up and shaken to and fro by the papermaker, until just enough remains on it to form the sheet, which is then passed on to another man who stands at the end of the vat. This man is called a "coucher;" his province is to lay a large piece of flannel smooth, and then turn out of the mould the sheet of paper, and then the mould is passed back to the papermaker at the vat. These pieces of flannel are laid on each other with the sheets of paper between them until a sufficient quantity is made, when another man passes them under a heavy press to get the water out of them. When thus pressed, another person called the "layer," has to take the sheets of paper, from between the flannels, and lay them on each other, the flannels are then ready for the makers again. The sheets of paper are then again pressed to remove any water which may yet remain in them. Then the paper is taken from the press, and the sheets are separated from each other, and hung up to dry on long bars of wood fixed in frames, in lofts heated by steam. After being thus dried, they are taken down, and placed in a large vessel filled with a hot fluid, consisting of thin size; this is termed "sizing." The paper is sized for the purpose of preparing it to take the ink properly when written or printed on. After being thus sized, it is again pressed, then the sheets are separated from each other, and again hung up to dry. When sufficiently dried it is taken down and pressed again; then picked and sorted by females. Those females are furnished with little knives, with which they they take off any knots or dirt that may be discovered on the surface of the sheet. After being thus picked and sorted, it is again pressed, and then "glazed;" this is done by placing the sheet of paper between copper-plates, and passing these between cast-iron rollers, the pressure from which produces a fine polished surface on the sheets. The paper thus glazed is then told out into quires, and put into reams by men, and afterwards pressed again, for the purpose of making the sheets lie close together when packed. It is then tied up into packages, and after being weighed by the excise officer, to ascertain the amount of duty to be charged to the manufactory, it is placed in the storeroom ready for sale.

Thus I have attempted to communicate the information

which I obtained concerning the manufacture of paper, when I visited the paper-mill. From what I saw on this occasion, I was led to reflect on the advantages we possess from modern inventions and improvement in the making of paper. My mind was led irresistibly back to the time when there were no paper-mills. The art of writing was discovered long before the art of making of paper was known, and the ancients had to inscribe their thoughts on very different materials. The ancient Jews sometimes made use of tables of stone to write on. The Ten Commandments were engraved on tables of stone. See Exod. xxxii. 15—19; also, xxxiv. 1-4, 27, 28. Deut. ix. 9-11. Sometimes tables covered with wax were used, and the writing was inscribed in the wax.

In the Scriptures, mention is made of writing on rolls, which are supposed to have been made of the prepared skins of animals. The Ionians and Persians used the skins of sheep and goats to write upon, long enough before the time of king Pergamus, who is rather, therefore, to be looked upon as an improver than the inventor of parchment. These rolls differed in their size, according to the subject they contained and the character in which it was written, so that some of them had several skins sewed together. Of this sort, it is supposed was the book of the law, which the high priest found in Josiah's time. The ancient Jews also

used the bark of trees to write on, and sometimes a sort of paper made from the papyrus, a kind of bulrush growing on the banks of the Nile, and of other rivers. From papyrus we derive the name of paper; the manufactory of which I have attempted to describe. But the inconveniences arising from the use of those materials for writing by the ancients must have been very great. Their books would be very expensive, and their manuscripts often very heavy and cumbersome. No doubt they would have hailed with joy the sight of a paper-mill. How thankful then ought we to be, that our lot is cast in such a land, and in such an age! To say nothing of the advantages and satisfaction which we experience in being able to transact our business and correspond with our distant friends through the aid of the paper-mill, how should it rejoice our hearts to think,

that

whilst our forefathers, for lack of these inventions, lived and died in ignorance, we can now obtain for a mere trifle books filled with instruction, which are both entertaining and profitable.

Let us then learn to prize our privileges, and with the Psalmist exclaim: "The lines are fallen to me in pleasant places: I have a goodly heritage." Let us remember, where much is given, much will be required. That we are responsible to God for those advantages which we enjoy ; and if we do not profit by them, the ancients will rise in judgment against us and condemn us. If I have now in any measure succeeded in causing my young friends to value and determine to improve, the advantages they possess from the manufacture of paper, I shall never regret having recorded the particulars connected with the thoughts suggested by "a Visit to the Paper-mill."

