The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Author's Printing and Publishing Assistant, by Frederick Saunders

Comprising Explanations of the Process of Printing; Preparation and Calculation of Manuscripts; Choice of Paper, Type, Binding, Illustrations, Publishing, Advertising, &c.; with an Exemplification and Description of the Typographical Marks Used in the Correction of the Press

Release Date: January 18, 2010 [eBook #31006]
HTML version most recently updated: November 9, 2013

***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AUTHOR'S PRINTING AND PUBLISHING ASSISTANT***

E-text prepared by Julia Miller
and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
(http://www.pgdp.net)
from page images generously made available by
Internet Archive/American Libraries
(http://www.archive.org/details/americana)

THE AUTHOR’S

PRINTING AND PUBLISHING

ASSISTANT

WITH AN EXEMPLIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION OF
THE TYPOGRAPHICAL MARKS
USED IN
THE CORRECTION OF THE PRESS

The object of this little Work is to afford such a view of the Technical details of Printing and Publishing as shall enable Authors to form their own judgment on all subjects connected with the Publication of their Productions.

The want of such a little Manual has been repeatedly suggested to the Publishers by the frequent enquiries of Authors, and they trust that the information here given will prove satisfactory.

CONTENTS.

THE AUTHOR’S
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING
ASSISTANT.

As it is very desirable that Authors, and those who may have to give directions to the Printer, should be acquainted with the manner in which Printing is performed, it may be proper, in commencing this little work, to give in the first place a brief outline of

THE PROCESS OF PRINTING.

The Printing Office is divided into two branches; the one entitled the Composing, the other the Press department.

[2]The Composing-room is furnished with a number of what are called Cases,2-* properly fitted up, which are placed before the Compositor. The Compositor then places the Manuscript 2-† before him, and taking a small iron frame, or measure, adapted to the purpose, fixes it by a screw to the width which the Page he is to set up is intended to be, and commences the putting it into Type, in the following manner. Supposing the first words of the Manuscript to be “The City of London,” he first selects the Capital Letter T, then the Lower-Case letter h, and then e, each from their respective compartments; after this he takes what is called a Space,2-‡ which is[3] used to separate the words from each other; and thus proceeds until he comes to a Stop, which he selects in like manner, and places next to the last letter of the last word. When the frame he holds is filled, he removes the Type thus set into a larger, first to form Pages, and afterwards, when assembled together, to form Sheets.

The number of Pages in each Sheet is determined by the size in which the work is to be printed:—if in Folio, four pages; if in Quarto, eight pages; if in Octavo, sixteen; if in Duodecimo, twenty-four, &c.

When a sufficient number of Pages have been set to form a Sheet, they are what is called Imposed,3-* and the Forme is removed to the Press-room, where the first impression, technically called the first Proof, is taken off. This Proof is then transferred to the Reading[4] room, where it is carefully compared with the original by two persons, one reading the Manuscript, and the other the Proof-sheet, marking as he goes on any errors which may have occurred in the Setting. This first Proof is then given back to the Compositor, who has the forme again laid on the stone, and having, as it is called, unlocked it,4-* proceeds to make such corrections as by the marks on the proof he is directed to.

When the Type has been made to correspond with the Manuscript, the first Corrected Proof is struck off, and transmitted to the Author. Should the Author not have occasion to make many alterations, he may not think it necessary to require a Second Proof; in that case he writes the word “Press” upon it, and having been again carefully read in the Office, it is then Printed off: but should it be otherwise, he writes the word “Revise” upon it,[5] and it is again, when corrected, transmitted to him; and this as often as he may think necessary, until he adds the word “Press,” which is the order for Printing off the entire number of copies of which the Edition is to consist.

Thus, Sheet by Sheet,5-* the Printing is proceeded with: and as soon as one Sheet has been printed off, the Type used in that Sheet is distributed,5-† to be employed in setting up the subsequent parts of the work.

From what has been said, it will be seen that the principal expense in Printing a work is the setting of the Type, arising from the fact that the many thousand 5-‡ Letters, Spaces,[6] Points, &c. of which it is composed have each to be selected, assembled, and again distributed singly; in doing which the greatest attention and accuracy are necessary.

For the information of Authors not accustomed to Printing, it may be proper to state that the printing of the body of a work is always first in order; the Title, Preface, Contents, &c. being uniformly deferred till the completion.6-*

[7]The process of Printing off a work is thus conducted. The quantity of Paper for Printing the number of sheets required is first laid open. It is then in successive portions of six or eight sheets dipped into a cistern of clear water, and laid one upon the other; when the whole has been thus immersed, a board of the proper size is placed on the top, and some heavy weights are added; thus the whole becomes properly imbued with moisture, and is fit for working. Without this, the paper would neither sink into the interstices, nor receive the ink; besides which, it would be very liable to injure the Type. When therefore the Paper has been thus prepared, it is laid on a stand adjoining the Press, and the process of Printing commences. Over the surface of the Type a Roller 7-* charged with[8] Printing Ink is passed; the Sheet is laid on a frame which falls exactly on the forme; it is then shut down, rolled under the bed of the Press, the screw is turned which causes the weight to descend, the impression is given, and another turn of the hand delivers the Sheet Printed.

It is not surprising that so powerful an engine as the Press should have attracted the combined attention of the learned and ingenious. Gentlemen have devoted much of their time to it. Among these may be mentioned Horace Walpole, who printed several of his favorite works at his seat, Strawberry Hill; Sir Egerton Brydges, at Lee Priory; and the late Earl Stanhope, at his family mansion, Chevening, Kent. To no one, probably, is the present advanced stage of Printing more indebted than to the last-named nobleman. With a natural talent for mechanical invention which no difficulty could subdue, he applied his enlightened mind with persevering ardour to a variety of useful objects, especially to the improvement of Printing.[9] The result was not only the production of the most complete Printing Press then known, together with a variety of collateral improvements, but the increasing, if not originating, that impulse which has since carried this important branch of art so near to perfection.

To those who are accustomed to Printing, and who are aware how much its beauty depends on what is called the Press-work, to produce which long practice and great manual dexterity are necessary, it might have appeared impossible that any Machine could have been invented to perform such an operation with any degree of precision and success; yet this the continued labour of mechanical ingenuity has accomplished.

The Steam Printing Press is perhaps one of the most complete specimens of the perfection of mechanical contrivance ever afforded. To this the public are in a great degree indebted for that early and rapid communication of intelligence which is now brought down almost to the hour of the morning on which it is circulated. The Times Newspaper, which was[10] the first to adopt this astonishing invention, is still printed by it with a rapidity which is scarcely conceivable.10-* An inspection of it[11] cannot fail to gratify every intelligent observer. Its use has now become very general.

The Steam Press, however, is chiefly applicable where large numbers, or great speed are required; for ordinary works, and fine Printing, the hand Press is still preferred, and probably ever will be.

[12]In a work like the present, it may not perhaps be deemed uninteresting to take a brief view of the

ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF PRINTING.

There appears to be no reason to doubt that, from a very remote period in the history of the world, devices were used for the purpose of transmitting to after times the records of important events, but these are for the most part more a matter of curiosity than of positive information. Of the Origin of Printing as now practised, the Rev. Archdeacon Coxe gives the following account in his History of the House of Austria:—“It took its rise about the middle of the fifteenth century, and in the course of a few years reached that height of improvement which is scarcely surpassed even in the present times. The Invention was at first rude and simple, consisting of whole pages carved on Blocks of Wood,12-* [13]and only impressed on one side of the leaf: the next step was the formation of moveable Types in Wood, and they were afterwards cut in Metal, and finally rendered more durable, regular, and elegant, by being Cast, or Founded.

[14]“The consequence of this happy and simple discovery was a rapid series of improvements in every art and science, and a general diffusion of knowledge among all orders of society. Hitherto the tedious, uncertain, and expensive mode of multiplying books by the hand of the Copyist, had principally confined the treasures of learning to Monasteries,14-* or to persons of rank and fortune. Yet, even with all the advantages of wealth, Libraries were extremely scarce and scanty; and principally consisted of books of devotion and superstition, legends, or the sophistical dis[15]quisitions of the schoolmen. An acquaintance with the Latin classics was a rare qualification, and the Greek language was almost unknown in Europe; but the Art of Printing had scarcely become general before it gave a new impulse to genius and a new spirit to inquiry. A singular concurrence of circumstances contributed to multiply the beneficial effects derived from this invention, among which the most considerable were the protection afforded to literature and the arts by the States of Italy, and the diffusion of Greek learning by the literati who sought an asylum in Europe after the capture of Constantinople.

