Famous funny fellows : $b Brief biographical sketches of American humoristsClemens, William Montgomery
History
Famous funny fellows : $b Brief biographical sketches of American humorists
Clemens, William Montgomery
American wit and humor -- History and criticism; Humorists, American -- Biography
Edward E. Edwards, the life of the journal, is a New Englander. Born
and reared in the vicinity of the great metropolis of culture, Edwards
has become one of the institutions of Boston. While yet a youth he
entered into the employ of the Transcript, in the capacity of assistant
in the mailing-room in the basement. He worked steadily; and gradually,
as he became a man, ascended in the business he had chosen, step by
step, until he now holds a remunerative position in the editorial rooms
on the fifth floor of the Transcript building.
Edwards is the fortunate possessor of a vein of humor of very peculiar
composition, and he occupies in the world of wit a field entirely his
own. The column of bright paragraphs published under the caption of
Facts and Fancies has long been one of the leading features of the
Boston Transcript, and is widely quoted. Edwards has made his most
happy hits, however, in his descriptive sketches, lectures to the
young, etc., that have appeared in his paper. These have been more
widely copied, perhaps, than any one class of humorous sketches that
have appeared in this country during the last decade. Their author is a
small man, of good appearance, weighing one hundred and sixty pounds,
and is about six and thirty years of age.
As a fair specimen of the humor that springs from the pen of Edwards, I
annex the following discourse to little children on
THE EDITOR.
The editor is a member of that race of animals called mankind. He is
invariably a kind man.
He is perfectly harmless. You may go into his den without fear. But he
has his peculiarities. The sight of a poet makes him wild. He is then
very dangerous, and is apt to do bodily harm to all within his reach.
He is also wrought up when a man comes in with a little trifle he has
just dashed off.
There is one thing that must be said in the editor’s dispraise. His
mind is so biased by long thinking in a certain direction, that he
dislikes very much to look upon both sides of a question. Therefore,
if you value your safety, never approach him with manuscript written
on both sides of your paper. Let me say right here, children, that
a good deal of sheer nonsense has been written about the editor. He
uses his shears only when composing an entirely original article. He
usually writes with his pen, but his most cutting articles are the
product of his shears.
The editor would make a good public speaker but for his propensity for
clipping words. The editor’s hardest task is to dispose of his time.
It is a monotonous life, indeed, were it not for the kindness of the
few hundred people who call upon him every day, to enliven his dull
life with stories of their grievances, of their new enterprises and
with antediluvian anecdotes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account