An Old Printer
was very business-like and very kind. In the words of Mr. Edwin Bale, he "kept everybody up to the scratch, from the editor-in-chief to the office boy." Punctuality was his deity. He was never known to miss publishing day, and whenever there was a narrow shave the defaulter received a large piece of his extremely vigorous mind. His judgment was quick and his criticism incisive, but none the less he had so impartial a sense of justice that the youngest boys in the place would fearlessly take their troubles and grievances to him, and always accept his decision. This rapid, active mind resided in a restless body. His walk was almost a trot; his rapid glance Hashed through spectacles from side to side, seeing everything and missing nothing. Before the days of telephones a messenger-boy was too slow for Wilson; he fled along corridors and up the staircases, doing his own messages, his movements heralded by a whispered warning of "Bogey!" from one youthful delinquent to another. The nickname became hallowed into a term of endearment in the course of years.
Farlow Wilson cultivated educational and philanthropic movements, was one of the founders of the Hospital Saturday Fund, and organized outings and social meetings for the workpeople. He was a ready and piquant speaker, so that no House gathering was complete without him, and on his retirement in December, 1890, he was given the place of honour as chairman at the annual dinner held that month. He had been since 1895 a director of the Company, and retained his seat on the Board till the end of 1908. In 1896 Farlow Wilson printed for private circulation his "Recollections of an Old Printer." It was characteristic of him that he would not have the book produced by the House because he wanted to present a copy to everybody at the Yard, and wished it to be quite fresh to the reader when he received it. He died in 1916 in his 87th year, leaving a most fragrant memory.
The Publicity Department also owes a great deal to a member of the Old Guard, J. H. Puttock. He was
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