78 THE BOX. 



a manuscript copy of the Scriptures. The most important of 

 these is the Biblia Pauperum, or "Poor Preachers' Bible," a 

 collection of historical subjects from the Old and ISTew Testa- 

 ments, accompanied by explanatory inscriptions in Latin. 

 This appears to have been a most popular book, for not only 

 are there many copies of it struck from different blocks, but 

 it was repeatedly printed, long after the introduction of 

 printing with moveable types. Another work of the same 

 kind, "The Apocalypse, or History of St. John," was pub- 

 lished about 1434. Of this there are six different editions, 

 and the execution of some of the wood-engravings evinces 

 considerable ability. 



The history of the art here divides into two branches, 

 with one of which, — the art of printing, properly so 

 called, — I must leave my readers to acquaint themselves 

 from other sources. In the fifteenth century vfe find the 

 two combined in one in the Psalter published by Faust 

 and Schceflfer at Mentz. The initial letters, engraved in 

 wood, are executed in the most beautiful style of the art. 

 This custom soon became general, and was introduced into 

 England by Caxton, in 1746. IS'ot long after this Mair, 

 in Germany, published prints, the dark parts of which 

 were produced by an impression from a copper-plate en- 

 graving, • the lighter from a wooden block, but of course 

 by two distinct operations. About the same time. Carpi, 

 in Italy, produced woodcuts by the tedious process of 

 printing on the same paper from three several blocks, the 

 first containing the outline, the second the dark shadows, 

 the third the light tints. But a much greater improvement 

 was effected by Albert Durer, who, by a simpler process, 

 produced woodcuts in which the figures were more skil- 

 fully designed and grouped, the laws of perspective more 

 carefully attended to, and a variety of minor details intro- 

 duced, which gave to the subject more of the stamp of 

 truth and nature. The names of various other artists 

 might be mentioned, Avho from time to time distinguished 

 themselves by the eminence which they attained, until 