“A controversy has arisen concerning the first discoverer of the art of Printing, between the three towns of Haerlem, Mentz, and Strasburg, each, from a natural partiality, attributing it to their own countryman. The dispute, however, has turned rather on words than facts; and seems to have arisen from the different definitions of the word “Printing.” If we estimate the discovery from the invention of the principle, the[16] honour is unquestionably due to Laurence Coster, a native of Haerlem, who first found out the method of impressing characters on paper, by means of carved blocks of wood. If moveable types be considered as a criterion, the merit of the discovery is due to John Gutenberg, of Mentz; and Schoeffer, in conjunction with Faust, was the first who founded Types of Metal.”—Coxe, vol. i. p. 421. 8vo.

Although some attempts have been made to support a different statement, it is pretty generally admitted that William Caxton, who had lived abroad and learned the art there, was the person who introduced Printing into England; in this Stowe, Leland, and others agree, that “in the almonry at Westminster, the Abbot of Westminster erected the first Press for Book-printing that ever was in England, about the year 1471; and where Wm. Caxton, Citizen and Mercer, who first brought it into England, first practised it.”

The first work printed in England was “The Recueil of The Historeys of Troye,” of which Caxton thus speaks:—“Thus end[17] I this book, &c., and for as moche as in wrytyng of the same my penne is worn, myne hande wery, and myne eyen dimmed, with overmoche lokyng on the whit paper—and that age crepeth on me dayly—and also because I have promised to dyverce gentilmen and to my frendes to adresse to them as hastely as I myght this said book, therefore I have practysed and learned at my grete charge and dispense to ordayne this sayd book in prynte after the manner and forme as ye may here see, and is not wreten with penne and ynke, as other bokes ben, to thende that every man may have them att ones; for all the books of this storye named the Recule of the Historyes of Troyes thus emprynted as ye here see were begonne in oon day and also finished in oon day,” &c. In another place he enumerates the works he had printed thus:—“When I had accomplished dyvers workys and historyes translated out of Frenshe into Englyshe, at the requeste of certayn lords, ladyes, and gentylmen, as the Recule of the Historyes of Troye, the Boke of Chesse, the Historye of[18] Jason, the Historye of the Mirrour of the World, I have submysed myself to translate into English, the Legende of Sayntes, called Legenda Aurea in Latyn—and Wylyam Erle of Arondel desyred me—and promysed to take a resonyble quantyte of them—sente to me a worshipful gentylman—promising that my sayd lord should during my lyf give and grant to me a yearly fee, that is to note a bucke in sommer, and a doo in wynter,” &c.

It appears that Caxton continued his employment at Westminster, with considerable success, until his death, which occurred in 1491. He seems to have been extensively patronised, and to have been a person of great moral worth. He is supposed to have lived to beyond the age of eighty.

Wynkyn de Worde, who was an assistant, and afterwards succeeded Caxton, was a foreigner, born in the dukedom of Lorrain. He made great improvements, especially in the form of his types. Most of his books now remaining, were printed in Fleet Street, in St. Bride’s Parish, at the sign of the Sun. He died in 1534.

[19]Richard Pynson, who had been brought up under Caxton, set up a Press at Temple Bar, and was the first who obtained the patent of King’s Printer; he died in 1529.

After this, Printing was practised very generally, not only in London, but in many other places, especially Oxford and Cambridge, both which Universities obtained the exclusive right, which they still retain, of Printing all Bibles and Prayer Books; that is, with the exception of the person holding the patent of King’s Printer, who also has this right.

The principle of moveable Types having been once introduced, little room was left for improvement, beyond the slight variations in the form of the Letters, which, as a matter of taste, would always be liable to fluctuate: a comparison of works, printed at different periods, will exemplify this.

An experiment was made some years since, in Logographic, or Word Printing; the Words of most frequent occurrence being cast together, instead of setting them up in single Letters; but it does not appear to have succeed[20]ed, or to have been generally adopted, though a Volume, at least, was printed on this plan, which the Publishers of this little work happen to have in their possession.

In the improvement of the Printing Press, and the manufacture of Printing Ink, a larger sphere was opened, inasmuch as to the advancement of these, Printing must be ever indebted for its degrees of excellence.

Printing Ink is a sort of Black Varnish, the making of which is still a secret in the hands of the manufacturers, so far as its finer qualities are concerned.

Its requisites are, that it should have a sufficient, and not too great a degree of tenacity; that it should produce a perfectly black impression, and that it should dry quickly: in proportion as the Ink is deficient in these qualities, it will be liable to injure the paper, or produce specks, to surround the printing with a yellow hue, from the too great preponderance of the oily ingredients; or to soil the paper during the subsequent processes. The excellence of the Printing of Baskerville was[21] chiefly attributable to his discoveries in the art of Ink Making. The late Mr. Bulmer, also, who printed some of the most splendid works of the last half century, was very successful in his experiments. The manufacture is now in the hands of several persons, who are eminent in this art, and who have made it a distinct branch of business.

STEREOTYPE PRINTING,

which is a modern improvement, is a mode of rendering a work permanent in Type, in the following manner. When the Type has been accurately corrected, the Pages of Type are properly arranged for the purpose, when a cast is taken of them in a Plaster Cement, which becomes hard when dry: into this mould melted Type Metal is poured, and thus a perfect counterpart of the Type is produced of each Page, in one solid Plate. This mode was brought into notice by the late Lord Stanhope. The first attempt to render a work thus permanent, and which appears to have been adopted solely with the view of[22] preventing error, was made by a Printer at Leyden, about a hundred years since. He produced a Quarto Bible, Printed from solid Pages, but these were rendered solid by soldering together the backs of the Types. The present mode is, of course, a great improvement on this; as instead of incurring the heavy expense of so large a quantity of moveable Type, the same result is produced, and the Type from which the cast is taken remains uninjured, to be used again and again, for the same, or any other purpose.

Stereotype Printing is thus a very valuable process, for works not liable to alteration, as Bibles, School Books, and other works of which large numbers are required, as it would be impossible to keep the moveable Types standing for such works, without a very great outlay of Capital.22-*

LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING,

or Printing from Stone. This is also a recent invention. It was brought into England about twenty years since. Invented by M. Senefelder, of Munich. It is founded on the principles of Chemical Affinity. A Writing or Drawing is made on Stone, with an Ink prepared with a sort of unctuous ingredient—to this is applied another Ink of a contrary quality; the Ink with which the Writing or Drawing is made, remains on the Stone, while that with which the Printing is performed, separates from it, and is thus transferred to the Paper. This method has been brought to very great perfection; so much so, as to produce Prints from Drawings possessing nearly all the beauty and delicacy of Copperplate or Steel Engravings. It is also very[24] useful in multiplying Fac-similes, as it admits of Printing from the hand-writing itself, when written with Ink prepared for the purpose. At Munich, Paris, and St. Petersburgh, this mode of Printing has been adopted in the Government Offices. All Resolutions, Edicts, Orders, &c., agreed to at the Cabinet meetings, are written down on paper, by the Secretary, with Chemical Ink, and in the space of an hour, an ample supply of copies is obtained. For Circulars, and in general, all such orders of Government as must be rapidly distributed, an invention like this is of the utmost consequence, and it is probable that eventually it will be universally employed. In time of war it would prove of the greatest use for the general staff of the Army, completely supplying the want of a field Printing-Office, and especially as it admits of greater despatch and secresy. The Commanding Officer might write his orders with his own hand, and in his presence a number of impressions might be taken by a person who could neither write nor read. In mercantile transactions, it is very generally employed where a quick and[25] accurate multiplication of Price Lists, Letters, and Accounts, is of the utmost importance.

COPPER-PLATE PRINTING.

Copper, or Steel-plate Engravings, are Printed by a different process. The Copper, or Steel-plate Press, is formed of two Rollers, one placed over the other, with only a sufficient space between to allow a board to pass, when a strong force is applied. The Plate is then laid on a small fire adapted to the purpose, so as to heat it sufficiently to liquify the Ink, and cause it to diffuse itself over every part of the Engraving. It is then made perfectly clean, so as to leave no soil on the paper, except from the parts indented. It is then laid on the board, the Paper spread upon it, and a soft cloth being added, the Roller is turned by a Cross Lever, when the Print, with all its varied tints, is immediately produced.

