of this casting machine performed all its functions with perfect precision, and formed the bodies of the type so parallel and so perfect in other respects, that it soon began to create much jealous feeling and opposition among the type-founders, whose occupation was threatened by it. For this reason, Messrs. Wilson, the well-known type-founders, of Edinburgh, to whom I had sold my invention, preferred to make no further efforts to improve the valve arrangements, and allowed the whole matter to sink quietly into oblivion rather than face the storm they saw was brewing.

About this period my attention was directed to the art of engineturning, which was a very profitable one to the few who had sufficient originality of thought to work out those marvellous combinations of interlacing lines, such as we see at the present time on the coupons of many foreign bonds. I was a most enthusiastic admirer of these productions, especially those of that greatest of all engine-turners, Jacob Perkins, the well-known American engineer. I felt certain that I could employ one of these beautiful machines to advantage, and I was fortunate enough to purchase a very good one for £65.

How well I remember its being delivered at my premises one afternoon; I had it placed in my private office, close to the window. I knew pretty well nearly every detail of its construction, but I commenced by taking it all to pieces, the better to impress my mind with the smallest detail. Having put it together again, and taken my evening meal, I lit my large argand lamp, and, with my back to the window, I sat facing the Rose engine, and commenced my first essay on some odd pieces of brass which I had mounted on the straight-line chuck. I found myself rather awkward at first, but I soon began to manipulate more successfully, and in a short time became deeply absorbed in my work. I was ruling some very fine waved lines, which I could not see so clearly as I wished, when, looking round to the window on which my back had so long been turned, I was surprised to find the grey morning light stealing quietly in, and rendering my lamp useless. I had no idea that I had been sitting up all night, so imperceptibly had the time glided by. I was, however, well satisfied with the progress I was making, and was much delighted with my Rose engine, additions to which I never seemed tired of devising, and thus obtaining the infinity of beautiful effects which simple interlaced curved lines were capable of producing. Nor was this delightful work unaccompanied by a substantial reward, for almost fabulous prices were sometimes paid for unique specimens of the art, applicable as patent medicine labels, coupons, and for other purposes where it was desirable to render fraudulent imitation impossible.

On this machine I engraved many rollers for paper-embossing and printing for Messrs. De la Rue, and for the firm of Vizetelly and Co., etc. In cutting deeply-incised lines in metal for surface printing, there was always a tendency in curves to drag or blur the surface of the metal block. A little study of the subject convinced me that this defect was owing to the quality of the metal employed, and after several attempts I succeeded in making an alloy of tin and bismuth which answered admirably. It made a sharp creaking sound as the tool glided over it, cutting very crisp and raising no burr on the sides of the line cut. Indeed, so perfectly did this alloy remove a serious practical difficulty, that I used to manufacture blocks of the metal for the trade. This was the case also with another alloy, of equal parts of tin and zinc, to which were added 8 per cent. of copper and 3 per cent. of antimony. The metals forming this alloy have a tendency to solidify in the order of their fusibility, and the alloy has the peculiar property of passing from the fluid to the solid state so slowly that it may be used at an intermediate stage, when it is neither liquid nor solid; in this state it lends itself admirably to the formation of what are called "forcers," used in embossing leather or cards. This raised impression, or "forcer," is made by pouring the melted alloy into an open frame laid on the edges of the die; when the metal has attained a state of partial solidification, a beautiful impression of the die may be obtained by gentle pressure, and the alloy, when quite cold, is hard enough to stand the wear and tear of stamping in a most remarkable manner. The sale of these alloys to the trade was a welcome source of profit to me, and by no one was their usefulness more appreciated than by the late Mr. Thomas De la Rue, the talented founder of that well-known firm of fancy stationers, whom I had the advantage of knowing intimately and numbering among my best customers.

Thus, one branch of trade seemed to lead imperceptibly to another; but I was always waiting and looking forward to the establishment of the one large and steady branch of business that I hoped would some- day allow me to drop the many schemes which my versatile mind so easily created, seized upon, and