The following plan of cases was arranged by the music typographer, J. M. Armstrong of Philadelphia, expressly for the founts of music cast by The MacKellar, Smiths & Jordan Co., specimens of which are shown on page 114. A table of comparative bodies is given on page 115. [Illustration: MUSIC UPPER CASE.] [Illustration: MUSIC LOWER CASE.] [Illustration: MUSIC SIDE CASE.] MODERN CONVENIENCES. At no time since the invention of their art have printers been so fully supplied as at present with typographic implements for producing exact and beautiful work. In height of body, harmony and style of face, and excellence of material, modern type is doubtless superior to any heretofore made; but the most striking progression of type-founding is in the beauty and variety of ornamental letters and borders, and in these the American founders have taken the lead. A glance at their late Specimen Books proves the truth of this assertion. Among late novelties produced by THE MACKELLAR, SMITHS & JORDAN CO. are several beautiful series of ingenious adjustable characters for the ornamentation of display lines, both straight and elliptical. A specimen is given below. Other appliances for job-printing are noted on pages 300-310. [Illustration] [Illustration] THE ART OF COMPOSITION. GENERAL REMARKS. [Illustration] Experience proves that the apprentice foreshadows the workman, just as surely as the bend of the twig foretells the inclination of the tree. The upright, obedient, industrious lad will become a steady, skilful, and capable man, as unmistakably as the perverse, idling, careless boy will ripen into a lazy, dissolute, and worthless fellow. The fact is, a boy is measurably the maker of his own destiny; and if he fails to acquire a master-knowledge of the trade to which he is put, it will mainly be because he did not at his outset determine to be a master-workman. Good morals and steady industry are indispensable. When a lad who possesses these qualities proposes to learn the art and mystery of printing, it should be inquired of him, Has he had a fair common-school education? Is he a perfect speller? Has he a turn for reading? Is his eyesight good? Is he under fifteen years of age? A true affirmative answer to all these queries will entitle him to the position of reading and errand-boy. He is told the hours at which he is to come and go, and a strict punctuality is enjoined upon him. He sweeps the room,—he sorts out the pi,—he learns the position of the various letters in the case. A year spent in this way is an excellent preparative for “going to case,” or learning the art of composing type.