_The_ Printing-Press _that a_ Press-man _works at, is a Machine invented upon mature consideration of Mechanick Powers, deducted from Geometrick Principles; and therefore a_ Press-man _indowed with a competency of the Inventers Genius, will not only find great satisfaction in the contemplation of the harmonious design and Make of a_ Press, _but as often as any Member, or part of it is out of order, he will know how to remedy any deficiency in it. This alone will intitle him to be an Understanding_ Press-man: _But his care and serious industry in the Physical and Manual performance of his Task, must give him the Reputation of a good and curious Work-man_.

§. 24. ¶. 1. _Of the_ Press-mans _Trade_.

An understanding _Press-man_ therefore knows not only how to direct a Printers Joyner to Set up and Fasten a _Press_ when it is made, but also how to give a strange Joyner and Smith instructions how to make a _Press_, and all its parts, in a Symetrical proportion to any unwonted size, if in a strange place he shall have occasion to use it.

I have already at large insisted upon the dimensions of every particular Member of an ordinary siz’d _Press_ in § 10, 11. But in those Sections did omit shewing you how the _Press_ is Set up and Fastned; yet promised to do it when I came to the _Press-mans_ Trade: It being not only a care incumbent upon him, but a Curiosity he would assume to himself to direct and see the Joyner set and fasten it in a Steddy and practical position. We will suppose a strange Joyner, and not a Printers Joyner (as here in _London_ he may be furnisht with) who generally by their constant conversation in Printers work, do or ought to know as much of Setting up a _Press_ as the _Press-man_ himself.

The Joyner therefore having set together the Frame, _viz._ the _Cheeks_, _Feet_, _Cap_, _Head_, _Till_, _Winter_, _Hind-Posts_, _Ribs_, _Carriage_, _&c._ The _Press-man_ directs, and sees him perform as follows by and by. For I should have told you that before the _Head_ is put into its place, the _Press-man_ besmears the whole Tennanted ends and Tennants well with Soap or Grease, and also the Mortesses the _Head_ slides in, and so much of the _Cheeks_ as the ends of the _Head_ work against, that the _Head_ may the easier work up and down.

He also before the _Carriage_ is laid on the _Ribs_, besmears the two edges of the _Plank_ and the under side of the _Coffin_ well with Soap or Grease; and the like he does by the inside of the _Wooden Ribs_, that they may slide the easier beside each other.

Now to return to the Joyner. The _Press-man_, I say, directs and sees him perform as follows.

1. To place the _Feet_ upon an Horizontal Level Floor, as I shewed in the First Volume, Numb. 7. § 7. when I spoke of the Level that Carpenters use.

2. To erect the _Cheeks_ perpendicularly upright, as I shewed _Vol._ 1. _Numb._ 7. § 8. when I treated of the _Plumb-line_.

3. To place the _Stays_ or _Braces_ so as the _Press_ may be kept in the most Steddy and Stable position, as well to give a check to the force of the hardest _Pull_ he makes, as to the hardest Knock the _Bar_ shall make against the farther _Cheek_, if by chance (as sometimes it does) it slip out of the _Press-mans_ Hand.

This consideration may direct him to place one _Brace_ against the end of the _Cap_ that hangs over the hither _Cheek_, and in a range parallel with the fore and hind side of the _Cap_: For the more a _Brace_ stands aslope to the two parrallel sides, the less it resists a force offered to the end of them, _viz._ the hither end of the _Cap_, which is one main _Stay_ to the whole _Press_.

If he place another _Brace_ against the hinder corner of the farther end of the _Cap_, it will resist the _Spring_ of the _Bar_, if it slip out of the _Press-mans_ Hand.

And if he places two other _Braces_, one against the hither corner of the hind-side of the _Cap_, and the other against the farther corner of the fore-side of the _Cap_, the _Press_ will be sufficiently _Braced-up_, if the Room will afford convenience to place the farther end of the _Braces_ against.

By convenience I mean a firm solidity to place the end of the _Braces_ against, be it either a Stone-wall, Brick-wall, or some principal Post, or a Girder, _&c._ that will not start or tremble at the force of a _Pull_.

The _Braces_ ought to be straight, and of Substance strong enough proportionable to their Length: And if convenience will allow it to be fixed in such a position that they stand in the same straight Line with the upper Surface of the _Cap_, viz. that the farther end of the _Brace_ neither dips lower or mounts higher than the upper side of the _Cap_. Neither ought the _Brace_, though thus posited, to stand aslope or askew, _viz._ make unequal angles with the side of the _Cap_ it is fastned to, but it ought to stand Square, and make right angles with the respective side of the _Cap_; because in those Positions the _Braces_ best resists the force of continued _Pulls_.

But though this be by the Rules of Architecture, the strongest, firmest, and most concise method for _Bracing-up_ a _Press_, yet will not the Room the _Press_ is to stand in always admit of convenience to place the _Braces_ thus: Therefore the _Press-man_ ought to consider the conveniences of the Room, both for the places to fit the _Braces_ to, and the positions to set the _Braces_ in; placing his _Braces_ as correspondent as he can to these Rules.

If he doubt the crazy make of the _Winter_, he will cause two _Battens_ of three or four Inches broad, and a full Inch thick, to be nailed close to the outer sides of the Feet of the _Press_, which will both strengthen the _Winter_, and keep the lower part of the _Cheeks_ from flying out, and also hinder the _Press_ from working into a twisting Position.

And though I am loath to name the _Under-laying_ of the _Feet_, because at the best it is but a _Botch_, and Subjects the whole _Press_ to an unstable position yet because by accident it may happen, the aforesaid _Battens_ will also keep these Underlays from working out.

Joyners that Work to Printers have got a Custom to place a strong Piece of Timber between the middle of the _Cap_ and the Ceiling or Roof of the Room, which can do no service there, unless they intend to support the Roof: For the weight of the _Press_ alone will keep it close to the Floor, and the strength of Stuff between the Mortesses in the _Cheeks_ and the ends of them, are intended to be made strong enough to resist the Rising of the _Head_: For should that strength of Stuff start, neither their strong Piece of Timber, nor the strength of the Roof, would resist the Rising of the _Head_: but _Head_ and _Cap_, and Timber and Roof too, would all start together, as by experience I have seen. For indeed the strength of Stuff between the Mortesses that the Tennants of the _Head_ works in, and the upper ends of the _Cheeks_, and the Strength of Stuff between the Mortesses that the Tennants of the _Winter_ lyes in, and the lower ends of the _Cheeks_ resist the whole strength of the working of the _Spindle_ out of its _Nut_. So that the _Cap_ suffers no pressure upwards or the _Feet_ downwards, unless the force of the _Spindle_ break the strength of Stuff between the _Head_ and the upper ends of the _Cheeks_, or the strength of Stuff between the _Winter_ and the lower ends of the _Cheeks_.

The _Press_ being thus far fastned, the _Carriage_ is laid on; and if the Joyner performed his Work well in making the Wooden-work, it will at first lye exactly Horizontal; if not, it must be mended where it is amiss before the _Press-man_ can _Lay_ the _Stone_; and before the _Stay_ of the _Carriage_ can be fitted under the end of the _Ribs_.

¶ 2. _Of_ Laying _or_ Bedding _the_ Stone.

We will suppose the Wooden _Ribs_ to lye on the _Winter_ exactly, flat and Horizontal, therefore the _Press-man_ now _Lays_ the _Stone_: If the _Stone_ be a good thick Marble Stone, and all the way of an equal thickness between the _Face_ and the Bottom, he may _Bed_ or _Lay_ it upon so many large _Sheets_ of Brown Paper as will raise the _Face_ about a _Brevier_ above the Superficies of the _Coffin_, and the _Stone_ will do good service.

Or he may _Bed_ or _Lay_ it on Bran; which indeed the _Press-man_ most commonly does, if the _Stone_ be qualified as aforesaid.

The manner how he lays it on Bran is thus,

He grasps an handful of Bran and lays it down at the hither corner of the _Coffin_ on his Left Hand, and it will form it self into a small Hillock; then he takes another handful of Bran, and lays that down in the same manner near the first, towards the further side, and so a third, _&c._ towards the further side, till he have filled the whole breadth of the _Coffin_. Then he in like manner lays another row of Hillocks, beginning at the hither side of the _Coffin_; and so a third and fourth row, _&c._ till the length of the _Coffin_ is filled as well as the breadth: Then with a _Riglet_ he drives the tops of these Hillocks into the Valleys between them, to spread the Bran into an equal thickness in the whole _Coffin_. Which done, he lays the _Stone_ upon it.

But in this case he considers to lay so much Bran thus into the _Coffin_ as may make the _Face_ of the _Stone_ rise about a _Great Primer_ higher than the Superficies of the _Coffin_: For else he must take all his Bran out again, and new-lay his Hillocks, making them bigger or less, till he have fitted the _Face_ of the _Stone_, to lye about a _Great Primer_, as aforesaid, higher than the Superficies of the _Coffin_.

But if it be a thin _Stone_, or a _Purbeck_ or _Portland Stone_, it is great odds if it be thus _Laid_, but it breaks with the first _Pull_: Therefore these _Stones_ are generally _Laid_ or _Bedded_ with Plaister of _Paris_, which before it hardens, will of it self run into an Horizontal position.

This Plaister of _Paris_ is tempered with fair Water to the consistence of Batter for Pancakes, or somewhat thicker, and such a quantity is put into the _Coffin_ as may raise the _Face_ of the _Stone_ about a Scaboard higher than the Superficies of the _Coffin_.

The different matter the _Stone_ is _Laid_ on is the reason why the _Face_ is _Laid_ of different heights above the Superficies of the _Coffin_: For by the force of a _Pull_ about a dozen Sheets of Brown Paper may be squeez’d closer by a _Brevier Body_, which brings the _Face_ of the _Stone_ into the same Level with the Superficies of the _Coffin_. And Bran squeezes much more. But Plaister of _Paris_ not at all.

When he _Lays_ the _Stone_ on Bran, or on Plaister of Paris, he and his Companions slings the _Stone_ in two strong Packthreds, placing one towards either end of the _Stone_; and each of them taking an end of each String in each of their Hands, with the _Face_ of the _Stone_ upwards, and brought as near as they can into an Horizontal Position, they with great care and caution let it into the _Coffin_, and as near as they can, so as the whole bottom of the _Stone_ touch the _Bedding_ all at once; lest by raking the _Bedding_ with any part of the bottom of the _Stone_ first, the Horizontal form of the _Bedding_ be broken.

Having laid the _Stone_ down, they draw the Packthred from under it: And by squeezing a little Water out of a Spunge upon about the middle of the _Face_ of the _Stone_, try whether the _Stone_ lye truly Horizontal, which they know by the standing of the Water: For if the Water delate it self equally about the middle of the _Stone_, the _Stone_ lies Horizontal: But if it have a propensitude to one side more than another, the declivety is on that side, and the _Stone_ must be new _Laid_.

Having laid it Horizontal, they _Justifie_ it up with the _Justifiers_ I mentioned in § 11. ¶ 17.

¶ 3. _Of_ Setting _the_ Rounce.

The _Rounce_ being well _Set_ does not only ease a _Press-man_ in his Labour, but contributes much to Riddance in a train of Work.

In the old-fashioned _Presses_ used here in _England_, the _Press-man_ finds often great trouble and loss of Time in _Setting_ the _Rounce_: Because the _Girts_ being nailed to the _Carriage-board_ behind, and to the Frame of the _Coffin_ before, he cannot alter the position of the _Rounce_ without un-nailing and nailing the _Girts_ again, both before and behind. Nay, and sometimes though he thinks he has been very careful in _Winding_ the _Girts_ off or on the _Barrel_ of the _Rounce_, as he finds occasion requires; Yet by straining either of the _Girts_ too hard, or not hard enough, or by an accidental slip of either of the _Girts_, or by stirring the _Rounce_ out of a Set position, when he thinks he has _Set_ the _Rounce_, he has it to do again. Besides, The _Carriage-board_, _Frame_ of the _Coffin_, and the _Rounce-barrel_, all suffer tearing to pieces by often drawing out and driving in o Nails.

But in these new-fashioned _Presses_ all these inconveniences are avoided, for the _Press-man_, without nailing or un-nailing, _Sets_ the _Rounce_ to what Position he will, only by lifting up the Iron _Clicker_ that stops the wheel: For then _Winding_ off so much _Girt_, and _Winding_ up so much _Girt_ at the opposite end of the _Carriage_, his _Rounce_ is _Set_, without hope or Hazzard.

He _Sets_ the _Rounce_ to such a position, that when the fore-end of the _Tympan_ will just lye down and rise free, without touching the fore-edge of the _Plattin_, then a line drawn or imagined from the Axis of the _Handle_ of the _Rounce_, to a Perpedicular or _Plumb-line_, let fall from the Axis of the _Spindle_ of the _Rounce_, these two lines shall make an angle of about 45 degrees, which is half the Elevation between an Horizontal line, or Line of Level, and a Perpendicular, or Plumb-line.

¶ 4. _Of_ Hanging _the_ Plattin.

When the _Press-man Hangs_ the _Plattin_, he lays a _Form_ upon the _Press_, and about a Quire of Paper doubled upon it (this Quire of _Paper_ thus doubled is called the _Cards_) then layes the _Plattin_ upon the _Cards_, and so _Runs_ the _Carriage_ and _Plattin_ in, till the middle of the _Plattin_ lye just under the _Toe_ of the _Spindle_: Then he puts the _Pan_ of the _Plattin_ in its place, and in part Justifies the _Head_, as shall be shewed in the next ¶. And he un-screws the _Hose-screws_, till the Spuares at the ends of the _Hose_ come down to about a quarter of an Inch of the Square of the Socket they are fitted into in the ends of the _Garter_, and when the _Toe_ of the _Spindle_ is fitted into the _Nut_ in the _Pan_ of the _Plattin_, he examines by straining a Pack-thred against the two foresides of the _Cheeks_ of the _Press_, whether the fore-edge of the _Plattin_ is set in a parallel Range with the fore-sides of the _Cheeks_: If it be not, he twists the ends till the edge of the _Plattin_ stands parallel with the Pack-thred, and consequently with the _Cheeks_.

Then with the _Bar_ he _Pulls_ the _Spindle_ hard down upon the _Plattin_, and Sets the edges of a _Paper-board_ between the _Bar_ and the farther _Cheek_ of the _Press_, to keep the _Bar_ from starting back.

And having provided fine Whip-cord, he knots a Noose on one end and puts it over one of the _Hooks_ of the _Plattin_, lashing the Whip-cord also upon the farthermost _Notch_ of the _Hose-hook_, and again upon the _Plattin-hook_, and again upon the _Hose-hook_, and again upon the _Plattin-hook_: So that here is now three Lashes of whip-cord upon the _Plattin-hook_, and upon the farthermost _Notch_ of the _Hose-hook_. Wherefore he Lashes his fourth Lashing of whip-cord now upon the second _Notch_, viz. the middlemost _Notch_ of the _Hose-hook_, reiterating these Lashes on the middlemost _Notch_ and _Plattin-hook_ also three times. And thus in like manner Lashes also three Lashes upon the third and last _Notch_ of the _Hose-hook_ and also of the _Plattin-hook_, observing to draw every Lashing of an equal strength.

Then he begins to whip about these Lashings to draw them close together: He begins, I say, at at the bottom of the Lashings, _viz._ close above the _Plattin-hook_, and draws his whippings very tight and hard, and contiguous above one another, till he have whipt so near the top of the Lashings, _viz._ near the _Hose-hooks_ that he finds the Lashings (which now spread wide asunder because the _Notches_ of the _Hose-hooks_ stands far asunder) will yield no longer to to his whiping and pulling: So that now he fastens his whip-cord with two or three hard knots, and cuts it from the Coyl.

In like manner he begins at the opposite diagonal corner of the _Plattin_, and lashes and whips that: And also the two other corners of the _Plattin_ as he did the first, carefully observing to draw all his lashings and whippings of an equal strength, lest any corner of the _Plattin_ either mount or dip.

If he finds he strained the whip-cord not hard enough; or (when he is in his train of work) that the _Plattin-cords_ with long working work loose; or that the _Toe_ of the _Spindle_ and the _Nut_ it works in, have worn one another; he by turning the _Screws_ at the upper ends of the _Hose_, draws up the _Nut_ of the _Plattin_ closer to the _Toe_ of the _Spindle_, and by consequence strains the _Plattin-cords_ tighter up; which is also a great convenience in these new-fashioned _Presses_: For, for any of these aforesaid accidents the _Press-man_ that works at our _English-Presses_ must new _Hang_ his _Plattin_: When (as aforesaid) in these new _Presses_ he only turns about a _Screw_.

¶ 5. _Of_ Justifying _the_ Head.

_Justifying_ the _Head_ is to put into the Mortesses in the _Cheeks_ between the upper sides of the Tennants of the _Head_, and the upper sides of the Mortesses in the _Cheeks_, an equal and convenient thickness of (either) square pieces of Felt, Pastboards, or Scaboards (some or all of them) that when the _Press-man Pulls_, the Tennants of the _Head_ shall have an equal Horizontal level Check.

In _Justifying_ the _Head_, the _Pull_ is to be made _Longer_ or _Shorter_.

If the _Press-man_ be tall and strong and his work be _Light_, that is, a small _Form_ and great _Letter_, which needs not so strong a _Pull_ as a Large _Form_ and small _Letter_, he covets to have a _Short-pull_; that is, that the _Spindle_ shall give an _Impression_ by that time the _Bar_ comes but about half way to the hither _Cheek_ (in Printers Language _Down_.)

But if the _Press-man_ be low, and not very strong, he will require a _Longer Pull_, especially if the work be _Heavy_, viz. a Large _Form_ and small _Letter_: Because the heighth of the _Bar_ is generally made to lye at the command of a reasonable Tall man, and therefore a Low man cannot Pull the Handle of the _Bar_ at so great a force at Arms-end as a Tall man; but will require the swinging of his whole Body backwards to add force to the _Pull_: So that if the _Pull_ be not _Longer_, he cannot fall enough backwards to get the _Handle_ of the _Bar_ within his command and force. And therefore a Low man and _Heavy Work_ requires a long and _Soaking Pull_.

A long or a _Soaking_ or _Easie Pull_, is when the _Form_ feels the force of the _Spindle_ by degrees, till the _Bar_ comes almost to the hither _Cheek_ of the _Press_, and this is also call’d a _Soft Pull_; because it comes Soft and Soakingly and easily down: And for the contrary reason the _Short Pull_ is call’d an _Hard Pull_, because it is suddenly perform’d.

That which makes a _Hard Pull_, is putting into the Mortesses in the _Cheeks_ solid Blocks of Wood, which will scarce Squeeze by the Strength of a _Pull_: And that which causes a _Soft Pull_ is putting in pieces of Felt or Pastboard (as aforesaid) which being Soft will Squeeze and retain their Spring for a considerable time, yet will at length grow hard with Working, and then the _Pull_ grows _Longer_; which the _Press-man_ mends, by putting in another Felt or Pastboard into each Mortess.

The _Head_ cannot be conveniently and well _Justifyed_ soon after the laying of the _Stone_, if it be _Laid_ on Bran, because though the Force of the _Spindle_ will at the immediate time of the _Pull_ Squeeze the Bran in the _Coffin_ close, yet so soon as the force of the _Spindle_ is off the Bran, all its dry parts, by their several irregular positions, will like so many Springs, at the same moment of time endeavour to recover their Natural tendency, and heaves the _Stone_ upwards again: So that generally for a day or two Working the _Stone_ will not lye Solid, though at length through the often and constant Squeezing the Bran it will. But if the _Stone_ be _Laid_ on Brown Paper, or Plaister of Paris, it quickly finds a Solid Foundation.

When the _Press-man Justifies_ the _Head_, he unscrews the _Female Screws_ of the _Head Screws_, that the weight of the _Head_ may draw it down, to make room to put the _Justifyers_ into the Mortesses in the _Cheeks_; and when he has put in so many as he thinks convenient, he _Screws_ up the _Head_ again as hard as he can. Then lays the _Cards_ on the _Form_, on the _Press_, and _Runs in_ the _Carriage_ under the _Plattin_, and _Pulls_ hard upon it, while his _Companion Screws_ up the _Head_ as hard and tight as he can, that the _Carriage, Tympan_, &c. may _Run_ the freelier under the _Plattin_.

¶ 6. _Of_ Oyling _the Iron Work of the_ Press.

The _Ribs_, the _Tympan Joynts_, the _Frisket Joynts_, the _Garters_, both ends of the _Rounce-Spindle_, the _Nut_ and _Spindle_, and the _Toe_ of the _Spindle_, are all to be well Oyl’d; that they may all perform their several offices the easier, lightlier and nimbler; both _Upper_ and _Under hand_.

All but the _Nut_ and _Spindle_, and _Toe_ of the _Spindle_, are Oyl’d with a Feather dipt in a spoonful, or little Pot, or Oyster-shell, _&c._ of Sallad Oyl; and that feather dabb’d upon so much of the _Ribs_ as he can come at, at either end of the _Press_: For then by _Running_ the _Carriage_ three or four times quick _Out_ and _In_, it desperses the Oyl equally the whole length of the _Ribs_, and at the same time Oyls the _Cramp-Irons._

And for Oyling the _Joynts_, he commonly takes out the _Pins_ and Oyls them, and puts them in again; and with the edge of a Feather dabs a little Oyl between the Crevices of the _Joynts_.

