UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 281 



pellicles was then transversely placed in a simi- 

 lar manner, and moistened with Nile water ; 

 the whole was heavily pressed, and when dried 

 in the sun, formed a smooth substance well fitted 

 for writting upon with pens made of hollow reeds, 

 through which a coloured liquid was allowed to 

 flow. The saccharine juice in the bark helped 

 to make the adhesion perfect, but some- 

 times a thin coat of gum was laid upon the first 

 layer. Thus large sheets were prepared for 

 writing, and when formed into books, the boards 

 or covers, we learn from some of the early Greek 

 writers, were made from the woody parts of the 

 same plant. 



" The Egyptian name of this plant is Babr, 

 from whence both papyrus and our word paper. 

 seem to have been derived. The bark of a 

 species of mulberry tree was afterwards used for 

 paper ; and liber, which properly meant the bark 

 of a tree, was, therefore, applied to signify a 

 book." 



Caroline, whose memory always serves her at 

 the right moment, immediately repeated these 

 lines, 



Papyrus, verdant on the banks of Nile, 

 Spread its thin leaf, and waved its silvery style ; 

 Its plastic pellicles Invention took, 

 To form the polished page and lettered book ; 

 And on its folds, with skill consummate taught 

 To paint, in mystic colors, sound and thought. 



B3 



