HAND FOUNDING. The first step in the process of type founding by hand is the cutting of a punch or (lie resembling the required letter. The punch is of hardened steel, with the figure of the letter cut, the reverse way, upon its point. On this die being finished, it is struck into a piece of copper about an inch and a quarter long, one eighth of an inch deep, and of a width proportion ate to the size of the type to be cast. This cop per, being so impressed with the representation of the letter, requires to be adjusted to the mold, so that the 'face' or impression of the punch (in the copper) may lie brought into such relation with the metal which forms the 'body' or stalk of the type, that when the types are 'set up' they may stand at the proper distance from each other, and be in 'line' or range, and also square to the page; this work is termed 'justifying.' and the copper is now a 'matrix' The matrix is now fixed into a small instrument or frame called the mold, which is composed of two parts. The ex ternal surface is of wood, the internal of steel. At the top is a shelving orifice, into which the metal is poured. The space within is of the size of the required body of the letter, and is made exactly true. The melted metal, being poured
into this space, sinks down to the bottom in the matrix, and, instantly cooling, the mold is opened, and the type is cast out by the workman. This process of casting types is executed with great celerity. Of course, every separate letter in the alphabet, every figure, point, or mark, must. have its own punch and matrix. After being cast the types have to be dressed, and this work is per formed by hand. It consists first in removing the projection or 'jet' of superfluous metal that clings to the end which is toward the top of the mold while the type is being cast; second, in rubbing smooth the sides of the types on grit stones ; and, finally in cutting a groove in the foot of each type and examining the type with a mag nifying glass to discover imperfections. Consid ering the nature of the operation, type casting by hand is performed, by an expert, with remark able rapidity, about 400 types per hour being pro duced ready for the finishing process.