He thrusts the Feather in between the _Spindle_ of the _Rounce_ and its _Collers_.

To Oyl the _Nut_ and _Spindle_, he pours a good quantity of Oyl in at the _Hole_ in the _Head_, and with a Cork stops the hole again to keep out dust and filth: Then drawing the _Bar_ quick to and fro about half a score times, he works the Oyl equally about the _Nut_ and _Spindle_.

To Oyl the _Toe_ of the _Spindle_, he pours about a Spoonful of Oyl into the _Plattin-pan_.

¶ 7. _Of_ Making Register, _and_ Making Ready _a_ Form.

A curious _Press-man_ will take care that against the _Compositer_ brings a _Form_ to the _Press_ his _Press-stone_ be wip’d very clean; for if any (though small) hard extuberant matter lye on it, the _Letter_ that lyes on that extuberant matter will, with _Pulling_, quickly _Rise_, and not only Print harder than the rest of the _Form_, but bear the force of the _Plattin_ off of the _Letters_ adjacent to it. And therefore many times a _Press-man_ will receive the _Form_ from the _Compositer_ when he has only Set the _Form_ on the side of its _Chase_ upon the _Press-stone_, that he may be the Surer the _Face_ of the _Stone_ is clean when he layes the _Form_ down; as also that he may carefully examine that the backside of the _Form_ is clean before he goes about to make _Register_, or otherwise make ready his _Form_.

_Making Register_ is to _Quoin_ up a _Form_ and otherwise alter _Whites_ (if need be) between the _Crosses_ and _Pages_: So as that when a second _Form_ of the same _Volumne_, _Measure_ and _Whites_, is plac’d in the same position, all the Sides of each _Page_ shall fall exactly upon all the Sides of the _Pages_ of the first _Form_.

The first process a _Press-man_ makes towards this Operation, is the chusing and placing of his _Points_: For to large Paper he chuses _Short Shanked Points_, and to small Paper _Long Shanked Points_, and proportionable to intermediate sizes of Paper: For his _Points_ ought to be placed so as that when he is in his Train of work, they prick the _Point-holes_ within the grasp of the hollow between his hand, Thumb, and Fore-finger; because when he shall Work the _Reteration_ he may the better manage and Command the sheet he lays on the _Tympan_ and _Points_.

Nor will he place his _Points_ too near the edge of the _Paper_, because when he Works the _Reteration_, he would be forc’d to carry his furthermost _Point-hole_ the further from him, which in a long train of Work loses Time: For the _Laying Sheets_ quickly on their _Point-holes_ adds much to riddance. So also the less distance between the further and hither _Point-hole_ makes more riddance than if they are far distant; because he must draw his Body so much the further back to place that _Hole_ on its _Point_. Therefore he places the hither _Point_ farther into the Paper than the farther _Point_, if it be _Folio_, _Quarto_ or _Octavo_, but to _Twelves_ equally distant from both edges of the Paper.

By placing the _Points_ unequally from the edges of the Paper, as in _Folio’s_, _Quarto’s_ and _Octavo’s_ (as aforesaid) he also secures himself the more from a _Turn’d Heap_ when he works the _Reteration_; because without very much altering the _Quoins_, he shall not be able to make _Register_: And _Press-men_ (especially if they Work upon the same sort of Work) seldom or never remove the _Quoins_ on the further side the _Carriage_, nor on the right hand end of the _Carriage_, but let them lye as gages for the next _Form_: For thrusting the _Chase_ close against these _Quoins_, the _Register_ is almost (if not quite) made: The _Compositer_ having before, according to his Task, chosen the _Chases_ exactly of an equal size, and made strait and equal _Whites_ between the _Crosses_, &c.

Having chosen his _Points_, he places them so that they may both stand in a straight line parallel with the top and bottom sides of the _Tympan_; which to know, he strains a Packthred cross the whole _Tympan_, laying it at once upon the middle of the _Heads_ of both the _Point-Screws_, (for we will suppose the Joyner hath made the Mortesses into which the _Point Screws_ are Let, parrallel with both the ends of the _Tympan_) then if both the _Points_ stand in that straight line they are parrallel, if not, he moves one or both of them upwards or downwards till they do, and then _Screws_ them fast.

Then he layes the _Tympan_ down upon the _Form_, holding the _Frisket-end_ of it in his Left-hand, about an Inch or an Inch and a half above the _Face_ of the _Letter_, and Sinks his Body downwards till he can see between the _Form_ and _Tympan_, and with the Ball of the middle finger of his Right-hand presses a little gently upon the _Tympan_ just over the _Point-ends_ of each _Point_ successively, to see if the _Points_ fall in or near the middle of the _Slits_ in the _Short-Cross_. If they fall exactly in the middle of those _Slits_, the _Form_ lyes right between the middle of both the ends: If they fall not exactly in the middle of both these _Slits_, he moves the _Form_ between the ends of the _Carriage_, till they do, and then _Quoins_ up the two ends of the _Chase_.

Then laying the _Tympan_ flat down upon the _Form_, he layes the _Blankets_ in it: (They are call’d the _Blankets_ though generally it is but one _Blanket_ doubled:) Then he puts the _Iron-Pins_, fastned through the hither side of the Inner _Tympan_ into the Holes made through the hither side of the outer _Tympan_ for Gages: And turning about the Tongues of the _Iron-Buttons_, that are fitted into the outer Side of the outer _Tympan_ over the upper Side of the _Inner-Tympan_, he _Screws_ the _Button_ fast down. He also _Screws_ down the _Iron-Button_ at the end of the _Tympan_. These _Buttons_ thus Screwed down are to keep the _Inner-Tympan_ fast in, that it Spring not upwards.

Then he Folds a sheet of the Paper he is to Work long-ways, and broad-ways, and lays the long Crease of it upon the middle of the _Long-Cross_; and the Short Crease over the middle of the _Gutters_ of the _Short-Cross_, if the _Short-Cross_ lye in the middle of the _Form_, (for in _Twelves_ it does not, but then he guesses at the middle;) then wetting his _Tympan_ (as shall in proper place be shewed) he turns it down upon the Paper, and _Running in_ the _Carriage_, _Pulls_ that Sheet, which with the force of the _Pull_ now the _Tympan_ is wet, will stick to the _Tympan_; and turning up the _Tympan_ again sees how well the Sheet was laid; that is, how even it was Laid: For if it was laid even on the _Form_, the _Margin_ about the out sides of all the outer _Pages_ will be equal; But if the Sheet be not laid even, he lifts it up Side by Side till he have loosen’d it from the _Tympan_, and removes it by his discretion till it be laid even: And then _Pulls_ again upon it to fasten it to the _Tympan_. This Sheet is call’d the _Tympan-sheet_.

Then he lays another Sheet even upon the _Tympan-sheet_, for a Register Sheet, and a Waste Sheet over that to keep it clean from any filth the _Face_ of the _Letter_ may have contracted and imprint upon it, and _Pulls_ these two Sheets. Then he _Runs out_ the _Carriage_, and takes up the _Tympan_, and takes off the two Sheets, laying the waste Sheet by: But turns the other Side of the _Register-Sheet_ the proper way his Volumne requires, _viz._ end-ways if it be _Octavo_ or _Folio_; or Side-ways if _Twelves_ or _Quarto_, _&c._ as at large you see in the Section of _Imposing_. And laying the _Point-holes_ in the _Register-Sheet_ over the _Points_, lays his waste Sheet on again, _Runs-in_ the _Carriage_, and _Pulls_ upon that the Second side of the _Register-sheet_, to try how well the Impression of the Sides of all the _Pages_ agree, and lye upon the Impression in the first _Pull’d_ Side. If he finds they agree perfectly well, _Register_ is made. But if the Impression of the last _Pull’d_ Side of the _Register-sheet_ stand be-hither the Impression of the first _Pull’d_ side, either the whole length of the Sheet or part, he observes how much it stands be-hither: If the thickness of a _Scaboard_, a _Nomparell_, a _Long-Primmer_, &c. he loosens the _Quoin_ or _Quoins_ on the farther side of the _Carriage_, and opens one or both of them, _viz._ removes them backwards till they stand a _Scaboard_, a _Nomparell_, a _Long Primmer_, &c. off the sides of their respective Corners: Then _Knocks_ up one or both the opposite _Quoins_, till he have removed the _Chase_, and the _Chase_ by consequence has forc’d the opened _Quoin_ or _Quoins_ close against their Corners. Or if the Impression of the last _Pulled Side_, stands within the Impression of the first _Pulled Side_; he observes how much also; and Loosning the hither _Quoin_ or _Quoins_, and _Knocking up_ the opposite as before, makes _Register_, for the Sides of the Sheet.

Then he observes how the _Register_ of the _Head_ and _Foot_ agrees. And if he finds it agrees on both sides the _Short Cross_, he has good _Register_; supposing the _Compositer_ has performed his Office, _viz._ made all his _Pages_ of an equal Length, &c.

If the Impression of the Last _Pulled Sheet_, lye without the Impression of the first _Pulled Sheet_, towards the upper or lower end of the _Tympan_, he opens the _Quoins_ at the respective end, and _Knocks-up_ the opposite till he have made _Register_: Which to try he _Pulls_ another clean _Register-sheet_ as before. And if he finds _Register_ agree on all the Sides of the _Form_ the Task is performed: If not, he mends as aforesaid till it do.

But it sometimes happens that the _Compositer_ has not made an exact equal _White_ between all the sides of the _Crosses_: In this case, altering the _Quoins_ will not make good _Register_; wherefore the _Press-man_ observes which side has too much or too little _White_; and unlocking the _Form_ takes out or puts in such a number of _Scaboards_ as he thinks will make good _Register_: which he tryes by _Pulling_ a Sheet, and if need be, mending as before, till he have _Pull’d_ a Sheet with good _Register_.

Although the _Press-man_ have made _Register_, yet he must further _Make Ready_ the _Form_ before he can go to Work upon it. Under this phrase of _Making Ready the Form_ is comprehended many Considerations, leading to several various Operations; For first, The _Frisket_ must be _Cut_: which to perform, the _Press-man_ fits the _Match-Joynts_ of the _Frisket_ into the _Match-Joynts_ of the _Tympan_, and pins them in with the _Frisket-pins_: And having _Beaten_ the _Form_, turns down the _Frisket_ and _Tympan_ on the _Form_. And having also Rubbed the _Blankets_ to soften them, lays them smooth and even in the _Outer-Tympan_, and _Pins_ the _Inner Tympan_ in upon them, as was shewed in the beginning of this ¶, and _Pulls_ as before, and as shall farther be shewed in ¶ 15. upon the bare _Frisket_.

Then he _Runs out_ the _Carriage_, and takes up the _Tympan_ and _Frisket_ together off the _Form_ and lays them on the _Gallows_; Then takes the _Frisket-pins_ out again, and takes off the _Frisket_: And laying it flat on a _Paper-board_, with the point of a Pen-knife cuts through the _Frisket_ about all the Sides of each _Page_, allowing to each _Page_ he thus cuts out of the _Friket_ about a _Nomparil Margin_ on all the sides of the cut cut _Pages_: Then he puts and pins his _Frisket_ again on the _Tympan_, as before.

_2dly_, He takes care that the _Tympan_ be well _Wet_; which he does by squeezing Water out of a _Spunge_ on the backside of it, till it be well Wet all over, and well soak’d and limber.

_3dly_, That the _Form_ be well and fast _Lock’d up_.

_4thly_, That no _Letters_ or _Spaces_ lye in the _White-lines_ of the _Form_; which may happen if the _Compositer_ have _Corrected_ any thing since the _Form_ was laid on the _Press_, and the _Compositer_ through oversight pickt them not all up.

_5thly_, If any _Wooden Letters_ or other _Cuts_ be in the _Form_, that they be exactly _Letter-high_: If not, (for it seldom happens they are) he must make them so; If they are too _Low_, (as they generally be) he _Under-lays_ them: But first He examines how much they are too _Low_, by laying one Card or one Scaboard or two Scaboards, or a Scaboard and a Card, _&c._ upon the Face of the _Wooden Cut_, and gently feeling with the Balls of the Fingers of his right Hand if the intended _Under-lay_, viz. the Scaboard, Card, _&c._ lye exactly even with the _Face_ of the _Letter_, If it do not, he tries thicker or thinner _Under-lays_ till he have evened the _Under-lay_ with the _Face_ of the _Letter_: For then the Balls of his Fingers will go smoothly and equally over the _Under-lay_ and the _Face_ of the _Letter_, as if they were one and the same Superficies.

Having evened his _Under-lay_, he _Unlocks_ that _Quarter_ it is in, and takes the _Wooden Cut_ out of the _Form_, and cutting a Scaboard or Card or what it wants a little smaller than the bottom of his _Wooden Cut_, he lays it into the place he took the _Wooden Cut_ out of, or else he Pasts the _Under-lay_ on the bottom of the _Wooden Cut_, and puts the _Wooden Cut_ into its place again upon the _Under-lay_. But yet he trusts not to his Judgment altogether for the thickness of the _Underlay_: But _Locking up_ the _Form_ again, _Pulls_ the _Cards_ upon it to sink it as low as it will go, and _Beats_ and _Pulls_ a Sheet to see how it pleases him. If it be too low, which he finds by the Pale Printing of it, he _Underlays_ it a little more, and again trys by Printing till it pleases him. But by no means he lets the _Cut_ stand too high, though but a small matter, For then it will Print too _Hard_ and too _Black_, and deface the beauty and fairness of the _Cut_; So that it may better stand about half a Card too low, than in the least too high.

If the _Wooden Cut_ be too high, he causes a Joyner to Plain off some at the bottom.

_6thly_, If a _White Page_ or _Pages_ happen in a _Form_, and he uses a _New-drawn Frisket_, then he does not _Cut out_ that _Page_: But if he Work with an _Old Frisket_, and that _Page_ is already _Cut out_, he Sews, or sometimes Pastes on a Scaboard, if the _Page_ be not too broad, or a strong Pasteboard to the _Sides_ and _Crosses_, to cover the _White-page_ in the _Form_, that it Print not Black.

If the sides of the _Pages_ adjacent to the _White-page_ Print _Hard_, as most commonly they do, because the _White-page_ is generally lower than _Letter_ high, so that the force of the _Spindle_ squeezes the yielding _Paper_, _Tympan_ and _Blankets_ below the Plain of the _Face_ of the _Letter_; and besides the force of the _Spindle_ falling upon the center of the _Plattin_, and the Plain of the _Plattin_ not finding resistance to entertain it equally, presses lower down upon the low _White-page_, than upon the _Face_ of the _Letter_; so that the _Press-man_ either _Underlays_ the _White-page_, as he does _Wooden Cuts_, or else he fits a _Bearer_ on the _Frisket_.

The _Bearer_ is a _Riglet_ of a convenient thickness: and this convenient thickness the _Press-man_ finds as I shewed you how he found the thickness of his _Under-lays_ for _Wooden Cuts_; only with this difference, that as then he made his _Wooden Cut_ exactly _Letter-high_, so now he maks his _Bearer_ and the _Furniture_ his _Bearer_ bears on _Letter-high_: Wherefore he Pasts one side of his _Bearer_, and lays it as he would have it on the _Furniture_, with the Pasted side upwards; and laying his _Tympan_ and _Frisket_ down upon the _Form_, with his Fingers presses on the outside the _Inner-Tympan Frisket_ and all, upon the place where the _Beares_ lies; So that with the Paste the _Bearer_ sticks to the side of the _Frisket_, which he takes up again: and if he thinks the Paste not strong enough to hold it till the _Form_ is wrought off, he sews it to the _Frisket_ by pricking his Needle on both sides the _Bearer_, and lashing the Thred over it so often till he thinks it fast enough sew’d on.

_7thly_, He examines whether the _Frisket_ _Bites_ not: That is, whether no part of it Print upon any of the sides of any of the _Pages_: if they do he cuts away so much and about a _Nomparel_ more off the _Frisket_ where it _Bites_.

_8thly._ He examines if the _Beards_ of the _Letter_ Print at the Feet of the _Pages_: If they do, He considers whether the too short or too far _Running_ in of the _Carriage_ causes it. Or whether it be only the _Beard_ of a short _Page_ that Prints; If it be the _Beard_ of a short _Page_ that Prints, he remedies it with an _Under-lay_ as I shewed he did in the _White Page_.

If the _Carriage_ be _Run_ in too short, and the _Feet_ of the _Pages_ stand towards the _Plattin_, the _Hind-side_ of the _Plattin_ will press strong upon the _Feet_ of those _Pages_: And if the _Carriage_ be _Run_ in too far, the _Feet_ of the _Pages_ that stand towards the hinder _Rail_ of the _Tympan_ will most feell the force of _Plattin_, and according to a greater or less proportion of that force, and to the softness or yielding of the _Paper_, _Tympan_, and _Blankets_, and all other _Springs_ in the _Press_, mentioned in §. 11. ¶ 1. of this _Volumne_, the _Feet_ of the _Pages_ and _Beard_ of the _Letter_ will more or less Print _Hard_.

Wherefore in this case he _Runs_ the _Carriage_ under the _Plattin_, till the farther Edge of the _Plattin_ just cover the _Feet_ of those _Pages_, and with a piece of Chalk makes a White stroke over the _Board_ of the hither side of the _Carriage_ behind, and the upper side of the _Rail_ of the _Ribs_: Then he _Runs_ in the _Carriage_ again, till the Foreside of the _Plattin_ just cover the _Feet_ of the _Pages_ next the _Hind Rail_ of the _Tympan_, and makes another mark with Chalk on the _Rail_ of the _Ribs_ to joyn with the mark he first made on the _Board_ of the _Carriage_. Then he _Runs_ out the _Carriage_, and lays the _Tympan_ down on the _Form_; and _Runs_ in the _Carriage_ again till he joyn the mark or line he made first on the _Carriage-board_ and _Rail_ of the _Ribs_, and makes a mark with Chalk on the farther _Rail_ of the _Tympan_ just range with the Foreside of the _Plattin_. This mark on the _Tympan_ shews him how far he must _Run_ the _Carriage_ in against the Fore-edge of the _Plattin_ for the _First Pull_. Then he _Runs_ in the _Carriage_ farther, till he joyn the same Mark or Line on the _Carriage-board_ to the second Mark he made on the _Rail_ of the _Ribs_, and makes another Mark on the further _Rail_ of the _Tympan_ just range with the Fore-side of the _Plattin_, for the Mark he is no _Run_ the _Carriage_ in to against the Fore-edge of the _Plattin_, for his _Second Pull_.

_9thly_, He Examines if the _Catch_ of the _Bar_ will hold the _Bar_ when the _Spindle_ makes a small Spring, _viz._ When the _Bar_ flies but a little way back from the pressure of the _Form_: If it will not, he knocks up the _Catch_ a little higher till it will, and then Screws the _Screw_ on the _Shank_, and consequently the _Catch_ close and firm against the _Cheek_ of the _Press_.

But if the _Catch_ stand too high, so that it will not without a great Spring, (_viz._ when the _Bar_ is _Pull’d_ hard from the farther _Cheek_) fly up; He then knocks upon the top of the _Catch_ to sink it lower; And when it is well fitted Screws it up again, as before.

If the _Catch_ of the _Bar_ stand too Low, it will not hold the _Bar_; But it will _Come down_ again of it self when he is in his train of Work: For if, as it often happens, he lets the _Bar_ fly harder than ordinary back, or if it slip out of his Hand, it will knock hard against the _Cheek_, and Spring back again.

If the _Catch_ of the _Bar_ stand but a little too High, the Violence of the _Bars_ flying back to make it stick on the _Catch_ will soon Loosen the Square of the _Bar_ in the _Eye_ of the _Spindle_; and indeed subject the whole _Press_ to an unstable condition.

This is another ease and convenience these New-fashioned _Presses_ gives the _Press-man_: For in the Old make of the _Press_, when the _Catch_ of the _Bar_ holds too hard, or too soft, he is troubled to Raise or Sink the _Catch_ with the thickness of _Scaboards_, which being indevisable, does not without trouble or luck justen it to an exact Heighth. And besides, These _Under-lays_ being but put under the _Catch_ upon the _Wooden Bearer_ without any Fastning, are very subject to work out by the constant disturbance the motion of the several Parts of the _Press_ (when at work) gives it: Or else (which is worse) he many times is forced to batter the _Cheek_ of the _Press_, with drawing and driving of Nails out and in it, to fit on another _Catch_ bigger or lesser, whereas here with a softer or an harder knock of the Hammer (as aforesaid) he Raises or Sinks the _Catch_, and afterwards Screws it firmly up.

