Anecdote of an over-curious enquirer—Its probable application
to many readers—Paper Making, when straightforward, extremely
simple, but ordinarily involving considerable chemical and
practical skill—Brief review of artificial aids—Anecdotes of
the deleterious effects of bleaching, and of imparting colour
to the “stuff”—Ultramarine, its use and abuse—Manufactured
Paper, its varieties and peculiarities—Excise Regulations—Paper
Duty—Conclusion.
Not long since I heard of a very inquisitive gentleman, as some
people would term him, who wrote to a friend of mine asking him to
obtain certain information respecting the manufacture of _isinglass_;
and although the questions put, were by no means essential to general
knowledge, my friend complied with his request, and forwarded the
application to the party immediately interested in its production;
who, with similar promptitude undertook to furnish the answers
per return of post, upon receiving from the anxious applicant a
repetition of the inquiry, accompanied by his cheque for three
thousand pounds.
Now, it is not at all improbable that many into whose hands this
book may fall will be disposed to charge me with similar motives,
as concealing secrets connected with paper making. It is, however,
a reliable fact, that nothing can be more simple or straightforward
than the manufacture of that, which, for want of a more comprehensive
expression, I must denominate _genuine paper_. Chemical aid, combined
with great practical skill, is absolutely indispensable, I admit, to
enable one to keep pace with competition in the present day; when
even the rags and tatters, cast off by the very poorest of the poor,
may now be forwarded after sunrise, many miles distant, and before
sunset, received back again converted into a becoming ground-work
for the most enchanting _billet-doux_. Still, productions of this
character, when contrasted with the results of a slow and simple
manipulation of finer materials, even to the unpractised eye, will
be found far inferior, as regards the one grand test of superiority,
viz., _durability_. The slower the process of manufacture is
conducted from beginning to end, from the trituration of the “stuff”
in the rag engine, to the formation of the sheet, its sizing, drying,
and rolling, the stronger and more durable will the paper ultimately
turn out. No. 17, which is a specimen of paper thus carefully
made, and almost as tough and durable as parchment, is capable of
sustaining a weight of no less than 200 lbs., simply by means of a
slip the width of a bank note. If, however, we glance at the other
extreme, and take the aids frequently adopted to produce paper of
apparent excellence from comparatively worthless materials, we shall
find occasion to regret more than one form of artificial assistance,
which is perpetually liable to objection. The effects, for instance,
of excessive bleaching are still occasionally manifested, although
by a better system of washing the pulp and the use of counteracting
chemicals, evils which at one time resulted therefrom are now mainly
checked. Within the recollection of my father, it was not at all an
uncommon occurrence for a parcel of paper to become so completely
perished from the circumstance of its not having been thoroughly
washed after bleaching, that to draw a sheet as a sample, and to
fold it up in the usual way, was found utterly impossible, without
the sheets being cracked or broken at every fold. In some instances,
the fibre was so completely destroyed, that an entire ream, composed
of 480 sheets, might be as readily snapped asunder as a piece of
rotten wood, merely by giving it a sharp blow against the back of a
chair. The evils and inconveniences which must have resulted from
this are altogether incalculable. Mr. Hansard (“Typographia,” 1825,)
thus writes, “Whole piles of quired stock, meaning books unbound, are
already crumbling to dust in the warehouses of booksellers, never
to come to light as books, and many a volume designed to enrich the
library of its possessor and to descend as an heir-loom to posterity,
now presents to the mortified owner its elegant print surrounded by
a margin of tan colour, which in some instances forms, as it were, a
complete frame round each page, the oil varnish in the composition
of the ink seeming to preserve the interstices between the print
from the same kind of discoloration. School books (he adds) printed
on this species of paper, will scarcely last out their destined
period, from one vacation to the next.” Another gentleman informs us,
speaking of a quantity of Bibles, which were printed for the British
and Foreign Bible Society, that one in his possession, printed at the
University press at Oxford in 1816, (which had never been used) was
then, within a year or two afterwards, literally crumbling into dust.
“Almost the entire book of Genesis (says he) has mouldered away, and
left not a trace behind.” Of course, paper of this description (if it
deserves the name at all) would prove very bad stock in like manner
for the stationer, being for any purpose whatever as utterly useless
as it was worthless, with but one exception, which in the case of a
large parcel of this description, I understand, was once adopted,
viz., that of shipping it in very common cases, thus securing the
drawback, which, at that time, was far more worth consideration
than it would be now, and eventually consigning it to the fate of
innumerable other treasures within the boundless limits of the ocean.
