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��Daniel Loihrop
��taste, and literary conscience ; and last, but not least, he had traversed and niapped out the special field he pro- posed to occupy, — a field fi-om which he has never been diverted.
"The foundations were solid. On these points Mr. Lothrop has had but one mind from the first : ' Never to publish a work purely sen- sational, no matter what chances of money it has in it;' 'to publish books that will make true, steadfast growth in right living.' Not alone right thinlcing, but right living. These were his two determinations, rigidly adhered to, notwithstanding constant advice, appeals, and temptations. His thoughts had naturally turned to the young people, knowing from his own self-made fortunes, how young men and women need help, encouragement and stimulus. Pie had determined to throw all his time, strength and money into making good books for the young people, who, with keen imaginations and active minds, were searching in all directions for mental food. ' The best way to fight the evil in the world,' reasoned Mr. Lothrop, ' is to crowd it out with the good.' And therefore he bent the energies of his mind to maturing plans toward this ob- ject, — the putting good, helpful literature into their hands.
His first care was to determine the channels through which he could address the largest audiences. The Sunday School library was one. In it he hoped to turn a strong current of pure, healthful literature for those young people who, dieting on the existing library books, were rendered miserable on closing their covers, either to find them dry or obso- lete, or so sentimentally religious as to have nothing in their own practical Uves correspond- ing to the situations of the pictured heroes and heroines.
The family library was another channel. To make evident to the heads of households the parr.mount importance of creating a home li- brary, Mr. Lothrop set himself to work with a will. In the spring of 1868 he invited to meet him a council of three gentlemen, eminent in scholarship, sound of judgment, and of large experience : the Reverend George T. Day, D. D., of Dover, N. H., Professor Heman Lincoln, D. D., of Newton Seminary, the Rev. J. E. Rankin, D. D., of Washington, D, C. Before them he laid his plans, matured and ready for their acceptance : to publish good, strong, at- tractive literature for the Sunday School, the
��home, the town, and school library, and that nothing should be published save of that char- acter, asking their co-operation as readers of the several manuscripts to be presented for ac- ceptance. The gentlemen, one and all, gave him their heartiest God-speed, but they frankly confessed it a most difficult undertaking, and that the step must be taken with the strong chance of failure. Mr. Lothrop had counted that chance and reaffirmed his purpose to become a publisher of just such literature, and imparted to them so much of his own courage that be- fore they left the room, all stood engaged as salaried readers of the manuscripts to come in to the new publishing house of D. Lothrop & Co., and during all these years no manu- scripts have been accepted without the sanction of one or more of these readers.
The store, Nos. 38 and 40 Cornhill, Boston, was taken, and a complete refitting and stock- ing made it one of the finest bookstores of the city. The first book published was ' Andy Lut- trelL' How many recall that first book ! ' Andy Luttrell ' was a great success, the press saying that ' tlie series of which this is the in- itiatory volume, marks a new era in Sunday School literature.' Large editions were called for, and it is popular still. In beginning any new business there are many difficulties to face, old established houses to compete with, and new ones to contest every inch of success. But tides turn, and patience and pluck won the day,, until from being steady, sure and reliable, Mr. Lothrop's publishing business was increasing with such rapidity as to soon make it one of the solid houses of Boston. I\lr. Lothrop had a remarkable instinct as regarded the discover- ing of new talent, and many now famous writ- ers owe their popularity with the pubUc to his kindness and courage in standing by them. He had great enthusiasm and success in intro- ducing this new element, encouraging young writers, and creating a fresh atmosphere very stimulating and enjoyable to their audience. To all who applied for work or brought man- uscript for examination, he had a hopeful word, and in rapid, clear expression smoothed the dif- ficulty out of their path if possible, or pointed to future success as the result of patient toil, lie always brought out the best that was in a person, having the rare quality of the union of perfect honesty with kind consideration. This new blood in the old veins of literary life, soon wrought a marvelous change in this class of literature. Mr. Lothrop had been wise enough to see that such would be the case, and he kept
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