A reel of tightly rolled paper, just as it leaves the mill, is placed one end of the machine, is damped while passing between small cylinders, and is then led between the first and second of four cylinders, placed one above the other, where it receives its first impression from the stereotype cast of the first cylinder. The paper then returns back ward between the second and third cylinders: and passing forward* again between the third and fourth, receives on its other side the second impression from the stereotype plates of the lowest cylinder. The roll is next cut into sheets, and the sheets numbered by an index. Carried up to the top of the machine the sheets descend perpendicularly, and are thrown alternately backward and forward on to boards held by two lads. These, with the striker, who starts the machine, are the sole attendants necessary. The paper travels at the rule of 1000 ft. per minute, and the finished sheets are delivered at the rate of 12,000 copies and upward per hour. Repeated experimc,it has proved that good work may be done at the rate of 17,000 copies per hour. The other web-printing differ more or less considerably in idea or details from that just. described. The Bullock," which is the invention of an American, has also done excellent book-print ing at the rate of 12,000 sheets per hour. The " Victory," nearly contemporaucous with the "Walter," differs from it in several points. It does not damp the it has only a single delivery; but it delivers the finished sheets ready folded. The — Prcstollian' will print front type, whereas all other web-machines print only from slervotype. one of the most recent web-printing patents is the Hoe web-machine, which is also very favor ably spoken of.
By the introduction of the steam-presses which we have now described, the profes sion of the printer has within these few years undergoul a most extraordinary revolu tion; and although fewer hand-pressmen are now employed than formerly, the increase of employmen: to. compositors, engineers, book-hinders, book-sellers, etc., most be very
great. The principal advance in the profession has been since the year 183;1 when tie^ printing of cheap literary sheets rose in o importance; and, by a fortunate coincidence. the patents of various machines having shout the same tinmexpired. a new impulse was given to the trade. The making of printing-machines has in itself become a great busi ness, The printing-office is a factory: and the interior of 011 C of those concerns usually presents a remarkable spectacle of industry, animate and inanimate, which to a stranger leaves a lasting impression on the memory.
In printing, a remarkable American invention was brought into use in 1667. It is called the matrix compositor, and is only adapted for stereotyping, by making impres sions on thick, soft paper of the letters In the order required, and then taking casts of the same in metal as usual. The peculiarity of this machine is that it brings up any letter the compositor wishes to its right place in the line by simply touching the key which answers to that letter. in an arrangement like the front of a piano, each key being marked with its corresponding letter At the moment the letter is brought to its place, it is made to press into the paper; and in this way the composition proceeds with only one alphabet of fixed types, which are made of steel to bear the pressure. With practice a • rood compositor will work this maohine, and thus form the matrix for the stereotype plates. as fast as he could set tip the ordinary movable types The saving in time and the wear of type is therefore very considerable. ,