1843.] Asiatic Society. 1121 



the size of 8 or 10 inches, or a little larger, could be obtained, i could give a favourable 

 report of it. From what I have been able to ascertain, I think this quality will answer 

 remarkably well, and as far as my experience enables me to judge, being 20 years 

 practically engaged in Lithographic Printing, I can safely say I have not met with 

 any Indian stone approach so near to the German, which is the best we now have. 



Of the smaller piece I cannot form an opinion, being too small to admit of a fair 

 trial, but it takes a good polish, and may answer pretty well for Lithographing written 

 forms upon, if not too soft; the black marks upon it would be an objection to its being 

 used for taking off drawings. 



I have not been able to try the other specimens yet, but will report upon them as 

 soon as I am able to do so. 



As requested, I have pleasure in sending the accompanying three pieces of Europe 

 Stones, of such as 1 use in my establishment, and remain, 



Sir, your obedient faithful servant, 

 Asiatic Lithographic Press, 3, Hare Street, Thos. Black. 



13th November 1843. 



This is certainly most satisfactory, and I have written to Capt. Shortrede to obtain a 

 larger piece as desired, as also to know if his public duties will admit of his shortly 

 visiting the spot with sufficient leisure to examine the quarry or quarries from whence 

 the heap of stones, amongst which this fine specimen was found, was taken ; or if it may 

 be necessary either for him or for the Society to address Government on the subject, 

 which 1 venture respectfully to submit it might with great propriety do. The proba- 

 ble direct saving to Government in its own lithographic establishments at the three 

 presidencies, though a large item, is a mere trifle when compared with the immense 

 benefit to the native literary community, to whom the high price of lithographic stones 

 is almost a prohibition upon many enterprises of great utility ; the price of good Ger- 

 man stones varying in Calcutta, from six annas to twelve annas a pound weight. A stone 

 large enough for an octavo page, costing thus from 25 to 40 Rupees : Large ones for maps 

 from 80 to 120 Rs. or more. If the quarry should afford a good supply, and water carriage 

 down the Tonse be available, it is quite possible these stones may become an article of 

 export at least to various parts of India, if not to Europe. 



Mr. Black has farther obliged us with a set of specimens of the various kinds of 

 stones used in his establishment, for the Museum. Capt. Lyrand Jacobs of the 

 Bombay Army, has sent us a valuable printed memoir on the Iron of Kattywar, and 

 modes of smelting the ores, and obligingly offers to procure for us a set of specimens, 

 which will be most acceptable; and I take this opportunity of mentioning, that any- 

 thing of the nature of papers, whether written or printed, old or new, relative to any 

 inorganic product of the earth or the processes whereby it is fitted for the service of 

 man, will find a place in our Museum, or its records. 



H. Piddington. 