If to speak of the various artificial aids which the manufacturer has
recourse to in the present day be necessary, it surely cannot but be
equally advisable, to point out their main cause; and if blame exist
at all, or fault be found, it cannot, I apprehend, be rested with
greater safety than with those who, stipulating their own terms, must
of necessity be supplied in their own way. The paper maker requires
to be remunerated; and with competition to grapple with and contend
against, not only all the improvements which mechanical science is
capable of supplying, must be adopted by him, but even in many cases,
however much to be regretted, he is tempted to an intermixture of
noxious and heterogeneous materials, in order that the minimum price
may be attained.
Some specimens of paper will be found to contain as much as
one-fourth their weight of gypsum; and in fact, even worse material,
as a means of adulteration, is as eagerly sought after by the
manufacturer of paper, as the public generally, to the sacrifice of
quality, seek the cheapest article which it is possible to procure. I
need but refer, as an instance, to the packing papers of the present
day, of which one sheet properly made (25), contrasted with one
of the same weight of the sort usually selected, will be found to
possess three times the amount of strength, although not 10 per cent.
higher in price.
With a finer class of papers common materials are as readily
employed, through the assistance of some colouring matter, which
tends to conceal the imperfection. Indeed, it would be difficult
to name an instance of apparent deception more forcible than that
which is accomplished by the use of ultramarine. Until very recently
the fine bluish tinge given to many writing papers was derived from
the admixture of that expensive mineral blue, the oxide of cobalt,
generally termed _smalts_, and which has still the advantage over the
ultramarine of imparting a colour which will endure for a much longer
period. One pound of ultramarine, however, going further than four
of smalts at the same price, the former necessarily meets with more
extended application, and where the using is rightly understood,
and the materials employed instead of being fine rags, comparative
rubbish, excessively bleached; its application proves remarkably
serviceable in concealing for a time all other irregularities, and
even far surpassing in appearance the best papers of the kind.
At first the introduction of ultramarine led to some difficulty
in sizing the paper, for so long as smalts continued to be used,
any amount of alum might be employed, and it was actually added to
the size to preserve it from putrefaction. But since artificial
ultramarine is bleached by alum, it became of course necessary
to add this salt to the size in very small proportions, and as a
natural consequence, the gelatine was no longer protected from the
action of the air, which led to incipient decomposition, and in such
cases the putrefaction once commenced, proceeded even after the
size was dried on the paper, and gave to it a most offensive smell,
which rendered the paper unsaleable. This difficulty, however, has
now been overcome, and providing the size be quite free from taint
when applied to the paper, and quickly dried, putrefaction will not
subsequently occur; but if decay has once commenced, it cannot be
arrested by drying only.
The practice of blueing the paper pulp had its origin in a singularly
accidental circumstance, which not merely as an historical fact,
but as forming an amusing anecdote, is perhaps worth mentioning.
It occurred about the year 1790, at a paper mill belonging to
Mr. Buttenshaw, whose wife, on the occasion in question, was
superintending the washing of some fine linen, when accidentally
she dropped her bag of powdered blue into the midst of some pulp
in a forward state of preparation, and so great was the fear she
entertained of the mischief she had done, seeing the blue rapidly
amalgamated with the pulp, that all allusion to it was studiously
avoided; until, on Mr. Buttenshaw’s inquiring in great astonishment
what it was that had imparted the peculiar colour to the pulp,
his wife, perceiving that no very great damage had been done,
took courage and at once disclosed the secret, for which she was
afterwards rewarded in a remarkable manner by her husband, who being
naturally pleased with an advance of so much as four shillings per
bundle, upon submitting the _improved_ make to the London market,
immediately purchased a costly scarlet cloak, (somewhat more
congenial to taste in those days, it is presumed, than it would be
now,) which he carefully conveyed home, and presented with much
satisfaction to the sharer of his joy.
Although the practice of blueing paper is not, perhaps, so customary
now as was the case a few years back, the extent to which it is still
carried may be a matter of considerable astonishment. On its first
introduction, when, as regards colour, the best paper was anything
but pleasing, so striking a novelty would no doubt be hailed as a
great improvement, and as such received into general use, but when we
contrast a _first class_ paper now (8), without any colouring matter
whatever, and without any superfluous marks upon its surface, with
the miserable blue tints one so frequently sees, it becomes a source
of surprise, that the superior delicacy of the former is not more
generally appreciated.
The only objection which can be urged against the use of a colourless
paper is, its comparative transparency when glazed in the ordinary
way: but this is by no means essential. A finished surface imparted
by calendering, when contrasted with one more highly glazed, will be
found wholly superior for a writing paper, and unobjectionable as
regards opaqueness.
In paper making, there has seldom, perhaps, arisen a greater
difficulty than in furnishing a supply suited to the purposes of
photography. Unquestionably, great care is requisite in the selection
of the materials, their preparation, and subsequent manufacture.
