To this highly interesting work[339]—the first work on the mechanics and practice of printing and letter-founding—we have already alluded in a previous chapter. It is impossible here to give more than a brief summary of its contents. Its publication commenced in 1677, with a series of monthly “Exercises” devoted to the Smith’s, Joiner’s, Carpenter’s and Turner’s trades. These formed the first volume. Moxon himself informs us that their publication was interrupted by the excitement of Oates’ plot, “which took off the minds of his few {184} customers from buying them, as formerly.” It was not till 1683 that the work was resumed. The second volume (which appeared in twenty-four monthly parts), treating wholly of the Art of Printing, commences with a brief account of the Invention of the Art (in which the reader is left to decide between the titles of Haarlem and Mentz), and with a claim on behalf of Typography equally with Architecture to be regarded as a Mathematical Science.[340] “A scientifick man,” says Moxon, “was doubtless he who was the first Inventor of Typographie; but I think few have succeeded him in Science, though the number of Founders and Printers be grown very many: Insomuch that for the more easie managing of Typographie, the Operators have found it necessary to devide it into several Trades. . . . The several devisions that are made are—1. The Master Printer. 2. The Letter Cutter. 3. The Letter Caster. 4. The Letter Dresser. 5. The Compositer. 6. The Correcter. 7. The Press Man. 8. The Inck-Maker. Besides several other Trades they take in to their Assistance, as the Smith, the Joyner, etc.” These divisions he proceeds to treat of seriatim and in detail. We have elsewhere quoted freely from this work, with a view to illustrate the condition of letter-founding as a mechanical trade in his time.[341] But we notice here, that in the advice which he gives to the Master Printer on the choice of letter for his office, he takes the opportunity to reiterate his admiration of the Dutch form of letter, particularly that adopted by Christoffel Van Dijk, and his conviction that as the Roman letters were originally made to consist of circles, arcs of circles and straight lines, the cutting of those letters should invariably be according to strict mathematical rule of form and proportion. His advice on the choice of letter is fourfold. 1. “That the Letter have a true shape.” 2. “That they be deep cut” (_i.e._, in the punch). 3. “That they be deep sunck in the Matrices” (with a good “beard”). 4. “That his Letter be cast upon good Mettal.” He then proceeds to indicate the quantities of each body of letter with which the printer should provide himself; and from that proceeds to notice in turn every possible requisite for a well-ordered printing office, from the “ball-nails” to the press.