ENGRAVINGS ON WOOD.

Engravings on Wood, are usually Printed with the Letter Press, for which they are peculiarly adapted.

PREPARATION OF THE MANUSCRIPT.

When a Manuscript intended for the Press has been written hastily, has many erasures and interlineations, or is otherwise to any extent rendered partially, or perhaps in some cases wholly illegible, the consequence will be, that if given into the hands of the Printer in that state, the Printing will be retarded, the expense of Printing increased, and much additional trouble occasioned to the Author, in correcting those errors, (should he discover them,) which a clearly written Manuscript would have entirely prevented. In such cases it would be decidedly preferable, indeed it has been found a saving both in time and expense, to have the whole fairly copied. In so doing there would besides be this additional advantage,—that the Manuscript might be again finally revised by the author 26-* previous[27]ly to its being put into the Printer’s hands; every correction which can be made in the Manuscript being a measure strongly to be recommended in every view.27-*

There is another point of which Authors are frequently not aware—the desirableness of their Manuscripts being written on one side only. The convenience of this is, that any Remarks, Notes, Interlineations or Directions to the Printer, may be inserted on the opposite Blank Pages; and also that in the process of Printing, it may, if needful for speed or otherwise, be divided at any given point, without danger of mistake or confusion.

In all cases it is desirable that Manuscripts intended for the press should be written as[28] much as possible, with a tolerable degree of uniformity, each Page containing about the same number of Lines, and each Line about the same number of Words. This is certainly not essential, but it will generally be very convenient, as it will at once enable the Author to judge of the probable extent of his work, and the Printer or Publisher, when the Manuscript is completed, to decide on the quantity. To write on Ruled Paper is perhaps the most effectual mode of accomplishing this.

Another point to be attended to is, that Manuscripts should always be Paged. This will not only shew the quantity either in whole, or in part, without the trouble of counting, but will prevent mistake should any portion be misplaced.

When a Manuscript, therefore, is about to be written or copied for the Press, it would be desirable to have prepared, a Quarto Book, Ruled, with a narrow margin, and lines across, and to have it Paged beforehand, on the right[29] hand page only, on which page only the Manuscript should be written.

It is not, however, essential that these points should be regarded, should circumstances not permit. In such cases, if legibility can be secured, other obstacles may be surmounted: there will always, however, be considerable difficulty in calculating an irregularly written Manuscript. Should a Manuscript be closely written, and insertions be necessary, it will be preferable not to interline them, but write them on a separate Paper, numbering each, and referring them to the Pages, and on the Pages to the Paper.

When a Manuscript is about to be sent to the Press, it should be finally and carefully read over by the Author, who should mark any directions he may wish attended to in the Printing, and with his pen make any words plain which may happen to be obscure, by doing which, he will frequently prevent those errors of the Press which often change the sense of a passage, and are liable to escape detection.

CHOICE OF PAPER,

that is, to determine on the Size of the Work. This is a question which will generally be decided by what is customary. If a work of Fiction, the size will be what is called Post 8vo. If Historical or Scientific, Demy 8vo. If Poetry, Foolscap, Post, or Demy 8vo. as may be preferred. There are, however, a variety of other sizes, regulated by the number of leaves into which the sheet may be folded, as well as by the size of the Paper adopted, which may be more readily seen than described. The size and qualities of Paper, are of every variety.

PAPER MAKING.

The Manufacture of Paper, as now used, is not an Art of very ancient date, probably not earlier than the thirteenth century; but of its origin nothing is certainly known.

Various substances were in ancient times employed for writing, as Skins, Ivory, Lead,[31] &c. In Egypt, from a very remote period, the inner films pressed together of the Papyrus or Biblos, a sort of Flag, or Bulrush, growing in the marshes there. From whence the word Paper is derived.

Paper is made from Rags, the best from Linen Rags; thus rendering that which had become useless, an article of universal importance, and permanent value. Without this indispensable material, Printing would have been deprived of its chief auxiliary; but with it, and by the present improved system of Manufacture, the productions of the Press, and of the Paper Mill, can be carried to any extent.

The Process of Paper Making is thus conducted. The Rags are first washed; then ground in the Mill with water, so as to form a Pulp; this Pulp is then conveyed to a Vat, furnished with a Mould of fine wire cloth, which takes up a sufficient quantity to form the Sheet, which, when the water has drained from it, is laid on a pile, and pressed so as to discharge the remaining moisture: it is then hung up to dry, after which, unless it has been sized in the Vat, which is the case with some[32] kinds, it is dipped into a tub of fine size; and when again dried and pressed, is fit for use.

One of the greatest modern improvements in Paper making, is Bleaching the Rags. This enables the Paper-maker to produce the finest Paper from any kind of Rags. He has only, therefore, to find such materials as will make a Paper of a strong texture, and a fine even surface, and by the Bleaching process he can produce whatever shade of Colour he may desire.

A good supply of clear water is of the greatest importance in Paper Making. On this account, Paper Mills are built on clear streams.

By the recent improvements in machinery, Paper can now be made with almost any required degree of rapidity.

THE CHOICE OF TYPE.

Type is cast of almost every conceivable variety. The sizes most in use for Books, are English, Pica, Small Pica, Long Primer, Bourgeois, Brevier, Nonpareil. The following are specimens of these various sizes:—

(English.)

(Pica.)

(Small Pica.)

(Long Primer.)

(Bourgeois.)

(Brevier.)

(Nonpareil.)

It will be well to familiarize the eye with these different Sizes of Type, which may easily be done by a little practice, as it will greatly facilitate the understanding of the various technical details connected with the Press.

Next to the Size of the Type, the Size of the Page will have to be decided upon. Though both these points are in a great degree regulated by custom, they are yet in practice sufficiently open to variation, to meet the case of each particular Work. Thus by the Size of the Type, and Number of Lines, a Work may be either expanded, or compressed, as may be desired.

Pica is the type usually employed in Printing works of History, Biography, Travels, &c., in the Demy octavo size; Small Pica, in Novels, Romances, &c., in the Post octavo size; and Long Primer, Poetry, in the Foolscap octavo size.

To take for an example, the Novel, or Romance size. The ordinary Page employed in Works of this kind, contains twenty-two Lines,[37] each Line containing, on an average, eight Words. Three hundred such Pages are considered the proper quantity for an ordinary size Volume. If a Manuscript, therefore, should contain about two hundred Pages, each Page containing about thirty-three Lines of eight Words, it would occupy about three hundred Pages in Print. Should the Manuscript, however, contain but one hundred and eighty such Pages, then in order to form three hundred Printed Pages, each Page would have to consist of but twenty, instead of twenty-two Lines.

On the above principle, it will not be difficult for an Author to form a tolerably correct idea of the extent of a Work—that is, sufficiently so for all general purposes; and the comparison may be extended to any Work of any kind thus—having first selected a Work in Print, which it is desired that in Manuscript should resemble, the Number of Words in a Line, and of Lines in a Page of each, being ascertained, if the disparity between them shall be in any specific ratio, as in[38] the instance above, a Page of Manuscript being equal to a Page and a half of Print, the result will be immediately apparent; but should it be otherwise, a different process may be necessary: should the Manuscript contain but twenty-five, instead of thirty Lines, then the most direct mode of Calculation would be to take the three Lines per Page, by which the Manuscript would exceed the Print, and multiply the Manuscript Pages by three—this would give six hundred; these six hundred lines divided by twenty-two, the number of Lines in the Printed Page, give twenty-seven and a fraction; the whole would therefore, on this supposition, make about two hundred and twenty-seven Printed Pages, of twenty-two Lines each. There are, however, other circumstances which may affect such Calculations—as the Breaks in Chapters, Paragraphs, Conversations, &c., where the Work may have been written in Manuscript continuously. These points would, where desired, be best ascertained by having a number[39] of Pages set up, and by then comparing them in the aggregate with the Manuscript.

CORRECTING THE PRESS;

and this should invariably, when possible, be done by the Author; no one can so thoroughly enter into the train of thought and expression, and to no one could the disturbance of either prove so annoying: where this cannot be done, and the task must be deputed, the Manuscript should, in all cases, be considered the Authority, and no departure be made from it, except as may have been directed, or in extreme cases.

Corrections of the Press should be marked clearly; and this can never be done so satisfactorily, both to the Corrector and Printer, as by employing those Typographical Marks, which, from having been universally adopted, are, in consequence, understood by all persons connected with the Press.—The following Pages will exemplify these: First, the Proof corrected; Secondly, the Proof Revised.