But the difficulty is owing more to the want of positive information
on the part of the photographer, than to failure in the exertions
of the Paper Maker. I have recently been informed by a gentleman
who has devoted much time and attention to this particular class
of paper, that after forwarding specimens to many score members of
that profession, and inviting observations and suggestions thereon,
not one in ten favoured him with any reply, and of those who did,
although many first-rate names might be mentioned, the conclusions to
which they severally came were totally adverse.
It is not my intention to wander further into the field of paper and
paper making than to mark the boundary which has been set up by Act
of Parliament, in the form of Excise Regulations, with a few general
observations upon the varieties and peculiarities of manufactured
paper, as a becoming and at the present time somewhat important
termination to our subject.
Manufactured paper, independently of the miscellaneous kinds, such as
blotting, filtering, and the like, which are rendered absorbent by
the free use of _woollen_ rags, may be divided into three distinct
classes, _viz._, writing, printing, and wrapping. The former again
into _five_, cream wove (8), yellow wove (17), blue wove (7), cream
laid (16), and blue laid (5). The printing into _two_, laid and wove,
and the latter into _four_, blue (22), purple (24), brown (25), and
whited brown (23), as it is commonly termed. Each of these sorts
ought again to be classified, until it would appear as if not merely
all the wants, wishes, and fancies of mankind had been fully studied
and provided for, but that even the utmost bounds of variety in like
manner had been included, in order to test the comprehensiveness of
human caprice.
To give a simple definition of the mode adopted for distinguishing
the various kinds, I must include, with the class denominated
_writing_ papers, those which are used for drawing, which being sized
in like manner, and with the exception of one or two larger kinds,
of precisely the same dimensions as those passing by the same name,
which are used strictly for writing purposes, (the only distinction,
in fact, being, that the drawings are cream wove, while the writings
are laid,) there would of course be no necessity for separating them.
Indeed, since many of the sizes used for printing are exactly the
same as those which would be named as writing papers, for the sake
of abridgment I will reduce my distinctions of difference to but two
heads, fine and coarse; under the latter, including the ordinary
brown papers, the whited brown, or small hand quality, and the blues
and purples, used by grocers. The smallest size of the fine quality,
as sent from the mill, measures 12½ by 15 inches, and is termed Pot;
next to that Foolscap, 17 by 13½; then Post, 18¾ by 15¼; Copy, 20 by
16; Large Post, 20¾ by 16½; Medium Post, 18 by 23; Sheet-and-third
Foolscap, 23 by 13¼; Sheet-and-half Foolscap, 24½ by 13¼; Double
Foolscap, 27 by 17; Double Pot, 30 by 25; Double Post, 30½ by 19;
Double Crown, 20 by 30; Demy, 20 by 15½; ditto Printing, 22½ by 17¾;
Medium, 22 by 17½; ditto Printing, 23 by 18½; Royal, 24 by 19; ditto
Printing, 25 by 20; Super Royal, 27 by 19; ditto Printing, 21 by 27;
Imperial, 30 by 22; Elephant, 28 by 23; Atlas, 34 by 26; Columbier,
34½ by 23½; Double Elephant, 26¾ by 40; and Antiquarian, 53 by 31.
The different sizes of letter and note paper ordinarily used are
prepared from those kinds by the stationer, whose business consists
chiefly in smoothing the edges of the paper, and afterwards packing
it up in some tasteful form, which serves to attract attention.
Under the characteristic names of coarse papers may be mentioned Kent
Cap, 21 by 18; Bag Cap, 19½ by 24; Havon Cap, 21 by 26; Imperial Cap,
22 by 29; Double 2-lb., 17 by 24; Double 4-lb., 21 by 30; Double
6-lb., 19 by 28; Casing of various dimensions, also Cartridges, with
other descriptive names, besides Middle Hand, 22 by 16; Lumber Hand,
19½ by 29; Royal Hand, 20 by 25; Double Small Hand, 19 by 29; and of
the purples, such significations as Copy Loaf, 16¾ by 21¾, 38-lb.;
Powder Loaf, 18 by 26, 58-lb.; Double Loaf, 16½ by 23, 48-lb.; Single
Loaf, 21½ by 27, 78-lb.; Lump, 23 by 33, 100-lb.; Hambro’, 16½ by
23, 48-lb.; Titler, 29 by 35, 120-lb.; Prussian or Double Lump, 32
by 42, 200-lb.; and so forth, with glazed boards, of various sizes,
used chiefly by printers, for pressing, which are manufactured in
a peculiar manner by hand, the boards being severally composed of
various sheets made in the ordinary way, but turned off the mould one
sheet upon another, until the required substance be attained; a felt
is then placed upon the mass and another board formed. By this means,
the sheets, when pressed, adhere more effectually to each other, and
the boards consequently become much more durable than would be the
case if they were produced by pasting. Indeed, if any great amount
of heat be applied to pasteboards, they will split, and be rendered
utterly useless. The glazing in this case is accomplished by friction.