_10thly_, He considers whether the _Stay_ of the _Frisket_ stands neither too forwards or too backwards. The _Stay_ may stand too forwards, though when it is leisurely turn’d up it stays the _Frisket_: Because, when the _Press-man_ is in a Train of Work, though he generally throws the _Frisket_ quick up with an accustomed, and as he intends, equal strength; yet if his guess at strength in throwing it up varies, and it comes (though but a little) harder up, the _Batten_ fastned on the _Cap_, and the Perpendicular _Batten_ fastned to the aforesaid _Batten_ (as is described in §. 11. ¶ 21. of this Volumne) will by their shaking cause a Spring, which will throw the _Frisket_ back again upon the _Tympan_: Nay, though (as sometimes it happens) a solid Wall serves to do the Office of a _Stay_ for the _Frisket_; yet with a little too hard throwing it up, the _Frisket_ it self will so shake and tremble (its Frame being made of thin Iron) from end to end, that e’re it recover rest, its own Motion will by the quick running of a Spring through it beat it back again.

If the _Stay_ stand too backward, then after he has given the _Frisket_ a Touch to bring it down, it will be too long e’re it come down, and so hinder his Riddance.

Therefore he places the _Stay_ so, that the _Frisket_ may stand but a little beyond a Perpendicular backwards, that with a near-guess’d strength in the tossing it up it may just Stand, and not come back; For then with a small Touch behind, it will again quickly come down upon the _Tympan_.

_11thly_, He considers the Scituation of the _Foot-step_, and that he places so as may best suit with his own Stature; For a Tall man may allow the _Foot-step_ to stand farther off and lower than a Short, because his Legs reach farther under the _Carriage_, and can tread hard to add strength to his _Pull_; when a Short man must strain his Legs to feel the _Foot-step_, and consequently diminish the force of his _Pull_.

_12thly_, He fits the _Gallows_, so that the _Tympan_ may stand as much towards an upright as he can: Because it is the sooner clapt down upon the _Form_ and lifted up again. But yet he will not place it so upright, but that the White Sheets of Paper he lays on it may lye securely from sliding downwards: And for _Reteration_ Sheets their lying upon the _Points_ secures them.

In these New-fashioned _Presses_ there is no trouble to place the _Gallows_, so as it may mount the _Tympan_ to any Position: For sliding the _Male-duftails_ made on the _Feet_ of the _Gallows_ through the _Female Duftails_ fastned on the _Planck_ of the _Carriage_, performs this great trouble that in our English _Presses_ requires Un-nailing the Studs of the _Gallows_ and Nailing them again; and many times tearing them and the _Carriage-Planck_ to pieces: And that so oft as the fancy of the _Press-man_ alters, or another Work-man comes to Work at that _Press_.

_13thly_, Few _Press-men_ will Set the range of the _Paper Bench_ to stand at right angles with the _Plank_ of the _Carriage_: But draws the farther end of the _Paper Bench_ so as the hither side may make an Angle of about 75 Degrees (more or less) with the hither side of the _Carriage_: The reason is, if the hither side of the _Paper Bench_ stand at right Angles with the hither side of the _Carriage_, he must carry his Hand farther when he _Lays out Sheets_ which would hinder riddance: Besides his _Companion_ has a nearer access to it, to look over the _Heap_; which he frequently does, to see the constant Complexion of the Work.

_14thly_, The _Press-man_ brings his _Heap_ and Sets it on the hither end of the _Paper Bench_ as near the _Tympan_ as he can, yet not to touch it, lest it stop the _Tympan_ in a train of Work: and he places an end of the _Heap_ towards him. Then taking off the _Paper-board_ that cover’d it when it was Prest, he lays the long sides of it parallel to the sides of the _Paper Bench_: Then he takes the uppermost Sheet (which as you may Remember is a Waste-sheet) and lays it on the empty _Paper-board_; And taking Three or Four or Five Quires off his _Heap_ in both his Hands, he lifts it a pretty height above his Head, and claps it as hard as he can down upon the rest of the _Heap_, to loosen the Sheets that with Pressing stick close together: And not thinking them yet loose enough, he thrusts them long-ways and side-ways, heaving and huffing them till he think he has pretty well loosen’d or hollow’d that quantity of Paper.

Then with the nail of his Right Hand Thumb, sloaping from his Thumbward, he draws or slides forwards the upper Sheet, and two or three more commonly follows gradually with it, over the hither edge the _Heap_, to prepare those Sheets ready for him to snatch off the _Heap_.

_15thly_, He considers if the _Face_ of the _Tympan_ be moist enough, for a _Tympan-sheet_ to stick to, for though he Wet the back-side of it before to supple it, yet if the _Tympan_ be strong, the Water will not soak quite through to moisten the _Face_, So that he wets the Spunge in fair Water, and besprinkles the upper side or _Face_ of the _Tympan_ all over: And squeezing the Water that is left in the Spunge well out again, rubs it quickly and gently all over the _Face_ of the _Tympan_, to drink up or lick off the body of Water that he besprinkles on, and only leaves moisture on the _Face_ of the _Tympan_ to hold the Sheet.

Here accrews now a benefit by the make of these New-fashioned _Presses_ to the Master _Printer_: For these _Presses_ having a _Gutter_ fastned to the _Hind-rail_ of the _Carriage_ (as was described in § 10. ¶ 9. of this Volumne) to receive the Water that falls from the _Tympan_, and to convey it beyond the farther side of the _Press_, secures the _Blank_ of the _Carriage_ from Wet and moisture, and consequently from that cause of Rotting.

Then he takes a Sheet of Paper off the _Heap_ for a _Tympan-sheet_, and Folds it exactly into four quarters, and lays the Creases of the Sheet exactly upon the middle of the _Short_ and _Long Crosses_, if the Volumn of the _Form_ allows them both to be in their respective middles of the _Chase_; if not, he lays the Creases exactly against the Notches in the _Chase_ that are made for them respectively: And if his _Frisket_ be Blackt with former Work, he lays a Sheet of Waste-Paper upon the Creast-sheet: Then lays the _Tympan_ down on the _Form_, and _Pulls_ on these two Sheets, and takes up his _Tympan_ again, and lays by the Waste-Sheet; but the Creast-Sheet he lays on the _Tympan_. But first presses the _Tympan_ downwards, from under the Shank of each _Point_ successively, puts the two opposite sides of the Sheet under the _Shancks_ of the _Points_, and the _Holes_ the _Points_ prickt with _Pulling_ exactly under the bottom Revits of the _Points_: Then taking a little Paste on the Ball of one of his fingers, a little besmears the under corners of that Sheet, and claps them down close on the _Tympan_, that the Sheet may stick: But the bottom corner of that side the Sheet that is next to him, he besmears within the Matter of the Sheet, _viz._ within the Impression the _Form_ made. For when he has fastned that corner down, he tears off the _Margin_, (by guess) in a straight line athwart the very corner, that it may not lye in his way to catch at as he _Takes off Sheets_, when he is in his train of Work.

This Sheet is called the _Tympan-sheet_; and is only as a standing mark to lay all the other Sheets exactly even upon, while he Works upon _White-paper_.

The _Press-man_ does now suppose he has _Made Ready_: Yet for assurance he will try his _Register_ once more, lest some of the _Quoins_ should have slipt. How he made _Register_ I shewed you before, wherefore if his _Register_ be not good, he mends it as I there shewed. But we will suppose it now good, wherefore he gently _Knocks_ up all the _Quoins_ in the corners, with an equal force to fasten them.

Though I have in Numerical order set down these Operations, Circumstances and Confederations in this ¶: yet does not the _Press-man_ oblige himself to observe them in this or any other orderly succession: Because it often happens that some of these Operations may more readily be performed out of this or any other prescribed Order.

¶ 8. _Of_ Drawing _the_ Tympans _and_ Frisket.

_Drawing_ the _Tympans_ or _Frisket_ is the Covering and Pasting on of Vellom, Forrels or Parchment upon the _Frames_. To each _Tympan_ and _Frisket_ is chose a Skin large enough to cover and lap about the Frames.

These Skins the _Press-man_ rumples up together, and puts them into a Pail of fair Water to soak; and if he thinks they do not soak fast enough, he takes them and rubs them between his Hands, as Women wash Cloaths, to supple them, that the Water may Soak the faster in. And being throughly Soakt he wrings the Water as well out as he can.

Then the Boy having provided a Brush and about a Pint of Paste, made of fine Wheaten Flower, well boiled in fair Water to the consistency of Hasty-pudding, he spreads the Skin flat upon a Table; and first Pastes the under Side of the _Tympan_; then lays it on the middle of the Skin, and rearing each side successively up, Pastes the Skin also from the insides the _Tympan_ to the outer edges of the Skin, and lays the _Tympan_ down flat again: Then he Pastes all the other sides of the _Tympan_, and wraps the Skin about the two long Sides first, Cutting the Sides of the Skin away so much, till he leaves only enough to reach almost quite through the under-sides of the _Tympan_ again: Then drawing and straining the Skin tighter, he drives in the points of two-penny or three-penny Nails about six Inches distant from one another, to keep the Skin from starting as it Dries.

Having thus Drawn the sides, he with the Point of a Pen-knife cuts square holes in the Skin, just where the _Iron-Joynts_ fall, for the Joynts to fall into, and Draws and Strains the ends of the _Tympan_ as he did the Sides; wrapping the ends of the Skin under the under-sides of the _Tympan_, and where Wood is, drives in the points of Nails, as before.

Then setting it by to dry; when it is dry, he draws the Nails.

As he Drew this _Tympan_, so he Draws the other: and the _Frisket_ also: only, because he cannot drive in Nails, (the _Frisket_ being all made of Iron) he doubles the Skin over the sides of the _Frisket_, and being well Pasted, as aforesaid; he Sews the sides that Lap over down upon the whole Skin, to keep it from starting while it drys: And he Pastes a Sheet or two Thick of Paper all over the inside of it; as well to strengthen as to thicken it.

¶ 9. _Of Wetting Paper._

Paper is commonly _Wet_ in a Tray full of fair Water. The _Press-man_ places the length of the Tray before him; his dry _Heap_ on the Left Hand the Tray, and a _Paper-Board_ with its Breadth before him on his Right Hand of the Tray: He lays first a Waste Sheet of Paper on the _Paper-board_, lest the Board might Soyl or foul the first Sheet of the _Heap_. Then he takes up the first _Token_, and lays it in such a position that the backs of the Quires lye towards his Right Hand, that he may the readier catch at the Back of each Quire with his Right Hand, when he is to _Wet_ it: And he lays that _Token_ athwart, or somewhat Crossing the rest of the _Heap_, that he may the easier know when he has _Wet_ that _Token_.

Then taking the first Quire of the _Heap_ with the back of it in his Right Hand, and edge of the Quire in his Left, he lays the Quire down upon the Waste Sheet, so, as that the back of the Quire lye upon the middle crease of the Waste Sheet, and consequently one half of the Quire already laid even down upon one half of the Waste Sheet. If the Paper be Strong, he opens about half the Quire, and turns it over dry upon the other half of the Waste Sheet: But if the Paper be Weak and Spungy, he opens the whole Quire, and lays that down Dry.

The reason why he lays the first Laying-down Dry, is, because it lying under the rest of the _Heap_ will sufficiently imbibe the moisture that Soaks from it: And the reason why he leaves but half a Quire Dry for strong Paper, and an whole for Spungy, is, Because Spungy Paper Soaks in moisture faster than Strong.

Having laid down his Dry Laying, he takes another Quire off the Dry _Heap_, with the back of the Quire in his Right Hand, and the edge of the Quire in his Left, (as before,) and closing his Hand a little, that the Quire may bow a little downwards between his Hands, he Dips the back of the Quire into his Left Hand side of the Tray of Water: And discharging his Left Hand of the Quire, Draws the Quire through the Water with his Right; but as the Quire comes out at the Right Hand side of the Tray, he nimbly catches the edge of the Quire again in his Left Hand, and brings it to the _Heap_, but by lifting up his Left Hand bears the under side of the Quire off the Dry Paper, laid down before, lest the Dry Sheet should stick to the Wet, before he have plac’d the Quire in an even position, and so perhaps wrinkles a Sheet or two, or else put a Dry Sheet or two out of their even position, on the sides or ends.

But this Drawing the Quire through the Water he performs either nimbly or slowly: If the Paper be Weak and Spungy, he performs it quickly; if Strong and Stubborn, slowly.

To place this Quire in an even position, he lays the back of the Quire exactly upon the opening crease of the former Quire, and then lets the side of the Quire in his Left Hand fall flat down upon the _Heap_; and discharging his Right Hand, brings it to the edge of the Quire; and with the assistance of his Left Hand Thumb (still in its first position) opens or divides either a third or half of the whole Quire, according to the quality of the Paper, (as was said before,) and spreading the Fingers of his Right Hand as much as he can through the length of the Quire, turns over his opened division of the Quire upon his Right Hand side of the _Heap_.

The reason why he spreads the Fingers of his Right Hand as much as he can through the Length of the Quire; is, because the outside Half Sheet is Wet, and consequently quickly Limber, so that if the Paper be Weak, it would fall Down before the rest of his Opening, and double into wrinkles, which thus spreading his Fingers prevents.

In the same manner he Wets all the Quires of his Dry _Heap_. _See Plate 29._

But having Wet his first _Token_, he doubles down a great corner of the upper Sheet of it on his Right Hand, so as the farther corner may lye a little towards the Left Hand of the crease in the middle of the _Heap_, and so as the hither corner may Hang out on the hither side of the _Heap_ about an Inch and an half: This Sheet is called the _Token-Sheet_, as being a mark for the _Press-man_ when he is at Work to know how many _Tokens_ of that _Heap_ is _Wrought-off_, and consequently to know how many is to Work.

When he has Wet the first _Token_, he removes the next uppermost Dry _Token_ askew on the Dry _Heap_, and successively all the rest, as I shewed in the beginning of this ¶.

Having Wet the whole _Heap_, he lays a Waste Sheet of Paper upon it, that the _Paper-Board_ to be laid on, Soyl not the last Sheet of the _Heap_: Then three or four times takes up as much Water as he can in the hollow of his Hand, and throws and sprinkles it all over the Waste-sheet that it may moisten and Soak downwards into the un-wet upper part of the last Division of the Quire.

The Paper being thus Wet, he takes up the whole _Heap_ upon the _Paper-board_, and sets it by in a convenient place of the Room, and lays another _Paper-board_ upon it: And upon the middle of the _Paper-board_, sets about Half an Hundred Weight, and lets it stand by to press, commonly till next Morning: For _Press-men_ generally Wet their Paper after they have left Work at Night.

The manner how Paper is _Set out_, shall be shewed when I come to the Office of the _Warehouse-keeper_.

¶ 10. _Of_ Knocking up _the_ Balls.

_Ball Leathers_ (as I said before in § 11. ¶ 21.) are either _Pelts_ or _Sheep-skins_: If _Pelts_, they are chosen such as have a strong Grain, and the Grease well Wrought out of them: They are either Wet or Dry before they come to the _Press-mans_ use: If Wet, he having before-hand provided a round Board, of about Nine inches and an half Diameter: Supposing the _Ball-stocks_ to be six Inches diameter, lays the Round Board upon the whole _Pelt_, and cuts by the out-side of the Board so many round pieces as he can out of the _Pelt_, reserving two for his present Use.

And hanging the rest up (commonly upon the _Braces_ of the _Press_) to dry, that they may not Stink or Mould before he have occasion to use them.

But if his _Pelts_ are Dry, he lays them to Soak (by choice in Chamber-ly) but I never heard, or by my experience could find why it is preferred before Fair Water: For the purpose of Soaking them is only to supple them.

If he Work with Leather, It is chosen with a Strong and close grain: Wherefore by experience it is found that the Neck-piece, and indeed all along the back of the Skin is best; but it is commonly subject to be greasie, which gives the _Press-man_ sometimes a great deal of trouble, to make his _Balls Take_. He also lays the _Ball Leathers_ in _Soak_ to supple them.

When they (either _Pelts_ or _Leathers_) are well _Soaked_, he Rubs them well with both his Hands, and then twists and wrings them (as Women do Cloaths) to get the Water out again.

When they are well wrung, he Sits down upon a Seat about fourteen or fifteen Inches high, commonly a _Heap_ of _White Paper_, if it stand conveniently for him; but not upon a _Printed Heap_, least his Weight pressing it cause the un-dryed _Inck_ to _Set-off_: He sits down, I say, and lays the _Ball-stock_ upon his a little opened Thighs near his Knees, that with closing his Thighs he may hold it in a Steddy position, and with the Handle of the _Ball-stock_ towards his Belly. Then taking the _Ball-Leather_, he laps or Folds about three quarters of an Inch of one part of it over so much of it towards his Left Hand into a Plaight, and laying the edges of that Plaight towards him, an Inch above the edge of the _Ball-stock_, he with the Head of the _Sheeps-foot_ drives a _Ball-nail_ into the middle of the Plaight, a little more than half an Inch above the the edge of the _Ball-stock_: But he Drives the _Ball-nail_ not quite up to the Head, but leaves about almost a quarter of an Inch of the Nail out; that with the _Claw_ of the _Sheeps-foot_ he may Draw the Nail again when occasion serves.

Having driven the first Nail, he turns about the _Ball-stock_, till the opposite side, and as near as he can guess, point of the edge of the _Ball-stock_ lyes directly upwards between his Thighs, (as before,) and then taking as near as he can guess the opposite edge of the _Ball-leather_ between his Fore-fingers and Thumb of his Left Hand, he holds the edge of the _Ball-leather_ upright, and having his Wooll or Hair _Teized_, lying by him on his right Hand on the Floor, he grasps at once as near as he can guess, so much as may just serve to fill his _Ball-leather_ and the hollow of the _Ball stock_; which bringing to the hollow of the _Ball-stock_, he draws the _Ball-leather_ over it; and lapping the edges of the _Ball-leather_ over, as before, makes another Plaight, and Drives another Nail, as before: So that here is now the two opposite Sides of the Leather Nailed on. Then he takes up the _Ball_ by the Handle in his Left Hand, and observes whether the Wooll tend more to one than the other open half: If it do, he thrusts it with the ends of his Fingers of his Right Hand into the middle, or else over to the other Half, till the Wooll lyes equally on both the Halfs.

If he have put too much or too little Wooll into the _Ball_, he either takes some out, or adds more to, as the respective Half may require. Then lays it down again between his Thighs, as before, and lays another Plaight in the middle of the _Ball-leather_ on one of the open Halves, and as near as he can guess, between the middle of the two opposite Nails; and Nails that Plaight down to the _Ball-stock_, as before.

In the like manner he Nails down the other open sides, (now Quarters,) and then again takes a View how the Wooll is disposed into the middle of the _Ball_; and where he finds it tend most to any of the open Quarters, he Drives the Wooll with the ends of his fingers, as before, or sometimes when the _Balls_ have been Wrought with, and blackt with _Inck_, with the _Head_ of the _Sheeps-foot_ into the middle, and then Nails down as before all the open Quarters as near as he can guess; between the middle of his former driven Nails, and then again, takes another View as before, to see how the whole _Ball_ pleases him.

If he finds any of the Plaights laid too near one another, he draws that Nail, and alters that Plaight, to lay it as near as he can by guess, in the middle between the next two Plaights.

Then he considers if his _Ball_ be round: If it be not, he thrusts the Wooll from the bunching-out side, towards the wanting side, either with the ends of his Fingers, or the Balls of one of his Hands; while the Wooll is yet loose in the _Ball-stock_: For when the _Ball_ has been Wrought withal, it will grow so hard, that the Wooll will not move out of its place.

Having _Knockt up_ one _Ball_ well, he _Knocks up_ the other, as the first.

The _Balls_ are well _Knockt up_, when the Wooll is equally dispersed about all the Sides, and the middle smoothly covered with the _Leather_, viz. not rising in Hillocks, or falling into Dales, not having too much Wooll in them, for that will subject them to soon hardning, and quickly be uneasie for the _Press-man_ to Work with; or too little, for that will make the _Leathers_, as the Wooll settles with Working soon flap, and wrap over it self into Wrinkles. So that he cannot so well destribute his _Balls_: But the _Balls_ ought to be indifferently plump, to feel like an Hard stuft Bed-pillow, or a strong Spunge a little moistned with Water.

Having Knockt up the _Balls_, and Rub’d out the _Inck_, as shall be shewed in the next ¶, he trys if his _Balls_ will _Take_, that is, he Dabs the top of one of them three or four times lightly upon the hither part of the _Inck-block_; If he finds the _Inck_ sticks to it equally all about, and that so much as has toucht the _Inck-block_ is Black, it _Takes_: But if scarce any of the _Leather_ is Black, or that it be Black and White in Splotches, then the _Balls_ does not _Take_: Wherefore he considers whether his _Ball_ be too Wet, or else Greasie, for each of these inconveniences will hinder the _Taking_ of the _Ball_.

If it be too Wet, he burns half a Sheet or an whole Sheet of Waste Paper, and waves his _Ball_ to and fro over the flame of it; but so quick and cautiously that he neither shrinks the _Leather_ or Dryes it too much: In Winter time when a fire is at Hand, he dryes it gently by the fire.