Proof Corrected.

Proof Revised.

Explanation of the Typographical Marks.

No. 1, is used to correct a wrong letter, drawing a line down through it, and placing the right letter before a corresponding stroke in the margin; a wrong word is corrected by drawing a line across it, as in No. 2, and writing the proper word in the margin.

Where any thing has been omitted, or is wished to be inserted, a Caret is marked at the place where it is to come in, and the word or words written in the margin, putting underneath an answering Caret.

Where a space is wanting between two words or letters that are intended to be separated, a parallel line must be drawn where the separation ought to be, and the mark No. 4 placed opposite in the margin. Also where words or letters should join, but are separated, the circumflex No. 5, must be placed under the separation, and the same mark be made in the margin.

When letters or words are set double, and are required to be taken out, a line is drawn through the superfluous word or letter, and[43] the mark No. 6, which is the letter d, an abbreviation of dele (expunge or erase) must be placed in the margin.

A turned letter, or one placed the wrong way upward, is noticed by making a dash under it, and placing the mark No. 7, in the margin.

Where a black mark is seen in any part of the line, which is occasioned by a space standing up, it is noticed by making a dash under it, and placing the mark, No. 8, in the margin.

Where two words are transposed, the word placed wrong, should be encircled, and the mark 9, (tr. an abridgement of transpose,) be placed in the margin; but where several words are to be transposed, that which is intended to come first should have the figure 1 placed over it, that second 2, and so on, the mark (tr.) being also placed opposite in the margin.

Where a new paragraph is required, a crotchet should be made at the place where the new paragraph should begin, and a similar[44] mark (No. 10.) be placed in the margin. Where a new paragraph should not have been made, a line should be drawn from the last word of the previous paragraph, and in the margin should be written, No break.

Where several lines or words are to be introduced, they should be written at the bottom of the page, and at the place where they are to come in, a Caret should be made, from which a line should be drawn to the first word of the passage to be inserted.

If a word, or words, are required to be in Capitals, Small Capitals or Italic, such word or words should be underlined—for Capitals with three lines; for Small Capitals, with two; for Italic, with one; writing opposite in the margin, Caps., Small Caps., or Ital.

If they should be required to be altered back, a line should be drawn under the Italic, and the word Roman, and under the Capitals or Small Capitals, and the words Lower-case, written in the margin.

Where words have been erroneously struck out, or are otherwise wished to remain, dots[45] should be placed under them, and the word Stet (let it stand or remain) written in the margin.

Where the Punctuation requires to be altered, the Semicolon, Colon, or Period, should be marked and encircled in the margin, a line being drawn at the word at which either is to be placed, as in No. 15.—16 describes the manner in which the hyphen and ellipsis line are marked; and 17, that in which the Apostrophe, Inverted Comma, the Star, and other References, and Superior Letters, and Figures, are marked for insertion. Notes, if added, should have the word Note, with a Star, and a corresponding Star at the word to which they are referred.

Where letters or lines are altered, they are noticed by drawing lines before and after them, as in No. 18.

It has been before observed, that Correcting the Press, so far as the Printers are concerned, is an extremely troublesome, and to[46] them, the most unpleasant part of their business. It occupies much more time than could be supposed, and consequently occasions an Expense which the mere alteration of a few Words in a Page would perhaps scarcely be thought sufficient to justify. But when it is considered that every alteration disturbs the whole adjoining mass of Type, and may do so to the end of the Page, or several Pages, it will be less difficult to perceive the reason of the well ascertained fact, that Printers always greatly prefer being employed in the Setting, rather than in the Correcting department of their office.

It is not uncommon for Authors, unaware of these circumstances, to deliver their Manuscript for the Press, in a very unfinished state; and in some instances, as if they actually considered that they could not satisfactorily Correct their Work, until they saw it in Print—an error which it would probably only require them to combat to overcome: it should, however, in all such cases, be distinctly understood, that the Expenses of Correcting will, if[47] considerable, unavoidably enhance that of the Printing, and this in a ratio that would very naturally surprise those unacquainted with the subject.

All errors which are not in the Manuscript, are considered as errors of the Press; the correction of which devolves on the Printer. Indeed, no proof should be submitted to the Author, until these have been made: a careful Reader in the Printing Office will also sometimes draw the Author’s attention to some Word or Sentence, which appears to be susceptible of improvement, and which might otherwise have passed unnoticed; this is, however, not always done, unless requested.

In Correcting a Proof, for the reasons already given, as few alterations as possible should be made; when these are, however, unavoidable, it would be advisable to observe this Rule, namely—always if possible, to insert in a Line or Page, as much as is taken out, or vice versâ; this is in a great majority of instances very practicable; and the advantage of it is, that it will avoid what is technically called[48] Overrunning. This will, perhaps, be best explained by referring to the Corrected Proof (p. 40) in the 3rd line of which, it will be seen that the word for is marked out, and the word of inserted in its stead; which, it will be perceived by the opposite Revised Page, has occasioned no alteration beyond the line; but at line 17 there is an insertion marked without an omission; which would have rendered it necessary to carry as many lines as were inserted to the next Page, if the Page had been previously filled up in the usual way. This is called Overrunning, and often requires that each subsequent Page should be altered to the end of a Chapter, or if the work is continuous, to the end of all that has at that time been set in Type.

There is also another point to be observed; which is, that where Revises are considered necessary, as few as possible should be required, each Revise requiring the repetition of the process already described in striking off a Proof, and which will not only occasion additional Expense, but will also frequently[49] cause considerable delay in the progress of the Work. Generally speaking, if the Corrections are clearly marked, and not very numerous, the final Revision may be safely entrusted to the care of a skilful Printer. If any error should escape the notice of the Author, or Corrector, and be Printed off, it may be corrected by Re-printing the leaf in which it occurs, which is called a Cancel. This is, however, seldom necessary, when the error is clearly typographical.

It is frequently a convenience to the Author to have two proofs of each sheet, one to be returned corrected, the other to be retained for reference.

It is not, perhaps, generally known, that Works Printed in London may be corrected by Authors residing at any distance, the Proof Sheets passing and re-passing through the Post Office at Single Postage, provided they are not cut, and that the direction is Written upon the Sheet. An Envelope would occasion Double Postage. It is usual also to add the words “Proof Sheet” in the corner.

ILLUSTRATIVE ENGRAVINGS

have already been slightly referred to. They are of three kinds: Engravings on Steel,50-* or Copper; Lithographic Drawings, or Prints from Stone; and Engravings on Wood. The first two are Printed independently of the Work; the latter in connection with it; either incorporated with the Text, or otherwise, as may be desired. Each of these modes may be employed with advantage, where Embellishment is intended, or information beyond that which description is adapted to convey. Coloured Engravings are also frequently employed in such cases.

CHOICE OF BINDING.

Until a very recent period, Binding was of two kinds only—that in Paper and that in Leather. The former, called Boarding, being used for Books when first Published, or when purchased for use in that state; the latter for Books when read, or intended to form a permanent part of a Library. Binding in Leather has been carried to very great perfection; and, according to the skill employed, is susceptible of the most varied and tasteful embellishment. The Titles of Books in Boards are affixed by printed Labels—those of such as are bound in Leather in Letters worked in Gold. These latter are produced by laying a leaf of Gold on the Leather, and stamping each Letter singly, a process requiring great skill and labour.

Recently a new mode has been introduced, called Cloth Binding. This is done by covering the Book with Cloth; and, by means of a[52] strong pressure, Stamping it with some Ornamental Device Engraved for the purpose, and which is called Embossing. There is in this new method also another improvement—that of Lettering the back in Gold at one operation, which is thus effected:—instead of the mode employed in Leather Binding, of impressing each Letter singly on the Gold, the whole of the Lettering is cut on a solid piece of brass, and in this form impressed on the back at once. This is not only a great saving in time and labour, but admits also of much tasteful ornament in emblematical and other fanciful devices, which produce a very pleasing effect at a comparatively trifling cost.

This latter process, now very generally adopted, and of which the Binding of this little Work, presents a Specimen, is applicable to almost all works of Science, History, Biography, Travels, &c., and not only gives to them a very superior appearance when first Published, but also, from their close imitation of Leather Binding, renders them fit to be placed at once[53] in the Library. This mode of Binding does not, however, possess much durability, as it differs only in the exterior from the former Boarding—still, until a Book is Bound in Leather, it certainly forms a very agreeable substitute.