To complete the category of coarse papers, I ought to mention, as
coming within the range of the Excise, Milled Boards, employed in
bookbinding, of not less than one hundred and fifty descriptions,
that is, as regards sizes and substances. Still, however, an
incomplete idea is conveyed of the extraordinary number of sizes and
descriptions into which paper is at present divided. For instance, I
have said with reference to writing qualities, that there are _five_
kinds, cream wove, yellow wove, blue wove, cream laid, and blue laid,
and again, that of each of those kinds there are numerous sizes; but
in addition there are, as a matter of course, various thicknesses and
makes of each size and kind. In fact, no house in London, carrying
on the wholesale stationery trade, is without a thousand different
sorts; many keep stock of twice that number.
So much having of late been said with reference to a repeal of
what are termed “Taxes on Knowledge,” occasioning thereby many
very erroneous opinions, it may be useful to offer some remarks
upon Excise Regulations in connection with the duty on paper. And,
in adverting to those regulations, we shall have an opportunity
for observing the gradual increase which has taken place in the
consumption, which in some measure tends to illustrate national
advancement in the arts and sciences, and the general extension of
literary pursuits. The Excise duty on paper was first imposed in
the reign of Queen Anne. The statute, bearing date 1711, recites
as a reason for the grant—which no doubt corresponds with that of
_our_ Chancellor of the Exchequer for its continuance—“the necessity
of raising large supplies of money to carry on the present war,
until your Majesty shall be enabled to establish a good and lasting
peace.” The duties at that time were charged on the ream, at rates
varying according to the kind of paper, which was for this purpose
divided into numerous denominations or classes, thus—“That there
shall be raised, levyed, collected, and paid to and for the use of
her Majesty, her heires and successors, for and upon all paper of
what kind soever——which shall at any time or times within, or during
the terme of 32 years, to be reckoned from the foure and twentieth
day of June, one thousand seven hundred and twelve, be made in Great
Britaine, the severall and respective duties hereinafter menc̄oned,
that is to say, for and upon all paper usually called or knowne by
the name of demy fine, which shall be soe made in Great Britaine,
the sume of one shilling and sixpence for every reame, and after
that rate for a greater or lesser quantity.” And in like manner it
goes on, fixing the amount per ream to be paid for second demy, fine
and second crown, fine and second foolscap, fine and second pott,
brown, large cap, small ordinary brown, whited brown, pasteboards,
and lastly, “For and upon all other paper, white or browne, or of
any other colour or kind whatsoever, which shall be made in Great
Britaine as aforesaid, (not being particularly charged in this Act,)
a duty after the rate of twelve pounds for every one hundred pounds
of the true and reall value of the same, and after that rate for
any greater or lesser quantities, which said duties for and upon
the said severall sorts of paper and other the commodities last
menc̄oned to be made in Great Britaine, shall be paid by the makers
thereof respectively.” But this method of drawing distinctions
between different qualities and sizes of paper, being found to lead
to frequent disputes with the Excise, and great inequality in the
charge on the manufactured article at different mills, alterations
were gradually made, till at length it was enacted in the 43rd
year of the reign of George III., “that all paper and pasteboards
should be considered first class, and subject to 3d. per lb. duty,
unless made wholly out of old tarred rope and cordage, without
extracting therefrom the pitch or tar, or any part thereof,” and
the Act further says, “and without any mixture of other materials
therewith;” and “that for every pound weight avoirdupois of paper
made in Great Britain, of the second class or denomination, that
is to say, all brown paper made of old ropes or cordage only, as
aforesaid, a duty of 1½d. per lb.” The professed object of the last
mentioned Act being a simplification of the mode of charging the
duties, the numerous distinct classes into which paper had been
divided being here reduced to two. But again, evasion of the law was
soon discovered to be practicable. Either by a partial purification
of the tarred rope, selecting also that which was most whitened by
use and exposure, and then charging the paper so made (which was
nearly equal to first class in marketable value) with the second
class duty; or as tarred rope increased in price, and some sorts of
first class material very considerably declined, the great temptation
of an extensive evasion of the law necessarily followed, by the use
of first class material in second class paper.
Whether the duty on paper as now imposed, or the Excise regulations
under which that duty is collected, be the more objectionable, is
perhaps difficult to say. Of course, the paper-maker is subjected
to considerable annoyance, and the publisher compelled to submit to
an outlay which he deems unjust, and would very happily dispense
with; but the public are not really affected by it to the extent it
is customary to suppose. The duty at present levied upon paper of
all kinds is _fourteen guineas_ per ton, or a little more than three
halfpence per lb. When, therefore, we hear men pronouncing it “a
most obnoxious tax,” and one “directly opposed to the advancement of
literature,” I freely confess that, for my own part, I hesitate very
much to reiterate their sentiments.
