“But couldst thou not?” she persisted archly; “thou art so wise at devising things difficult to be accomplished.” Gutenberg laughed, saying, “I will even bethink me of it when nothing of more service can be done.” But although the suggestion of Anna had been treated as a new and impracticable idea, it was one, as she had divined, that Gutenberg was revolving; and seizing the first leisure hour, he commenced engraving a block, choosing for his subject as simplest and nearest at hand, one of the images of the playing cards. Anna’s estimate of Gutenberg was just. He had a passion for mechanical studies; and history tells us that “he invented many wonderful arts,” some of which were connected with his occupation. Not content with following the beaten track, his mind was fertile in expedients for saving labor and perfecting his work. He devised ways to improve the process of polishing stones and mirrors; and these new methods were ranked by the observing among his “arts.” These “arts” were stepping-stones to something better and higher--to the crowning discovery of his life. The great art could only be reached by patiently ascending to it through many lower steps of toil and invention. “It seems,” says one, “that every advancement of humanity is purchased with tears, and that suffering is the fatal law of all great beginnings.” But how eventful the path he trod, we shall see as we progress. [Illustration] [Illustration: ARMED KNIGHT. (Specimen of early engraving.)] [Illustration] III. Ancient Books and their Materials.--Sculptures.--Printing in China.--Use of Metals.--Seal.--Stencils.--Waxen Tablets.-- Bark, Leaves, Shells.--Papyrus.--Parchments.--Paper.--Palimpsests. --Books written by Hand.--The Scriptorium.--Copyists and their Habits.--Illuminations.--Character of Ancient Books.--Scarcity and Costliness of Books.--Richard de Bury and Library.--Statutes of St. Mary’s College.--Books Chained.--Abundance of Books in Modern Times. Leaving Gutenberg occupied with his experiment, let us glance briefly at the books of that day, and the modes in which they were made and given to the world. The most ancient materials used for recording events were bricks, tiles, shells, and tables of stone. The modes of writing on these different substances were various. The tiles and brick were impressed with a stamp when in a soft state; the shells and tablets of stone were etched or graven, the figures or characters being cut in their surface, and in some cases also stained with various colors. It was by the ancient art of stamping that the walls, palaces, and towers of Babylon were covered with hieroglyphics, which have but recently been brought to light from under the immense mounds of Mesopotamia by Layard and other explorers. [Illustration: Babylonian Brick.]