The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-08-08
B1ppEFoRp, MAINE, FRIDAY, AUGUST s. 1856.

8 will be given to tho manufacture Of paper
e In 1889 the first printing press was estab
9 lished in America, and on tho following
year book was printed frOmit, being tn.
0 published in the colonies. It was shortly
after ro-published in England, where II
passed through not less than eighteen edi.
tions between that period and l754; thus
maintaining hold on English popularity
for Ia years. The name Of this book was
} the "The Bay Psalm Book" It passed
through twenty-five editions in Scotland,
the last bearing date 1859 ; and as it was
reprinted without any pecuniary benefit en-
suing to the compiler from its sale, the
somewhat remarkable fact is disclosed, that
England printed the first American book,
and was in reality the original aggressor in
this line. This book enjoyed greater and
more lasting reputation than any succeed
ing one of American origin, having passed
through seventy editions very remarkable
number for the ago in which II was produc-
cd.
The first American Bible was published
at Cambridge, in the colony Of Massachu-
setts Bay, in 1903, and us it was unlawful
to print On English version Of the Scriptures
in the colonies, this ono was published in
the Indian language. It was the famous
Bible of Elliot, the missionary, about 1900
copies of which were struck of. These
are now rare and sealed books-rarc, be-
cause only few copies can be found in our
public libraries sealed, because the tongue
in which they were written has literally be-
come dead language, for the tribe and oil
who had knowledge of their dialect have
creased to exist. It remains striking mon
ument of the piety, perseverance and learn
ing of Elliot. Soon after this, from log
cabin in New England, came forth " New
mans Concordance Of the Scriptures, VI
which rs theological work land the first
theological work in America) was admitted
to be one of tho most perfect, holding its
place in public esteem until superseded by
Cruden, which is suggested.
From that first printing press at Cam
bridge in America, emanatcd hundreds of
works, and after the repeal Of tho stamp
act literature aourished alike with other
institutions. Tho libraries of Cambridge,
Harvard and Ralc, in earlier days, contain
cd most of tho books in the country, but
now hundreds Of valuable public libraries
are in existence. The number ofvolumes in
public libraries in the United States num-
bered in 1853, 3,753,06s. The public
school libraries in the United States, more
than 1900 in number contain over mil
lion and half Of volumes, added to which,
arc hundreds Of private Libraries, the num-
Der of volumes in which cannot DO cstima-
ted. Seventy-four publishers in this city
send forth from their dresses millions of
books, which tho trade sales rapidly distrib-
uto all over the Union. Thousands Of per-
sons receive employment from these publish
ing houses and tho names Of the great pub
fishers, Harpcrs, the Appleton and Putnam,
are familiar to almost every reader in the
United States.
In 1852, tho number Of American publi-
cations, original and reprinted, was 966
original, and 800 reprints; total, l,2SS.-I
These publications, proceeded from l9l diff.
fercnt publishers, of whom New York fur
nished "a, Philadelphia &c, and Boston q.
Aside from books and magazines there are
the newspapers Of tho Union. According
to the census Of 1850, we find that there are
1896 published in the United States, COM
prises circulation ofupward OF 5000, 900
of copies, In 1852, thero were Ala papers
issued in the New England States, $40 in the
Middle States, 7l6 in the Southern States,
aud 7S4 in the Western States. There is
one publication for every 7,l6l FREQ inhabi-
tants in the States and Territories. New
York city published CA papers and periodi-
calls, giving employment to over two thou
sand persons, many Of whom arc females.
There arc other classes connected with
the making Of books. The type-founders
and the stercOtypc-workers amount in the
United States to 3ll, the most extensive
foundries belong in New York city. Then
there are the book-binders, amounting to
over 5000. Presses aro manufactured prin-
cipally in this city, and employ many ma
chinists.
To have on idea of the book-trado and
its various notifications, let the reader visit
some Of the extensive publishing houses
which are 80 celebrated in this great me-
tropolis, such as the IIarpers and Apple
tons, and he will eIclaim in the words Of
the wise king Of old, "Of the making Of
many books there is no end"
| Cu,pcrs AGAINST FRruoyr. BetWecn the