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Men of Invention and Industry-Part32_Samuel Smiles(1812-1904)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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'Penny Magazine' was discontinued in 1845, whereas 'Chambers's

Edinburgh Journal' has maintained its popularity to the present



day. Chambers, also, like Knight, published an 'Encyclopaedia,'

which secured a large circulation. But he was not trammelled by



a Society, and the 'Encyclopaedia' has become a valuable

property.



The publication of these various works would not have been

possible without the aid of the steam printing press. When Mr.



Edward Cowper was examined before a Committee of the House of

Commons, he said, "The ease with which the principles and



illustrations of Art might be diffused is, I think, so obvious

that it is hardly necessary to say a word about it. Here you may



see it exemplified in the 'Penny Magazine.' Such works as this

could not have existed without the printing machine." He was



asked, "In fact, the mechanic and the peasant, in the most remote

parts of the country, have now an opportunity of seeing tolerably



correct outlines of form which they never could behold before?"

To which he answered, "Exactly; and literally at the price they



used to give for a song." "Is there not, therefore, a greater

chance of callinggenius into activity?" "Yes," he said, "not



merely by books creating an artist here and there, but by the

general elevation of the taste of the public."



Mr. Clowes was always willing to promote deserving persons in his

office. One of these rose from step to step, and eventually



became one of the most prosperous publishers in London. He

entered the service as an errand-boy, and got his meals in the



kitchen. Being fond of reading, he petitioned Mrs. Clowes to let

him sit somewhere, apart from the other servants, where he might



read his book in quiet. Mrs. Clowes at length entreated her

husband to take him into the office, for "Johnnie Parker was such



a good boy." He consented, and the boy took his place at a

clerk's desk. He was well-behaved, diligent, and attentive. As



he advanced in years, his steady and steadfast conduct showed

that he could be trusted. Young fellows like this always make



their way in life; for characterinvariably tells, not only in

securing respect, but in commanding confidence. Parker was



promoted from one post to another, until he was at length

appointed overseer over the entire establishment.



A circumstance shortly after occurred which enabled Mr. Clowes to

advance him, though greatly to his own inconvenience, to another



important post. The Syndics of Cambridge were desirous that Mr.

Clowes should go down there to set their printing-office in



order; they offered him 400L. a year if he would only appear

occasionally, and see that the organisation was kept complete.



He declined, because the magnitude of his own operations had now

become so great that they required his unremitting attention.



He, however strongly recommended Parker to the office, though he

could ill spare him. But he would not stand in the young man's



way, and he was appointed accordingly. He did his work most

effectually at Cambridge, and put the University Press into



thorough working order.

As the 'Penny Magazine' and other publications of the Society of



Useful Knowledge were now making their appearance, the clergy

became desirous of bringing out a religious publication of a



popular character, and they were in search for a publisher.

Parker, who was well known at Cambridge, was mentioned to the



Bishop of London as the most likely person. An introduction took

place, and after an hour's conversation with Parker, the Bishop



went to his friends and said, "This is the very man we want." An

offer was accordingly made to him to undertake the publication of



the 'Saturday Magazine' and the other publications of the

Christian Knowledge Society, which he accepted. It is



unnecessary to follow his fortunes. His progress was steady; he

eventually became the publisher of 'Fraser's Magazine' and of the



works of John Stuart Mill and other well-known writers. Mill

never forgot his appreciation and generosity; for when his



'System of Logic' had been refused by the leading London

publishers, Parker prized the book at its rightful value and



introduced it to the public.




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