Publisher's Synopsis
H. L. Mencken was, first and foremost, a newspaperman. At the age of 19 he joined the staff of the Baltimore Herald, writing all manner of articles for the morning, evening, and Sunday editions for the next seven years. This volume presents the earliest of these articles, most of which have never been reprinted. Amidst engaging pieces on the inveterate disputes between Baltimore's mayor, Thomas G. Hayes, and the City Council, we find articles exhibiting Mencken's love of music and other subjects. In late 1900 he began writing two separate columns of humor, poetry, and miscellany, "Rhyme and Reason" and "Knocks and Jollies." Also notable is his first published short story, "A Matter of Ethnology." Early 1901 saw the appearance of another occasional column, "Terse and Terrible Texts." Throughout these articles, Mencken displays his customary shrewdness in reporting on the controversies of the day and his infectious humor, satire, and wit.