Cloth Binding, general as its use has become, has not, however, been adopted for Novels, which are still usually published in Boards. For Annuals, and other Embellished Works, as well as many of those of a smaller size, this mode has been justly and generally preferred.

PUBLISHING AND ADVERTISING.

Publishing, though the last step in order, is undoubtedly one of the first in importance to most Works issuing from the Press. There may perhaps be some few exceptions, but, generally, their success must in a great degree be influenced by the mode and means adopted for their Publication. Not that it can be supposed that all Works can alike[54] succeed; but that many fail in obtaining that degree of attention which they might otherwise have received owing to some circumstances attending the means adopted in the final step of Publication.

London is undoubtedly the great emporium for Literary Works, as for almost every other species of Production. Even Printers in the country are so well aware of this, that they rarely fail to obtain the co-operation of a London Publisher in bringing out any Works in which they may venture to engage; though Works thus Published labour under the disadvantage naturally arising from their not being entirely under the management of the London Publisher.

There are other reasons which render London 54-* the peculiar, and it might be said almost the exclusive channel for Publication. In it all the branches of the Periodical Press[55] are conducted; Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and Quarterly, the various avenues to the public, not only in this vast city, but in every part of the empire, and of the world, are here open, and consequently all the vehicles for Announcements, Advertisements, and Criticisms, are here only accessible. Add to this that from London every species of literary production is constantly despatched to every part of the empire and of the world, and it will then be seen how small a probability there can be that any work not Published in London can obtain even the most moderate share of general attention.

London Publishers are of two classes: those who reside at the West End of the Town, and who confine their attention to Publishing only; and those who reside in the City, and who are also engaged in Wholesale Bookselling. Wholesale Booksellers generally devote their especial attention to the supply of the Retail Trade both in Town and Country. Some make no further arrangements for Publishing than[56] simply to supply, when applied for, such Works as their Country Correspondents, who are Printers, may have transmitted to them for that purpose; while others are Publishers to a considerable extent of what are called Standard Works—Works on Education, Science, &c., and such as are in regular and constant demand. To these, therefore, the attention of the City Booksellers is very generally directed; while that of the Publishers at the West End of the Town is almost entirely devoted to what may be called the Literature of the Day—Works of Amusement and light reading, Travels, Memoirs, Novels, Tales, Poems, and other productions of a similar character.

This distinction of the two Classes of Publishers arises therefore, in the first place, from the nature of their avocations, and in the second from their peculiar Locality; the one having their Establishments in the centre of resort, for those who are engaged in Trade and Business; the other in that of Fashion and[57] Amusement; so that there is not only a convenience but propriety in the arrangement that custom has established, that works of what may be called Current Literature should be Published at the West End of the Town, while those more immediately connected with the Business of Life should appear in the City.

It is generally understood that the name of an Established Publisher operates not only as a Recommendation to those Works to which it is Prefixed, but also tends to make them known through Extensive Connexions already formed. It also tends to associate them with other Popular Works issuing from the same Establishment.

There are three modes of Publishing—that in which a Work is Published entirely for, and at the expense of the Author, who thus retains the Property of the Work; that in which the Publisher takes all or part of the risk, and divides the profit; and that in which the Publisher purchases the Copy[58]right, and thus secures to himself the entire proceeds. The First of these is the basis on which many First Productions are Published; the Second, where a certain demand can be calculated upon; and the Third, where an Author has become so popular as to ensure an extensive circulation.

The first step that should be taken by an Author intending to produce a Work should be to take the opinion of an experienced Publisher, by doing which not only much unnecessary trouble may be spared, but frequently much unavailable labour and even expense. It is not at all uncommon for Authors, in the course of their reading, to become so impressed with some favourite subject as to conclude that it must prove of the same interest to others, and under this impression proceed to bestow considerable labour upon it. Had they, however, taken the course here recommended, they would probably have learned either that there was already some very similar Work, or that the production proposed would not, from some[59] cause known perhaps only to the Publisher, be at all likely to meet with the success anticipated. These are circumstances of constant occurrence, which the Publishers of this little Work have had frequent opportunities of knowing.

Generally speaking, Publishers are the most competent advisers on all subjects connected with their peculiar avocations, having constantly before them the best means of judging, and being naturally interested in the success of the Works in which they engage. Authors cannot therefore adopt a more judicious course than to commit the entire management of their Productions to their care.

Many Authors, after having written their Works, consign them to oblivion, from Publishers declining, often in consequence of their own peculiar engagements, to undertake their Publication. This may be avoided by the Plan now adopted of Publishing for Authors, and which is more particularly referred to in a subsequent page.

[60]Advertising, as an essential part of Publication, should never be lost sight of; but it is a measure which should be judiciously regulated and cautiously pursued, or a large amount of expense may be incurred to very little purpose.

Another point to be attended to, is the placing in the proper channels Copies for Review. This is a very advisable measure, as without it many of the Works issuing from the Press would not be likely to meet the eye of those engaged in the announcement of New Works.

Where Authors may desire to Print only a limited number of Copies for the use of their friends, this may easily be accomplished without the least personal inconvenience, through the intervention of the Publishers.

Should further information on any of the foregoing subjects be desired, the Publishers will have great pleasure in affording it on application personally, or by letter.

2-* Shallow frames of wood, divided into as many compartments as there are Letters, Capital, Small Capital, and ordinary (called Lower-Case), together with Italic, and the different Stops, Marks, and other Points employed for reference, quotations, &c.

2-† Technically called Copy.

2-‡ A blank piece of Type metal, or one without a Letter, of which there are various kinds; used also to separate the lines from each other, according as the pages may be; whether full, having the lines close together, or light, with a greater distance between them.

3-* This is done by placing the several pages at proper distances on a large stone, fixed on a strongly constructed table; each Page being surrounded by blocks of wood prepared for the purpose, and when firmly wedged together in an iron frame are ready for the press, and are then called a Forme.

4-* Driven back the wedges by which the Type is compressed and held firmly together within the iron frame, in order to allow of his separating any part of the Pages which may be necessary.

5-* It is desirable to observe this, as it has sometimes been supposed that the Proof-sheets of an entire work may be furnished at once. This it will be seen could not be, in a work of any extent; as the quantity of Type required for each sheet renders it necessary that the type should be liberated as speedily as convenient, in order to facilitate the progress and completion of the Printing.

5-† Taken asunder, and every Letter, Space, Point, &c. restored to its allotted compartment in the Type Case.

5-‡ The cost of Setting the Type is regulated by the Thousand, which will explain why a full page or a smaller type is more expensive than a light or a larger.

6-* From the labour required in setting the Type, it will be easily conceived that Printing must necessarily be a rather slow process: it is so generally, three or four sheets per week being usually considered tolerably good speed, allowing for the unavoidable impediments occasioned by the transmitting and correcting of Proofs, &c. On urgent occasions, however, much greater progress may be made, which is accomplished by dividing the Manuscript among a greater number of hands. The publishers of this little work have had a volume printed in the astonishingly short space of three days. It was a work by Sir Lytton Bulwer, and the effort was rendered necessary in consequence of the arrangements made for the Foreign Editions. Nearly one hundred workmen were employed in effecting it.

7-* The Roller is a modern improvement. Formerly, the Inking process was performed with two large Balls, filled with wool, and covered with a sort of parchment. The Roller is a great improvement, diffusing the Ink more equally and producing a much greater uniformity of colour (as it is called) in the Printing.

10-* The Newspaper Press affords a remarkable instance of the surprising effect of combined and persevering effort. Few persons, perhaps, among those who are accustomed to receive the Daily Papers, are aware of the vast amount of cost and labour constantly employed in their production. To take for an instance the Times Newspaper. To accumulate the various articles of intelligence which are there collected, persons are constantly and assiduously employed in all directions, both at home and abroad. For the Foreign department, gentlemen, men of education and address, especially fitted for their office, resident in the various foreign capitals, and who regularly transmit (when necessary, by express) the earliest accounts of important occurrences, so effectually indeed as sometimes even to precede the government couriers; so that during the late war, events of the highest importance were first promulgated through the columns of this paper.—For the daily occurrences of the metropolis and its environs, others, devoted to this particular office. For the political circles, the Courts of Law, Police Offices, Accidents, Offences, &c., others;—and for the two Houses of Parliament, expert and expeditious short-hand writers; all of whom are continually engaged in transmitting their various reports to the office with the most persevering activity, to be there arranged, condensed, and fitted to their respective columns, by the sub-editors and those employed in what is called making up the Paper; while the Editor’s attention is more especially engaged in watching the progress of events, and in furnishing on the moment those remarks which are to be found in what is called the Leading Article. Thus the whole is in one day communicated, arranged, and printed; and by the same evening’s post transmitted to the most distant parts of the Empire; a result which may well strike those who enter into the contemplation of the vast expenditure of effort and capital which are constantly employed for the purpose, with astonishment.

