The distinctive advantages of these machines, and which have not
hitherto been equalled, are the uniform distribution of the ink, the
equality as well as delicacy with which it is laid upon the types, the
diminution in its expenditure, amounting to one half upon a given
quantity of letter-press, and the facility with which the whole
mechanism is managed. The band inking-roller, and distributing-table,
now so common in every printing-office in Europe and America, is the
invention of Mr. Cowper, and was specified in his patent. The vast
superiority of the inking apparatus in his machines, over the balls used
of old, induced him to apply it forthwith to the common press, and most
successfully for the public; but with little or no profit to the
inventor, as the plan was unceremoniously infringed throughout the
kingdom, by such a multitude of printers, whether rich or poor, as to
render all attempts at reclaiming his rights by prosecution hopeless.
See _fig._ 920.
[Illustration: 921