[2] _Vellum._ A finer kind of parchment or skin, rendered clear and white for writing. _Illuminated initials._ Capital letters, commencing a chapter or paragraph were said to be illuminated when made large and painted in colors; often being ornamented with delicate devices of flowers, birds or animals. The monks were skilled in this adornment of books. “Engrave a book! It would be delightful to have one made by thine own skill!” “Yes, and when once the blocks are engraved for the book,--a block for a page, sixty-three blocks, I can impress a score of books as well as one copy.” “And thou canst sell books as well as the monks!” cried Anna joyfully. “Neither wilt thou be shut up in a cloister a year to copy one small book; but I wouldn’t wonder when the blocks are prepared, if thou couldst make a book in a day, even saving time and earning money!” “A likely matter truly! but we must not build air-castles!” Sage advice for him to give who was himself a castle-builder, as are all enthusiastic people,--may they never be less; for what would be done in this work-a-day world without the healthful stimulus of the illusions of hope? A small table in the sitting-room was at evening a work-bench. It was neatly covered in the daytime, and Anna’s work-box was on it. But the inventor found it necessary to seek entire seclusion for some of his processes, and secured, it is said, a fitting place in the ruins of the St. Arbogast Monastery, abandoned to the moles and the bats save the part which was inhabited by the poor people of the suburbs of Strasbourg; and there, in a forsaken cloister, he established his secret study and work-shop, whither he withdrew whenever his presence could be spared from the front shop. Not even to Anna did he divulge his hidden work. She was content, knowing that in good time she would know the result. Evening came, and in the quiet home-room the inventor commenced engraving the first page of the “History of St. John,” carefully tracing the letters on the smooth surface of the block, and imitating the most approved copyist’s hand. As Anna watched him, she thought them perfect, and with good reason. Toil on, busy worker! Glorious things will follow thy labor! [Illustration] [Illustration] VI. Unwelcome Visitors.--Unjust Demand.--A Compromise.--Secret Firm.--A Removal.--Teaching the Workmen.--Block Printing.--Success. Day after day Gutenberg busied himself with his associates in various labors, except at intervals, when he engraved blocks, enlivened by the sprightly presence of Anna, or pursued his experiments in the recesses of the monastery. “How famously you get on!” said Anna, one evening, as she counted his pile of finished blocks while he wrought at his engraving.