318 On Printing Presses and their Theory. 



Oess of movement, the different pages of the same sheet will 

 present a neater and more uniform appearance than when 

 worked with a wooden platen and two pulls. This remark 

 is especially appHcable to the duodecimo page. 



4. By admitting a less thickness to the tympan and its 

 contents, it produces a less rapid wear of the hair strokes of 

 the letter. 



5. The ribs on which the carriage runs have the peculiar 

 construction seen in the figure, by v/hich the friction is much 

 reduced, and the v/aste of oil diminished. 



6. From the best estimate which can be made, this press 

 will in a course of years be attended with an actual saving of 

 money to the purchaser.* 



Many of the foregoing advantages, it is readily conceded, 

 are such as this press possesses in common with that of Mr. 

 Clymer; but without detracting from the merits of the lat- 

 ter, there is little danger in hazarding the prediction that its 

 use will be speedily superseded ; and that as it has thrown 



* The pounds of this conclusion are the following'. In the first place, the 

 v/ear is almost nothing. With the exception of the main roller (13) which 

 with its sockets is of cast iron, and the joint C, (Fig. II.) all the moving- 

 parts slide over an extremely small arc ; and these are made of hardened 

 steel. The writer has examined the parts most exposed to wear in a press 

 which has been in constant operation nearly two years, and the effects of 

 friction were found wholly insignificant. The slight roughnesses which had 

 been left on the surfaces by the manufacturer were scarcely affected. It is 

 obvious, however, that the wear of many of the parts might become very 

 considerable before the action of the press would be sensibly impaired; 

 and that others might be replaced at a trifling expense. The original cost 

 of a common ■ wooden press is about one hundred and seventy dollars ; and 

 the annual expense of maintaining one will consist of the following items; in- 

 terest on the original cost |;10,20 ; principal to be replaced, supposing the 

 average time of wearing out to be twenty-five years, .^6,80; repairs, inclu- 

 ding accidents and instirance, $10,00. The interest on the first cost of the 

 Lever press is from 18 to 21 dollars ; principal to be replaced in all proba- 

 bility not ^'2 ; repairs &c. perhaps $4,00. This estimate is made out from 

 inquiries addressed to different printers who have been conversant with both. 



The foregoing particulars are such as chiefly interest the proprietor of a , 

 printing establishment ; but no inconsiderable additional advantage has 

 been conferred on the public by Mr. Wells, in lightening the task of the 

 journeyman. Not only is the pull i-endered far easier, as has been already 

 shewn at length, but the number of pvills is reduced one half. Those who 

 might apprehend a reduction of wages from an acknowledged reduction of 

 their labour, can scarcely be expected to be among the most forward to pro- 

 claim the extent of their obligations to the inventor of the Lever press ; but if, 

 as the writer has been credibly informed, it has in some instances been hired 

 by individual journeymen at an annual expense of fifty dollars, in prefer- 

 ence to using the common presses offered them by their employers, a stronger 

 testimonial to its superiority from this class of persons could not be desired. 



