Transcriber’s Note Text originally printed in Old English or Black Letter is indicated here by =equals signs=. Superscripts are indicated with a circumflex: “y^e”, and italics text by _underscores_. Other notes will be found at the end of this ebook. [Illustration: FIRST PRINTED SHEET.] [Illustration] GUTENBERG, AND THE ART OF PRINTING. BY EMILY C. PEARSON, AUTHOR OF “RUTH’S SACRIFICE,” “THE POOR WHITE,” “PRINCE PAUL,” “OUR PARISH,” ETC. [Illustration] BOSTON: NOYES, HOLMES AND COMPANY, 117 WASHINGTON STREET. 1871. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by EMILY C. PEARSON, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. RIVERSIDE, CAMBRIDGE: STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY H. O. HOUGHTON AND COMPANY. TO THE GIFTED INTELLECTS, WILLING HEARTS, AND DEXTEROUS FINGERS ENGAGED IN MAKING THE GREAT ART A BLESSING TO THE WORLD. PREFATORY. Printing has been styled “The telescope of the soul.” As the optical instrument brings near and magnifies objects remote and invisible, so printing puts us in communication with minds of the past and present, and preserves the thoughts of this age for future generations. But no one of the good and great of the past was permitted to lead the way in embodying thought on the printed page, save the wonderful man sketched in this volume. Out of a full heart of reverence, then, it is most fitting to embalm the memory of Gutenberg. While musing on certain old archives touching the history of printing, it was suggested by literary friends, that we weave a memorial narrative of the chevalier and artisan honored in bringing the art to light. Accordingly we engaged in the work, having culled the most authentic warp and woof within reach. Devised in the quiet of old libraries, and in the hush of peace, our little history finds itself heralded by the march of armies, and the clash of empires. War, ever to be deplored as the author of almost unmingled evil, has turned attention to the cradles of printing,--Strasbourg and Mentz. Directly we recognize them, shake hands, and are at home with those glorious old Rhenish cities, made famous for all time. It is an interesting fact that the final completion of the world-famed Minster or Cathedral of Strasbourg, closely preludes the time when the art of printing had its rise. Earth’s loftiest spire may well mark the place where Heaven gave the greatest treasure-art to man. Pains have been taken to harmonize the accounts of early printing by various credible authors, and when in doubt from conflicting statements, for safety and defense, we have taken shelter under the wings of the encyclopædias.