.”
Those who read and converse27 have a double chance of correcting their errors.
Forester most fortunately, about this time, happened to meet with a book which in some degree counteracted28 the inflammatory effects of Random’s conversation, and which had a happy tendency to sober his enthusiasm, without lessening29 his propensity30 to useful exertions31: this book was the Life of Dr. Franklin.
The idea that this great man began by being a printer interested our hero in his history; and whilst he followed him, step by step, through his instructive narrative32, Forester sympathized in his feelings, and observed how necessary the smaller virtues33 of order, economy, industry, and patience were to Franklin’s great character and splendid success. He began to hope that it would be possible to do good to his fellow-creatures, without overturning all existing institutions.
About this time another fortunate coincidence happened in Forester’s education. One evening his friend, Tom Random, who was printing a pamphlet, came, with a party of his companions, into Mr.——, the bookseller’s shop, enraged34 at the decision of a prize in a literary society to which they belonged.
All the young partisans35 who surrounded Mr. Random loudly declared that he had been treated with the most flagrant injustice36; and the author himself was too angry to affect any modesty37 upon the occasion.
“Would you believe it?” said he to Forester —“my essay has not been thought worthy38 of the prize! The medal has been given to the most wretched, tame, commonplace performance you ever saw. Every thing in this world is done by corruption39, by party, by secret influence!”
At every pause the irritated author wiped his forehead, and Forester sympathized in his feelings.
In the midst of the author’s exclamations40, a messenger came with the manuscript of the prize essay, and with the orders of the society to have a certain number of copies printed off with all possible expedition.
Random snatched up the manuscript, and, with all the fury of criticism, began to read aloud some of the passages which he disliked.
Though it was marred41 in the reading, Forester could not agree with his angry friend in condemning42 the performance. It appeared to him excellent writing and excellent sense.
“Print it — print it then, as fast as you can — that is your business — that’s what you are paid for. Every one for himself,” cried Random, insolently43 throwing the manuscript at Forester; and, as he flung out of the shop with his companions, he added, with a contemptuous laugh, “A printer’s devil setting up for a critic! He may be a capital judge of pica and brevier, perhaps — but let not the compositor go beyond his stick.”
“Is this the man,” said Forester, “whom I have heard so eloquent44 in the praise of candour and liberality? Is this the man who talks of universal toleration and freedom of opinion, and who yet cannot bear that any one should differ from him in criticising a sentence? Is this the man who would have equality amongst all his fellow-creatures, and who calls a compositor a printer’s devil? Is this the man who cants about the pre-eminence of mind and the perfections of intellect, and yet now takes advantage of his rank, of his supporters, of the cry of his partisans, to bear down the voice of reason?—‘Let not the compositor go beyond his composing-stick!’— And why not? Why should not he be a judge of writing?” At this reflection, Forester eagerly took up the manuscript, which had been flung at his feet. All his indignant feelings instantly changed into delightful45 exultation46 — he saw the hand — he read the name of Henry Campbell. The title of the manuscript was, “An Essay on the best Method of reforming Abuses.” This was the subject proposed by the society; and Henry had written upon the question with so much moderation, and yet with such unequivocal decision had shown himself the friend of rational liberty, that all the members of the society who were not borne away by their prejudices were unanimous in their preference of this performance.
Random’s declamation47 only inflamed48 the minds of his own partisans. Good judges of writing exclaimed, as they read it, “This is all very fine; but what would this man be at? His violence hurts the cause he wishes to support.”
Forester read Henry Campbell’s essay with all the avidity of friendship; he read it again and again — his generous soul was incapable49 of envy; and whilst he admired, he was convinced by the force of reason.
His master desired that he would set about the essay early in the morning; but his eagerness for his friend Henry’s fame was such, that he sat up above half the night hard at work at it. He was indefatigable50 the next day at the business; and as all hands were employed on the essay, it was finished that evening.
Forester rubbed his hands with delight, when he had set the name of Henry Campbell in the title-page — but an instant afterwards he sighed bitterly.
“I am only a printer,” said he to himself. “These just arguments, these noble ideas, will instruct and charm hundreds of my fellow-creatures: no one will ever ask, ‘Who set the types?’”
His reflections were interrupted by the entrance of Tom Random and two of his partisans: he was extremely displeased51 to find that the printers had not been going on with his pamphlet; his personal disappointments seemed to increase the acrimony of his zeal26 for the public good: he declaimed upon politics — upon the necessity for the immediate17 publication of his sentiments, for the salvation52 of the state. His action was suited to his words: violent and blind to consequences, with one sudden kick, designed to express his contempt for the opposite party, this political Alnaschar unfortunately overturned the form which contained the types for the newspaper of the next day, which was just going to the press — a newspaper in which he had written splendid paragraphs.
