CONTENTS.
| PAGE. | |
| Printing | [11] |
| Stereotype | [25] |
| Engraving on Wood | [27] |
| ” ” Copper | [28] |
| ” ” Steel | [30] |
| Lithography | [32] |
| Paper | [36] |
| Paper Hanging | [41] |
| Painting | [45] |
| Statuary | [48] |
| Drawing | [55] |
| Architecture | [62] |
| Chain Bridges | [68] |
| Clocks | [69] |
| Watches | [74] |
| Water Clocks | [77] |
| Spinning | [80] |
| Stocking Manufacture | [84] |
| Coaches | [95] |
| Saddles, &c. | [104] |
| Horse-Shoes | [107] |
| Gunpowder | [111] |
| Guns | [114] |
| Astronomy | [119] |
| Navigation | [155] |
| Light-Houses | [159] |
| Electricity | [167] |
| Electric Telegraph | [169] |
| Steam-Engines | [171] |
| Mills | [195] |
| Saw-Mills | [211] |
| Forks | [214] |
| Music | [219] |
| Sealing-Wax, Seals, &. | [228] |
| Black Lead Pencils | [234] |
| Coloured Glass | [236] |
| Etching on Glass, and Glass-cutting | [240] |
| Hydrometers | [246] |
USEFUL INVENTIONS.
PRINTING.
Among the many arts and sciences cultivated in society, some are only adapted to supply our natural wants, or assist our infirmities; some are mere instruments of luxury, calculated to flatter pride, to gratify vanity, and to satisfy our desires of every description; whilst others tend at once to secure, to accommodate, delight, and give consequence to man. Of this latter kind, Printing undoubtedly stands pre-eminent; and if viewed in its full extent, it may be truly said to possess a very considerable portion not only of the comforts, but the conveniences and positive utilities of life. The advantages derived from this invention must be acknowledged by all,—this art has proved the principal step towards civilization: by it has Christianity been propagated; and by its powerful means are we made acquainted with all that is useful in knowledge, in art, and science. It would take the pen of an inspired writer to enumerate all the blessings which flow from it. It is a patent engine which possesses a preponderating influence over the mind of man either for good or evil, according as it is used.
As we proceed we will have frequent occasion to express our feelings in grateful eulogium, when considering the benefits resulting to society from various ingenious inventions and discoveries; but when we consider the advantages derived from the typographic art, it appears like a vortex, drawing every other sensation into its deep interest, and engulphing every consideration, so that we can think of nothing but printing, and its extensive catalogue of benefits. This interest is wonderfully increased, whether it be viewed on account of its ingenuity, the extent of its benefits, or the benevolence of its objects. In whatever point of view we behold it, whether as a medium for giving the utmost facility to the despatch of the common concerns of life; or as affording the eager mind of the philosophic inquirer the ready means to gratify the inquisitive thirst of his knowledge; in every species of mental intelligence, the rapid facility which it affords to the multiplication of those mediums of communication, by which knowledge is promulgated in every part of the earth. We are at a loss for a term sufficiently comprehensive to express our sense of the infinite importance of those advantages which accrue to mankind from the invention of an art so replete with important consequences, which we hourly perceive to emanate from typography. We need therefore scarcely offer an apology for inserting a brief history of this divine art in our pages.
The earliest specimens of printing which have been discovered, consist in the stamped marks on the bricks and tiles used in building the tower and city of Babel, and which may be dated as far back as two thousand two hundred years before Christ. A number of these stamped clay materials of Babel are still preserved in antiquarian repositories. It is remarkable that they generally differ in shape and appearance, and that the letters or words, which are in ancient character, seem to have been stamped by the hand with moveable blocks. In Trinity College, Cambridge, some curious specimens are preserved, one of which is a round piece of clay, seven inches in height, and three in thickness at the end, resembling a barrel, being thickest at the middle. This interesting relic, this Chaldean book, is entirely covered with lines of letters and words running from the one end to the other; from its portable character it may be called a pocket volume, and one which cannot be less than four thousand years old. It is mounted on a marble pedestal, covered with a glass case, secured by an iron bracket, and so contrived that the curious inspector may cause it to revolve on its marble base; but the greatest care is taken of this valuable relic of antiquity. It appears to have been printed by two moulds, and at the middle of the circumference a small blank square has been left, in case as it is supposed, room should be required for a portion of the clay to escape in the action of compression.