AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 69 



and four o'clock the following morning. The surface printed every 

 night is about 30 acres, seven tons of type are in constant use, 

 and about 120 persons are employed. The greatest number of a 

 single issue have been 54,000. When the paper duty, the adver- 

 tisement duty, and all other duties are removed, and England 

 can compete with America in the cheapness with which she can 

 supply the masses with useful information, she may then do won- 

 ders in the publication and demand for newspapers. But at 

 present America has the lead, and manufactures for England her 

 largest and most effective steam presses. As to the quantity of 

 books, properly so called, printed and published annually, it is 

 more interesting to note the amount of the annual issue in 

 America, simply because she is among the youngest of the nations- 

 It appears that in the twelve years ending in 1842, nearly half 

 the publications -issued in the United States were reprints of Eng- 

 lish books, and that the entire number of works (not of copies or 

 editions,) did not exceed two thousand. The increase and com- 

 parative nationality of American literature during the past five 

 years are very striking, one popular work of fiction, the effort of 

 a feminine mind, having been translated and sold by countless 

 thousands throughout every country in Europe. The position, 

 strength and value of American literature at the present hour, 

 are such as to challenge comparison with the productions of older 

 nations. In 1852, there were published in this country 966 new 

 books and new editions; 312 of these were reprints of English 

 books, and 56 were translations. During 1853, 879 new books 

 and new editions, including 298 reprints of English books, and 

 translations. During 1854, 765 new books and new editions, of 

 which 277 were reprints of English books, and 41 translations. 

 During 1855, 1,092 new books and new editions, including 250 

 reprints of English books, and 38 translations. And during the 

 six months to July, 1856, 751 new books and new editions, of 

 which but 102 were reprints of English books, and 26 translations. 

 Apropos of books. If there be anything of which America 

 may justly be proud, it is of her school books. Neither French 

 nor even English are to be compared with American school books. 

 Mrs. Marcet's works are not in every hand, and the catechisms of 



