Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1844 Excerpt: ... Obedient to his summons, the devil, for such is the technical designation of those imps of blackness, presently appeared. " See if Mr. Parr is in his room." The devil disappeared. " Is Mr. Parr the editor?" inquired Frank Coverley. " We never mention the name of the editor, nor of any gentleman connected with the establishment," replied the functionary, with an air of mysterious importance. " The editor is very much engaged, indeed, and never sees any one without a previous appointment." "Oh!" said Frank. " Mr. Parr is very busy," said the little devil, in a shrill voice; " but he says the gentleman can wait in the upper room. " Show the gentleman up." " I have heard of being ' shown up' by the press," said Frank, " but I have no objection to it on the present occasion." The grave-looking person tried to smile, but he couldn't; it was against all rule that so important a personage should smile before a stranger; so he took the pen from behind his ear, and applied himself to some intricate calculations of reporter's copy. Frank Coverley followed the devil, the reporter remaining in the office, through a very dark passage, and up a narrow flight of stairs, to a sort of den, illuminated by a skylight, in which was sitting a venerable-looking old gentleman, of a benign and subdued aspect, and whose scanty silver hair betokened that he was far advanced in years. He was busily engaged in examining accounts of murders, fires, robberies, and other entertaining matters, in various handwritings, on pieces of silver paper. With a pen in his hand he was rapidly cutting down the lengthy narratives of ingenious reporters into dimensions suitable to the columns of the paper. This he called " pemmicanising the flimsy;" and he was ruthlessly exercising his condensing powers...
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