If it be Greasie, he with the edge of the _Ball-knife_ scrapes off the thick Oyl, that Works down out of the _Nut_ and _Spindle_ of the _Press_, or else with the point of his Knife takes a convenient quaintity of Oyl out of the _Plattin-pan_, or for want of either takes fresh Sallad Oyl and smears and spreads it well all over the whole _Ball-leather_; and then holding the _Ball-knife_ in his Right Hand, with its edge a little sloping downwards that it cut not the _Ball-leather_, and the handle of the _Ball-Stock_ in his Left Hand, he joyns the bottom of the _Ball-leather_, viz. as near the outer edge of the _Leather_ as he can, for the _Ball Nails_ to the edge of the _Ball-knife_, and turning the _Ball_ about by its Handle, presses it hard against the sloapt edge of the _Ball-knife_, and at once drives the laid on Oyl and Grease too before the sloapt edge of the _Ball-knife_; but he keeps the Handle of the _Ball-Stock_, and consequently the whole _Ball_ too, constantly turning, that the whole circumference of the _Ball_ may be _Scraped_: And as the _Ball_ has performed a Revolution against the sloapt edge of the _Ball-knife_, he draws gradually his Left Hand a little backish, that the sloapt edge of the _Ball-knife_ may by several Spiral revolutions of the _Ball_, scrape up to the very top of the _Ball_, and carries before it the Oyl and Grease thither: Which having there, he gathers up upon the _Blade_ of his _Ball-knife_ and disposes of it, as of so much Dirt and Filth.

After a due process of either of these Operations respectively, his _Ball_ will _Take_, and he again dabs gently the top of his _Ball_ three or four times on the _Inck-block_ (as before) and finding it _Take_, he takes the Handle of it into the clutched Fingers of his Left Hand, holding the _Ball-stock_ just a little above the circle of his Fore-finger and Thumb, and grasps the Handle of the other _Ball-stock_ into his Right Hand, with the circle of his Finger and Thumb upwards, and the now bottom of his Right Hand downwards, but not resting upon the _Ball-stock_; and trys if that _Ball_ will _Take_, by dabbing the Leather of it three or four times upon the other _Ball_; If it do not _Take_ with dabbing, he twists the _Balls_ in either Hand close and hard, contrary to one another, to besmear the upper with the under _Ball_. If after this, the upper _Ball_ do not _Take_, he considers the cause, and remedies it, as he did the first _Ball_.

¶ 11. _Of_ Rubbing out Inck.

Before the _Press-man_ goes to Work, he Rubs out his _Inck_.

If the _Inck_ have lain long on the _Inck-block_ since it was _Rubbed out_, the Superficies of it generally is dryed and hardened into a Film or Skin, wherefore the _Press-man_ carefully takes this Film quite off with the _Slice_ before he disturb the Body of the _Inck_: For should any, though never so little of it, mingle into the _Inck_, when the _Ball_ happens to take up that little particle of Filin, and delivers it again upon the _Face_ of the _Letter_, it will be a _Pick_, and Print black, and deface the Work: And if it get between the _Face_ of two or more _Letters_, or the _Hollows_ of them, it will obliterate all it covers. And if it be _Pull’d_ upon, and the _Press-man_ not careful to over-look his Work, it may run through the whole _Heap_.

Wherefore having carefully skinned off the Film with the edge of the _Slice_, he scrapes his _Slice_ clean with the _Ball-knife_, lest some small parts of the Film should yet stick to, or remain on the _Slice_: And then with the _Slice_ brings the body of _Inck_ into the middle of the Plain of the _Inck-block_, and searches the sides of the _Inck-block_, by thrusting the edge of the _Slice_ forwards along them and all the angles of the _Inck-block_, and so scrapes off all the _Inck_ as clean as he can, and gathers it to the whole mass of _Inck_: Then with the _Slice_ he turns the whole mass about half a score times over and over to mingle it well together, lest some part of it should be more consolidated than the rest: And to mingle it yet better, he then falls to _Rubbing_ it with the _Brayer_, grasping the Handle of it in his Right Hand, he begins to _Rub_ with all his strength at the hithermost side-boundings of the Body of _Inck_, and keeping _Rubbing_ through the almost whole length of the _Inck-block_, he gradually proceeds to the farther side of the Body of _Inck_. In this manner of _Rubbing_ he bears hardest upon the farther edge of the _Brayer_, because the hither sides of the _Inck-block_ are not fenced in with Rails about them; and should he _Rub_ with the bottom of the _Brayer_ flat upon the _Inck-block_, he might draw too great a body of _Inck_ to the unfenced sides; so that the _Inck_ would be subject to run off: This _Rubbing_ is only to spread the _Inck_ pretty equally over the superfices of the _Inck-block_: Wherefore he now begins a circular _Rubbing_, observing in the circulation of the _Brayer_ that he always a little mounts the part of the edge of the bottom, which in its progress is ready to approach a prominent body of _Inck_, that it may somewhat slide over it, that the _Inck_ be not lickt up high on the sides of the _Brayer_.

Then with the Handle of the _Slice_ in his Left Hand and the Handle of the _Brayer_ in his Right, he joyns the bottom edge of the _Slice_ to the side of the _Brayer_, holding the flat of the _Slice_ Horizontal, and the bottom of the _Brayer_ perpendicular both over the _Inck-block_, and keeping his _Brayer_ and _Slice_ in this position, by turning the _Handle_ of the _Brayer_ in his Right Hand, held pretty stiff against the edge of the _Slice_, he scrapes off all the _Inck_ that the side of the _Brayer_ has lickt up: And setting down his _Brayer_, he takes the _Slice_ in his Right Hand and lays what _Inck_ he scrapes off the side of the _Brayer_ again upon the _Inck-Block_, and _Slices_ the whole mass of _Inck_ into the farthermost corner of the _Inck-block_.

This _Rubbing_ of the _Inck_ may serve when the _Inck-block_ had _Inck_ on it before.

But if no _Inck_ were on the _Inck-block_ before, then he lays new _Inck_ on the _Inck-block_: Wherefore he considers what Work he Works on: whether it be small or great _Letter_: If it be small _Letter_, or curious Work, the _Inck_ must be _Strong_ he Works with: But if it be great _Letter_ or sleight Work, he makes _Soft Inck_ serve, or at least mingles but a little _Hard Inck_ with it.

If the _Inck_ be too _Hard_, as sometimes in very frosty Weather it will be, then, though his Work be curious, yet he must _Rub_ in a little _Soft Inck_ to soften it; because it will not else _Destribute_ well upon the _Balls_; especially if the _Leathers_ be a little too Wet, or a little Greasie: Besides, it may and many times does pull and tear the Grain off the Skin; which not only spoils the Skin, but fills the _Form_ full of _Picks_.

Sometimes when he finds the _Inck_ too pale, he _Rubs_ in _Blacking_, but he first joults the bottom of the _Blacking Tub_ three or four times against the ground, that if by chance any dirt or filth have gotten into it, it may sink to the bottom of the _Tub_.

But when he either mingles _Strong_ and _Weak Inck_ together, or else puts in _Blacking_, he applies himself again first to _Rubbing_ with the _Brayer_, the length-way of the _Inck-block_, as before, and then to a circular _Rubbing_, as before; and to cleansing his _Brayer_, as before; and this long-ways _Rubbing_, circular _Rubbing_, and cleansing his _Brayer_, he reiterates so oft, till he judge the whole mass of Inck sufficiently _Rubbed_ and mingled, and the _Blacking_ perfectly imbibed by the _Inck_: And then he _Slices_ the whole mass of _Inck_ to the farthermost corner of the _Inck-block_, as before.

¶ 12. _Of_ Destributing _the_ Balls.

I shewed you in ¶ 10 of this § how he dabb’d the _Ball_ on the _Inck-block_, to try if it would _Take_: And I shewed you in what Posture he handled the _Balls_ when he tryed if the other _Ball_ would _Take_: Therefore for _Taking Inck_ and Handling the _Balls_ I (to avoid tautology) refer you to that ¶.

Having now _Taken Inck_, and gotten the _Balls_ in his Hands, in that posture, he Works them side-ways upon one another to and from him, and with a craft (acquired by use) in the Handling of the _Balls_, all the while keeps the Handles, and consequently the whole _Ball-stocks_ (both) turning round in his Hands and in a motion contrary to each other, _viz._ His under _Ball_ moving from the Left Hand to the Right, and his upper _Ball_ moving from his Right Hand to to the Left; and by and by in a second motion contrary to the first, _viz._ his under _Ball_ moving from the Right Hand to the Left, and his upper _Ball_ moving from the Left Hand to the Right.

And these motions and Operations he continues so long till he judges, and in part perceives the _Inck_ is equally _Destributed_ all over the whole _Ball-Leathers_.

The first way of turning the _Ball Handles_, while the _Balls_ are moved to and from him, is made by pressing the ends or Balls of the fingers of both his Hands upon the _Ball-handles_ from-wards his Hands: And the second way of turning them contrary to the first, is made by gathering in the ends or Balls of of his fingers while they are in their circular to and fro motion. But because in gathering in his fingers, he does somewhat dis-ingage his grasp of the _Ball-Handles_, therefore he lightly and almost insensibly, tosses the _Ball-stocks_ a little up, that when they are dis-ingaged from a close grasp, his fingers ends may the easier draw the _Handles_ towards him. This is a Hand-craft, which by continued use and practice, becomes familiar to his Hands.

¶ 13. _Of_ Beating.

The _Press-man_ imagines, or by his eye judges the length of his _Form_ (be it what Volumne it will) devided into four equal parts or Rows, which four Rows for distinction sake, I shall number from the Left Hand to the right, with first Row, second Row, third Row, fourth Row, just as an _Octavo Form_ is exactly devided by four Rows of _Pages_.

He places his Left Hand _Ball_ at the hither end of the first Row, so that though the _Ball_ be round, yet the square encompassed within that round shall sufficiently cover so much of the square of the hither end of that Row as it is well capable to cover; and his Right Hand _Ball_ he sets upon the hither end of the third Row: He sets his _Balls_ close upon the _Face_ of the _Letter_, with the _Handles_ of the _Ball-stocks_ a little bending towards him: But as he presses them upon the _Face_ of the _Letter_, he mounts them perpendicular; and lifting at once both the _Balls_ lightly just clear off the _Face_ of the _Letter_, he removes them about the fifth part of the breadth of the _Form_ upwards, _viz._ towards the farther side of the _Form_, and again sets them close down upon the _Face_ of the _Letter_, with the Handles of the _Ball-stocks_ again bending a little towards him, as before: and as he presses them upon the _Face_ of the _Letter_, mounts them perpendicular, as before: Thus in about four or five or six such motions, or rather removes of the _Balls_, according to the breadth of the _Form_, he _Beats_ over the first and third Rows. Thus _Beating_ from the hither towards the farther side, is in _Press-mens_ phrase called _Going up the Form_.

The reason why he bends the _Handles_ of the _Ball-stocks_ a little towards him, is, that the _Ball-leathers_ drag not upon the _Face_ of the _Letter_; for then the edges of the hollows between the _Lines_ or _Words_, or the edges of the cavities below the _Face_ would scrape _Inck_ off the _Balls_ to stop up or choak the _Form_. And the reason why (before he removes them) he mounts the _Handles_ of the _Ball-stocks_ a little perpendicular, is, that the _Balls_ may touch in their greatest capacity upon the _Face_ of the _Letter_.

To _Come down the Form_, he skips his _Balls_ both at once from the first and third Row to the second and fourth Row, and brings them down as he carried them up; only, as before, he bended the _Handles_ of the _Ball-stocks_ a little towards him, so now he bends them a little from him: That the _Ball-leathers_ (now _Coming down_) drag not, as aforesaid. Then in like manner he again skips the _Balls_ from the second and fourth Row to the first and third Row, and again _Goes up the Form_ with the _Balls_, as he did before. And then again skips, as before, and _Comes down the Form_ again with the _Balls_.

Having thus gone twice upwards and twice downwards with the _Balls_, the _Form_ is sufficiently _Beaten_ in a train of Work, when the _Face_ of the _Letter Takes_ well.

But if he _Beats_ the first Sheet of a fresh _Form_, or after a _Form_ is _Washed_, or he makes a _Proof_, he _Goes_ three four or five times _Upwards_ and _Downwards_: Least the _Face_ of the _Letter_ should happen to be Wet or moist, and consequently un-apt to take _Inck_, without reiterated _Beatings_.

¶ 15. _Of_ Pulling.

We will suppose now two _Press-men_ going in the Morning to their train of Work: The one they distinguish by the name of _First_, the other his _Second_, these call one another _Companions_: The _First_ is he that has wrought longest at that _Press_, except an Apprentice, for he must allow any Journey-man though new-come that stile: Generally the Master Printer reposes the greatest trust upon his care and curiosity for good Work; although both are equally liable to perform it.

All the priviledge that the _First_ has above the _Second_ is, that the _First_ takes his choice to _Pull_ or _Beat_ the agreed stint first: And that the _Second Knocks up the Balls_, _Washes the Forms_, _Teizes Wooll_, and does the other more servile Work, while the _First_ is imploid about making _Register_, ordering the _Tympan_, _Frisket_, and _Points_, &c. or otherwise _Making Ready_ the _Form_, &c.

The _First_ now takes his spell at _Pulling_: For the _First_ and _Second_ take their spell of _Pulling_ and _Beating_ an agreed number of _Tokens_: Sometimes they agree to change every three _Tokens_, which is three Hours work, and sometimes every six _Tokens_; that they may both _Pull_ and _Beat_ a like number of _Tokens_ in one day.

Under the general notion of _Pulling_ and _Beating_ is comprised all the operations that is in a train of work performed by the _Puller_ and the _Beater_: For though the _Puller Lays on Sheets_, Lays down the _Frisket_, Lays down the _Tympans_ and _Frisket_, _Runs in_ the _Carriage_, _Runs out_ the _Carriage_, takes up the _Tympans_, Takes up the _Frisket_, _Picks_ the _Form_, Takes off the Sheet, and Lays it on the _Heap_, yet all these Operations are in the general mingled and lost in the name of _Pulling_. And as in _Pulling_, so in _Beating_; for though the _Beater Rubs_ out his _Inck_, _Slices_ it up, _Destribute_ the _Balls_, peruses the _Heap_, &c. yet all these Operations are lost in the general name of _Beating_. Thus they say the _First_ or the _Second_ is _Pulling_; or, the _First_ or the _Second_ is _Beating_; though they are performing the different Operations aforesaid: unless upon particular occasions the respective Operations are particularly nam’d.

As there are many Operations conjunct to _Pulling_, and _Beating_, so the _Press-man_ performs them with various Set and Formal Postures and Gestures of the Body. For,

To take a Sheet off the _Heap_, He places his Body almost straight before the hither side of the _Tympan_: I say almost straight, Because it is more straight before the side of the _Tympan_ than it is before the angle made by the _Paper-bench_ and the side of the _Tympan_: But he nimbly twists the upper part of his Body a little backwards towards the _Heap_, the better to see he takes but one Sheet off, which he loosens from the rest of the _Heap_ (as I have shewed before) by drawing the back-side of the Nail of his right Thumb on his Right Hand nimbly over almost the whole length of the _Heap_, and receiving the hither end of the Sheet with the inside of his Left Hand fingers and Thumb catches with his Right Hand about two inches within the farther edge of the Sheet near the upper corner, and about the length of his Thumb below the hither edge of the Sheet, and brings it nimbly to the _Tympan_: And at the same time twists his Body again straight before the _Tympan_, only a very little moving his right Foot from its first Station a little forwards under the _Carriage Plank_: And as the Sheet is coming to the _Tympan_ (we suppose now he Works upon _White Paper_) he nimbly disposes the fingers of his Right Hand under the farther edge of the Sheet near the upper corner; and having the Sheet thus in both his Hands, lays the farther side and two extream corners of the Sheet down even upon the farther side and extream farther corners of the _Tympan-sheet_, but he is careful the upper corner of the Sheet be first laid even, upon the upper corner of the _Tympan-sheet_; that he may the sooner disingage his Right Hand: And if by the nimble casting his eye, he perceive the sides of the Sheet lye un-even upon the _Tympan-sheet_, he with his Left Hand at the bottom corner of the Sheet, either draws it backwards, or pulls it forwards, as the Sheet may lye higher or lower on the hither corners of the _Tympan-sheet_, while his Right Hand being disingaged, as aforesaid, is removed to the backside the _Ear_ of the _Frisket_, and with it gives it a light touch to double it down upon the _Tympan_. And by this time his Left Hand is also disingaged, and slipt to the hither under corner of the _Frisket_, to receive it, that it fall neither too hard or too quick down upon the _Tympan_: For hard falling may shake the loose Sheet on the _Tympan_ out of its place; and so may the quick pressure of the Air between the _Tympan_ and _Frisket_, after the Sheet is well laid: and while his Left Hand receives the _Frisket_ his right is disingaged from the _Ear_ of the _Frisket_, and removed to the middle of the back-side the _Tympan_; which he grasps between the Balls of his Fingers and Thumb, to lift it off the _Gallows_, and double it and the _Frisket_ together on the _Form_. And while the _Tympan_ is coming, he slips his Left Hand Fingers from under the _Frisket_ to the hither outer corner of it, as well to keep the Sheet close to the _Tympan_ in its position, as to avoid the jobbing of the lower side of the _Frisket_ against any small square shoulder, either of the _Furniture_, _Quoins_, _Chase_, or the corners that may stand higher than their common Plain.

Then nimbly slipping his Left Hand, he with it grasps the _Rounce_, and with a moderate strength, nimbly gives its _Winch_ about one Turn round; I say about, because the first _Pull_ will generally fall out to be made about the middle of the _Carriage_; (as was shewed in § 11. ¶ 16.) but perhaps not just in the middle: yet to regulate his _Runing in_, he made a mark before on the farther Rail of the _Tympan_, (as I shewed in ¶ 3. of this §) to which mark he _Runs_ the _Carriage in_, till he bring the mark in a Range with the fore-edge of the _Plattin_; and as it is coming, skips his Hand to within an Inch or two of the end of the _Bar_, and then at once gently leans his Body back, that his Arm as he _Pulls_ the _Bar_ towards him may keep a straight posture; because in a _Pull_ it has then the greatest strength. And he also slips his right Foot upon the _Foot-step_, while his Left Hand holds fast by the _Rounce_; as well to rest on the _Foot-step_ and _Rounce_, as to enable his Body to make a stronger _Pull_; which will prove _Longer_ or _Shorter_, according to the strength put to it, and also the _Hard_ or _Soft Justifying_ of the _Head_, (as was shewed in ¶ 5. of this §.)

Then disingaging his Right Hand again from the _Handle_ of the _Bar_, he slips it to the _Bow_ of the _Bar_, before the Handle fly quite back to the _Cheek_ of the _Press_: For should the _Bar_ by its forcible Spring knock hard against the _Cheek_ of the _Press_, it might not only shake some of its Parts or circumstantial appurtenances out of order, but subject the whole Machine with oft reiteration to an unstable position. Besides, the farther the _Bar_ flyes back, the more he hinders quick riddance in recovering it again. But yet he must let the _Bar_ fly so far back as that the _Tympan_ may just rise clear off the _Plattin_; lest when he _Runs in_ his _Second Pull_, the _Face_ of the _Plattin_ rub upon the _Tympan_, and shoves the Sheet upon the _Face_ of the _Letter_, and sometimes _Slurs_, and sometimes _Doubles_ it upon the _Face_ of the _Letter_.

Having _Pull’d_ the _First Pull_, and having the _Rounce_ still in his Left Hand, He turns the _Rounce_ about again, till the _Carriage Runs in_ so far, as that the second mark on the Rail of the _Tympan_ comes into a Range with the hither edge of the _Plattin_, as before the first mark did; and then _Pulls_ his second _Pull_, as he did his first; and slips his Right Hand again off the _Handle_ of the _Bar_ to the _Bow_, (as before) and guides the _Bar_ up to its _Catch_ leisurely, that coming now near the _Cheek_ it knock not against it: and just as he has _Pulled_ his _Second Pull_, he gives a pretty quick and strong pressure upon the _Rounce_, to turn it back, and the _Carriage_ out again: And so soon as he has given that one pressure, (as aforesaid) he desingages his Left Hand from the _Rounce_, and claps the fingers of it under the middle of the _Tympan_, and on the _Ear_ of the _Frisket_: and while this is doing, removes his Right Hand to the now upper, but immediately it will be the under-side of the _Tympan Rail_, within four or five Inches of the upper end of it, to receive the _Tympan_, as it is lifted up off the _Form_ by his Left Hand. And having thus received it, lets it descend gently down on the _Gallows_. And as it is descending, slips his Left Hand fingers under the hither lower corner of the _Frisket_, and gives the _Frisket_ a toss up; while by this time his Right Hand being disingaged from the _Tympan_, is ready to catch the _Frisket_ by the _Ear_, and convey it quick and gently to its _Stay_: And while the _Frisket_ is going up; he slips the end of the middle finger of his Left Hand, or sometimes the ends of his two middle fingers with their Balls upwards, under the hither lower corner of the _Pulled off Sheet_, and at the instant he has got them under, he nimbly bows his Joynts upwards, to throw up the corner of the Sheet, to make it mount a little, for him to gather about two Inches hold of it between the Balls of his Thumb and fore-finger. And heaving the whole Sheet by this corner a little upwards, He at the same time lifts it off the _Points_, and draws it somewhat towards him; and as it comes, catches it near the upper corner of the same side of the Sheet, between the foremost Joynts of his fore-fingers and Ball of the Thumb of his Right Hand, and nimbly twisting about his Body towards the _Paper-bench_ carries the Sheet over the _Heap_ of _White-paper_ to a _Paper-board_, which before he placed beyond that _Heap_ on his Right Hand, (as aforesaid in ¶ 14.) and lays it down upon a Waste-sheet laid for that purpose on that _Paper-board_; but while it is coming over the _White-paper Heap_, though he have the Sheet between both his fore-fingers and Thumbs, yet he holds the Sheet so loosly that it may move between them as on two Centers, as his Body twists about (as aforesaid) from the side of the _Tympan_ towards the side of the _Paper-bench_.