Forester, happily for his philosophy, recollected53 the account which Franklin, in his history of his own life, gives of the patience with which he once bore a similar accident. The printers, with secret imprecations against oratory, or at least against those orators54 who think that action is every thing, set to work again to repair the mischief55.
Forester, much fatigued56, at length congratulated himself upon having finished his hard day’s work, when a man from the shop came to inquire whether three hundred cards, which had been ordered the week before to be printed off, were finished. The man to whom the order was given had forgotten it, and he was going home: he decidedly answered, “No; the cards can’t be done till to-morrow: we have left work for this night, thank God.”
“The gentleman says he must have them,” expostulated the messenger.
“He must not, he cannot have them. I would not print a card for his majesty57 at this time of night,” replied the sullen58 workman, throwing his hat upon his head, in token of departure.
“What are these cards?” said Forester.
“Only a dancing-master’s cards for his ball,” said the printer’s journeyman. “I’ll not work beyond my time for any dancing-master that wears a head.”
The messenger then said, that he was desired to ask for the manuscript card.
This card was hunted for all over the room; and, at last, Forester found it under a heap of refuse papers: his eye was caught with the name of his old friend, Monsieur Pasgrave, the dancing-master, whom he had formerly frightened by the skeleton with the fiery59 eyes.
“I will print the cards for him myself; I am not at all tired,” cried Forester, who was determined60 to make some little amends61 for the injury which he had formerly done to the poor dancing-master. He resolved to print the cards for nothing, and he stayed up very late to finish them. His companions all left him, for they were in a great hurry to see, what in Edinburgh is a rare sight, the town illuminated62.
These illuminations were upon account of some great naval63 victory.
Forester, steady to Monsieur Pasgrave’s cards, did what no other workman would have done; he finished for him, on this night of public joy, his three hundred cards. Every now and then, as he was quietly at work, he heard the loud huzzas in the street: his waning64 candle sunk in the socket65, as he had just packed up his work.
By the direction at the bottom of the cards, he learned where M. Pasgrave lodged66, and, as he was going out to look at the illuminations, he resolved to leave them himself at the dancing-master’s house.
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dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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versatility
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| n.多才多艺，多样性，多功能 | |
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profusely
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| ad.abundantly | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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contradictory
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| adj.反驳的，反对的，抗辩的；n.正反对，矛盾对立 | |
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obstinately
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| ad.固执地，顽固地 | |
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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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philosophic
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| adj.哲学的，贤明的 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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arrogant
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的 | |
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blurting
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| v.突然说出，脱口而出( blurt的现在分词 ) | |
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random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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spouting
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| n.水落管系统v.（指液体）喷出( spout的现在分词 )；滔滔不绝地讲；喋喋不休地说；喷水 | |
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oratory
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| n.演讲术；词藻华丽的言辞 | |
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inevitably
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| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
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doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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trite
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| adj.陈腐的 | |
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obsolete
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| adj.已废弃的，过时的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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temperate
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| adj.温和的，温带的，自我克制的，不过分的 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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counteracted
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| 对抗，抵消( counteract的过去式 ) | |
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lessening
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| 减轻，减少，变小 | |
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propensity
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| n.倾向；习性 | |
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exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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partisans
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| 游击队员( partisan的名词复数 )； 党人； 党羽； 帮伙 | |
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injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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corruption
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| n.腐败，堕落，贪污 | |
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exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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marred
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| adj. 被损毁, 污损的 | |
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42
condemning
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| v.（通常因道义上的原因而）谴责( condemn的现在分词 )；宣判；宣布…不能使用；迫使…陷于不幸的境地 | |
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insolently
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| adv.自豪地，自傲地 | |
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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45
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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declamation
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| n. 雄辩，高调 | |
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48
inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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indefatigable
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| adj.不知疲倦的，不屈不挠的 | |
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displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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53
recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
orators
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| n.演说者，演讲家( orator的名词复数 ) | |
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55
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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61
amends
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| n. 赔偿 | |
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illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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waning
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| adj.（月亮）渐亏的，逐渐减弱或变小的n.月亏v.衰落( wane的现在分词 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡 | |
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socket
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| n.窝，穴，孔，插座，插口 | |
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lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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