In the completion of their Steam Printing Press alone, the Proprietors are said to have expended upwards of sixty thousand pounds. The daily sale of the paper is understood to be about ten thousand copies; and these, by means of the Steam Press, are printed off in the almost incredibly short space of about two hours and a half.

12-* Something like this is the plan originally invented and still practised in China. The work intended to be printed is transcribed by a careful Writer upon thin transparent Paper. The Engraver glues this with its face downwards upon a smooth tablet of Pear or Apple tree, or some other hard wood; and then with Gravers and other instruments, he cuts the wood away in all those parts upon which he finds nothing traced, thus leaving the transcribed characters Embossed and ready for Printing. In this manner he prepares as many Blocks as there are written Pages. In printing they do not as in Europe use a Press; the delicate nature of their Paper would not admit of it; when once, however, their Blocks are engraved, the Paper is cut, and the Ink is ready, one man, says Du Halde, with his brush, can without fatigue print ten thousand sheets in a day. The Block is Inked with one Brush, and with another the Paper is rubbed down upon it so as to take the Impression. In this way the Printer can travel with his Ink and his Blocks, and from place to place take off as many copies as he may find occasion for. According to Chinese chronology, this art was discovered in China about fifty years before the Christian era. It seems to be especially adapted to their language, in which are employed such a vast variety of characters.

14-* “Before the invention of this divine art, mankind were absorbed in the grossest ignorance, and oppressed under the most abject despotism of tyranny. The clergy, who before this era held the key of all the learning in Europe, were themselves ignorant, proud, presumptuous, arrogant, and artful; their devices were soon detected through the invention of typography. Many of them, as it may naturally be imagined, were very averse to the progress of this invention, as well as the brief-men, or writers, who lived by their manuscripts for the laity. They went so far as to attribute this blessed invention to the devil, and some of them warned their hearers from using such diabolical books.”—Lemoine.

22-* Mr. Lodge’s Peerage is perhaps the only instance in which a whole work, of that magnitude, has been kept standing in Type. This has been done for two reasons; first, because of the great expense of setting the Type afresh for each Edition; and secondly, that by being thus kept standing, it may be rendered constantly and uniformly correct, a point of the greatest importance in a work containing so large a mass of family history, the value of which so much depends on the accuracy of names and dates.

26-* The Rev. Dr. Macknight, who translated anew the Apostolic Epistles, is said to have copied over with his own hand that laborious and valuable work five times, previously to his committing it to the Press.

27-* The Publishers of this little work have frequently had Works committed to their care for Publication, on which the charge for Correcting has almost equalled that of the Setting of the Type, occasioned in a great degree by a want of attention to the points above referred to.

50-* Engraving on Steel is a modern and highly important improvement. Previously, elaborate Engravings on Copper would lose their delicate tints after Printing a few hundred copies, but from Steel many thousand impressions may be taken without the slightest perceptible difference between the first and the last. To this is chiefly attributable the present very moderate price of beautifully Embellished Works, the use of Steel instead of Copper rendering it no longer necessary to Re-Engrave the Plates.

54-* This is of course not to be understood as applying to Edinburgh and Dublin, both of which have their respective local circles, though for their English circulation they depend chiefly on London.

PUBLICATION OF
WORKS FOR AUTHORS.

Having been for many years engaged in conducting an extensive Publishing Business comprising the productions of the most Popular Writers, the Publishers of this little Work beg leave respectfully to state that they have, in consequence of repeated applications, now devoted a branch of their Establishment to conducting the

PUBLICATION OF
WORKS FOR AUTHORS,

securing to them the direction and controul, as well as the entire proceeds and property of their Publications.

Estimates of the Cost of large or small Editions, including Paper, Printing, &c., will be given on application personally, or by Letter addressed to Messrs. Saunders and Otley, Publishers, Conduit Street, Hanover Square, London.

PUBLISHED BY
MESSRS. SAUNDERS AND OTLEY.
CONDUIT STREET, HANOVER SQUARE,
LONDON,

THE METROPOLITAN MAGAZINE,

The Metropolitan was commenced in 1831, Edited by Thomas Campbell, Esq., Author of “The Pleasures of Hope;” afterwards assisted by Thomas Moore, Esq., Author of “Lalla Rookh,” &c.; and subsequently by Captain Marryat, R.N., Author of “Newton Forster,” “The King’s Own,” “Peter Simple,” &c. In its pages have appeared all the Popular Novels of Captain Marryat, as well as many productions of the first writers of the day, among whom may be mentioned James Montgomery, Esq., Author of “The World before the Flood,” whose valuable “Lectures on General Literature” are to be found in its pages only. Tales by Captain Chamier, Articles in Prose and Verse by Thomas Campbell, Esq., and Thomas Moore, Esq., Papers by Sir Charles and Lady Morgan, Ugo Foscolo, Lady Clarke, the Author of the “Kuzzilbash,” William Sotheby, Esq., and a great number of other distinguished writers, comprising a vast variety of Original Articles, Critical Notices, Reviews, Papers on the Fine Arts, Literature, The Drama, &c. &c.

The whole forming an interesting Miscellany, as well as a valuable permanent Record of the Progress of Literature and Science, throughout the entire period from its first publication, under the auspices of its distinguished Editor.

has attained, both at home and abroad, for its Original Papers; while its Review Department will continue to receive that attention which has hitherto rendered its Criticisms so impartial and satisfactory.

Orders for The Metropolitan may be forwarded through any of the Booksellers or Newsmen of the United Kingdom, or for the Continent or Colonies through the Agents at the Post Office.

All communications are requested to be addressed (post free) to the Editor at the Publishers.

POPULAR WORKS,
BY DISTINGUISHED WRITERS.

WORKS by SIR LYTTON BULWER, BART., M.P.

In One Vol. Royal 8vo.
THE PILGRIMS OF THE RHINE.
Beautifully illustrated with Engravings, by the first artists.

“This is in all respects a most superb book; the Literary contents, which are of the highest order, being fully equalled by the splendour of the pictorial embellishments.”—News.

II.

“Great as is both the power and beauty of the Author’s former works, we know none that mark the creative thinker, more than the present production. Its pages are full of new lights and happy illustrations.”—Literary Gazette.

III.

“It required a master genius to trace the career of such a spirit as Rienzi’s.”—Athenæum.

IV.

In 8vo.
LETTER TO A LATE CABINET MINISTER ON THE PRESENT CRISIS.
To which is added A Letter from Lord Brougham to the Author. Thirteenth Edition.

VI.

In Two Vols. 8vo.
ATHENS—ITS RISE AND FALL.
With Views of the Arts, Literature, and Social Life of the Athenian People.

“Years of labor have not been mis-spent in the research and consideration of the subject, and the style is worthy of the best names in this elevated department of our National Literature.”—Literary Gazette.

VII.

“A splendid work, bearing the impress of genius stamped on every page.”—Monthly Review.

VIII.

IX.

In Octavo.
THE LADY OF LYONS, OR LOVE AND PRIDE.
A Play. In Five Acts. Eighth Edition.

WORKS BY CAPTAIN MARRYAT, R.N.

XI.

XII.

XIII.

XIV.

XV.

XVI.

⁂ Most of the above Popular Works were first published in The Metropolitan, Edited by Captain Marryat. They have since passed through several Editions.

WORKS BY MRS. JAMESON.

XVII.

XVIII.

In Two Vols. Post. 8vo.
CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN.
With upwards of Fifty illustrative Etchings, by the Author. New and revised Edition.

“A beautiful and touching commentary on the heart and mind of Woman.”—Literary Gazette.

“Two truly delightful volumes, the most charming of all the works of a charming writer.”—Blackwood.

XIX.

XX.

“We cordially recommend to all lovers of amusing anecdote these lively, elegant and most feminine volumes.”—Post.

WORKS BY MISS MARTINEAU.

XXI.

“This book will sustain the great reputation of Miss Martineau, both as a sound scientific observer on questions of moral and political philosophy, and as a writer of first-rate descriptive powers.”—Examiner.

XXII.

