But, as it has been properly remarked, may we not detect principles in this process which are not only valuable to the Bank, but to all public establishments having important documents on paper, for what can exceed the value of such a test for discovering the deceptions of dishonest men. One’s signature, crest, or device of any kind, rendering the paper exclusively one’s own, can now be secured in a pair of moulds, at the cost merely of a few guineas. Thus then, I have endeavoured briefly to glance at all the varied manipulations comprised in the term Paper Making; from the soiled rags, which by this regenerating process, are converted into pure and spotless paper, and thence to the operations which in degree distinguish it, until finally, the stronger the test for illuminating its perfection, but suffices to prove it of that most aristocratic class, to which belongs our new bank note. CHAPTER III. Anecdote of an over-curious enquirer—Its probable application to many readers—Paper Making, when straightforward, extremely simple, but ordinarily involving considerable chemical and practical skill—Brief review of artificial aids—Anecdotes of the deleterious effects of bleaching, and of imparting colour to the “stuff”—Ultramarine, its use and abuse—Manufactured Paper, its varieties and peculiarities—Excise Regulations—Paper Duty—Conclusion. Not long since I heard of a very inquisitive gentleman, as some people would term him, who wrote to a friend of mine asking him to obtain certain information respecting the manufacture of _isinglass_; and although the questions put, were by no means essential to general knowledge, my friend complied with his request, and forwarded the application to the party immediately interested in its production; who, with similar promptitude undertook to furnish the answers per return of post, upon receiving from the anxious applicant a repetition of the inquiry, accompanied by his cheque for three thousand pounds.