The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-10-14
No. 1910.

screw contriyance. On neighboring table
lie quires Of printed sheets, and mighty
iagon Of beer for the refreshment of the thirs-
ty topers.
IN the olden time, and even now in Eng
land, every printing house is called a "chap-
ell" The term originated in the factof Cax-.
ton, the first English printer, having his Of
flee in chapel attached to Westminster Alb
bey. At certain times, or at any time, when
matters connected with the Office required
discussion, the oldest printer, termed the
father Of the chapel. called a meeting of the
printers at the imposing stone, and, after due
discussion, the members gave judgment on
the subject brought before the chapel. In
causes where an offence was proved, the
general punishment was drink all around'
at the expense Of the offender. An antigua
rian and heraldic writer, who flourished about
two hundred years since, gives long list Of
offences lpr which soace or penalty must
be exacted.
A great number Of breaches of good gov.
ernment described would not be understood
at the present day, as they were purely local
be applicable to the present time. Swearing
10 the chapel, Il. G. printing ofice.) Fight
ing in the chapel, abusive language, or giving
the in the chapel. Tobe drunk in the chapel.
For any Of the workmen to leave his candle
burning in the night. lfa compositor let fall
his composing stick and another take il up.
For three letters and space to lie under the
composItor's case. II a pressman let fall his
ball and another take it up. If pressman
leave his blankets in the tlmpan at noon or
night. For any workman to menti on join.
ng their penny or more apiece to send for
drink. 10 mention spending chapel money
tl Saturday night, or any other before a.
greed time. To play quadrats. or excite
Others in the chapel TO play for money or
drinks For stranger to come to COM
posItor to inquire the news. The judges Of
these solaces, or forfeitures, and other con- =,
troyersies in the chapel, or any of its mem
bers, was BY plurality Of votes in the chapel.
The amount of the fines was proportonate to
the extent Of the offence. Ii the delinquent
would not pay, he was 10 be taken by force
and laid over the correcting stone, face down
ward, whilst eleven hearty blows with a
board were administered.
/ Rules for payment Of money to the chapel
in certain cases are also laid down. Every
new workman must pay half a crown, or be
no member of the chapel. Ifthe iourneyman
had formerly worked in the same office, he
pays half the fee. II jnurneyman marries,
I he pays a crown TO the chapel. When his
wife comes 10 the chapel she pays sixpence,
and then all the men join their twopenee
apiece to make her drink, and 10 welcome
her. Ii jonrneyman have a son born he
paysa shilling If a daughter, sixpence. lfa
master printer have son born he pays ss.
Cd; il a daughter, Is. Cd. An apprentice.
when he is bound, pays half crown to the
chapel, and when he is made free, another
halt crown and il he continues to work in
the same Office, he pays another, and is made
member Of the chapel
The printers ol the olden time were july.
rolcking set nf fellows, and Saturday night
and Sunday generally saw them at the aceus-
toned tavern. rhcy had certain privileges
also, Tor in times and places when swords
were forbidden to be worn, the printer was
allowed to carry his weapon dangling at his
side.