Simple man of the ancient time! What would you say to the speed of our cylinder presses, which throw off twenty thousand printed sheets an hour, or more than three hundred a minute! Think of it, shade of Peter Schoeffer,--it would take one hundred and ninety-two thousand of the swiftest scribes to furnish by copying the same amount as one of these presses supplies in one hour! Contrast the speed of the snail and the lightning! But what was Peter Schoeffer’s personal appearance? some one asks. We shall let you judge for yourself,--in our opinion he was not handsome. However, as “handsome is that handsome does,” if we can find in history that he did to others as he would have others do to him, we will forgive his plain face, since it was no fault of his. Suppose also we look at the three together. The portraits are taken from a medallion, and are faithful likenesses of the individuals acknowledged in Germany as the first printers. The subject from which the picture was copied, is said to have been engraved by the famous Gubitz of Berlin, from an old German painting. We shall become more interested in Schoeffer when we learn what he achieved; but it is high time he was described. His forehead is high, hair scanty and smooth, the perceptive ridge stands out over the eyes,--which are black and piercing,--nose long and decided, mouth large and smiling, and the chin entirely hidden by a flowing beard. He is called the _Improver_ of the art of printing. Faust, on the same medallion, is a better-looking man than Schoeffer, and twenty years his senior. His brow is not so lofty, but it is care-worn, while his hair is jet-black. He has the hawk’s eye, keen nose, and pursy mouth of the shrewd and thrifty business man. A scanty beard discloses a well-turned chin, and altogether he makes a fine appearance. He is distinguished as the _Promoter_ of the art. Gutenberg has been already described in a preceding chapter. [Illustration: GUTTENBERG FUST SCHOEFFER (From an old painting.)] To return to Schoeffer. Opening his travelling bundle, he produced specimens of his own hand-writing. These were in the most elegant style of the practiced monks. The letters were clear, legible, and uniform, charming the eye. “Your nice taste and delicate execution, my son,” said the inventor, “will nobly aid the art of printing. Abide with us, devote your talents to the art, and you shall not be the loser.” “You do me too much honor,” replied Peter. “I shall only be too happy to serve thee in my former capacity. I feel that I have everything to learn in this invention, which has made such advancement in my absence.” Gutenberg was by no means a good penman, neither could he cut very legible letters in type. But what Gutenberg lacked, Peter Schoeffer could supply, and the type which was made after he joined the firm, showed the benefit of his coöperation.