Some, however, prefer an intermediate course, and propose a _partial_
abolition of the duty. Mr. Charles Dickens has favoured us with a
suggestion to this effect: he says, “In England, where _coloured_
paper is so little used, the Chancellor of the Exchequer might as
well, as not, take off the duty altogether from coloured paper. It
would cost the revenue a mere trifle, while it would be a vast boon
to the public.” But what induces this assertion? If coloured paper
is so little used, the trifling reduction could not be considered
a _vast boon_. And one would like to know how or where it would be
possible to draw a line of distinction between such papers as are
coloured and those which are not. I happen to be in a position to
assert that there is no class of paper whatever, which is not tinted
more or less by different manufacturers. To suggest then a partial
repeal of the duty upon such grounds, is, I apprehend, useless.
If it had been confessed that the reduction would be a boon to the
publisher, I should promptly have assented, simply because I am
equally well aware that printing paper may be slightly tinted, with
considerable advantage both as regards setting off the type, and the
general appearance of a work; consequently if such really were to
the public a boon, to the publisher it would be very considerably
increased.
However, in order that we may not be supposed to lean to the present
regulations, I shall refer to one or two clauses of the Act which I
have no doubt will suffice to show, that while in itself it is very
far from perfect in its operation, as protecting the interests of
those concerned, it is equally unsatisfactory, and in some respects
unjust.
I shall observe, that with regard to the Tax itself, I simply
question whether it would be possible to impose one less injurious
to the well-being of society, and against which, as of necessity,
fewer persons could have cause to murmur, than the existing duty on
paper. The sections of the Act to which I content myself with calling
attention, are _three_, affecting the convenience and interest of the
manufacturer, and _one_ which offers a ready opportunity for an act
of seeming dishonesty.
Every step of the manufacture of paper must be conducted under
the surveillance of the Excise, and the provisions as to entries,
folding, weighing, sorting, labelling, removing, and so on, are not
only exceedingly numerous and vexatious, but enforced under heavy
penalties. For instance, every paper maker is required by sections
20 & 21, to provide suitable scales and weights for the use of the
Excise, and also to assist the officer in what we might conceive to
be the execution of his peculiar duty, under the penalties, in the
former case of £100., and in the latter, £50. for every refusal or
neglect. To many manufacturers the cost of this extra labour alone
becomes an important consideration.
Again, in the instance of procuring the Excise labels, which have to
be pasted on each ream, section 9 requires that every one signed for
by the workman on delivery, must be produced or accounted for, under
a penalty of £10. each, which is equal to the duty upon no less than
1600 lbs. weight of paper; an idea necessarily inconsistent with that
of its being packed in one parcel; and therefore, since for every
time we divide such quantity, an additional label is required, a
very forcible argument against so excessive a penalty may readily be
deduced.
The labels employed are of three colours,—red, blue, and green;
denoting in which part of the kingdom the paper was made. Red being
used for England; blue, for Scotland; and green for Ireland.
The 27th section of the Act, relating to the real and nominal weight
of each ream or parcel, is that to which I have referred as being
liable to deceptive or dishonest purposes. It runs thus—“And be it
enacted—That if any ream, &c., be found to weigh under or over the
weight marked, in the proportion of 5 per centum, if the weight
marked on such ream exceed twenty pounds, or 10 per centum if such
weight be twenty pounds or less, the same shall be forfeited.”
Of course there is no necessity for a proviso lest the maker should
give a preference to an increase of weight upon that marked, but
since some cylinder dried papers are apt afterwards to increase in
weight, the addition is requisite to prevent unjust seizure. However,
in all probability, at the suggestion of the paper maker, when aiding
the Excise, in consequence of a great quantity to be charged, it has
become customary to average the weight of a draft, instead of putting
each ream separately into the scale. Thus the practicability of
rendering this clause highly objectionable will be at once apparent,
and deserves to be pointed out for the purpose of warning against the
temptation.
The quantity of paper manufactured in this country at the
commencement of the eighteenth century, when the duty was first
imposed, appears to have been far from sufficient to meet the
necessities of the time. Even in 1721, it is supposed that there were
but about 300,000 reams of paper annually produced in Great Britain,
which were equal merely to two-thirds of the consumption. But in
1784, the value of the paper manufactured in England alone is stated
to have amounted to £800,000.; and that, by reason of the increase
in price, as also of its use, in less than twenty years, it nearly
doubled that amount.
I have extracted, from a Parliamentary report, various returns
relating to the Excise duties levied upon paper, which, since an
article of the kind is necessarily subjected to great alteration in
value, according to the scarcity or abundance of raw materials, are,
of course, better calculated to show a steady increase in the demand,
than any mere references to statements of supposed value, from time
to time.
