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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 68

§ 20. Conclusion

§ 20. Conclusion.

Having thus briefly and somewhat disjointedly brought together and placed before you a truthful relation of matters pertaining to the Introduction of the noble art of Printing into New Zealand—the future "Britain of the South,"—I cannot lay down my pen without making a few final observations.—
1.It seemed almost natural,—in this year of universally observed "Jubilee" I—that I, having been so long and closely connected with the "Divine Art," and having also survived the many who were my early co-workers in this Land fifty years ago!—that I should be desirous of placing on record at this period what I knew concerning the Press,—its birth and early yet slow growth, under many peculiar hardships and difficulties; which, however, have long ceased to exist; and which, were they not recorded, could never be conjectured. And all this, I fancy, will be more truly and fully appreciated a hundred years hence, than it can possibly be now.page 30
2.I have often looked back with much pleasure to the period of my long connection with the Church Mission and first Press in New Zealand; and at the quality the usefulness and the amount of the work issued from it. Notwithstanding it was a time of heavy labours and of much anxiety. The Press rightly used is a mighty power for good, none greater; but it is too often used in the opposite direction; and then, alas! the truth-fulness of the old adage is again clearly shown and seen,—"corruptio optimi pessima"—
3.In my coming to reside in Hawke's Bay in 1844, I brought hither with me a small Albion Press and types, which I again found to be of great service; though, having a people scattered over a very large district to attend to, with its consequent heavy travelling on foot, there being then no roads, I could not use my little press so much as I wished.
4.Happily there is no need for any one at the present day to attempt a panegyric on the Art of Printing, or the diffusion of light and knowledge through the Press; one might just as well vainly venture

"To gild refined gold, to paint the lily,
To throw a perfume on the violet,
Or add another hue unto the rainbow."—

Yet, the words of an eminent Printer of the beginning of this century, may, I think, be here aptly quoted, in connection with the advent of Printing into this (then) dark Land; (words used by him in vividly portraying the contrast between what existed in the days of the dark ages and the great and sudden change that attended the invention of the Art of Printing;)—

—"No sooner did this bright luminary [the Press] burst upon Europe than its brilliant rays, like the meridian sun, not only enlightened and invigorated mankind, but also dispelled the murky clouds which had for ages cemented the bands of Ignorance and Superstition." And again:—"For our own parts, we never think of the benefits conferred on mankind by this Art, but we feel our bosoms swell with admiration of the Divine Being for this inestimable blessing."—Johnson: "Typographia," vol. I, preface, pp. i and xii.

And heartily supporting those truthful noble words and sentiments, with them I close my Paper.

P.S. Printed books and papers, letters, locality map, sketches illustrative, accounts, &c., mentioned, or alluded to in this Paper, were all exhibit at the meeting of the Hawke's Bay Philosophical Institute.