OR THE PRINTERS' INSTRUCTOR. Though hard's our task, we fearless tread this ground, IN performing this part of our duty, we shall endeavour, to the utmost of our humble ability, to explain every thing in as concise and clear a manner as possible; at the same time we shall omit nothing, however trivial, that may be connected with this important subject. In doing this, we are fully aware that some will condemn such minutiæ as unnecessary: but, let us ask, is it requisite, because a few are acquainted with it, that the information should be withheld from others? It is a subject which cannot fail to interest the general reader, and particularly so all the admirers of the Typographic Art. When any one pronounces a printing-office as complete, it ought to be considered as a mere compliment, because, in a strict and literal sense, no office can deserve this epithet, unless it is furnished with all the fusil metal types for both modern and ancient languages: we believe that scarcely any office can boast the appellation. In truth, to supply these almostunnecessary founts would only waste a man's property; it is sufficient for a printer to have suitable types for the language of the country where he resides. PROPERTIES AND SHAPES OF TYPES. THE Types, or Letters, most generally used for printing in England, are termed Roman, Italic, and Old English, or Black Letter. ROMAN LETTER. ROMAN letter has long been held in the highest estimation; and is the national character not only of this country, but also of France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy. In Germany, and the kingdoms and states which surround the Baltic, letters are used which owe their foundation to the Gothic character; but even in those nations works are printed in their own language with Roman letters. The reason why the Germans, and those who patronize the Gothic characters, have not altogether rejected them for the Roman, has been chiefly owing to their apprehensions of sharing the fate of the primitive printers, who suffered greatly in their attempt, from the dislike then evinced by the learned to works which had been printed in that character. This compelled them to return to their old mode of using the Gothic, to which men of literature were more accustomed, from its resemblance to the writings of the monks, which at that time were held in great veneration. From the superstition of the age, the lower classes were easily prevailed on to reject whatever had the least appearance of infringing on monastic influence. The same reason may be assigned why the Dutch still adhere to the black letter in printing their books of devotion and religious treatises, while they make nse of the Roman in their curious and learned works. In Sweden much greater improvements have been made, which is principally owing to the countenance and support of men of authority, learning, and taste. We may reasonably hope, from the pleasing aspect of the present age, when mankind have dared to burst the fetters of prejudice and superstition, being determined to exercise their better judgment, and adopt plans more congenial to true taste, that the Roman character will be universally employed in all civilized states. The Roman letter, it may be concluded, owes its origin to the nation whence it derives its name; though the face of the present and the ancient Roman letters materially differ, from the improvements they have undergone at various times. An The Germans and their confederates differ from us in calling those letters Antiqua, which we, as well as the French and other nations, term Roman. inquiry into the cause of this distinction can be of small importance, further than it might prove a desire in the Germans to deprive the ancient Romans of the merit of forming those letters. That good Roman makes the best figure in a specimen of typography, cannot be disputed; and this superiority is greatly improved by the founders of the present day. A printer, in his choice of type, should not only attend to the cut of the letter, but also observe that its shape be perfectly true, and that it lines or ranges with accuracy. The quality of the metal of which it is composed demands also his particular attention. The ingenious Mr. Moxon says, "That the Roman letters were originally intended to be made to consist of circles, arches of circles, and straight lines; and that therefore those letters that have these figures either entire, or else properly mixt, so as the course and progress of the pen may best admit, may deserve the name of true shape." By attending to the above mathematical rules, the letter-cutter may produce Roman characters of such harmony, grace, and symmetry, as will please the eye in reading; and, by having their fine strokes and swells blended together in due proportion, will excite admiration in those who may take the pains of comparing the smaller with the larger sized letters. But to assert possitively what foundery can boast of true shaped letters would be speaking with too much presumption; since it is agreed, even by able penmen, that none can strike two letters of the same signification, so as, upon the strictest examination, to have the same likeness. If, therefore, it is impossible to write a true duplicate upon paper, it may be excused in those who attempt it in steel: for, were it practicable to copy so as to make it impossible to discover the least deviation from the original, letter-cutters too would then be able to supply accented letters, and such as are contained in ligatures, of the exact shape and symmetry with those of the main alphabet, though even these should have nothing but the fancy of the artist in support of their being true shaped. We are aware that a variety of opinions exist respecting true-shaped letters; therefore we shall abstain from entering into a controversy upon that head, being persuaded of the impossibility of bringing a number of persons into the same way of thinking. As the Germans are justly entitled to the merit for the invention of typography and metal types, so are the Dutch famed for their improvement of the latter: which was held in the highest estimation for many years, till they were rivalled by our countrymen; from which period Dutch letter ceased to be imported for our use. It is equally important that types should have a deep face, which will depend upon the depth of the punches, their hollows being in proportion to the width of the respective letters, and likewise that the punches are sunk into the matrices; for should there be a defect in this respect, the letter, of course, will |