Stereotype Printing. 323 



H Whether the method I propose will answer the end designed, or 

 whether it be practicable, I cannot with sufficient assurance say ; 

 because we have no artists in this country who can make the experi- 

 ment, neither can they have encouragement sufficient to tempt them 

 to make the trial. However, I hope to be excused, by the use of the 

 design, and as it may chance to give some hint to a skilful person to 

 perform effectually what 1 only aim at in vain* 



" If the charge of lead or metal plates be thought too great, I 

 know not but that the impression may be made on thin planes of 

 some kinds of wood, such as lime tree or poplar, which have a soft 

 smooth grain when green, and are hard and smooth when dry. 



u Ever since I had the pleasure of a conversation with you, though 

 very short, by our accidental meeting on the road, I have been very 

 desirous to engage you in a correspondence* You was pleased to 

 take some notice of a method of printing which I mentioned to you 

 at that time, and to think it practicable. I have no further concern 

 for it than as it may be useful to the public; my reasons for thinking 

 so, you will find in the inclosed copy of a paper which I last year 

 sent to Mr. Collinson in London. Perhaps my fondness for my own 

 conceptions may make me think more of it than it deserves, and may- 

 make me jealous that the common printers are willing to discourage 

 out of private interest, any discovery of this sort. But as you have 

 given me reason to think you zealous in promoting every useful at- 

 tempt, you will be able absolutely to determine my opinion of it. 

 I long very much to hear what you have done in your scheme of 

 erecting a society at Philadelphia, for promoting useful arts and scien- 

 ces in America. If you think of any thing in my power whereby I 

 can promote so useful an undertaking, I will with much pleasure re- 

 ceive your instructions for that end. As my son Cadwallader, bears 

 this, I thereby think myself secured of the pleasure of a line from 

 you by him." 



Philadelphia, November 4, 1743. 



Sir, 



I received the favor of yours, with the proposal for a new meth- 

 od of printing, which I am much pleased with ; and since you ex- 

 press some confidence in my opinion, I shall consider it very atten- 

 tively and particularly, and in a post or two, send you some observa- 

 tions on every article. 



My long absence from home in the summer, put my business sa 

 much behind hand, that I have been in a continual hurry ever since- 