Thus you see both the _Press-mans_ Hands at the same time alternatively ingaged in different Operations: For while his Right Hand is imployed in one Action his left is busie about another, and these exercises so suddenly varied, that they seem to slide into one another; one Posture beginning when the former is but half performed.

Having thus _Pulled_ one Sheet, and laid it down: He turns his Body towards the _Tympan_ again, and as he is turning gives the next Sheet on the _White-paper Heap_ a Touch with the backside of the Nail of his Right Thumb, as before, to draw it a little over the hither edge of the _Heap_, and lays it on the _Tympan_, &c. as he did the first; and so successively every Sheet till the whole _Heap_ of _White-paper_ be _Wrought off_.

As he comes to a _Token-sheet_, he un-doubles that, and smooths out the Crease with the back-side of the Nails of his Right Hand, that the _Face_ of the _Letter_ may Print upon smooth Paper. And being Printed off, he folds it again, as before, for a _Token-sheet_ when he works the _Reiteration_.

Having _Wrought off_ the _White-paper_, he turns the _Heap_ thus:

He takes the _Paper-board_ that his _White-paper_ lay on, and sets it down on the ground: Then removes the _Heap_ to his Left Hand; then takes up the _Paper-board_, and lays it on his Right Hand: And if it be _Twelves_, or any _Form Imposed_ like _Twelves_, as _Twenty fours_, &c. he turns it from one long side of the Paper to the other, that is, the long side of the Paper that stands on his Right Hand when the Printed side lies upwards, he turns over to his Left Hand, and lays the un-printed side upwards. In performing this, he grasps off of the _Wrought off Heap_ so much at once between both his Hands as he can well govern, without disordering the eveness of the sides of the _Heap_, viz. a _Token_, or more, and lays that upon the _Paper-board_; then takes another grasp in like manner, and lays that on the first grasp, and so successively, till he have turned the whole _Heap_, grasp by grasp. Then removes the _Heap_ near the _Tympan_, and lays the other _Paper-board_ beyond it, as the first _Paper-board_ stood before; always remembring to lay a Waste-sheet first on the _Paper-board_.

Having now turned the _Heap_, and made _Register_ on the _Reteration Form_ (as was shewed in ¶ 7. of this §) he Works off the _Reteration_: But he somewhat varies his posture in the _Laying on his Sheets_: For as before, when he wrought _White Paper_, he catcht the Sheet by the upper farther corner with his Right Hand, he now having heaved up the Sheet (as aforesaid) catches it as near the farther side of the farther _Point-hole_ as he can, with the Ball of his Right Hand Thumb above the Sheet, and the Ball of his fore-finger under the Sheet, the readier to lay the _Point-hole_ over its respective _Point_: which having done, he slips his Body a little backwards, and both his Hands with it, his Right Hand towards the hither _Point-hole_, with the back-sides of the Nails of his fingers to draw or stroak it over the _Point_: and the fingers of his Left Hand, as they come from the farther corner, nimbly slipping along the bottom edge of the Sheet, till they come to the hither corner; and then with his fore-finger and Thumb, layes hold of it, to help guide the _Point-hole_ on that _Point_ also: Then _Pulls_ that Sheet, as before, as he did the _White Paper_, and so successively all the rest of the _Reteration_. Only, the _Token-sheets_, as he meets with them, he Folds not down again, as he did the _White Paper_.

If a _Press-man_ have no _Companion_, but works alone; he has a little oblong Square _Form_ or Bench made to stand so high as the _Face_ of the _Letter_ upon the _Press-stone_, and so long as to contain the _Balls_ when set upon the _Ball-leathers_.

This Form or Bench some Work-men will place on the hither side the hither _Cheek_, within about half an Inch of the foreside of the _Cheek_: And other Work-men will place it on the farther side of the _Carriage_; each sort of Work-men supposing that in the place he sets it, the _Balls_ stand most commodious for his quick taking up and setting down: I shall not plead the convenience of either, but in short speak to the inconveniences of both.

The inconvenience of placing it on the hither side the hither _Cheek_, is, that the _Press-man_ must twist his Body somewhat about to take up the _Balls_. And the inconvenience of placing it on the further side the _Carriage_, is, that the _Press-man_ must thrust his Body over the _Form_ to take up the _Balls_: both ways strain the Body, and hinder riddance.

Those that place it on the hither side the _Cheek_, begin and end their _Beating_ as has already been shewed, _viz._ on the hither side the _Form_: But those that place it on the farther side the _Carriage_, begin and end their _Beating_ on the Rows on the farther side the _Form_.

One _Press-man_ in his train of Work will _Beat_ so soon as he has laid the _Tympan_ on the _Gallows_ after _Pulling_: Another will not _Beat_ till he has laid his Sheet on the _Tympan_, and doubled the _Frisket_ down on it: both sorts fancying their own way most quick and commodious: For these conveniences are the purposes they both drive at.

¶ 16. _Of Printing_ Red, _or other Colours with_ Black.

When _Red_ and _Black_ are to be Printed upon the same Sheet, the _Press-man_ first _Makes Register_, as was shewed ¶ 7. and _Makes Ready_ his _Form_ as was shewed ¶ 14. of this §. Then having a new _Frisket Drawn_, as was shewed ¶ 8. He Prints upon his new _Frisket_ with _Black_. And having before a _Proof-sheet_ Printed _Black_, with the Words to be Printed _Red_ under-lined on that _Proof-sheet_; He takes off his _Frisket_, and lays it flat on a _Paper-board_, and with a sharp-pointed Pen-knife neatly cuts out those words on the _Frisket_, and about half a Scaboard _Margin_ round about the words, that he finds under-lined on the _Proof-sheet_: Then sets the _Frisket_ by till he has wrought off his _Heap_ with _Black_, and puts his common _Frisket_ on the _Joynts_ of the _Tympan_ again.

While the _Press-man_ is _Cutting_ the _Frisket_, the _Compositer_ takes those _Words_ out of the _Form_ that are _Under-lin’d_ on the _Proof-sheet_, and in their place puts _Quadrats_, m-_Quadrats_, _Spaces_, &c. to _Justifie_ the _Lines_ up again.

Then _Locking up_ the _Form_, the _Press-man_ Works off the _Heap_ Black, as was shewed in the last ¶.

Having wrought off his _Heap_ Black, he takes off the common _Frisket_, and puts on his new cut _Frisket_: Then taking a piece of thick Scaboard he cuts it into so many small slips as there are _Whites_ in the _Form_ to be Printed with _Red_; These small slips he cuts exactly to the length of the _Quadrats_, &c. the _Compositer_ put in, and to the breadth of the _Body_; but rather a small matter less than bigger, lest they bind at the bottom of the _Shank_ of the _Letter_: for when the _Compositer_ takes out the _Quadrats_, &c. he put in before the _Form_ was _Wrought off_ Black, these slips of Scaboards the _Press-man_ pricks on the Point of a _Bodkin_ and puts them into their respective holes: And being loosen’d off the Point of the _Bodkin_ with the blunt Point of another _Bodkin_, are laid down flat on the _Press-stone_; These slips are called _Underlays_, and are described in ¶ 14. of this §. Upon these _Underlays_ the _Compositer_ puts in again the _Words_ or _Letters_ he took out before the _Form_ was _Wrought off Black_: So that these _Words_ now stand higher than the other _Matter_ of the _Form_, and therefore will Print when the other _Matter_ will not. But yet for the more assurance that the other _Matter_ Print not, the _New-cut Frisket_ was prepar’d, which hinders any thing to Print but what Prints through the Holes cut in it; which Holes these _Underlaid Words_ fall exactly through.

Having mingled the Red, or any other intended Colour with _Varnish_, as shall be shew’d in the next ¶, he _Beats_ the _Form_ as with _Black_; and _Pulls_ it very lightly, lest these _Underlaid Words_ standing higher than the rest of the _Matter_, Print too _Hard_.

¶ 17. _Of mixing and Grinding Colours with_ Varnish.

_Varnish_ is the common _Menstruum_ for all Colours that are to be used in Printing.

_Red_ is the chief Colour that is used with _Black_ in Book-Printing: of _Reds_ there are two sorts in general use, _viz._ _Vermillion_ and _Red-Lead_; _Vermillion_ is the deepest and purest Red, and always used to Books of Price. _Red-Lead_ is much more faint and foul, and though more used than _Vermillion_, yet used only to Books of Vulgar Sale and Low price, as Almanacks, _&c._

Yet may other Colours also be used to Print withal; yea, any Colours that are used in Oyl-Painting, as _Lake_ and _Russet_, which are _Reds_ deeper than _Vermillion_; _Virditur Indico_ and _Bice_ for Blews; _Orpment_, _Pinck_, _Yellow Oaker_, for Yellow: _Virdigreace_, and Green _Virditur_, for Greens: or what other Colours may be fancied.

But all Colours for Printing must be Ground with _Soft Varnish_; especially those Colours that are of themselves Dryers; as _Red-Lead_, _Vermillion_, _Orpment_, _Verdigrease_; For should they be Ground with _Hard Varnish_ the Colour’d _Inck_ would dry and harden so quick and fast upon the _Form_, that it would soon be choaked up, and consequently want _Washing_ e’re the _Form_ be _Wrought off_; which would be very troublesome to the _Press-man_, because he must expect to have all his _Underlays_ to new fit to their places: And besides, it will so Dry and Harden upon the _Balls_, that the Grain of the _Leathers_ would quickly tear off, and fill the _Form_ full of _Picks_.

The fittest Colours therefore for Printing, are such as are of the lightest Body and Brightest Colour.

They are to be Ground with a Mullar on a smooth Marble Stone, so long that the Colour becomes impalpable, and is throughly mingled with the _Varnish_.

¶ 18. _Of Printing with Gold and Silver._

This Operation is seldom used but for Printing Names; and therefore rarely drest in a _Form_ to the _Press_; but is usually Printed in the _Stick_: And then the _Compositer Justifies_ his Stick very _Hard_, as well that the _Letters_ fall not out when the _Back_ of the _Stick_ is turned upwards, as that the strength of the _Hard Varnish_ the _Face_ of the _Letter_ is _Beat_ with, pulls not the _Letter_ out of the _Stick_.

Therefore the _Press-man_ makes two little _Balls_, by tying about an Handful of Wooll in new clean Leather, and dabs one of his _Balls_ upon the Hardest _Varnish_ he has, and with the other destributes his _Varnish_ to a convenient Fatness, as he did his _Balls_ in ¶ 12. With one of these _Balls_ he _Beats_ the _Name_; and having his Paper _Wet_, he lays a single _Blanket_ on the _Correcting-stone_, and his Paper on the _Blanket_; and with a _Riglet_ fitted to the _Stick_, he presses the _Letter_ to keep it straight in _Line_: Then places the _Face_ of the _Letter_ exactly flat down upon the Paper, and with the force of both his Hands presses the _Letter_ hard and even down upon the Paper, to receive an Impression: But he takes care not to wriggle the _Letter_ in the _Stick_ backwards or forwards, lest either the _Beard_ Print, or the sides of the _Letter_ be more or less besmeared with the _Varnish_: Because the Gold or Silver will stick to the least Sully that the _Varnish_ may chance to make.

Then cutting his Gold or Silver to a size full big enough to cover the Printed _Name_ or _Matter_, he lays his Gold or Silver on what was Printed, and with a little White Cotton gently presses the Gold or Silver upon the Printed _Matter_, and lets the Paper lye by a while; as well that it may dry, as the _Varnish_ Harden, (which will quickly be) he with his Handkerchief gently wipes over the Printed _Matter_. So shall all the Gold or Silver that was toucht by the _Varnish_, stick to the _Varnish_ on the Paper, and the other will wipe away.

If he lifts to Polish it, he uses a Tooth or the Ivory Handle of a Knife.

¶ 19. _Rules observed; and Remedies to the Inconveniences the_ Press-man _may meet with in a Train of Work_.

1. The _Press-man_ is to make a _Proof_ so oft as occasion requires: If he takes off his _Form_ to make a _Proof_, he _Un-locks_ and lays the _Quoins_, as shall be shewed when I come to _Washing_ of the _Form_: but many _Printing-houses_ have an empty _Press_ stands by to make _Proves_ on.

The _Compositer_ having brought the _Form_ to the _Press_, lays it down on the _Press-stone_, and the _Press-man_ places it even under the _Plattin_, that the _Plattin Bear_ not harder on the hither or farther side of the _Form_: Then he _Pulls_ the _Cards_ upon the _Form_, to press it into a flat position: Then _Beats_ the _Form_ four or five times over, that he may be sure it _Take_: Then he lays the _Proof-sheet_ on the _Form_, so as by his Judgement it shall have an equal _Margin_ on all its opposite sides, and a double _Blanket_ on the _Proof-sheet_; and _Running in_ the _Carriage_, _Pulls_ the _Proof-sheet_: Having _Pull’d_ it, he _Runs-out_ the _Carriage_ again, and takes the _Proof-sheet_ off the _Form_. Then with the _Ly-brush_ dipt in _Ly_, he _Rubs over_ the _Face_ of the _Letter_ three or four times, to Wash off what _Inck_ may remain on it, and carries the _Form_ again to the _Correcting-stone_ and lays it down: And the _Proof_ he carries to the _Compositers Case_.

2. If the _Form_ he Works on be _Small-letter_, or _Old Letter_, he uses _Strong Inck_; and _Beats Lean_: For _Weak Inck_ and _Fat Beating_, will quickly Choak up the _Face_ of the _Letter_. But to fetch off _Hard Inck_ thin _Beat_ on the _Face_ of the _Letter_, he _Pulls Hard_. But if the _Form_ be great _Letter_ or _Black English Letter_, it will allow _Fatter Beating_.

3. He keeps a constant and methodical posture and gesture in every action of _Pulling_ and _Beating_, which in a train of Work becomes habitual to him, and eases his Body, by not running into unnecessary divertions of Postures or Gestures in his Labour, and it eases his mind from much of its care, for the same causes have constantly the same effects. And a _Pull_ of the same strength upon the same _Form_, with the same _Beating_, and with the same _Blankets_, &c. will give the same Colour and Impression.

4. That every two Sheets, if the _Form_ be small _Letter_ (rarely three, unless _Great Letter_) he _Takes Inck_; and so soon as he comes off the _Form_, viz. has _Beat_ it, he falls to _Destributing_ his _Balls_. And that Sheet which he _Takes_ not _Inck_ he steps to the _Heap_ to overlook the Colour, _viz._ whether he has _Taken_ too much or too little _Inck_; and to see if no accidents have befallen the _Form_, viz. that no _Letters_, _Quadrats_ or _Furniture_, &c. Rise, that no _Letters_ are _Batter’d_; That _Bearers_ fail not, _viz._ grow so thin with long _Pulling_ on, as not to perform the office of _Bearers_; that the _Register_ keep good; that no _Pick_ be got into the _Form_, or any other accident that may deface the beauty of the Work, but all this while still keeps his _Balls Destributing_.

If he have taken too much _Inck_, which sometimes may happen (but seldom for want of carelessness) he will not _Take Inck_ again, till he have wrought his _Balls_ to a good and moderate Colour. But if the Sheet already _Pull’d_, be so _Black_ that it may not tolerably pass, he Doubles or Folds it in the middle and lays it cross the _Heap_, that the _Gatherer_ may take or leave it, in case the _Heap_ falls Short. If he foresee the next Sheet will also be too _Black_, he takes a Dry Sheet of Waste Paper between his _Balls_ and _Destributes_ upon that Dry Sheet, that it may take off the _Inck_.

If in doing this, the strength of the _Inck_ have _Pull’d_ the _Paper_ to pieces, so that small rowl’d-up bits may stick upon the _Ball-leathers_, if they be but a few he picks them off with his Fore-finger and Thumb, but if there be many he makes his _Balls_ clean by _Scraping_ them (as I shewed in ¶ 10. of this §) for else these small rowl’d-up bits of Paper will be apt to fill the _Form_ full of _Picks_.

If _Letters_, _Quadrats_ or _Furniture Rise_, he puts them down, the _Letters_ and _Quadrats_ with his _Bodkin_, and the _Furniture_ with his _Hammer_, and _Locks_ the _Quarter_ they are in, a little Harder.

If any _Letters_ are _Batter’d_, he _Unlocks_ the _Quarter_ they are in, and desires the _Compositer_ to put in others in their room.

If _Bearers_ Fail, that is, Squeeze thinner with long _Pulling_ on, he takes those _Bearers_ off, if they are on the _Frisket_, and puts on thicker: But if the _Furniture_, were _Under-laid_ (as I shewed in ¶ 7. of this §) he _Unlocks_ the _Quarter_ they are in, and _Underlays_ them according to his Judgement.

If _Register_ be _Out_, which sometimes happens by the starting of the _Quoins_, he mends it, as I shewed in ¶ 7. of this §.

If a few _Picks_ are got into the _Form_, that is, little bits of Paper, Skin or Film of _Inck_, Grease or other filth which may stick to the _Face_, or get into the hollows of the _Letter_, he with the point of a Needle picks them out: But if many be gotten in, he takes off the _Form_ and Washes it, as shall hereafter be shewed.

And though he every other Sheet overlook the _Heap_ (as was said before) yet his _Companion_ that _Pulls_, by an habitual use casts his eye upon every single Sheet; Yet rarely hinders his riddance by it, for while he is taking the Sheet off the _Tympan_, he gives a quick spreading glance upon it, and lays it down, as was shewed ¶ 15. of this §, unless he perceive somewhat to mend: For then he lets it lye on the _Tympan_ till he has mended what was amiss.

And that he may _Take Inck_ more equally, to keep the _Balls_ of an equal Fatness, he keeps the _Rubb’d out Inck_ on the _Inck-block_ of an equal Fatness; which to do, he with the under-edge of the bottom of the _Brayer_, draws often from the mass of _Inck_ a small, (and as near as he can guess) an equal quantity of _Inck_, viz. about the quantity of a Pea, and with the _Brayer_ Rubs and disperses that _Inck_ of an equal thickness, all over the hither corner of the _Inck-block_. While this is doing he holds the _Balls_ upright on one another in his Left Hand, leaning the Handle of the uppermost _Ball-stock_ against his Breast.

The equal and often _Taking_ of _Inck_ in a small quantity, and constant _Destributing_ of the _Balls_, is the onliest means to keep the _Heap_ throughout of an equal Colour, and to avoid _Beating_ of _Fryers_.

5. If he meets with naughty Sheets in his Work; as torn, or stain’d, _&c._ he Prints them not, but throws them under the _Paper-bench_; and if any crease or wrinkles be in any Sheet, he laying the backs of his four Left Hand fingers upon a smooth place in the Sheet, rubs with the backs of the Nails of his Right Hand Fingers from-wards him upon the wrinckles, till he have smoothened them.

6. And though his constant care is to Lay every particular Sheet even upon the _Heap_, yet it often happens either through _White Pages_ that may come in the _Form_, which because not Printed lye solid on one another, the unequal pressing of one side or end of the Paper, or the unequal Bearing of the _Plattin_ on one side or end of the _Form_; I say it often happens by these accidents, that the _Heap_, as it grows higher is on one part of the Sheet raised above, and on another part sunk below an Horizontal level: It is raised higher on that side or end of the _Heap_ most prest in the _Tympan_, and by consequence makes the Paper there more Huffie; Because deep pressure of the _Letter_ into the Paper below the common level of the Sheet bears the Paper off from the _Heap_, on the underside the Sheet; and the greater the number of Sheets are thus Printed off and laid on the _Heap_, the more that side or end of the _Heap_ shall Rise: And by the Rule of Contraries, when _White Pages_ come in the _Form_, the greater number of Sheets laid on the _Heap_, shall where those _White Pages_ lye, make the _Heap_ lower in that place, because they clap solider together, for want of Printing the Paper through the backside level of each Sheet: So that the small un-level lying of every Sheet, though unperceptable, in a small number of Sheets, makes each Sheet incline to the lowest side of the _Heap_, and as the _Heap_ accumulates heighth, throws the _Heap_ more or less towards the dripping side, or end over the bottom of the _Heap_.

To remedy which, he claps the insides of both his Hands against both the ends of the _Heap_, but more forcibly against the Hanging over end towards the other end, till he has drove the _Heap_ into an upright position.

If either of the sides hang over, he with the inside of his Left Hand commonly against the farther side of the _Heap_, and the outside of his Right Hand fingers on the hither side the _Heap_, either draws the hanging over side towards him with his Left Hand, or thrusts it from him with his Right Hand fingers, as aforesaid, while his opposite Hand does the office of a stop, that it be not drawn too forward, or thrust too much backward. Then where the _Heap_ rises above the Level, he with the inside flats of one or both of his Hands presses it down into an Horizontal Plain.

