TRANSFERRED TO DISTINGUISHED SHOEMAKERS. "LET us learn to regard MANUAL TOIL as the true discipline of a man. Νοι PORTLAND: DAVIS & SOUTHWORTH. 1849. Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1849, by DAVIS & SOUTHWORTH, In the Clerk's office of the District Court of Maine. THURSTON & Co., PRINTERS, PORTLAND, ME. E 94785 PREFACE. COLERIDGE has said, that the Shoemakers' trade has been followed by a greater number of eminent men than any other branch of mechanical employment. It was this remark which led to the preparation of the following sketches, upon which much diligent inquiry has been expended, and not a little labor. Wherever we have found anything to aid us in our undertaking, we have gladly availed ourselves of it, and turned it to the best use we could. We have descended into the labyrinths of biographic lore, and brought up whatever of value to our purpose we could find; and, of course, acknowledge our deep indebtedness to the literary world, generally; but the cutting out, stitching together, and fitting for use, are ours. As this is a work of true narration, and deals in things which have actually existed or happened, it is not expected to be very flowery or poetic in its composition. Imagination is compelled to be fastened, like a horse to a crow-bar, and feed around in a limited circle. Our object has not been to create, but to collect what has been widely scattered, and condense what has been greatly expanded, into a compact and available form, for the benefit of readers whose access to extensive libraries, as well as opportunities for reading, are necessarily limited. We have made shoes we hope to make many more — and are aware that the craft is looked down upon by many, who, did they know the state of the case, would be compelled to look up. We hope the following pages will disabuse their innocent minds of this foolish prejudice, and lead all to judge more as men and brothers less as artisans -less as inferiors. |