The Humbugs of the World · Chapter
Publisher's Note explained
The publisher defends Barnum against the label of 'humbug,' arguing that while he uses unique advertising methods, he is fundamentally honest and has served the public good through temperance lectures, patriotic speeches, and business integ
What happens
The publisher defends Barnum against the label of 'humbug,' arguing that while he uses unique advertising methods, he is fundamentally honest and has served the public good through temperance lectures, patriotic speeches, and business integrity.
Themes in this chapter
Advertising and Showmanship
Barnum's unique advertising methods are credited as a secret of his success, and the 'humbug' epithet itself is described as bringing 'grist to his mill.'
Definition and Nature of Humbug
The publisher distinguishes between a narrow sense in which Barnum is a 'humbug' and a larger sense in which he is not, echoing Barnum's own elaboration in the book.
Hypocrisy and Moral Judgment
The publisher argues that Barnum has never befooled the public to its injury and that his only secret is honesty, countering the moral judgment implied by the 'humbug' label.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Barnum
Defended as a man of integrity, effective speaker, and public benefactor despite the 'humbug' label.
Key passages
“One of Mr. Barnum's secrets of success is his unique methods of advertising, and we can readily understand how he can bear to be denounced as a 'Humbug,' because this popular designation though undeserved in the popular acceptation of it, 'brought grist to his mill.'”
Barnum's distinctive advertising techniques are key to his success, and he tolerates being called a 'humbug' because the label, though unfair in its usual meaning, actually benefits his business.
The publisher explains the paradoxical value of the 'humbug' reputation for Barnum's showmanship.
“Mr. Barnum's whole career has been a very transparent one. He has never befooled the public to its injury, and, though his name has come to be looked upon as a synonym for humbuggery, there never was a public man who was less of one.”
Barnum's career has been open and honest; despite being seen as the embodiment of humbug, he has never deceived the public in a harmful way and is actually less of a humbug than anyone.
A strong defense of Barnum's character from The New York Independent, emphasizing his transparency and integrity.