“This work of Miss Martineau’s is even more interesting than her former admirable productions on America. Her descriptions are perfectly delightful.”—London and Westminster Review.

XXIII.

MRS. HEMANS’ LIFE, AND LETTERS.
In Two Vols. Post 8vo.
MEMORIALS OF MRS. HEMANS.

With selections from her Private Correspondence, by H. F. Chorley, Esq. Illustrated with a beautifully engraved Portrait, and a view of her House.

WORKS BY THE AUTHOR OF “RANDOM RECOLLECTIONS OF THE LORDS AND COMMONS.”

XXIV.

In One Vol. Post 8vo.
RANDOM RECOLLECTIONS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
Fifth Edition. Revised.

“A work more extensively circulated and read than any that has appeared for years.”—Sun.

XXV.

XXVI.

XXVII.

“The reader is almost sure to gain from this author’s various productions such an amount of useful information as it would be scarcely possible for him to gather in the same compass elsewhere.”—Metropolitan.

TRAVELS, BIOGRAPHY, MEMOIRS, &c.

XXXIII.

With his State Papers, and Private Letters, from the Original Manuscripts. By the Rev. Dr. Nares, Regius Professor of Divinity in the University of Oxford.

XXIX.

In Three Vols., 8vo. with Portrait
MEMOIRS, CORRESPONDENCE, AND MANUSCRIPTS OF GENERAL LA FAYETTE.
Published by his Family.

XXX.

XXXI.

In One Vol. 8vo. with Portrait.
MEMOIRS OF LORD HERBERT OF CHERBURY.
Written by Himself.

XXXII.

In One Vol. 8vo. with Portrait.
MEMOIRS OF SIR KENNELME DIGBY.
Written by Himself.

XXXIII.

In One Vol. 8vo. with Portrait.
MEMOIRS OF LORD LIVERPOOL.
With a View of his Administration.

XXXIV.

In Two Vols. 8vo. with coloured Plates.
RECORDS OF TRAVELS IN THE EAST.
By Adolphus Slade, Esq.

XXXV.

In Two Vols. Post 8vo. with coloured Plates.
TRAVELS IN ALEXANDRIA, DAMASCUS, AND JERUSALEM.
By Dr. Hogg.

XXXVI.

In Two Vols. 8vo. with coloured Plates.
TRAVELS TO CONSTANTINOPLE AND GREECE.
By Charles Macfarlane, Esq.

XXXVII.

In Two Vols. Post 8vo. with coloured Plates.
EXCURSIONS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.
By Sir Grenville Temple, Bart.

XXXVIII.

In Two Vols. Post 8vo. with Engravings,
TRAITS AND TRADITIONS OF PORTUGAL.
By Miss Pardoe.

XXXIX.

In Two Vols. 8vo. with coloured Plates.
MADRID AND ITS VICINITY.
By an English Officer.

XL.

In Two Vols. 8vo. coloured Plates.
TURKEY, GREECE, AND MALTA.
By Adolphus Slade, Esq.

XLI.

In Two Vols. Post 8vo. coloured Plates,
ALGIERS AND TUNIS.
By Sir Grenville Temple, Bart.

XLII.

In Two Vols. 8vo. with Engravings, and large Maps.
THE TOPOGRAPHY OF ROME AND ITS VICINITY.
By Sir William Gell.

XLIII.

In Two Vols. 8vo. with Engravings.
FRANCE IN ITS LAST REVOLUTION.
By Lady Morgan.

XLIV.

In Two Vols. 8vo. with Portrait.
LITERARY REMAINS OF THE LATE WILLIAM HAZLITT.
With Remarks on his Genius by Mr. Serjeant Talfourd, and
Sir Lytton Bulwer, Bart.

HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY, &c.

XLV.

In Two Vols. with Maps. 8vo. Third Edition.
DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA.
By Alexis De Tocqueville.

XLVI.

By Frederic Von Schlegel. Translated by J. H. Robertson, Esq. with Life of the Author.

XLVII.

XLVIII.

In One Vol. 8vo.
THE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF GERMANY.
By G. P. R. James, Esq. Author of Memoirs of Louis XIV. &c.

XLIX.

In One Vol. 8vo.
VINDICATION OF THE ENGLISH CONSTITUTION.
By B. D’Israeli, Esq.

In Two Vols. Post 8vo. with Engravings.
THE NAVAL OFFICER’S MANUAL.
By Captain Glascock. R.N.

LI.

LII.

LIII.

In 4to. with Twelve Original Etchings.
THE ANCIENT BALLAD OF CHEVY CHASE.
Illustrated by John Franklin, Esq.

LIV.

LV.

LVI.

LVII.

In One Vol. Post 8vo.
CITATION AND TRIAL OF SHAKSPEARE FOR DEER STEALING.
By Walter Savage Landor, Esq.

LVIII.

LIX.

In Two Vols. Post 8vo.
HOLY BREATHINGS.
A Series of Morning and Evening Prayers.
By Lady Charlotte Bury.

LX.

LXI.

In One Vol., silk, gilt, coloured Plates.
THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS.
Sixth Edition, Revised by the Editor of the “Forget me not.”

LXII.

LXIII.

LXIV.

In 4to. with original Plates.
RETZSCH’S FANCIES.
With Remarks, by Mrs. Jameson.

LXV.

In One Vol. Fourth Edition, with illustrations,
ADVENTURES OF A GENTLEMAN IN SEARCH OF A HORSE.
By Sir George Stephen.

LXVI.

In One Vol. 8vo. with the Arms of the Peers beautifully engraved,
and incorporated with the Text.
THE PEERAGE OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE.
From the Personal Communications of the Nobility. By Edmund Lodge, Esq.
Norroy King of Arms.

LXVII.

In One Vol. Second Edition.
THE MANAGEMENT OF BEES.
With a description of the Lady’s Safety Hive. With Forty Illustrations.
By Samuel Bagster, Esq.

LXVIII.

In One Vol. 8vo. uniform with the Peerage.
THE GENEALOGY OF THE PEERAGE.
Containing the Ancestral History of the British Nobility. By
Edmund Lodge, Esq. Norroy King of Arms.

LXIX.

In One large Vol. 8vo.
REMARKS AND EVIDENCE ON THE FACTORY SYSTEM.
By Charles Wing, Esq. Surgeon to the Royal Infirmary for Children.

LXX.

In One Vol. Post 8vo.
SARTOR RESARTUS.
The Life and Opinions of Herr Teufelsdröck. By Thomas Carlyle, Esq.

LXXI.

In Three Vols. 8vo.
HISTOIRE DE LA REVOLUTION DE 1688 EN ANGLETERRE.
Per F. A. J. Mazuri, Inspecteur Général des Etudes.

POPULAR NOVELS.

LXXII.

“These volumes present perhaps the best picture of the gayest fashionable life that has ever issued from the press.”—Literary Gazette.

LXXIII.

In Three Vols. Post 8vo.
ALLA GIORNATA.
OR, TO THE DAY.
A Tale of Italy. By Lady Charlotte Bury.

LXXIV.

In Three Vols. Post 8vo.
TALES OF THE MUNSTER FESTIVALS.
By the Author of “The Rivals.”

LXXV.

LXXVI.

LXXVII.

LXXIII.

In Three Vols. Post 8vo.
THE ENGLISH IN FRANCE.
By the Author of “The English in Italy.”

LXXIX.

In Three Vols. Post 8vo.
RECOLLECTIONS OF A PEDESTRIAN.
By the Author of “The Journal of an Exile.”

LXXX.

In Three Vols. Post 8vo.
TALES OF CONTINENTAL LIFE.
By the Author of “The English in Italy.”

LXXXI.

In Two Vols. Foolscap 8vo.
THE ZENANA; OR A NEWAB’S LEISURE HOURS.
By the Author of Pandurang Huri.

LXXXII.

LXXXIII.

In Three Vols. Post 8vo.
CONTI THE DISCARDED.
By the Author of “Tales of a Sea-port Town.”

LXXXIV.

LXXXV.

In Three Vols. Post 8vo.
TALES OF THE WOODS AND FIELDS.
By the Author of “Two Old Men’s Tales.”

LXXXVI.

In Three Vols. Post 8vo.
THE COLLEGIANS.
By the Author of “Tales of the Munster Festivals.”

LXXXVII.

LXXXVIII.

In One Vol. Post 8vo.
COUNTRY STORIES.
By Miss Mitford, Author of “Our Village.”

LXXXIX.

