Printing has been styled “The telescope of the soul.” As the optical
instrument brings near and magnifies objects remote and invisible, so
printing puts us in communication with minds of the past and present,
and preserves the thoughts of this age for future generations.
But no one of the good and great of the past was permitted to lead the
way in embodying thought on the printed page, save the wonderful man
sketched in this volume. Out of a full heart of reverence, then, it is
most fitting to embalm the memory of Gutenberg.
While musing on certain old archives touching the history of printing,
it was suggested by literary friends, that we weave a memorial
narrative of the chevalier and artisan honored in bringing the art
to light. Accordingly we engaged in the work, having culled the most
authentic warp and woof within reach.
Devised in the quiet of old libraries, and in the hush of peace,
our little history finds itself heralded by the march of armies,
and the clash of empires. War, ever to be deplored as the author
of almost unmingled evil, has turned attention to the cradles of
printing,--Strasbourg and Mentz. Directly we recognize them, shake
hands, and are at home with those glorious old Rhenish cities, made
famous for all time.
It is an interesting fact that the final completion of the world-famed
Minster or Cathedral of Strasbourg, closely preludes the time when the
art of printing had its rise. Earth’s loftiest spire may well mark the
place where Heaven gave the greatest treasure-art to man.
Pains have been taken to harmonize the accounts of early printing
by various credible authors, and when in doubt from conflicting
statements, for safety and defense, we have taken shelter under the
wings of the encyclopædias.
Led on by the romance of the broken betrothal, and afterwards most
happy marriage, we love to linger over the art devised and cherished in
the sanctity of the inventor’s home. Nobly did the Lady Anna exercise
her “right” and to her, almost equally with her husband, are we
indebted, since she cheered his way, inspiring courage in his work.
In a cell of St. Arbogast, our hero found a quiet retreat for some of
his secret experiments; never was an old ruin turned to better account.
The Library and Scriptorium of the great Cathedral also paid tribute to
this man’s genius. But magnificent things were accomplished in Mentz,
after his unparalleled overthrow in Strasbourg. “Organizing victory
out of defeat,” he took into partnership the two men of the time best
fitted for the purpose, and engaged anew in his chosen vocation. One is
startled at the sequel of this fraternal alliance in the estrangement
of those so knit together in pursuit and interest; but the stupendous
enterprise of the firm, and the stricken man mysteriously “betrayed in
the house of his friends,” were alike upheld by an Unseen Hand.
His persistence and noble purpose in inventing--how infinitely more
worthy of a place on immortal records than are the deeds of the warrior!
The design of our work allows only a brief sketch of the progress of
the art subsequent to the days of Gutenberg.
It is gratifying to note that certain ladies early engaged in the
ennobling employment, and for many years won golden opinions.
We gratefully acknowledge obligations to Messrs. Rand, Avery, and
Frye, 3 Cornhill, Boston; and also to Messrs. H. O. Houghton and Co.,
Riverside, Cambridge, for their courtesy in explaining the various
processes of their model establishments, to assist the writer in
forming a correct idea of the present state of the art.
ANDOVER, _December, 1870_.
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