"Come on, my dears," said Mr. Durnford, hastily, "I have no inclination to listen any longer to such disgusting vanity and folly. The age of that lady ought to have enabled her to set good examples to the younger and inexperienced part of her sex, instead of which she is only a disgrace to it. Come on, my dears, I will not stay a moment longer, lest another burst of weakness should offend my ear. You all know what is the province of a dress maker, therefore it requires no explanation." "I am in want of some hair-brushes," said Mrs. Durnford, "therefore if you please we must stop a few minutes at the BRUSH MAKER'S." [Illustration: _Brush Maker_] "That gentleman seems afraid of taking the nap off his coat, papa," said Theodore, smilingly. "Did you not tell me that brushes were made of hog's bristles?" "Yes, and we import them from Russia in vast quantities. There is a great art in brush making, for if not done by a good workman, the bristles will fall out, before the brush is half worn out." "Now for the BOOKSELLER," [Illustration: _Bookseller_ _Published Feb^y. 20, 1818, by J. Harris, corner of S^t. Pauls._] cried Theodore, with delight, as his eyes rested upon a parcel of books neatly bound, which were placed on the next counter. "I have no objection to your selecting one book a-piece," said his father, "but you remember, Theodore, that I always make a point of buying all your books at the corner of St. Paul's Church-yard. You may, however, purchase a few of this person, who appears to have got a very good selection." "I had them, Sir, of Mr. Harris, in St. Paul's Church-yard," said the woman. "He was so good as to choose for me what he thought would sell best." "Then you may look over them, my dears," said Mr. Durnford. "I suppose, Caroline, that you know what paper is made from?" "Of linen rags, papa, but I do not know how it is made." "No, my love, neither can I explain it to you now, as the process is too long. Theodore, can you inform me of the origin of printing." "Coining, and taking impressions in wax, are of great antiquity," said Theodore, "and the principle is precisely the same as that of printing. The application of this principle to the multiplication of books, constituted the discovery of the art of printing. The Chinese have for many ages printed with blocks, or whole pages engraved on wood; but the application of single letters or moveable types, forms the merit and the superiority of the European art. The honour of giving rise to this method, has been claimed by the cities of Harlem, Mentz, and Strasburg; and to each of these it may be ascribed in some degree, as printers resident in each, made improvements in the art."