try. After he had left this country in disgust, it
remained for others to perfect the invention; although the ingenious
German was entitled to the greatest credit for having made the first
satisfactory beginning. Great inventions are not brought forth at a
heat. They are begun by one man, improved by another, and perfected by
a whole host of mechanical inventors. Numerous patents were taken out
for the mechanical improvement of printing. Donkin and Bacon contrived
a machine in 1813, in which the types were placed on a revolving prism.
One of them was made for the University of Cambridge, but it was found
too complicated; the inking was defective; and the project was
abandoned.

In 1816, Mr. Cowper obtained a patent (No.3974) entitled, "A Method of
Printing Paper for Paper Hangings, and Other Purposes."

The principal feature of this invention consisted in the curving or
bending of stereotype plates for the purpose of being printed in that
form. A number of machines for printing in two colours, in exact
register, was made for the Bank of England, and four millions of One
Pound notes were printed before the Bank Directors determined to
abolish their further issue. The regular mode of producing stereotype
plates, from plaster of Paris moulds, took so much time, that they
could not then be used for newspaper printing.

Two years later, in 1818, Mr. Cowper invented and patented (No. 4194)
his great improvements in printing. It may be mentioned that he was
then himself a printer, in partnership with Mr. Applegath, his
brother-in-law. His invention consisted in the perfect distribution of
the ink, by giving end motion to the rollers, so as to get a
distribution crossways, as well as lengthways. This principle is at
the very foundation of good printing, and has been adopted in every
machine since made. The very first experiment proved that the
principle was right. Mr. Cowper was asked by Mr. Walter to alter
Koenig's machine at The Times office, so as to obtain good
distribution. He adopted two of Nicholson's single cylinders and flat
formes of type. Two "drums" were placed betwixt the cylinders to
ensure accuracy in the register,--over and under which the sheet was
conveyed in it s progress from one cylinder to the other,--the sheet
being at all times firmly held between two tapes, which bound it to the
cylinders and drums. This is commonly called, in the trade, a
"perfecting machine;" that is, it printed the