24 
Not aslip of paper nor a drop of ordinary ink was at hand, so the 
list was written with the prepared ink on the stone and left to be 
copied at leisure. When about to wipe this writing off the idea 
struck him to try what the effect would be if an impression were 
taken direct. This was tried, and encouraged by the result of 
various other trials he began to foresee the probability of a new 
invention. Determined to follow up his experiments but being 
without money he enlisted as a substitute in the artillery receiving 
a premium of two hundred florins, but on presenting himself for 
admission he was rejected as not being a native of Bavaria. With 
every feeling of despair he was obliged to return home without 
his cash. Next by chance a badly printed piece of music attracted 
his attention and as this sort of work seemed exactly suited for 
his new method he arranged with a musical friend who was about 
to publish some pieces, that they should publish on a joint account, 
and this was done with fair success. This was in 1796. Experi- 
ments, difficulties and failures followed amidst great opposition 
and ridicule, until by the adoption of improvements and an 
improved press confidence in success was restored. By the year 
1800 the process was so fairly established that a Mr. André a 
music seller of Offenbach gave Senefelder two thousand florins to 
learn the business and to have a press of his own. André, assisted 
by his three brothers, then established presses in the principal 
capitals, and came to London with Senefelder in 1800, partly on 
business as his son Philip was settled there, and in part to learn 
how to obtain a patent. They deposited a caveat or circumstan- 
tial description of the invention at the Patent office, and then 
returned to Germany. These caveats seem not to have been 
preserved, There is no record in any form in the Patent office. 
No actual patent was obtained. André, senior, came again to 
London in 1801, and, with the help of Philip his son, started a 
press, and then returning home left the son to manage the new 
venture. 
The English name given to the new art was Polyautography, 