7. If it be a _Reteration_ he Works, and a great Number is laid on, he uses a _Tympan-cloath_ instead of a _Tympan-sheet_: This _Tympan-cloath_ is a Fine and even Linnen Cloath, about an Inch or two larger on every side than the Paper he Works on: He Wets this Cloath and wrings the Water out again, so that it remains only moist: Then lays his Cloath instead of his _Tympan-sheet_, and Pastes the corners of the under side of it to the _Tympan_, and Works upon it as on a _Tympan-sheet_.

One reason why he uses a Cloath to Work the _Reteration_ on rather than a Sheet of Paper, is, because a Sheet of Paper quickly wears out, which a Cloath will not do. Another reason is, that when the _Inck_ that wrought off the _White Paper_ Sets off upon the _Tympan Cloath_, it may in clean _Ly_ be washt clean again: For a good _Press-man_ will not Work on a foul _Tympan Cloath_ or (if he use no Cloath) on a foul _Tympan-sheet_, because as the _Inck_ of the _White-paper_ aforesaid, set off on the _Tympan Cloath_, so the more the _Tympan Cloath_ has gathered _Inck_ from the _White-Paper_, the more it will Return or give back again, towards the besmearing of every Sheet that is Printed on it.

The reason why the _Press-man_ does not use a Cloath to Work the _White Paper_ with, is, because in Working the _White-Paper_, the use of the _Tympan-Sheet_ is principally to lay all the Sheets of the _Heap_ even by, as being of the exact size with all the rest of the _Heap_, which a _Tympan-Cloath_ is not, nor could it, without great trouble, be reduced to that size by the _Press-man_, or if reduced to that size, without much difficulty be laid even or square on the _Tympan_: Because the _Cloath_ when _Wet_, will be hard to be kept straight and square, but every side will naturally run into irregularities, which a Sheet of _White Paper_ will not do.

8. Sometimes, through the loose _Hanging_ of the _Plattin_ on its _Cords_, or through the much wearing of the _Hose_, or the _Garter_, or the _Worms_ in the _Nut_ and _Spindle_, or the irregular wearing of the _Toe_ of the _Spindle_ in its _Nut_, or too much play of the Tennants of the _Head_ in their Mortesses, or the irregular dryness of the _Tympan_, or through irregular _Runing in_ of the _Carriage_, It will happen that the _Letter_ will _Double_ upon the Sheets, that is, Print double.

If the loose Hanging of the _Plattin_ be the cause, it is easily mended by turning about the _Female Screws_ fitted to the tops of the _Hose_, as was shewed ¶ 4. of this §.

If the _Hose_ be worn, or the square holes the _Hose_ Works in, it may for the present be botcht up by putting Scaboards between the _Hose_ and the square holes of the _Till_; but to mend it perfectly either another _Till_ must be made, or a new _Hose_, or both.

If the _Garter_ be worn too wide; the Smith must either mend the Old, or make a new one.

If the _Worms_ of the _Nut_ or _Spindle_ be worn, the _Spindle_ must be examin’d by the Smith, and made true, and have a new _Nut_ Cast on it.

If the _Toe_ of the _Spindle_ and its _Nut_, or either of them be worn irregularly, it is Smiths Work to mend.

If the Tennants in the _Head_ have too much Play in their Mortesses; which though it seldom happens, yet if the _Head_ were not made of well seasoned Stuff, the Tennants may be subject to shrink, and so have too much play. There is no substantial remedying this fault, but by making a new _Head_.

If an unproper temperature of the _Tympan_ be the cause; that is, when it is dry in one place and moist in another, the dryed place may by its spring force the Paper against the _Face_ of the _Letter_, and in part Print it before it come to feel the force of the _Plattin_; (but this is rather slurring than _Doubling_) and when the force of the _Plattin_ does come, the spring in the dryed part will again remove the Paper, and the force of the _Plattin_ gives its full Impression where the Paper is thus removed, but when it is real _Doubling_, it happens generally on the whole Sheet.

This _Doubling_ or _Slurring_ is mended, by reducing the dryest part of the _Tympan_ to an equal moist temperature with the moistest.

_Doubling_ often happens in the middle of the _Form_, and the reason is, because the foreside of the _Plattin_ Prints beyond the middle of the _Form_ at the first _Pull_, and the hindside of the _Plattin_ by the _Second Pull_ reprints part of the _First Pull_: So that a Spring in the _Tympan_ removes the Paper in this interval of Time.

This fault is mended by exact observing the _Runing in_ of the _Carriage_.

_Doubling_ may also happen by the too loose and flapping straining of the _Tympan_, when it was first _Drawn_.

This cannot be mended without taking the _Tympan_ off, and _Drawing_ on a new one.

A _Press-man_ having _Pull’d_ a Sheet, may by some accident (either of Object or Discourse) let it ly on the _Form_ after he has _Run-out_ the _Carriage_, and afterwards forget it was _Pull’d_, yet may perhaps lift the _Tympan_ a little off the _Form_, which lifting off (if the _Joynts_ are not very good) will remove the Sheet, if then he _Pull_ it again, it will _Double_.

This fault because it is but an accident I shall pass by, and only say,

If the _Joynts_ are so faulty (as sometimes Old _Joynts_ are) that the _Press-man_ cannot keep _Register_ with them, the Smith must make new or mend the Old.

9. When the _Press-man_ leaves Work at Noon, he draws half the Nails out of the Balls, and takes the Wooll out: Then doubles the loose half of the _Leather_ over the remaining Nail’d-on half, with the _Incky sides_ of each half next each other, and Rowls up the _Leathers_ close, and laies them in a Bowl or Pan of Water to Soak till he has Din’d.

He also covers the _Form_ with the _Tympan_, to keep it from dust or filth that may fall on it: And takes out the _Blankets_ and lays them on the _Heaps_: And with a _Spunge_ Wet in Water besprinkles the backside of the _Tympan_, to Soak it whiles he is at Dinner.

Coming again to his Work afternoon, he takes the _Handles_ of the _Ball-stocks_ between his Thighs, (being seated as before, when he knockt up the _Balls_, ¶ 10.) to hold them fast, and he takes the turn’d down backsides of the _Ball-leathers_ in both his hands, (for the other side being all over Black, would black his Hands) and rubs them between his Fingers very well, to supple them. Then squeezes and Wrings the Water well out again; and _Teizes_ his Wooll, by opening all the hard and almost matted knots he finds in it: but he does not pull the Wooll or hardned knots in it assunder from the whole mass of Wooll: But endeavours to keep the Wooll of each _Ball_ intirely connected in the same mass, and only opened, to Loosen and Soften it: For pulling the knots to pieces, would tear the Wooll, and soon make it unfit for use. Having _Teazed_ the _Wooll_ he _Knocks up_ his _Balls_ again, as I shewed in ¶ 10.

Then he goes to the _Tympan_, and squeezing his _Spunge_ as dry as he can, he rubs it over the backside of the _Tympan_, to Suck up the Water, that may lye on it.

Then taking the _Blankets_, he rubs them between both his Hands to soften them; for we must suppose that the Mornings _Pulling_ on them has compacted and hardned them: being well Rub’d, he lays them in the _Tympan_ again, as was shewed before in ¶ 7. and falls again to his Afternoons train of Work.

Having wrought all day, though his _Form_ be not _Wrought off_, it may yet be _Foul_, so that he must _Wash_ it: Nay, in small _Letter_ a good _Press-man_ will _Wash_ his _Form_ twice a day: Wherefore he calls to the Boy to Heat the _Ly_, somewhat before he is ready for it, about a Heating time: And having a _Shooting-stick_ lying by him on the _Till_ or some other convenient place, drives every _Quoin_ between the _Furniture_ and the _Chase_ fast up; least they may have somewhat shrunk, or else started back: Then with a piece of Chalk he makes a score on the two farthermost _Corners_ of the _Carriage_; and through the _Quoins_ droven against them, and upon the two _Corners_ of the _Carriage_ of the _Tympan_ and their _Quoins_, and lets the _Quoins_ ly; but he _Unlocks_ all the opposite _Quoins_, and takes them out of their places; laying those _Quoins_ that he takes from between the fore-end of the _Carriage_ and the _Chase_ on the hithermost upper long side of the _Plattin_, the hithermost _Quoin_ on the hithermost side of the _Plattin_, and the farthermost _Quoin_ on the farthermost side of the _Plattin_; with their small ends towards him, and fromwards him as they lay on the _Carriage_. The _Quoins_ that he takes from the hither side of the _Carriage_, he lays on the hithermost Return side or end of the _Plattin_; that on his Left Hand on the _Carriage_, towards the farther Corner of the _Plattin_, and that _Quoin_ on the Right Hand on the _Carriage_, towards the hither corner of the _Plattin_, with their small ends towards the Hand they lay on, on the _Carriage_.

Having taken out and placed these four _Quoins_, he tryes if the _Form_ will _Rise_, as was shewed § 22. ¶ 7. then takes up the _Form_, and carries it to the _Ly-Trough_, and lays it in it, even as the _Compositer_ brought the _Form_ to the _Press_, and laid it on the _Press-stone_. § 22. ¶ 7. and taking the _Ly Kettle_, or _Chafer_, in his Left Hand pours the _Ly_ Scalding hot place by place over the whole _Form_: And then with the ends of the Hair of the _Ly Brush_ rubs gently over the whole _Form_: And as he thus _Rubs_ with his Right Hand Rocks the _Ly-Trough_ a little on its Axis, that the Body of _Ly_ may accompany the _Ly-Brush_ in its progress from the hither to the farther side of the _Form_: And thus he _Washes_ the _Form_ still on, till he perceive the _Face_ of the _Letter_ purely clean.

Then he lets the _Ly_ out again into the _Ly-Kettle_ at the Hole and Pipe in the Left Hand hither corner of the _Ly-Trough_: and stopping the hole again, sets by the _Ly-Kettle_. Then with a Dish or two of fair Water he _Rinces off_ the Laver of the _Ly_ that may ly on the _Face_ of the _Letter_, and rears up the _Form_ and throws a Dishful or two of fair Water on the backside of it, to _Rince_ it also. Then takes the _Form_ out of the _Ly-Trough_, and sets it by, shelving with its _Face_ against the Wall, to Dry.

If the _Heap_ be _Wrought off_, he lets the _Compositer_ know it, to take Charge of it.

Having _Wrought off_ his _Heap_, he takes it off the _Paper-bench_, and sets it by on the floor, covering it with a Waste-sheet: And gives notice to the Boy, or to the _Ware-house-keeper_, to fetch it away and _Hang it up_ to Dry.

Then he draws the _Balls_, and takes the _Blankets_ out of the _Tympan_ (as at Noon:) And if he have Paper to _Wet_, _Wets_ it as was shewed ¶ 9. of this §.

§ 25. _The Office of the_ Warehouse-keeper.

¶ 1. _Of_ Hanging up _Paper_.

The _Warehouse-keeper_ takes the _Heap_ out of the _Press-room_, and carries it into the _Warehouse_, or other _Drying-place_, and setting it upon a Form or Bench of convenient heighth, with an end of the _Heap_ from him, he takes the _Handle_ of the _Peel_ in his Left Hand, and lays the _Board_ flat down upon the _Heap_, with the Left Hand side of the _Board_ towards the Left Hand side of the _Heap_, and so as its upper edge may reach to almost three quarters of the length of the Sheet, and that the Right Hand end of the _Peel_ may ly on the middle of the _Heap_: Then with his Right Hand he doubles over so much of the _Heap_ as he thinks good, perhaps about a _Quire_, or half a _Quire_, or about seventeen Sheets, more or less, either as he can allow them time to _Dry_, or have room on his _Racks_ to _Hang_ them on. Having thus doubled his first _Doubling_ on the _Heap_, he removes the Left Hand half of the _Peel_ almost off the _Heap_, viz. to about two Inches within the Left Hand side of the _Heap_, and doubles, as before, a second _Doubling_ to hang over the first _Doubling_, towards the Left Hand about two Inches, as aforesaid, on the _Peel_, and as near as he can guess, the same number of Sheets. And having these two _Doublings_ on his _Peel_, he takes the _Peel_ off the _Heap_, and holding the _Handle_ a little aslope, that the _Shorter Folding-over_ of the Sheets may open from the _Peel_, he lifts it up, and places it at one end of his first _Rack_, and lets it hang on it, by drawing the _Peel_ from under the Paper. In like manner he Loads and unloads his _Peel_ again successively, till he have _Hung up_ the whole _Heap_. See Plate 31.

Note, that the sides of the Sheets do not hang against one another, but lap over one another, as you may see by Plate 31. Nor are they _Hung up_ to _Hang_ with their edges against the side of the former _Hanging-up_, but to lap over, so as every Right Hand _Doubling_ may lap about two Inches over the Left Hand _Doubling_; that when the _Books_ are taken down, the _Warehouse-keeper_ clapping the flat side of his _Peel_ against the Right Hand edge of the Paper, slides several _Doublings_ over one another (perhaps three or four:) And putting the _Peel_ under them, takes them off the _Racks_, and lays them on the _Heap_ again, on a clean Waste Paper, and sets the _Heap_ orderly by, till it comes to be _Gather’d_.

The _Warehouse-keeper_ is also very careful to lay all the Sheets, so as the respective _Signatures_ of every Sheet may ly exactly over the respective _Signature_ of the first Sheet, lest when the _Books_ come to be _Gathered_, some Sheets may be _Turned_, which will give him a great deal of trouble to _Turn_ them right when he _Colations_ the _Books_.

¶ 2. _Of_ Laying the Heaps.

_Laying the Heaps_ is to place them on Benches or Forms of a convenient Heighth, in an orderly _Signatural_ Succession. By an orderly _Signatural_ succession, I mean the first _Signature_, which most commonly is A (and therefore shall be so accepted) be placed on the Left Hand of the Bench, with either the Side or Foot of the _Page_, as the _Volumn_ requires, that hath the single _Signature_ A at the bottom of it upwards, and towards the hither side of the Bench. On the Right Hand side of the _Heap_ A is B, and next it C, in like order D E F, &c.

¶ 3. _Of_ Gathering of Books.

_Gathering of Books_ is to take one Sheet off every _Heap_, beginning at the last _Heap_ first, _viz._ at the Left Hand end of the Range. The _Gatherer_ takes it off with his Right Hand, and disposes the hither end of the Sheet into his Left Hand, clapping his Left Hand Thumb upon the middle of the Sheet, to hold it fast. Then he takes a second Sheet off the second _Heap_ from the Left Hand, _viz._ towards the Right; and lays the second Sheet on the first, and so successively a third, a fourth, a fifth, &c. till he has _Gathered_ the last Sheet on his Right Hand; still observing to lay the middle of each Sheet under his Thumb, and all the single _Signatures_ on each Sheet orderly and successively on one another.

Thus he _Gathers_ on, till one of all the _Heaps Comes off_; which when it does, he Doubles or Quires up all the other _Heaps_, and lays them by till he can _Bundle_ and Tye them up; which when he has also done, he writes upon them _Imperfections_ of (the _Title_ of the _Book_) and Writes on it the _Signature_ of the Sheet that is Wanting, and sets it by in a convenient place of the _Warehouse_, that he may have recourse to it on any occasion.

Though I shewed how he _Gathered_ the _Books_, yet shewed not how he _Knocks them up_ and _Folds_ them: Wherefore,

Having thus _Gathered_ one _Book_, he _Knocks it up_, that is, he carries it to a Table provided on purpose near him; and taking the ends of the _Book_ between the two Bows of the Thumb and Fore-finger of each Hand, he grasps the ends loosly between them, and placing the hither long side or edge of the _Book_ on the plain of the Table, he lifts the whole _Book_ a little above the plain of the Table, (about an Inch or two, more or less) and while the whole _Book_ is held loosly by its ends, lets it fall gently down on the Table, that the edges of such Sheets as may stand out, or lower than the rest, may be drove even with the rest of the edges of the _Book_, and also that the edges of such Sheets as may lye above the edges of the _Book_ may be joulted downwards, and lye even in the same Range with the rest of the edges.

And as he is _Knocking up_ the lower edge of the _Book_, he at the same time evens the two ends of the _Book_, by thrusting the Bows of his Thumbs and Fingers against the ends of the _Book_, which being loosely grasp’d, and the Bows of his Thumbs and Fingers bearing pretty stiff towards each other; will drive in the ends of such Sheets as may stick out at either end; and so even the ends of the _Book_ at the same time.

Having thus even’d all the edges, he lays the _Book_ flat down on the Table, and holding one end of it stiff and tight in his Left Hand, he rubs the whole flat of his Right Hand hard upon the upper Sheet, to press it and all the other Sheets as close together as he can; then takes it up, and gives the edges another or two gentle _Knocks_, as before; and then _Folds up_, or _Doubles_ the _Book_, according to its respective _Volumn_.

If it be _Folio_, _Quarto_, _Octavo_ or _Sixteens_, he _Folds_ it in the _Short Cross_; but if it be _Twelves_, _Eighteens_, _Twenty-fours_, he _Folds_ it in the _Long Cross_.

But most times before he _Folds_ the _Books_ he will _Colation_ them: (as shall be shewed by and by:) therefore having _Gathered_ the _Book_, he lays it by on a Sheet of Waste Paper, and _Gathers_ a second _Book_ as he did the first, and lays that flat open on the first, then _Gathers_ a third, fourth, fifth _Book_, &c. as before, and lays them successively on each other, till he have raised an _Heap_ of _Books_ so high, that he grows cautious of laying more on, lest its heighth should exceed his management. Then _Gathers_ on, and raises another _Heap_ or _Heaps_ till one of the _Signatures_ comes off.

¶ 4. _Of_ Colationing Books.

The _Colationing of Books_, is,

First, To examine whether the whole number of Sheets that belong to a _Book_ are _Gathered_ in the _Book_.

Secondly, To examine that two Sheets of one sort are not _Gathered_.

Thirdly, To examine whether the proper _Signature_ of every Sheet lye on its proper corner of the _Gathered Book_.

To do this, The _Colationer_ provides himself with a _Bodkin_; which is nothing else than a pretty thick Sowing Needle, (most commonly broken-eyed,) having its thick end thrust fast into a round piece of Wood, about the thickness of a Tobacco-Pipe, and about three or four Inches long.

Now having the _Heap_ of _Gathered Books_ before him, with the single _Signature_ A lying upwards on his Right Hand, and his Left Arm cross the _Heap_, and his Hand near the _Signature_ corner, with his _Bodkin_ in his Right Hand, he pricks up the corner of the first Sheet A, and at the same moment he pricks it up, slips the Balls of his two Fore-fingers of his Left Hand, and secures it from falling back again on the _Gathered Heap_ of _Books_ between his Thumb and hinder Joynt of his Fore-finger, and immediately pricks into the Sheet B, casting his Eye upon the _Signature_, as well to see that it is B, as to see that it is singly B, and not B 2, B 3, _&c._ For if the single _Signature_ lye not on the same corner of the _Heap_, the Sheet must be turned till it do. In like manner he picks up and receives C D, _&c._ still casting his Eye that it be the right _Letter_, and single _Signature_, as aforesaid.

If he finds two Sheets of the same _Signature_, he takes one out and lays it by, or else on the _Heap_, if they be not all _Gathered_.

If he finds one Sheet wanting, he fetches that Sheet from the _Heap_; or if he want it at the _Heap_ the _Book_ is laid by as _Unperfect_ till he have _Colationed_ the whole _Impression_ of _Books_, to see if he can make it _Perfect_ with some other _Book_, that may have two of the same Sheets _Gathered_ in it.

Having examined that his _Book_ is _Perfect_, he _Knocks_ and _Folds it up_, as was shewed in the last ¶.

Having _Gathered_, _Colationed_ and _Folded_ these _Books_, he _Tells_ them, to see how the _Impression Holds out_; and as he _Tells_ them, he lays a set number of _Books_ (if the _Books_ be _Thick_, five, if Thinner, Ten, if very Thin, twenty five or fifty) with the _Folded Side_ or _Back_ one way, and the same _Number_ of _Books_, with the _Folded_ or _Back-side_ the other way, _viz._ the edges of the latter number of _Books_ upon the _Backs_ of the former _Number_: As well to distinguish and Count the _Number_ of _Books_ readily, as to keep the Bundle in a flat and Horizontal position. For if the _Backs_ of the _Quired Books_ in a Bundle, should lye all one way, the _Fold_ of the _Back_ being more or less hollow in the middle of each _Book_, will in a _Number_ of _Books_, by springing upwards, mount the _Backs_; and consequently the edges of the _Books_ in the _Bundle_ will be depressed, so that in a great _Bundle_ the _Books_ will be subject to slide off one another.

These _Books_ being thus Counted, he sets them by on Waste Paper in convenient Piles, _viz._ Piles of about three or four Reams high (according as the Paper may be thicker or thinner) he sets them by (I say) in Piles of equal Numbers, Range by Range, till the whole _Impression_ is set by.

And before he Tyes them up, he puts them into the _Standing Press_, placing in it so many _Books_ as the _Press_ will hold, both in width and Heighth; observing to set in every _Pile_ he puts Range by Range into the _Press_, an equal number of _Books_, that each _Pile_ may equally feel the force of the Screw.

Then with a strong Iron Bar he turns about the _Spindle_ as oft he can, with his main Strength to Squeeze and _Press_ the _Books_ as close and tight as he can together: and so lets them stand in _Press_ about a Day and a Night. Then takes them out, and in like manner puts in more _Books_, till the whole Impression is _Prest_. See Plate 32.