In one return, specifying the rates of duty and amount of duty
received upon each denomination of paper since 1770, it appears that
the total amount of duty on paper manufactured in England for the
year 1784, to which I have just alluded as being estimated in value
at £800,000., was £46,867. 19s. 9¼d., the duty at that time being
divided into seven distinct classes or rates of collection; while
twenty years after, when the mode of assessing the duty was reduced
to but three classes, it had risen to £315,802. 4s. 8d.; in 1830,
fifteen years after, to £619,824. 7s. 11d.; in 1835, for the United
Kingdom, to £833,822. 12s. 4d., or, in weight, to 70,655,287 lbs.,
which was, again, within so short a period as fifteen years, very
nearly doubled. The quantity of paper charged with Excise duty in the
United Kingdom, being, in 1850, no less than 141,032,474 lbs., and
last year (1854) the enormous weight of 179,896,222 lbs.
Those observations, which are partly technical, because, without
technicality, the view would be incomplete,—may give some idea of
the skill required in the workman, and the expenditure demanded of
the capitalist, to produce so simple a thing, as a sheet of paper.
The most exact care, the most ingenious invention, the nicest work
of hand, and the most complicated machinery, are essential to that
superiority which the British manufacture of paper has at length
established.
But the capabilities of paper are still more extensive. There are
probably few branches of use, taste, or ornament, to which it may not
be applicable. We have it already moulded into many forms of utility,
and even of elegance, under the well-known name of _papier mache_—a
material which may yet be formed into works of art, painted and
enamelled tables, antique candelabra, models of busts, statuettes,
classic temples, and everything which can be shaped in a mould.
An earlier and more important use of Paper is in the decoration of
dwellings. Formerly, the apartments of persons of opulence were hung
with tapestry, generally brought from the Continental loom. But its
cost, its loss of colour by time; and the rise of commercial and
industrial opulence, displaced this elaborate and heavy decoration,
and substituted “_paper hangings_.” The first specimens of those
exhibited nothing but the rudeness of an art in its infancy, and
were almost wholly foreign; but the capability of the invention was
large, and it had the advantage of converting the humble covering
of walls into copies of the pencil, on a new and extended scale.
The Continental specimens of this manufacture already display
representations of leading national events, memorable battles, and
even portraits of eminent men, forming, for even the humbler ranks, a
kind of historic galleries.
The English manufacturer excels in the proportions of his paper,
(English, 12 yards long, by 21 inches wide; French, 9 yards, by 18
inches). But, the art is still difficult and costly; the blocks for a
single pattern sometimes amounting to thousands. One of the principal
French manufacturers is, at present, producing a design, requiring
upwards of three thousand blocks, at a cost of £2000., the design
alone costing £1200.
But, time and practice will lighten both the difficulty and the
expense. The manufacture may yet spread through every mart in the
world. In its more advanced stage, it may supply the place of FRESCO,
or rather be a multiplied Fresco.
The Cartoons of Raphael, the noblest work of design, are upon paper;
the finest Italian pictures might be copied upon paper; and the tardy
and toilsome work of the Engraver might be exchanged for the rapid,
cheap, and popular design, no longer limited to the palace or the
cloister, but sent, in thousands of copies, round the globe. Nor let
this be called Utopian; what can be Utopian, in the country of the
Railroad, the Steam-ship, and the Electric Telegraph!
The art wants only public encouragement. Let the encouragement be
given, and the talent will be found. Let Government offer a premium
of even a thousand pounds for the best specimen. Let the Society of
Arts make it one of the objects of their patronage; let it be once
favoured, and it will soon advance to excellence.
Nor let any one scoff at the interest, which I venture to express in
the ornament even of a cottage wall. Ornament is the crown of art.
Taste is thought. Elegance is the refinement of civilization. The
study of beauty, grandeur, and truth, in History and in Nature, is
the most practical education of man! Who shall say, that the sight
of some heroic action—some noble figure of history—some sublime
exercise of talent, magnanimity, or patriotism, pictured on a cottage
wall,—may not be like a flash through the darkness of the peasant
heart; may not suddenly awake the latent energy of the unconscious
poet, the patriot, and the hero; may not give to the world a
Shakspeare, a Wallace, or a Wellington!
ADVERTISEMENT.
The Author desires to state for the information of the Subscribers,
that the delay which has arisen in the publication of this work has
been altogether unavoidable; owing to the labour and difficulty of
preparing such illustrations as were found to be necessary: many of
the Specimens inserted having been produced from moulds which were
manufactured expressly for the purpose.
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.
ADAMS, FRANCIS BRYANT, Esq., (Messrs. Charles Morgan and Co.)
AMOS, C. E., Esq., Consulting Engineer to the Royal Agricultural
Society of England.