J. H. TUCKER.

TRUTH AND HONESTY REWARDED.

Two boys, of nearly the same age, were one day amusing themselves with that dangerous, though not uncommon pastime, pelting each other with stones. They had chosen one of the squares of the play ground, thinking by this means to avoid doing mischief. To the consternation of

the thrower, however, a missile, instead of resting on the shoulders of the boy at whom it was aimed, entered the library window of one of the lordly mansions forming the quadrangle.

"Why don't you take to your heels, you blockhead; you will have the police after you whilst you are standing there!" was the exclamation of his companion, and he caught him by the arm in order to drag him from the spot. The author of the mischief still retained his thoughtful position.

"If your father is obliged to pay for that, you will stand a chance of having a good thrashing, Jack," the other boy urged.

"Never mind, Tom, leave me to myself," was the reply, and the young delinquent moved, with unfaltering steps, towards the door of the mansion, the knocker of which he unhesitatingly raised. The summons was answered by a footman.

"Is the master of the house at home?" he with some difficulty inquired.

"He is."

"Then I wish to see him, if you please."

"That you can't do, my man; but I'll deliver any message for you."

"No, that will not do. I must—indeed, I must see the gentleman himself." The earnestness and perseverance of the boy at length induced him to comply with his request, and opening the door of the library, he apologized for asking his master to see a shabby little fellow, adding, that he could neither learn his business nor get rid of him.

“Bring him in,” said the gentleman addressed, who, having witnessed the transaction, and overheard the conversation, was curious to know the object of the boy's visit. The poor child, whose ideas had never soared above his father's second floor, stood for some moments in stupified amazement when ushered into an elegant apartment: but remembering the painful circumstances which had brought him into this scene of enchantment, he in some measure regained his self-possession.

"I am very sorry, sir," he began, in fluttering voice, "but I have broken your window. My father is out of work just now, and I cannot pay you for it; but if you will be kind enough to take the money a little at a time, as I get it, I will be sure to make it up; and as he spoke, he drew a few halfpence from his pocket, and laid them on the table.

"That's an honest speech, my lad; but how am I sure you will fulfil your engagement?" Mr. Cavendish replied "Do you not know that I could have sent you to the stationhouse until the money is made up?"

"O don't send me there, sir, it would break my dear mother's heart. I will pay you all-indeed I will, sir". and the poor boy burst into a flood of tears.

"I am glad you have so much consideration for your

mother's feelings; and for her sake I will trust to your honesty."

"O, thank you, sir, thank you!"

"But when do you expect to be able to make another payment? This is a very small sum towards the price of a large square of plate-glass," and as he spoke, he glanced at the four halfpence which the boy had spread out.

"This day week, sir, if you please."

66

Very well, let it be so. At this hour I shall be home to see you."

Poor Jack made his very best bow and retired.

True to his appointment, our high principled boy appeared at the door of Mr. Cavendish's mansion. As the footman had previously received orders to admit him, he was immediately shown into the library.

"I have a shilling for you to-day, sir!" he said exulting, and his countenance was radiant with smiles.

"Indeed! that is a large sum for a boy like you to obtain in so short a time. I hope you came by it honestly?"

A flush of crimson mounted on the cheek of poor Jack, but it was not a flush of shame.

"I have earned every penny of it, excepting one my mother gave me to make it up," he energetically replied; and he proceeded to say that he had been on the look out for jobs all the week; that he had held the horse for one gentleman, and had run on an errand for another; in this way he accounted for elevenpence.

"Your industry and perseverance do you credit, my lad," Mr. Cavendish exclaimed, his benevolent countenance lighting up with a smile. "And now I should like to know your name, and place of residence."

“I will write it, sir, if you please. Indeed, I brought a piece of paper for the purpose of putting down the money. I hope I shall be able to make it up in a few weeks, for I am trying to get a situation as an errand-boy."

"You can write then? Do you go to school?"

"O yes, sir; I go to a free school"-and Jack stepped forward to take the pen which Mr. Cavendish held towards him.

"You write a tolerable good hand, my little man-You