ake a little
printing-office in Villiers Street, Strand, about the end of 1803; and
there he began with one printing press, and one assistant. His stock
of type was so small, that he was under the necessity of working it
from day to day like a banker's gold. When his first job came in, he
continued to work for the greater part of three nights, setting the
type during the day, and working it off at night, in order that the
type might be distributed for resetting on the following morning. He
succeeded, however, in executing his first job to the entire
satisfaction of his first customer.

His business gradually increased, and then, with his constantly saved
means, he was enabled to increase his stock of type, and to undertake
larger jobs. Industry always tells, and in the long-run leads to
prosperity. He married early, but he married well. He was only
twenty-four when he found his best fortune in a good, affectionate
wife. Through this lady's cousin, Mr. Winchester, the young printer
was shortly introduced to important official business. His punctual
execution of orders, the accuracy of his work, and the despatch with
which he turned it out soon brought him friends, and his obliging and
kindly disposition firmly secured them. Thus, in a few years, the
humble beginner with one press became a printer on a large scale.

The small concern expanded into a considerable printing-office in
Northumberland Court, which was furnished with many presses and a large
stock of type. The office was, unfortunately, burnt down; but a larger
office rose in its place.

What Mr. Clowes principally aimed at, in carrying on his business, was
accuracy, speed, and quantity. He did not seek to produce editions de
luxe in limited numbers, but large impressions of works in popular
demand--travels, biographies, histories, blue-books, and official
reports, in any quantity. For this purpose, he found the process of
hand-printing too tedious, as well as too costly; and hence he early
turned his attention to book printing by machine presses, driven by
steam power,--in this matter following the example of Mr. Walter of the
Times, who had for some years employed the same method for newspaper
printing.

Applegath & Cowper's machines had greatly advanced the art of printing.
They secured perfect inking and register; and the sheets were printed
off more neatly, regularly, and expeditiously; and larger sheets could
be printed on both sides, than