On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
Many years ago, Barnnm, then in the heyday of his glory as a showman and manager of the American Museum, wrote and printed a book of life sketches,which had a large sale. Nevertheless its publication brought down upon him much undeserved criticism and abuse. The people knew that he styled Mmself the “ Prince of Humbugs,” and, moreover, they enjoyed the fun of hisbook, wherein he told them exactly how, and In what way he had prepared his curious feast of fanny things to gratify their appetites; but somehow the newspaper critics made some people believe that It was a nanghty thing in any man to humbug and thentell all about how It was done. Well! times have since changed. Barnum has passed through :an eventful career, of much tribulation, and more success, and now at the age of sixty years he comes out on the successful side with a new book, very unlike the old one, wherein he tells the story of his career 'from boyhood, introducing for that purpose many spirited illustrations, unique and laughable anecdotes,and a great variety ofpersonal'experiencesas'a youthful trader. Editor, preacher, traveler, showman, farmer,'politician, lecturer, linancier-indeed it wouldlbe difficult to say what Barnum had not b' en up to during these 40 years of struggles^and triumphs, His hospital!' y is princely ; his fund of humor inexhaustible, and, taken altogether/Sarnum is one of the rarestrspecimen of human _nature to be met with.r_ His book wllTaffQrd instruetionand alI. 1 indent to the thousands who reading.
