liQS HOPE. 



he afterwards exchanged for leaden ones, and these again 

 for a mixture of tin and lead, as a less flexible and more 

 solid and durable substance. He died in 1440, and by some 

 his first attempt is supposed to have been made about 1430, 

 but by others as early as 1423. 



From this period printing made a rapid progress in most 

 of the principal towns of Europe, superseded the trade of 

 copying, which, till that time, was very considerable, and 

 was in many places considered as a species of magic. In 

 1490 it reached Constantinople, and was extended by the 

 middle of the following century to Africa and America. 



During the period since its invention, what has not the 

 art of printing effected ? It has blunted the edge of perse- 

 cution's sword, laid open to man his own heart, struck the 

 sceptre from the hand of tyranny, and awakened from its 

 slumber a spirit of knowledge, cultivation, liberty. It has 

 gone forth like an angel scattering blessiiigs in its path, so- 

 lacing the wounded mind, and silently pointing out the tri- 

 umphs of mortality and the truths of revelation to the gaze 

 of those whom the want of precept or good example had de- 

 based, and whom ignorance had made skeptical. 



Questions. — 1. The applica*ion of what principle to the multipK- 

 cation of books constitutes thn' discovery of the art of printing ? 2. 

 What is said of Harlem, Mentz, and Strasburg ? 3. What is related 

 of Laurens Koster ? 4. What is said of the progress of printing in 

 the world? 5. Of its effects? [Note. The fourth Centennial Anni- 

 versary of the Inventi6n of Printing was observed at Harlem in Hol- 

 land on tiie 10th and 11th of July, 1823, with great rejoicing and a 

 «pl«ndid festival.] 



LESSON 135. 



Hope. 



There is no happiness which hope cannot promise, — no 

 difficulty which it cannot surmount, — no grief which it can- 

 not mitigate. It is the wealth of the indigent, the health 

 of the sick, the freedom of the captive. As soon as we have 

 learned what is agreeable, it delights us with the prospect 

 of attaining it ; as soon as we have lost it, it delights us 

 ^vitli the prospect of its return. It is our flatterer and com» 