ANNANDALE, JAMES, Esq., Newcastle.
ANNANDALE, PETER, Esq., Newcastle.
APPOLD, J. G., Esq., F.R.S.
BALSTON, R. E. P., Esq., Maidstone.
BALSTON, WILLIAM, Esq., Maidstone.
BARING, THOMAS, Esq., M.P., F.R.G.S., &c., President of the London
Institution.
BARLOW, THOMAS, Esq., Metropolitan Life Assurance Society.
BARRETT, RICHARD, Esq.
BARRY, SIR CHARLES, R.A., F.R.S., &c., &c.
BARRY, JAMES, Esq. (Messrs. Barry and Hayward.)
BATT, BENJAMIN, Esq.
BEAVIS, WILLIAM, Esq.
BEBBINGTON, H. A., Esq.
BLUNT, HENRY, Esq.
BRAYLEY, E. W., Esq., F.R.S., &c., &c.
BROOKMAN, WILLIAM, Esq., Romsey.
BROWN, RICHARD, Esq.
BROWNE, GEORGE, Esq.
BURR, T. W., Esq., F.R.A.S.
CARTER & BROMLEY, Messrs.
CHATER, GEORGE, Esq., (Messrs. Grosvenor, Chater and Co.)
COE, JOHN, Esq., Superintendent of the Stationery and Printing
Department at the Bank of England.
COHEN, A., Esq.
COLES, HENRY, Esq., Wells, Somerset.
COLLINS, CHARLES, Esq., Hele, Devon.
CROMPTON, ROGER, Esq., Bolton, Lancashire.
COOKE, WAKEMAN E., Esq.
COOKES, JAMES, Esq.
COOPER, THOMAS, Esq. (Messrs. Williams, Coopers and Co.)
COWAN, CHARLES, Esq., M.P.
COWLEY, FREDERICK T., Esq.
CRANSTOUN, GEORGE C. TROTTER, Esq.
CROSBY, JAMES, Esq.
DAVIES, CHARLES, Esq.
DIGGENS, J. G., Esq., H. M. Stationery Office.
DRAPER, S., Esq.
DREW, WILLIAM, Esq., Bradninch, Devon.
DUNSTER, THOMAS, Esq.
EDITOR OF NOTES AND QUERIES.
EHRENSPERGER, C., & CO., Messrs.
EVANS AND ADLARD, Messrs., Birmingham.
EVANS, SAMUEL, & CO., Messrs., Derby.
FICKLING, W., Esq.
FOURDRINIER AND HUNT, Messrs.
GALE, A., Esq.
GALLON, THOMAS, & CO., Messrs., Gateshead.
GOOCH, EDWARD F., Esq.
GOWER, JOHN, Esq.
GRACE, WILLIAM, Esq., Scotswood.
GREENAWAY, EDWARD, Esq.
GREER, ALFRED, Esq., Cork.
HALE, FORD, Esq.
HALLOWS, W. A., Esq.
HAMMOND, CHARLES, Esq.
HARDY, T. DUFFUS, Esq., Record Office, Tower.
HARDY, JOHN SMART, Esq.
HARRIS, CHARLES, Esq., Countess Weir, Exeter.
HAWTIN, WILLIAM, Esq.
HAYLES, JAMES N., Esq.
HERRING, GEORGE, Esq.
HODGKINSON, WILLIAM SAMPSON, Esq.
HOLLINGWORTH, THOMAS, Esq., Maidstone.
HUSSEY, THOMAS E., Esq., Dudley.
HUTTON, THOMAS O., Esq. (Messrs. Millington & Hutton.)
JEAFFRESON, HENRY, Esq., M.D.
JOHNSON, RICHARD, Esq.
KELLY, Rev. A. P., M.A.
KIDD, DAVID, Esq. (Messrs. Dobbs, Kidd and Co.)
LAWSON, F. L., Esq.
LE BLOND, ROBERT, Esq.
LUNNON, THOMAS, Esq., Wooburn.
MCMURRAY, WILLIAM, Esq., Hon. Sec. to the “Fourdrinier Fund.”
MAGNAY, SIR WILLIAM, Baronet.
MARTYN, RICHARD, Esq., Broadclist, Devon.
MATTHEWS, CHARLES, Esq., Bradninch, Devon.
MILLINGTON, CHARLES, Esq.
MILLS, A. D., Esq.
MORGAN, CHARLES, Esq.
MORGAN, GEORGE, Esq.
MUNN, R. J., Esq., Thetford.
MURRELL, H. E., Esq.
MUSCHAMP, WILLIAM, Esq., Gateshead.
NEILL, JOHN, Esq., Leeds.
NICHOLL, JOHN, Esq., F.S.A.
NISSEN AND PARKER, Messrs.
