6 § 
for the Use of Engravers. 
very hurtful attitude in which the engraver is placed 
while he is at work ; for, in engraving a plate, even of a 
middling size, if the plate be placed horizontally upon a 
Cushion, as is usual, it is impossible to perform the work 
without a very injurious curvature of the body ; which, 
by being repeated as often as is necessary in the course 
of the operation, lays the foundation of those complaints 
which so often prove fatal to artists. It is however cer- 
tain that, besides this cause, many others may have con- 
tributed to those disorders which have deprived us of ma- 
ny excellent engravers, but the most evident cause is in 
the art itself. Wherefore, instead of being surprised at 
their unhappy fate, I cannot help considering those who 
have lived to an advanced age as wonderful instances ; a 
very strong constitution, (which, however, is seldom the 
lot of those who have great talents) taking exercise, less 
assiduity in their labour, and a power of performing their 
work without carrying their eyes very near it, may have 
exempted them from the common fate of their fellow- 
artists. 
Instead of trusting to these infrequent examples, I 
thought I should do a more useful thing by contriving 
such a table, for the use of engravers, as is here describ- 
ed* My intention was that those artists should be able to 
work, either standing or sitting, without bending the bo- 
dy ; for that reason I began by placing the copperplate 
upon a desk. It was then necessary to be able to turn it 
about as occasion required : for this purpose, a pivot or 
axis in the centre, upon which it might revolve, would 
suffice ; but I soon found that, upon one centre, it would 
not be possible to execute properly the various lines, in 
so many different directions as would be required. It 
became therefore also necessary that the board, upon 
which the plate was to be fixed, should have a great 
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