RULE 1. Geometric Lathe, } ” 2. Ruling Engine, } Infallible when imitated. ” 3. Medallions, } ” 4. Vignettes--viz: Stippling, Eyes, Hair, Drapery, Limbs, Scenery, &c. ” 5. Lettering and _Engravers’ names_. ” 6. Signatures and filling up. ” 7. Paper, printing, and general appearance. Alterations from broken Banks--the Magic Three. Altered Denominations--1st, 2d, 5th and 7th Rules. It is believed, and experience has proved, that the above combination of rules is arranged in the most judicious and effective order, and the best adapted for practical use in detecting at sight that could be devised. It is in fact nearly the order in which a genuine plate is originally got up. First the “Geometric Lathe” dies, “Medallions,” and “Vignettes” are transferred; then the “Lettering” and “Ruling Engine” work, next the “Paper and Printing,” “Signatures and filling up,” and lastly, after all is finished, the “General appearance” of the whole. PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION. That this work merits the encouraging praise and high appreciation it has met with seems to be confirmed by its rapid sale and by the permanent, steady demand yet existing for it, as well now as when it was first issued in 1849. Various miserable imitations of it (infringements of the copyright) have been attempted in the form of circulars, pamphlets, and pretended outlines of it published in newspapers and Bank-note Lists, but of such a superficial and abortive character as to entirely fail of being a truthful synopsis and answering no particularly useful purpose in the detection of counterfeits. This work stands pre-eminent and alone. The only objection heretofore made to it was its high price. It is now reduced to as low a price as it can possibly be afforded, and the present edition improved. H. C. F. RULES. RULE I. THE GEOMETRIC LATHE. (_Infallible when imitated._) The “Geometric Lathe” is a very perfect and costly Engraving Engine, which produces very fine and beautiful ornamental patterns of geometric circles of such complication, uniformity, and exquisite perfection, that it cannot possibly be imitated in any manner. It engraves or turns the circular or oval patterns on the dies, on which the figures representing the denomination of the note are placed. A sketch of this engine is quoted from “_Nicholson’s Operative Mechanic_.”