NORRIS, JOHN THOMAS, Esq.
PAMPLIN, JAMES, Esq., Winchester.
PATTISON, T. S., Esq.
PEEBLES, ALEXANDER M., Esq.
PHELPS, J. B., Esq.
PIRIE, ALEXANDER, AND SONS, Messrs.
POLLARD, GEORGE, Esq.
POLLOCK, JOHN, Esq.
POPE, HENRY, Esq.
POULTER, THOMAS, Esq.
PRINCE, GEORGE, Esq.
RALPH, F. W., Esq.
RICHARD, JOHN EDMUND, Esq.
ROCK, WILLIAM FREDERICK, Esq.
ROCK, BROTHERS AND PAYNE, Messrs.
ROE, THOMAS, Esq. (Messrs. Gibbons and Roe.)
ROSSELLI, E., Esq.
RUSSELL, REV. SAMUEL HENRY, B. D.
SAKER, WILLIAM E., Esq., Reading.
SANDELL, RICHARD B., Esq.
SAUNDERS, J. & E., Messrs.
SAUNDERS, T. H., Esq., Dartford.
SHAW, EDMUND, Esq.
SLADE, WILLIAM, Esq.
SMEE, ALFRED, Esq., F.R.S., F.C.S.
SMITH, JAMES, Esq.
SMITH, JOHN, Esq., Bingley.
SMITH, J. W., Esq., Bingley.
SMITH, JOHN, Esq., Langley.
SMITH, WILLIAM, Esq.
SMITH, WILLIAM LEPARD, AND CO., Messrs.
SOMMERVILLE, WILLIAM, Esq., Bitton.
SPALDING AND HODGE, Messrs.
STERRY, HENRY, Esq.
TANNER, R. T., Esq.
TARBOX, EDWARD, Esq.
TAYLOR, WILLIAM, Esq.
TEMPLETON, ALLAN, Esq.
TITE, WILLIAM, Esq., M.P., F.R.S., &c., &c.
TOOVEY, A. D., Esq.
TOWGOOD, ALFRED, Esq., Reading.
TOWGOOD, EDWARD, Esq., Sawston.
TOWGOOD, FREDERICK, Esq., St. Neots.
TOWN, JOSEPH, Esq., Leeds.
TULLIS AND CO., Messrs. R., Markinch, N.B.
TYLER, WILLIAM, Esq. (Messrs. Venables, Wilson and Tyler.)
VARTY, EDWARD, Esq.
VENABLES, GEORGE, Esq.
VINCENT, J., Esq.
WALL, JAMES, Esq.
WARREN, B. J., Esq., Deal.
WARREN, G. R., Esq., Bramshott.
WATSON, WILLIAM, Esq.
WEAKLIN, FREDERICK, Esq.
WEST, FREDERICK, Esq.
WHATMAN, JAMES, Esq., M.P., F.R.S., &c., &c., Maidstone.
WHITE, EDWARD, Esq.
WHITAKER, THOMAS, Esq.
WILLIAMS, SAMUEL T., Esq.
WILLIAMS, ROBERT, Esq.
WILMOT, GEORGE, Esq., Shoreham.
WILSON, SAMUEL, Esq., Alderman, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Royal
London Militia.
WINSTONE, BENJAMIN, Esq.
WIRE, DAVID WILLIAMS, Esq., Alderman of the Ward of Walbrook.
WOOD, DREW, Esq.
WOODWARD, CHARLES, Esq., F.R.S., President of the Islington Literary
and Scientific Society.
YOUNG, JOHN T., Esq.
SPECIMENS.
[Illustration: 1]
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TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE
Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been
corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within
the text and consultation of external sources.
Some hyphens in words have been silently removed, some added,
when a predominant preference was found in the original book.
Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text,
and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained.
Pg 35: ‘Shakespeare’ replaced by ‘Shakspeare’ for consistency.
Pg 35: ‘Lord Say’ replaced by ‘Lord Saye’ for consistency.
Pg 36: ‘first Lord Say’ replaced by ‘first Lord Saye’.
Pg 42: ‘I have no no reason to’ replaced by ‘I have no reason to’.
Pg 47: ‘so bitter a a reverse’ replaced by ‘so bitter a reverse’.
Pg 59: ‘an alkaline ley’ replaced by ‘an alkaline lye’.
Pg 77: ‘or ratherb earing’ replaced by ‘or rather bearing’.
Pg 77: ‘until th emovement’ replaced by ‘until the movement’.
Pg 86: ‘indeterm ining the’ replaced by ‘in determining the’.
Pg 116: ‘Shakespeare’ replaced by ‘Shakspeare’ for consistency.
The number ‘1’ was missing and has been inserted as a caption on
the first ‘Specimen’ illustration at the back of the book.