As he takes each number of _Books_, he Tyes them up with Packthred, lays a Waste Paper under and upon each _Bundle_; and if the _Master-Printer_ Printed the _Impression_ for Himself, he writes the _Title_ of the _Book_, and number of the _Books_ on the uppermost Waste Paper, and sets them by square and orderly on the Shelves in the _Warehouse_, to deliver them out according to the _Master-Printers_ order. But if the _Impression_ were Printed for an Author, or a Book-seller, he sends them to the Authors or Book-sellers, without writing on the uppermost Waste Paper.

¶ 5. _Of_ Setting out _Paper_, _and_ Culling _the_ Cording Quires.

Each Ream of Paper contains twenty Quires: These twenty Quires are by the Paper-makers so disposed that the Back or Doubling of each Quire lyes upon the opening or edges of the next Quire: For reasons given in the last ¶.

Two of the twenty Quires in a Ream are called _Cording Quires_, viz. the two _Out-side Quires_; because the whole Ream is Corded or Tyed up between them. They are also called _Cassie Quires_, because they serve for Cases to the Ream. These Quires are by the Paper-maker made up of torn, wrinckled, stained, and otherwise naughty Sheets; yet does not perhaps the whole Quire consist of such Sheets, but commonly some good Sheets are in _Culling_ found among them, as shall be farther shewed by and by.

The _Warehouse-keeper_ therefore when he _Sets out_ Paper, lays by the uppermost _Cording Quire_, and then nimbly snatches with his Right Hand at the back of the next Quire, and if the back lys towards him, draws it into his Left Hand with the edges of the Quire towards his Fingers; but if the back lye from him, nimbly turns it while it is coming to his Left Hand, and so again nimbly snatches at the back of the succeeding Quires, placing their backs all one way on the First Quire in his Left Hand, till he have Counted or taken off of the Ream a _Token_; which _Token_, if it be set out for _Half_ a _Press_, viz. a _Single Press-man_, is generally but five Quires, and is indeed often called _Half_ a _Token_: But if it be for an _Whole Press_, it contains Ten Quires. This _Token_ he lays by near him, upon a Waste Sheet of Paper, and again applies himself to _Set out_ the next _Token_ in the same manner, but lays the next _Token_ with the backs of the Quires over the edges of the former _Token_, and thus _Sets out_ so many _Tokens_ as his _Heap_ requires, yet always considers how his Paper _Holds out_, whether five and twenties, or but four and twenties: If it _Holds out_ five and twenties, he _Sets out_ in every Fourth, Fifth, or Sixth _Token_ Eleven Quires, to secure the _Impression_ to _Hold out_. If but four and twenties, he _Sets out_ Eleven Quires, in every second _Token_, and at last a Quire more to the whole _Heap_ to make good the wanting Sheets of every Quire, and to make _Proves_, _Revises_, _Register-Sheets_, _Tympan-Sheets_, and to supply other accidents that may happen at the _Press_, either by naughty Sheets, or Faults committed in _Beating_, _Pulling_, _Bad Register_, &c. for all or any of these accidents that happens to a Sheet, the _Press-man_ doubles it, and lays by in the _Heap_ as Waste, as I shewed § 24. ¶ 18. (4) and still he remembers, as aforesaid to lay by the two _out-side Quires_ of every Ream; and at last lays on the _Heap_ another Waste Sheet of Paper, and so brings it to the _Press_ to be _Wet_.

The _Culling the Cording Quires_, is, to examine every Sheet one by one. To do it, he lays the _Cording Quires_, or many _Cording Quires_ open before him against the Light, and takes up every Sheet successively and observes the goodness of it: Such Sheets as he finds good, he lays on his Right Hand, and the Bad on his Left. If a Sheet have but a little corner torn off, _viz._ so much as he judges the _Book-binder_ would take off with his _Plow_, to make the _Leaf_ square with other _Leaves_, he accounts that a good Sheet: But if more be torn off, he lays it by for Bad; and so he does Wrinckled and stain’d Sheets.

Having thus _Cull’d_ all the _Cording Quires_, he tells out the good Paper into Quires, allowing five and twenty to the Quire, if the Quires of the Ream hold out five and twenty; or else but into four and twenty. And the good Paper thus _Cull’d_, he tells into an _Heap_ or _Heaps_, as far as it will go.

But yet the careful _Warehouse-keeper_ will not give the _Press-man_ this _Culd_ Paper to Print at the begining or end of a _Book_, but disposes that _Heap_ or _Heaps_ so as they may be used about the middle of the _Book_: For though we call’d it good Paper, yet it very rarely happens to be so beautiful as the _Inside Quires_.

The Bad Paper he also _Tells out_ into Quires, but allows no more than four and twenty Sheets to the Quire, because it is commonly set by in the _Warehouse_ to be sold.

It is also the Office of the _Warehouse-keeper_ to keep a Day Book, and in it to set down what Books he Sells, and for how much, and to whom, and whom by order of the _Master-Printer_ he Trusts with Books, and for how long Time; that so the _Master-Printer_ may as oft as he pleases have an account how the _Impression_, or part of it, is disposed of.

(_As an Appendix._) _Ancient Customs used in a_ Printing-house.

Every _Printing-house_ is by the Custom of Time out of mind, called a _Chappel_; and all the Workmen that belong to it are _Members of the Chappel_: and the Oldest Freeman is _Father of the Chappel_. I suppose the stile was originally conferred upon it by the courtesie of some great Churchman, or men, (doubtless when Chappels were in more veneration than of late years they have been here in _England_) who for the Books of Divinity that proceeded from a _Printing-house_, gave it the Reverend Title of _Chappel_.

There have been formerly Customs and By-Laws made and intended for the well and good Government of the _Chappel_, and for the more Civil and orderly deportment of all its Members while in the _Chappel_; and the Penalty for the breach of any of these Laws and Customs is in Printers Language called a _Solace_.

And the Judges of these _Solaces_, and other Controversies relating to the _Chappel_, or any of its Members, was plurality of Votes in the _Chappel_. It being asserted as a Maxim, _That the Chappel cannot Err_. But when any Controversie is thus decided, it always ends in the Good of the _Chappel_.

1. Swearing in the _Chappel_, a _Solace_.

2. Fighting in the _Chappel_, a _Solace_.

3. Abusive Language, or giving the Ly in the _Chappel_, a _Solace_.

4. To be Drunk in the _Chappel_, a _Solace_.

5. For any of the Workmen to leave his Candle burning at Night, a _Solace_.

6. If the _Compositer_ let fall his _Composing-stick_, and another take it up, a _Solace_.

7. Three _Letters_ and a _Space_ to lye under the _Compositers Case_, a _Solace_.

8. If a _Press-man_ let fall his _Ball_ or _Balls_, and another take it up, a _Solace_.

9. If a _Press-man_ leave his _Blankets_ in the _Tympan_ at Noon or Night, a _Solace_.

These _Solaces_ were to be bought off, for the good of the _Chappel_: Nor were the price of these _Solaces_ alike: For some were 12 _d._ 6 _d._ 4 _d._ 2 _d._ 1 _d._ _ob._ according to the nature and quality of the _Solace_.

But if the Delinquent prov’d Obstinate or Refractory, and would not pay his _Solace_ at the Price of the _Chappel_; they _Solac’d_ him.

The manner of _Solacing_, thus.

The Workmen take him by force, and lay him on his Belly athwart the _Correcting-stone_, and held him there while another of the Work-men, with a Paper-board, gave him 10 _l. and a Purse_, viz. Eleven blows on his Buttocks; which he laid on according to his own mercy. For Tradition tells us, that about 50 years ago one was _Solaced_ with so much violence, that he presently Pissed Blood, and shortly after dyed of it.

These nine _Solaces_ were all the _Solaces_ usually and generally accepted: yet in some particular _Chappels_ the _Work-men_ did by consent make other _Solaces_, viz.

That it should be a _Solace_ for any of the Workmen to mention Joyning their Penny or more apiece to send for Drink.

To mention spending _Chappel-money_ till _Saturday_ Night, or any other before agreed time.

To Play at _Quadrats_, or excite any of the _Chappel_ to Play at _Quadrats_; either for Money or Drink.

This _Solace_ is generally Purchas’d by the Master-Printer; as well because it hinders the Workmens work, as because it Batters and spoils the _Quadrats_: For the manner how they Play with them is Thus: They take five or seven more m _Quadrats_ (generally of the _English Body_) and holding their Hand below the Surface of the _Correcting Stone_, shake them in their Hand, and toss them up upon the _Stone_, and then count how many _Nicks_ upwards each man throws in three times, or any other number of times agreed on: And he that throws most Wins the Bett of all the rest, and stands out free, till the rest have try’d who throws fewest _Nicks_ upwards in so many throws; for all the rest are free: and he pays the Bett.

For any to _Take up a Sheet_, if he receiv’d _Copy-money_; Or if he receiv’d no _Copy-money_, and did _Take up a Sheet_, and carryed that Sheet or Sheets off the Printing-House till the whole Book was Printed off and Publisht.

Any of the Workmen may purchase a _Solace_ for any trivial matter, if the rest of the _Chappel_ consent to it. As if any of the Workmen Sing in the _Chappel_; he that is offended at it may, with the _Chappels_ Consent purchase a penny or two penny _Solace_ for any Workmans singing after the _Solace_ is made; Or if a Workman or a Stranger salute a Woman in the _Chappel_, after the making of the _Solace_, it is a _Solace_ of such a Value as is agreed on.

The price of all _Solaces_ to be purchased is wholly Arbitrary in the _Chappel_. And a Penny _Solace_ may perhaps cost the Purchaser Six Pence, Twelve Pence, or more for the _Good of the Chappel_.

Yet sometimes _Solaces_ may cost double the Purchase or more. As if some _Compositer_ have (to affront a _Press-man_) put a Wisp of Hay in the _Press-mans Ball-Racks_; If the _Press-man_ cannot well brook this affront, he will lay six Pence down on the _Correcting Stone_ to purchase a _Solace_ of twelve Pence upon him that did it; and the _Chappel_ cannot in Justice refuse to grant it: because it tends to the _Good of the Chappel_: And being granted, it becomes every Members duty to make what discovery he can: because it tends to the farther _Good of the Chappel_: And by this means it seldom happens but the Agressor is found out.

Nor did _Solaces_ reach only the _Members of the Chappel_, but also Strangers that came into the _Chappel_, and offered affronts or indignities to the _Chappel_, or any of its Members; the _Chappel_ would determine it a _Solace_. Example,

It was a _Solace_ for any to come to the _Kings Printing-house_ and ask for a Ballad.

For any to come and enquire of a _Compositer_, whether he had News of such a Galley at Sea.

For any to bring a Wisp of Hay, directed to any of the _Press-men_.

And such Strangers were commonly sent by some who knew the _Customs of the Chappel_, and had a mind to put a Trick upon the Stranger.

Other Customs were used in the _Chappel_, which were not _Solaces_, viz. Every new Workman to pay half a Crown; which is called his _Benvenue_: This _Benvenue_ being so constant a Custome is still lookt upon by all Workmen as the undoubted Right of the _Chappel_, and therefore never disputed; yet he who has not paid his _Benvenue_ is no Member of the _Chappel_, nor enjoys any benefit of _Chappel-Money_.

If a Journey-man Wrought formerly upon the same Printing House, and comes again to Work on it, pays but half a _Benvenue_.

If a Journey-man _Smout_ more or less on another Printing House, and any of the _Chappel_ can prove it, he pays half a _Benvenue_.

I told you before that abusive Language or giving the Lye was a _Solace_: But if in discourse, when any of the Workmen affirm any thing that is not believed, the _Compositer_ knocks with the back corner of his _Composing-stick_ against the lower Ledge of his _Lower Case_, and the _Press-man_ knocks the Handles of his _Ball-stocks_ together: Thereby signifying the discredit they give to his Story.

It is now customary that Journey-men are paid for all Church Holy days that fall not on a _Sunday_, Whether they Work or no: And they are by Contract with the Master Printer paid proportionably for what they undertake to Earn every Working day, be it half a Crown, two Shillings, three Shillings, four Shillings, _&c._

It is also customary for all the Journey-men to make every Year new Paper Windows, whether the old will serve again or no; Because that day they make them, the Master Printer gives them a _Way-goose_; that is, he makes them a good Feast, and not only entertains them at his own House, but besides, gives them Money to spend at the Ale-house or Tavern at Night; And to this Feast, they invite the _Correcter_, _Founder_, _Smith_, _Joyner_, and _Inck-maker_, who all of them severally (except the _Correcter_ in his own Civility) open their Purse-strings and add their Benevolence (which Workmen account their duty, because they generally chuse these Workmen) to the Master Printers: But from the _Correcter_ they expect nothing, because the Master Printer chusing him, the Workmen can do him no kindness.

These _Way-gooses_, are always kept about _Bartholomew-tide_. And till the Master-Printer have given this _Way-goose_, the Journey-men do not use to Work by Candle Light.

If a Journey-man marry, he pays half a Crown to the _Chappel_.

When his Wife comes to the _Chappel_, she pays six Pence: and then all the Journey-men joyn their two Pence apiece to Welcome her.

If a Journey-man have a Son born, he pays one Shilling.

If a Daughter born, six Pence.

The _Father_ of the _Chappel_ drinks first of _Chappel Drink_, except some other Journey-man have a _Token_; viz. Some agreed piece of Coin or Mettle markt by consent of the _Chappel_: for then producing that _Token_, he Drinks first. This _Token_ is always given to him who in the Round should have Drank, had the last _Chappel-drink_ held out. Therefore when _Chappel-drink comes in_, they generally say, _Who has the Token?_

Though these Customs are no _Solaces_; yet the _Chappel_ Excommunicates the delinquent; and he shall have no benefit of _Chappel-money_ till he have paid.

It is also Customary in some Printing-houses that if the _Compositer_ or _Press-man_ make either the other stand still through the neglect of their contracted Task, that then he who neglected, shall pay him that stands still as much as if he had Wrought.

The _Compositers_ are Jocosely call’d _Galley Slaves_: Because allusively they are as it were bound to their _Gallies_.

And the _Press-men_ are Jocosely call’d _Horses_: Because of the hard Labour they go through all day long.

An Apprentice when he is Bound pays half a Crown to the _Chappel_, and when he is made Free, another half Crown to the _Chappel_; but is yet no Member of the _Chappel_; And if he continue to Work Journey-work in the same House, he pays another half Crown, and is then a Member of the _Chappel_.

A _Founding-House_ is also call’d a _Chappel_: But I suppose the Title was originally assum’d by _Founders_, to make a Competition with _Printers_.

The Customes used in a _Founding-House_ are made as near as may be to those of a _Printing-house_: but because the Matter they Work on, and the manner of their Working is different, therefore such different Customes are in Use, as are suitable to their Trade, As

_First_, To call _Mettle_ Lead, a Forfeiture.

_Secondly_, A Workman to let fall his _Mold_, a Forfeiture.

_Thirdly_, A Workman to leave his Ladle in the _Mettle_ Noon or Night, a Forfeiture.

The Printers of _London_, Masters and Journey-men have every Year a general Feast, which since the re-building of _Stationers Hall_ is commonly kept there. This Feast is made by four Stewards, _viz._ two Masters and two Journey-men; which Stewards, with the Collection of half a Crown apiece of every Guest, defray the Charges of the whole Feast; And as they Collect the Half-Crowns, they deliver every Guest a Ticket, wherein is specified the Time and Place they are to meet at, and the Church they are to go to: To which Ticket is affixed the Names and Seals of each Steward.

It is commonly kept on or about _May-day_: When, about ten a Clock in the Morning they meet at _Stationers Hall_, and from thence go to some Church thereabouts; Four Whifflers (as Servitures) by two and two walking before with White Staves in their Hands, and Red and Blew Ribbons hung Belt-wise upon their left Shoulders. These go before to make way for the Company. Then walks the Beadle of the Company of _Stationers_, with the Companys Staff in his Hand, and Ribbons as the Whifflers, and after him the Divine (whom the Stewards before ingag’d to Preach them a Sermon) and his Reader. Then the Stewards walk by two and two, with long White Wands in their Hands, and all the rest of the Company follows, till they enter the Church.

Then Divine Service begins, Anthems are Sung, and a Sermon Preached to suit the Solemnity: Which ended, they in the same order walk back again to _Stationers Hall_; where they are immediately entertain’d with the City Weights and other Musick: And as every Guest enters, he delivers his Ticket (which gives him Admittance) to a Person appointed by the Stewards to receive it.

The Master, Wardens and other Grandees of the Company (although perhaps no Printers) are yet commonly invited, and take their Seats at the upper Table, and the rest of the Company where it pleases them best. The Tables being furnsh’d with variety of Dishes of the best Cheer: And to make the entertainment more splendid is Usher’d in with Loud Musick. And after Grace is said (commonly by the Minister that Preach’d the Sermon) every one Feasts himself with what he likes Best; whiles the Whifflers and other Officers Wait with Napkins, Plates, Beer, Ale, and Wine, of all sorts, to accommodate each Guest according to his desire. And to make their Cheer go cheerfuller down, are entertained with Musick and Songs all Dinner time.

Dinner being near ended, the Kings and the Dukes Healths is begun, by the several Stewards at the several Tables, and goes orderly round to all the Guests.

And whiles these Healths are Drinking, each Steward sets a Plate on each Table, beginning at the upper end, and conveying it downwards, to Collect the Benevolence of Charitable minds towards the relief of _Prinners_ Poor Widows. And at the same time each Steward destributes a Catalogue of such Printers as have held Stewards ever since the Feast was first kept, _viz._ from the Year of Christ 1621.

After Dinner, and Grace said, the Ceremony of Electing new Stewards for the next Year begins: Therefore the present Stewards withdraw into another Room: And put Garlands of Green Lawrel, or of Box on their Heads, and White-wands in their Hands, and are again Usher’d out of the withdrawing Room by the Beadle of the Company, with the Companys Staff in his Hand, and with Musick sounding before them: Then follows one of the Whifflers with a great Bowl of White-wine and Sugar in his Right Hand, and his Whifflers Staff in his Left: Then follows the Eldest Steward, and then another Whiffler, as the first, with a Bowl of White-wine and Sugar before the second Steward, and in like manner another Whiffler before the Third, and another before the Fourth. And thus they walk with Musick sounding before them three times round the Hall: And in a fourth round the first Steward takes the Bowl of his Whiffler and Drinks to one (whom before he resolved on) by the Title of Mr. Steward Elect: And taking the Garland off his own Head puts it upon the Steward Elects Head. At which Ceremony the Spectators clap their Hands, and such as stand on the Tables or Benches, so Drum with their Feet that the whole Hall is filled with Noise, as applauding the Choice. Then the present Steward takes out the Steward Elect, giving him the Right Hand, and walks with him Hand in Hand, behind the three present Stewards another Round about the Hall: And in the next Round, as aforesaid, the second Steward Drinks to another with the same Ceremony as the first did; and so the Third Steward, and so the Fourth, and then all walk one Round more Hand in Hand about the Hall, that the Company may take notice of the Stewards Elect. And so ends the Ceremony of the Day.

This Ceremony being over, such as will go their ways; but others that stay, are Diverted with Musick, Songs, Dancing, Farcing, _&c._ till at last they all find it time to depart.

A

DICTIONARY,

Alphabetically explaining the abstruse VVords and Phrases that are used in Typography. VVhich also may serve as an Index to direct to the most material Concerns contained in this Volumn.

Though I give you a Dictionary of so many Words and Phrases as are mentioned in these _Exercises_, yet I do not exhibit this as a _Dictionary_ so perfect, that all the obstruce Words and Phrases used among _Printers_, _Letter-cutters_ and _Founders_ are here exposed; for Words and Phrases many times offer themselves either as Discourse or Contemplation occurs: Therefore such Words and Phrases as have escaped my Consideration, will, I hope, be discovered by some Printer, or others, that may have a kindness for Posterity; not only in this Trade, but in all Trades and Faculties whatsoever: That so a _Dictionary_ may in time be compleated, that may render so great a number of Words used in _England_ by _English-men_ intelligible; which now for want of a proper Repository to store them in, seem not only Aliens to our Nation, but barbarous to our Understandings.

A

_Abreviations_ are Characters, or else marks on _Letters_, to signifie either a Word or Syllable. & is the Character for And, ^e is The abreviated, ^t is That abreviated; and several other such. Straight stroaks over any of the Vowels abreviates m or n. They have been much used by Printers in Old Times, to _Shorten_ or _Get in Matter_; but now are wholly left off as obsolete.

_Accented Letters_ are much used in _Latin_ Authors, and more in _Greek_. The Vowels are only accented, and are called _Grave_, thus accented à; _Acute_, thus accented á; _Circumflex_, thus accented â; and _Deerecis_, thus accented ä.

_Accents_ are Dashes or Marks over the Vowels.

_Air-hole._ See § 18. ¶ 1.

_Ascending Gage._ See § 12. ¶ 5.

_Ashes._ _Letter-Founders_ call the _Skimmings_ of their _Mettle_, and the Sweepings of their House _Ashes_; and save both, to send to the Refiners; who with their fierce Fire draw all the _Mettle_ out of the _Ashes_. See _Fat Ashes_. See _Lean Ashes_.