XC.

In Three Vols. Post 8vo.
THE DESULTORY MAN.
By G. P. R. James, Esq. Author of “Richelieu,” &c.

XCI.

XCII.

In Three Vols. Post 8vo.
THE WIFE AND WOMAN’S REWARD.
By the Hon. Mrs. Norton.

XCIII.

XCIV.

In Three Vols. Post 8vo.
TALES OF MY NEIGHBOURHOOD.
By the Author of “The Collegians.”

XCV.

XCVI.

XCVII.

XCVIII.

In Three Vols. Post 8vo.
CHANCES AND CHANGES.
By the Author of “Six Weeks on the Loire.”

XCIX.

In Three Vols. Post 8vo.
THE HAMILTONS.
By the Author of “Mothers and Daughters.”

In Three Vols. Post 8vo.
THE EXILE OF PALESTINE.
By J. Carne, Esq. Author of “Letters from the Holy Land.”

CI.

CII.

CIII.

In Three Vols. Post 8vo.
THE WONDROUS TALE OF ALROY.
By the Author of “Vivian Grey.”

CIV.

CV.

CVI.

CVII.

CVIII.

CIX.

CX.

CXI.

In Three Vols. Post 8vo.
WARNER ARUNDELL;
OR, MEMOIRS OF A CREOLE.
By D. L. Joseph, Esq.

CXII.

In Three Vols. Post 8vo.
THE VICTIMS OF SOCIETY.
By the Countess of Blessington.

CXIII.

CXIV.

CXV.

CXVI.

CXVII.

CXVIII.

CXIX.

CXX.

In Three Vols. Post 8vo.
FITZHERBERT.
By the Author of “The Bride of Sienna.”

CXXI.

In Three Vols. Post 8vo.
MORTIMER DELMAR.
By the Author of “Conrad Blessington.”

CXXII.

In Three Vols. Post 8vo.
JANET; OR A GLANCE AT HUMAN NATURE.
By the Author of “Misrepresentation.”

POETRY.

CXXIII.

In Two Large Vols. with upwards of 100 Engravings, by the First Artists.
THE BOOK OF GEMS.
Containing Memoirs and Specimens of the Poets,
From Chaucer to Cowper.
By S. C. Hall, Esq.

“This is in all respects so beautiful a book that it would be scarcely possible to suggest an improvement. Its contents are not for a year nor for an age, but for all time.”—Examiner.

CXXIV.

In Eight Vols. with fine Engravings, by the Findens, From
original Drawings.
THE LIFE AND WORKS OF COWPER.
Including his Private Correspondence. By the Rev. T. Grimshawe.

CXXV.

CXXVI.

In One Vol. 8vo.
ITALY;
With Historical and Classical Notes, by J. E. Reade, Esq.

CXXVII.

CXXVIII.

In One Vol. Foolscap 8vo. with Portrait.
THE VOW OF THE PEACOCK.
By Miss Landon.

CXXIX.

CXXX.

CXXXI.

CXXXII.

CXXXIII.

In One Vol. Foolscap. 8vo.
SATAN; A POEM.
By the Rev. R. Montgomery.
New Edition.

CXXXIV.

In One Vol. Foolscap 8vo.
GAZELLA; OR RILCAR THE WANDERER.
A Poetical Romance. By F. Worsley, Esq.

CXXXV.

CXXXVI.

CXXXVII.

In One Vol. 8vo.
THE DELUGE.
A Drama in Twelve Scenes.
By J. E. Reade, Esq., Author of “Italy,” and “Cain the Wanderer.”

CXXXVIII.

In 8vo.
RICHELIEU; OR THE CONSPIRACY.
A Play, in Five Acts.
By the Author of “The Lady of Lyons,” “Eugene Aram,” &c.

PAMPHLETS.

REPLY TO A PAMPHLET ENTITLED “WHAT HAS THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON GAINED BY THE DISSOLUTION?”

A LETTER TO THE QUARTERLY REVIEW ON THE COURSE AND PROBABLE TERMINATION OF THE NIGER.

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND’S DEFENCE AGAINST HER REAL ENEMIES AND PRETENDED REFORMERS.

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AUTHOR'S PRINTING AND PUBLISHING ASSISTANT***

Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed.

Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution.

	Page.
Process of Printing,	1
Origin and Progress of Printing,	12
Stereotype Printing,	21
Copper Plate Printing,	25
Engraving on Wood,	25
Preparation and Calculation of Manuscript,	26
Choice of Paper,	30
Paper Making,	30
Choice of Type,	32
Correcting the Press,	39
Typographical Marks,	40
Illustrative Engravings,	50
Choice of Binding,	51
Publishing and Advertising,	53

TOC	Origin and Progress of Printing, 11	Origin and Progress of Printing, 12
TOC	Stereotype Printing, 25	Stereotype Printing, 21
TOC	Engraving on Wood, 22	Engraving on Wood, 25
TOC	Paper Making, 31	Paper Making, 30
TOC	Illustrative Engravings, 20	Illustrative Engravings, 50
TOC	Choice of Binding, 49	Choice of Binding, 51
TOC	Publishing and Advertising, 55	Publishing and Advertising, 53
30	CHOICE OF PAPER.	CHOICE OF PAPER,
fn. 5-†	Point, &c.	Point, &c.
fn. 22-*	expence	expense
Ad XLII	THE TOPOGRAPAY	TOPOGRAPHY
Ad LXVIII	THE GENEAOLOGY	GENEALOGY
Ad LXXXVIII	“Our Village.	“Our Village.”
Ad XC	“Richlieu,”	Richelieu
Ad XCVIII	the Loire.	the Loire.”
Ad CXXVI	J. E Reade	J. E. Reade
Pamphlets section	DISSOLUTION?	DISSOLUTION?”

The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Author's Printing and Publishing Assistant, by Frederick Saunders

E-text prepared by Julia Miller and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by Internet Archive/American Libraries (http://www.archive.org/details/americana)

THE AUTHOR’S PRINTING AND PUBLISHING ASSISTANT

CONTENTS.

THE AUTHOR’S PRINTING AND PUBLISHING ASSISTANT.

THE PROCESS OF PRINTING.

ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF PRINTING.

STEREOTYPE PRINTING,

LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING,

COPPER-PLATE PRINTING.

ENGRAVINGS ON WOOD.

PREPARATION OF THE MANUSCRIPT.

CHOICE OF PAPER,

PAPER MAKING.

THE CHOICE OF TYPE.

(English.)

(Pica.)

(Small Pica.)

(Long Primer.)

(Bourgeois.)

(Brevier.)

(Nonpareil.)

CORRECTING THE PRESS;

Proof Corrected.

Proof Revised.

Explanation of the Typographical Marks.

ILLUSTRATIVE ENGRAVINGS

CHOICE OF BINDING.

PUBLISHING AND ADVERTISING.

PUBLICATION OF WORKS FOR AUTHORS.

PUBLICATION OF WORKS FOR AUTHORS,

THE METROPOLITAN MAGAZINE,

POPULAR WORKS, BY DISTINGUISHED WRITERS.

WORKS by SIR LYTTON BULWER, BART., M.P.

I.

II.

III.

IV.

V.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

WORKS BY CAPTAIN MARRYAT, R.N.

X.

XI.

XII.

XIII.

XIV.

XV.

XVI.

WORKS BY MRS. JAMESON.

XVII.

XVIII.

XIX.

XX.

WORKS BY MISS MARTINEAU.

XXI.

XXII.

XXIII.

WORKS BY THE AUTHOR OF “RANDOM RECOLLECTIONS OF THE LORDS AND COMMONS.”

XXIV.

XXV.

XXVI.

XXVII.

TRAVELS, BIOGRAPHY, MEMOIRS, &c.

XXXIII.

XXIX.

XXX.

XXXI.

XXXII.

XXXIII.

XXXIV.

XXXV.

XXXVI.

XXXVII.

XXXVIII.

XXXIX.

XL.

XLI.

E-text prepared by Julia Miller
and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
(http://www.pgdp.net)
from page images generously made available by
Internet Archive/American Libraries
(http://www.archive.org/details/americana)

THE AUTHOR’S

PRINTING AND PUBLISHING

ASSISTANT

THE AUTHOR’S
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING
ASSISTANT.

PUBLICATION OF
WORKS FOR AUTHORS.

PUBLICATION OF
WORKS FOR AUTHORS,

POPULAR WORKS,
BY DISTINGUISHED WRITERS.