Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Quote for the day, by William Dean Howells

 "In school there was as little literature then as there is now, and I cannot say anything worse of our school reading; but I was not really very much in school, and so I got small harm from it. The printing-office was my school from a very early date. My father thoroughly believed in it, and he had his beliefs as to work, which he illustrated as soon as we were old enough to learn the trade he followed. We could go to school and study, or we could go into the printing-office and work, with an equal chance of learning, but we could not be idle; we must do something, for our souls' sake, though he was willing enough we should play, and he liked himself to go into the woods with us, and to enjoy the pleasures that manhood can share with childhood." ~~ William Dean Howells (1837-1920), My Literary Passions
Photo of the Nauvoo (Illinois) Printing Office (1840's) found here.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

I love it! It reminds me of the Benjamin Franklin title by Du'alaires (spelling?) and how much young Ben learned in the printing shop as well. :)

Heather said...

Very good. Thanks for sharing this quote.