_Ash-hole._ See § 18. ¶ 1.

_Assidue_ is Thin Brass Plate, such as adorns _Bartholomew_-Fair Hobby Horses: _Founders_ use it to _Underlay_ the _Body_, or the _Mouth-piece, &c._ of their _Mold_, if it be too Thin. See § 16.

B

_Back of a Composing-stick._ See § 9. ¶ 4.

_Backside of the Form_ is the underside that touches upon the _Correcting-stone_ or _Press-stone_.

_Bad Copy._ See § 24. ¶ 4.

_Bad work._ Any Fault at the _Case_, or _Press_, or at the _Furnace_, or at the _Dressing-block_, &c. is in Workmens Language called _Bad Work_.

_Bake._ See § 22. ¶ 10.

_Balls._ See § 24. ¶ 10.

_Ball-knife._ An old blunt-edg’d Knife, that _Press-men_ lay by, to scrape their _Balls_ with.

_Ball-leathers._ See § 24. ¶ 10.

_Ball-Nails._ The _Nails_ that _Ball-leathers_ are Tackt to the _Ball-stocks_ with.

_Ball-stocks._ See § 11. ¶ 21.

_Balls Take._ See § 11. ¶ 21.

_Beak._ See § 12. ¶ 2.

_Beam._ See § 12. ¶ 4.

_Beard of a Letter_, is the outer angle of the Square Shoulder of the _Shank_, which reaches almost up to the _Face_ of the _Letter_; and is commonly scraped off by the _Founder_: As in § 2. ¶ 2.

_Beard-Gage._ See § 13. ¶ 4.

_Bearer._ See § 4. & § 24. ¶ 7.

_Beat._ See § 24. ¶ 13.

_Beat Fat._ If a _Press-man Takes_ too much _Inck_ with his _Balls_, he _Beats Fat_. The _Black English Faced Letter_ is generally _Beaten Fat_.

_Beat Lean_, is to _Take_ but little _Inck_, and often: All _Small Letter_ must be _Beaten Lean_.

_Bed._ See § 24. ¶ 2.

_Benvenue._ See Ancient Customs.

_Bite._ See § 24. ¶ 7.

_Blankets._ Woollen Cloath, or White Bays, to lay between the _Tympans_.

_Blocks._ See § 20. ¶ 3.

_Block-Groove._ ibid.

_Body._ See § 1. ¶ 2. & § 15. ¶ 1.

_Botching Matrices._ See § 17. ¶ 3.

_Bottom line._ See § 14. ¶ 2.

_Bottom of the Matrice._ See §. 17. ¶ 1.

_Bottom Plate._ See §. 15. ¶ 1.

_Bow._ See § 15. ¶ 1.

_Brace_, is a Character _Cast_ in _Mettle_ thus marked [Illustration] The _Compositer_ is to have these _Cast_ of several Breadths, viz. to several numbers of _Lines_ of a designed _Body_ (most commonly of _Pica Body_) that they may hook in or Brace so many _Lines_ as his _Copy_ may shew him; as at _Charge_ is a Brace of four _Lines_. See also § 24. ¶ 1.

_Brass-Rules._ See § 2. ¶ 2.

_Brayer_ is a round _Wooden Rubber_, almost of the fashion of a _Ball-stock_, but flat at the bottom, and not above three Inches Diameter: It is used in the _Inck-Block_ to _Bray_ or _Rub Inck_.

_Break_, a piece of a _Line_. Also the _Mettle_ that is contiguous to the _Shank_ of a _New Cast Letter_: This _Break_ is formed in the _Mouth-piece_ of the _Letter-mould_, and is called a _Break_, because it is always broke from the _Shank_ of a _Letter_.

_Breaking off_ is breaking the _Break_ from the _Shank_ of the _Letter_. See § 19. ¶ 3.

_Brevier._ See § 2. ¶ 2.

_Broad-side_, a Form of one full _Page_, Printed on one side of a whole Sheet of Paper.

_Broken Letter._ By broken _Letter_ is not meant the breaking of the _Shanks_ of any of the _Letters_, but the breaking the orderly Succession the _Letters_ stood in in a _Line_, _Page_, or _Form_, &c. and mingling the _Letters_ together, which mingled _Letters_ is called _Py_.

_Bur._ See _Rag_.

C

_Cannon._ See § 2. ¶ 2.

_Card._ When several _Bodies_ of _Letter_ are _Set_ in a _Page_, _Compositers_ to _Justifie_ that _Page_ to an exact Length, put a _Card_ to some _White-line_, or other _Break_ and Lengthen out the _Page_ the thickness of a _Card_. And _Press-men_ also use a _Card_ for an underlay. See § 22. ¶ 4. &c. § 24. ¶ 7.

_Cards._ About a Quire of Paper, which _Press-men_ use to _Pull_ down the Spring or rising of a _Form_, which it is many times subject to by hard _Locking-up_. See § 24. ¶ 4.

_Carriage_, is a part of the _Press_. For which See § 10. ¶ 9. It is also a part of the _Letter-Mold_: For which See § 15. ¶ 3.

_Case._ See § 3.

_Case lies._ See § 22. ¶ 1.

_Case is full_, viz. a _Case_ full of _Letter_, wanting no Sorts.

_Case is Low._ When a _Case_ grows empty, _Compositers_ say the _Case is Low_.

_Case Stands still._ When the _Compositer_ is not at Work at his _Case_, it is said, _The Case stands still_.

_Cassie Paper._ See § 25. ¶ 5.

_Cast_, is to _Cast Letter_. See § 19. ¶ 1.

_Cast off Copy._ See § 22. ¶ 9.

_Catch of the Bar._ See § 11. ¶ 11.

_Chappel._ See Customs.

{ _Paper_ with great _Pages_. _Charge_, is to fill { a _Page_ with long and many _Lines_. { a _Line_ with many _Letters_. { a _Pot_ with Stubs and _Antimony_.

_Chase._ See § 9. ¶ 6.

_Cheeks_, is a part of the _Press_; for which See § 10. ¶ 2. and part of the _Dressing-block-groove_. For which See § 20. ¶ 3.

_Choak._ If a _Form_ be not Washt in due time, the _Inck_ will get into the Hollows of the _Face_ of the _Letter_: And that getting in of the _Inck_ is called _Choaking_ of the _Letter_, or _Choaking_ of the _Form_.

_Claw_ of the _Sheeps-foot_. See § 11. ¶ 20.

_Clean Proof._ When a _Proof_ has but few Faults in it, it is called a clean _Proof_.

_Close Matter._ _Matter_ with few _Breaks_ or _Whites_.

_Close Work._ ibid.

_Colation Books._ See § 25. ¶ 4.

_Come._ When the _Face_ and _Shank_ of a _Letter_ is _Cast_ perfect, _Founders_ say, _It Comes well_; if unperfect they say, It does not come, or _It comes not well_.

_Come Down_, the _Toe_ of the _Spindle_ is said to _Come down_ by _Pulling_ the _Bar_: So is the _Bar_ when it is _Pull’d_ near the hither _Cheek_: Also, the _Press-man_ is said to _Come down the Form_ with his _Balls_: For which See § 24. ¶ 13.

_Companion._ See § 24. ¶ 15.

_Comes off._ A _Form_ that receives a good _Impression_, _Comes off well_, if a bad _Impression_, it _Comes off ill_, or it _Comes not well off_. Also a phrase used in _Gathering_ of _Books_; for a _Heap_ that is _Gathered off_ is said to _Come off_. See § 25. ¶ 3.

_Composing Rule._ See § 24. ¶ 4.

_Compositer._ He that _Composes_ or _Sets_ the _Letters_.

_Composing-stick._ See § 9. ¶ 4.

_Copy-money._ See Customs.

_Cording-quire._ See § 25. ¶ 5.

_Correct._ When the _Corrector_ reads the _Proof_, or the _Compositer_ mends the _Faults_ he markt in the _Proof_, they are both said to _Correct_; the _Correcter_ the _Proof_, the _Compositer_ the _Form_.

_Correcting-stone._ See § 6.

_Corrections._ the _Letters_ markt in a _Proof_ are call’d _Corrections_. See § 22. ¶ 8.

_Counter Punch._ See § 13. ¶ 2.

_Counting off Copy._ See § 22. ¶ 9.

_Coyns._ See § 8.

_Cramp Irons._ See § 11. ¶ 15.

_Cross Long, Short._ See _Chase_.

_Cull Paper._ See § 25. ¶ 5.

_Cut the Frisket._ See § 24. ¶ 7.

D

_Dance._ See § 22. ¶ 7.

_Dele._ See § 23.

_Destribute._ See § 22. ¶ 3.

_Destributing-stick._ See ibid.

_Devil._ The _Press-man_ sometimes has a Week-Boy to _Take Sheets_, as they are Printed off the _Tympan_: These Boys do in a Printing-House, commonly black and Dawb themselves; whence the Workmen do Jocosely call them _Devils_; and sometimes _Spirits_, and sometimes _Flies_.

_Direction_, the word that stands alone on the Right Hand in the bottom _Line_ of a _Page_.

_Direction-line._ The _Line_ the _Direction_ stands in.

_Double Letter._ æ œ st sh, and several others _Cast_ on one _Shank_ are called _Double Letters_: s and f have several _Ascending Letters_ joyned to them, because their _Beaks_ hanging over their _Stems_ would (were they not _Cast_ on one _Shank_) ride upon the tops of the Stems of the adjoyning ascending _Letter_.

_Double._ A Sheet that is twice _Pulled_ and lifted never so little off the _Form_ after it was first _Pulled_, does most commonly (through the Play of the _Joynts_ of the _Tympan_) take a double _Impression_: This Sheet is said to _Double_. Or if the _Press-man Run in_ so, as the Fore-side of the _Plattin_ Print with the _First Pull_ into part of the _Second Pull_, or the hind edge of the _Plattin Print_ with his _Second Pull_ into part of his _First Pull_; either of these twice Printing is called _Doubling_. _Doubling_ also happens through the loose _Hanging_ of the _Plattin_, and through too much play the Tennants of the _Head_ may have in the _Mortesses_ of the _Cheeks_, and indeed through many Wearings and crasienesses that often happens in several parts of the _Press_. See § 24. ¶ 18.

_Dress_ a _Chase_, or _Dress_ a _Form_, is all one. It is to fit the _Pages_ and the _Chase_ with _Furniture_ and _Quoins_. See § 22. ¶ 7.

_Dress Letter._ See § 21. ¶ 1.

_Dressing Block._ See § 20. ¶ 3.

_Dressing Block-groove._ ibid.

_Dressing Hook._ See § 20. ¶ 1.

_Dressing Knife._ See § 20. ¶ 4.

_Dressing Sticks._ See § 19. ¶ 6.

_Drive out._ When a _Compositer Sets Wide_, he is said to _Drive out_ or _Run out_. In _Founding_, If _Letter_ be _Cast_ too Thick in the _Shank_ it _Drives out_, or if it be _Cast_ too Thick in any part of the _Shank_, as the _Head_, the _Foot_, the sides at _Head_ or _Foot_, or _Body_ at _Head_ or _Foot_: They say, _It Drives out at Head_, _It Drives out at Foot_, &c.

E

_Empty Case._ See § 22. ¶ 3. & _See Case is Low._

_Easie Pull._ See § 24. ¶ 5.

_Easie Work._ See § 22. ¶ 4. And _Great Letter_ and a _Small Form_ the _Press-man_ calls _Easie Work_.

_Empty Press._ A _Press_ that Stands by, which no Workman Works at: Most commonly every _Printing-House_ has one of them for a _Proof-Press_: viz. to make _Proves_ on.

_English Body._ See § 1. ¶ 2.

_English Face._ Plate 26. 27. are _English Face Letters_.

_Even Page._ The _First Page_ of a _Sheet_ or _Form_ is called an _Odd Page_, but the _Second_, _Fourth_, _Sixth_, or any other even numbred _Page_ is called an _Even Page_. See § 22. ¶ 7.

F

_Face of a Letter_, See § 13. ¶ 13.

_Face of a Page, or Form._ The Superficies of a _Page_ or _Form_, where the _Faces_ of every _Letter_ lies in the same Plain.

_Face-Gage._ See § 12. ¶ 5.

_Face of a Matrice._ See § 17. ¶ 1.

_Fat Ashes._ _Founders_ call their Ashes _Fat_, if they are considerably Heavy, because then they have much _Mettle_ in them.

_Fat._ See _Beat Fat_.

_Fat Face_, or _Fat Letter_, is a broad Stemmed _Letter_.

_Female Gage_, _Screws_, &c. The _Hollow Gage_, or _Hollow Screw_ that receives its _Match Gage_ or _Screw_, &c.

_First._ See § 24. ¶ 15.

_First Form._ The _Form_ the _White Paper_ is Printed on, which generally by Rule ought to have the _First Page_ of the Sheet in it.

_First Page._ See § 22. ¶ 7.

_First Pull._ See § 11. ¶ 16. & § 24. ¶ 7. Considerations 8. & § 24. ¶ 15.

_Flat-Gage._ See § 12. ¶ 3.

_Flat Table._ See § 12. § 8.

_Fly._ See _Devil_.

_Follow._ viz. _See if it follows_, is a Term used as well by the _Corrector_ as by the _Compositer_ and _Press-man_. It is used by the _Corrector_ and _Compositer_ when they examine how the beginning _Matter_ of a succeeding _Page_ agrees with the ending _Matter_ of the precedent _Page_: And how the _Folio’s_ of those _Pages_ properly and numerically follow and succeed one another, Lest the _Pages_ should be _Transposed_. But the _Press-man_ only examines that the _Folio_ and beginning word of the _Second Page_, and _Signature_ of the _First_ and _Third Page_ (when the _Reteration_ is on the _Press_) follows the _Folio_ and _Direction_ of the _First Page_, and the _Signature_ of the _Third Page_ follows the _Signature_ of the _First Page_, orderly according to the Volumne, lest the _Form_ should be laid wrong on the _Press_.

_Foot of the Letter._ The _Break-end_ of the _Shanck_ of a _Letter_.

_Foot-line._ See § 14. ¶ 12.

_Foot of a Page._ The bottom or end of a _Page_. See § 22. ¶ 7.

_Foot-Step._ See § 11. ¶ 21. & § 24. ¶ 7. & Considerations 11.

_Foot-stick._ See § 8.

_Form._ The Pages when they are fitted into a _Chase_.

_Foul Proof._ When a _Proof_ has many _Faults_ markt in it.

_Fount._ Is the whole number of _Letters_ that are _Cast_ of the same _Body_ and _Face_ at one time. See § 2. ¶ 2.

_Frisket._ See § 10.

_Froze out._ In Winter when the Paper is Froze, and the _Letter_ Froze, so as the Workmen cannot Work. They say, _They are Froze out_.

_Fryer._ When the _Balls_ do not _Take_, the _Un-taking_ part of the _Balls_ that touches the _Form_ will be left White, or if the _Press-men_ Skip over any part of the _Form_, and touch it not with the _Balls_, though they do _Take_, yet in both these cases the White places is cal’d a _Fryer_.

_Full Form_ or _Page_. A _Form_ or _Page_ with few or no _Breaks_ or _White-lines_.

_Full Press._ When two Men Work at the _Press_. It is called a _Full Press_.

_Furnace._ See § 18.

_Furnace open_, or _Wind Furnace_. See § 18. ¶ 2.

_Funnel._ See § 18.

_Furniture._ See § 8.

G

_Gage._ Gages mentioned in this Volumne have an adjunct Name, as _Flat Gage_, _Joynt Gage_, _Italick Gage_, _Long Gage_, _Male Gage_, _Short Gage_, _Standing Gage_, _Steel Gage_, which See respectively.

_Galley._ See § 5.

_Galley-Slave._ See the Customs.

_Gallows._ See § 10.

_Garter._ See § 11. ¶ 14.

_Gather Books._ See § 25. ¶ 3.

_Geat_, is the little Spout or Gutter made in the Brim of _Casting Ladles_.

_Get in._ _Matter_ is _Got in_ in a _Line_, _Page_, _Sheet_ or _Book_, if _Letter_ be Thinner _Cast_ than the _Printed Copy_ the _Compositer Sets_ by. Or _Matter_ is _Got in_ if the _Compositer Sets Closer_: Or if he _Widens_ his _Measure_; or puts more _Lines_ in a _Page_. See a _Line_.

_Girts._ See § 11. ¶ 21.

_Good Colour._ Sheets Printed neither too Black or too White.

_Good of the Chappel._ Forfeitures and other _Chappel_ Dues are Collected for the _Good of the Chappel_, viz. to be spent as the _Chappel_ approves.

_Good Work_, is called so in a twofold sense: The Master-Printer calls it _Good Work_ when the _Compositers_ and _Press-men_ have done their duty; and the Work-men call it _Good Work_, if it be _Light Easie Work_, and they have a good price for it.

_Go up the Form._ See § 24. ¶ 13.

_Great Cannon._ See § 2. ¶ 2.

_Great Numbers._ See _Lay on_. Above 2000 Printed on one Sheet are accounted _Great Numbers_.

_Great Primmer._ See § 2. ¶ 2.

_Gutter-stick._ See § 8.

H

_Hag._ See § 15. ¶ 1.

_Half a Line._ When _Letter Drives out_ or _Gets in_ in the _Body_, in a number of _Lines_, _Founders_ say, _It Drives out or Gets in_ Half a _Line_, a whole _Line_, a quarter of a _Line_, &c. _viz._ _Half a Body_, a _whole Body_, a quarter, _&c._ of a _Body_.

_Half a Press._ When but one Man Works at the _Press_, It is called _Half a Press_.

_Half Work._ He that Works but three days in the Week, does but _Half Work_.

_Hammer end of a Punch._ See § 13. ¶ 13.

_Hangs._ See _Letter Hangs_. & § 22. ¶ 4.

_Hang the Plattin._ See § 24. ¶ 4.

_Hang up Paper._ See § 25. ¶ 1.

_Hard Inck._ _Inck very well Boyled._ See § 11. ¶ 23.

_Hard Justifying._ See § 22. ¶ 4.

_Hard Pull._ See § 24. ¶ 5.

_Hard Work._ See § 22. ¶ 4. And small _Letter_ and a _Large Form_, _Press-men_ call _Hard Work_.

_Head._ See § 10. ¶ 5.

_Head Line._ See § 14. ¶ 2.

_Head of a Page._ The top or beginning of a _Page_. See § 22. ¶ 7.

_Head-stick._ See § 8.

_Heap._ So many Reams or Quires as is _Set out_ by the _Warehouse-keeper_ for the _Press-man_ to _Wet_, is call’d a _Heap_: But then it is call’d a _Dry Heap_, till the _Press-man_ have _Wet_ it, and then it is indeed called a _Heap_. See also § 25.

_Heap holds out._ When it hath its full intended Number of Sheets.

_Heavy Work._ See _Hard Work_.

_Heighth._ See _High against Paper_.

_High against Paper._ If a _Punch_ be not Sunk deep enough into the _Matrice_, the _Letter Cast_ will not stand high enough against Paper. And if it be Sunk too deep into the _Matrice_, the _Letter Cast_ will be too _High_ against Paper. See § 17. ¶ 2.

_Holds out_, or _Holds not out_. These Terms are applicable to the Quires of _White-paper_, to _Wrought-off Heaps_, to _Gathered Books_, and to sorts of _Letter_ &c. If Quires of White Paper have twenty five Sheets a piece in them, they say, _The Paper holds out five and twenties_. Of _Wrought off Heaps_, the _Heap_ that _Comes off_ first in _Gathering_ is said, _Not to Hold out_. Of _Gathered Books_, if the intended number of perfect _Books_ are _Gathered_, they say the _Impression Holds out_: But if the intended number of _Perfect Books_ cannot be _Gathered_ off the _Heaps_, they say the _Impression Holds not out_. And so for Sorts of _Letter_, either when it is in the _Founding House_, or in the _Printing House_.

_Hole._ By a _Hole_, in Printers dialed, is meant and understood a place where private Printing is used, _viz._ the Printing of Unlicensed _Books_, or Printing of other mens _Copies_. Many Printers for Lucre of Gain have gone into _Holes_, and then their chief care is to get a _Hole_ Private, and Workmen Trusty and Cunning to conceal the _Hole_, and themselves.

_Holy-days._ See Customs.

_Hollows of a Letter._ The _Sinking in_ of the _Counter-Punch_ into the _Punch_ makes these _Hollows_, so does Sculping into the _Face_ of the _Punch_. See § 9. ¶ 4.

_Hooks._ See _Hags_.

_Horse._ The Form or Bench _Press-men_ set the _Heaps_ of Paper on. See also Customs.

_Horse-flesh._ If any Journeyman set down in his Bill on _Saturday_ Night more Work than he has done, that Surplusage is called _Horse-flesh_: And he abates it in his next Bill.

_Hose._ See § 11. ¶ 14.

_Hours._ _Press-men_ reckon their Work by Hours, accounting every _Token_ to an Hours Work: And though it be the same effectually with _Tokens_, yet they make their prizes of different Work by the Hour; and it passes current for a _Token_. If two Men Work at the _Press_ ten Quires is an Hour; if one Man, five Quires is an Hour.