92 The First Printers. 



brought to realise the immense saving of labour likely to arise 

 from the use of types. The earlier mechanical appliances for 

 the production of types were described, and specimens exhibited 

 of the punch matrix-mould used in typefounding. The first 

 books printed by Gutenberg, SchoeflFer, and Fust were enu- 

 merated, and fac-similes^ and in some cases actual specimens, of 

 their handiwork displayed. The Mazarin Bible, usually ascribed 

 to Gutenberg, Mr. Reed considered to be the work of SchoefFer, 

 who also, in partnership with Fust, produced the magnificent 

 Mentz Psalter in 1457. Reverting to the invention controversy, 

 the lecturer dwelt upon the testimony of Ulric Zell, of Cologne, 

 who, while giving Gutenberg credit for the invention, admitted 

 that he had received his earliest idea of the art from books 

 printed before his time in Holland, and came to the conclusion 

 that the balance of evidence is, on the whole, in favour of the 

 Dutch claims. The lecturer next dealt with the spread of 

 printing through the different countries of Europe, especially 

 into Italy and France ; and gave illustrations of the style of 

 character adopted by the printers of each country. Finally, the 

 arrival of the art on British soil was described, and an account 

 given of Caxton and the earliest productions of his press. 



The lecture was illustrated with numerous specimens of early 

 manuscript books dind facsimiles. 



Mr. Lavens M. Ewart, in proposing a vote of thanks, said : 

 — It gives me the greatest possible pleasure indeed to move that 

 the best thanks of this Society and of this meeting be given to 

 Mr, Reed for his lecture. Every word of it was teeming with 

 instruction, and shewed that Mr. Reed is a complete master of 

 his subject, and has all the information connected with it at his 

 finger ends. We are under a deep debt of gratitude to Mr. 

 Reed for coming to Belfast to deliver this lecture, and it is 

 pleasing that he is not altogether a stranger to us, as he is con- 

 nected by marriage with the family of our good friend Mr. 

 John Anderson, the Hon. Secretary of the Linen Hall Library, 

 and nearly all of us know the admirable work which Mr, 



