ILLUSTRATED BOOKS AND NEWSPAPERS
DISCOURSE was deemed Man’s noblest attribute, And written words the glory of his hand; Then followed Printing with enlarged command For thought–dominion vast and absolute For spreading truth, and making love expand. Now prose and verse sunk into disrepute Must lacquey a dumb Art that best can suit The taste of this once-intellectual Land. A backward movement surely have we here, From manhood,–back to childhood; for the age– 10 Back towards caverned life’s first rude career. Avaunt this vile abuse of pictured page! Must eyes be all in all, the tongue and ear Nothing? Heaven keep us from a lower stage! 1846.