LATHE AND WORKMAN. 333 



complexity of their machinery, as in the great 

 simplicity of the few aids they require to turn out 

 a very neatly made article. A proper ox-horn 

 being selected, it is cut into such lengths as are 

 required. One of these is then gradually fixed 

 upon a conical w r ooden mould ; boiling water being 

 employed to soften the horn, and make it more 

 readily adapt itself to the shape, it is then laid 

 aside for a few days, when the form becoming fixed, 

 it is placed in the lathe to receive a series of 

 circular cut rings, with which the outside is usually 

 ornamented. 



The lathe is nothing more than two short sticks 

 placed in the ground, not more than three inches 

 high above its surface. From the centre of each 

 end of the mould an arm projects about six 

 inches long, which is armed with a bit of iron. 

 These iron points are received in the short stick 

 supports, and the mould, with the horn upon it, 

 then revolves freely. The workman sits upon the 

 ground, and with his feet pressed hard against a 

 stick, supports it in this manner against two stones, 

 placed at a convenient distance in front of his work. 

 This forms a rest for his cutting instrument, which 

 he holds in his left hand, and presses against the 

 horn, whilst with his right he wheels backwards and 

 forwards the mould by a small catgut string bow, 

 applied and used in the same manner as is the 

 same tool by many artisans in England. 



Not only are drinking-horns thus fashioned (and 



