INKS. 385 



cnini verba paginis infiguntur ; sed calamus arboris est, penna 

 avis, cujus acumen dividitur in duo *." 



Some of the instruments necessary for the occupation of a libra- 

 rius or book. writer are delineated in a book of the four gospels in 

 the Harleian library (No. 2820), written in Italy in the tenth cen- 

 tury. The vellum, on which this book is written, is stained of dif- 

 ferent colours at the beginning of each gospel. 



[Astle. 



SECTION V. 



Inks. 



INK has not only been useful in all ages, but still continues abso- 

 lutely necessary to the preservation and improvement of every art 

 and science, and for conducting the ordinary transactions of life. 



Daily experience shews, that the most common objects, generally 

 prove most useful and beneficial to mankind. The constant occa- 

 sion we have for ink, evinces its convenience and utility. From 

 the important benefits arising to society from its use, and the inju. 

 ries individuals may suffer from the frauds of designing men in the 

 abuse of this necessary article, it is to be wished that the legislature 

 would frame some regulation to promote its improvement, and 

 prevent knavery and avarice from making it instrumental to the 

 accomplishment of any base purposes. 



Simple as the composition of ink may be thought, and really is, it 

 Is a fact well known, that we have at present none equal in beauty 

 and colour to that used by the ancients ; as will appear by an in. 

 spection of many of the MSS. above quoted, especially those writ, 

 ten in England in the times of the Saxons. What occasions so great 

 a disparity ? Does it arise from our ignorance, or from our want 

 of materials ? From neither, but from the negligence of the present 

 race ; as very little attention would soon demonstrate, that we 

 want neither skill nor ingredients to make ink as good now, as at 

 any former period. 



It is an object of the Utmost importance that the records of par. 

 liament, the decisions and adjudications of the courts of justice, 

 conveyances from man to man, wills, testaments, and other instru- 

 ments, which affect property, should be written with ink of such 



* kitl, Hip. Oiig. lib. vi. cap. 14. 

 ?OL. TI. 2 C 



