AWARDS OF PEEMIUMS. v 61 



be performed well by one engraver. Years of persevering ap- 

 plication and industry arc required to master one branch, such, 

 as small lettering — water-lining — topography ; and rarely can a 

 workman obtain more than a tolerable proficiency in more than 

 one. In engraving a map therefore, the plate passes from one 

 to another until finished — first the plan^ that is, water-courses, 

 coast-lines and boundaries, is engraved — next the larger letter- 

 ing — then the small writing — again, the mountains and other 

 topography — then the water-lines — After which comes the bor- 

 der, with the other ornamental work, and finally the title. All 

 these several parts of the work, in the establishment before 

 spoken of, are executed by different workmen, each quite per- 

 fect in his particular branch, thus systematizing the business in 

 the most perfect manner ; which accounts for the great accuracy, 

 beauty and perfection of the works emanating from it. 



" The plate being finished, it is now to hQ printed ; not by a 

 power-press, with the facility and cheapness of a stereotype form, 

 but by the slow, hand, copperplate press, each impression cost- 

 ing as much as half a hundred newspaper impressions. Many 

 of the large maps also are composed of from six to nine sheets, 

 requiring that number of distinct impressions to the single map. 



" The next step in the process of map-making is the coloring. 

 This requires the delicate touches of the female hand. Most 

 persons in looking upon a large map, like that of the United 

 States, with the divisions of States and counties, designated by 

 various and appropriate colors, may suppose there is some pro- 

 cess analagous to calico printing, whereby the colors are rapidly 

 and uniformly spread upon the sheet. This however, is not the 

 case. Each particular division however large or small, is col- 

 ored by the practised hand of woman, with a j?aint-brush, requir- 

 ing great care and a long time to accomplish it. 



" Still the map, with all that has thus far been done, is in pa- 

 per sheets, and unfit for use. It has now to be mounted, that is, 

 the sheets fitted together, put upon a cloth back, varnished, 

 bound, and tacked to the roller and molding — parts of the pro- 

 cess apparently least important, but are indeed expensive and 

 difficult, and require a steady hand, and a careful, practised eye. 



