The Life and Writings of Major Jack Downing of Downingville, Away Down East in the State of Maine
Seba Smith
Paperback
(Forgotten Books, Sept. 25, 2012)
Arter I got my book all done, and had looked it over every day as the prmter went along with it, till I got clear to the last page, so as to see it was done right, the printer comes to me, and says he, we want a Preface now. A preface! says I, what in nater is that? Why, says he, it is something to fill up the two first pages with. But, says I, aint the two first pages filled up yet? I thought we had jest got through the last page; I hope our cake aint all turning to dough again. O, its all right, says he, we always print the first pages last; all we want now is the preface, to fill up them are two first pages. Well, says I, but this is a pretty curious piece of business, this duin work backwards. Ive hearn tell that Freemasons when they build their chimneys, begin at the top and work down, and thats whats got the Anti Masons so mad about it, that they are going to tear em all up, root and branch; but I never knew afore that folks printed the first end of a book last. But now, says I, Mr. printer, if Ive got to make this ere preface that you tell about, what must I put into it? O, says he, you must tell em something about the book; how you come to make it, and whats in it, and what its good for, and the like of that.(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)About the Publisher Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, History, Folklore and Mythology.Forgotten Books' Classic Reprint Series utilizes the latest technology to regenerate facsimiles of historically important writings. Careful attention has been made to accurately preserve the original format of each page whilst digitally enhancing the aged text. Read books online for free at