The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1879-10-14
Gutenberg and His Art. NO. 5.
By PROF. HIRAM CIRCUIT.

One evening while Gutenburg was hard at
work upon his blocks for the History of st.
John the Evangelist" he heard a Knock at
the door. Instantly, and %unbidden, to his
great CONSERVATION, in walked his two appren-
tees, Dretzhen and Hickman. They, at a
glance, saw his blocks and craving tools, and
the "History" " open before him.. Their curl
osity was aroused, and they began to demand
an explanation on the ground that they had
come to him to learn and practice his art. 1t
was in vain that he told Them that the lapi-
Diary and mirror business was what he agreed
to teach them, and nothing more. They still
pressed their demands, and not only pledged
themselves to keep his secret, but promised to
furnish him funds to aid i'll carrying on the
business. Gutenberg saw that his secret was
out, and the best he could do was to contine
1t to his sworn apprentices, and go on with
his work. Hence he made a full explanation
OF the whole process as far as he had gone in
the art. Now, instead of Gutenberg, aided
and encouraged by his dear Anna, toiling
alone, we see the finn, Gutenberg, Dretzhn,
Hickman g. TO-. And a little later, the third
apprentice, Rife, was admitted and sworn as
a partner. The money was paid in according
TO contract, and the new men were set to
work upon the engraving. In order to cover
appearances and prevent exposure of the new
art, and also to meet expenses, it was deemed
best to continue the lapidary and mirror de-
partment, as usual. Hence the division Of
labor was arranged which seemed most desir-
able, and the " Historic was pushed on to its
completion. The work was delayed, howev-
er, by the Introduction of unskilled work
men, and the confusion of the change. The
sixty blocks were all engraved, the paper was
folded and cut to suit the size of the page, the
NIX was prepared, and the press-work begun.
What an hour OF anxiety, to be followed by
eXultation when one complete copy of the
book was printed. Success had crowned their
efforts, and a glorious fact had been established
"a fact that was destined to exert more infu-
ence upon the world than any other art or
science. A book had been printed before it
had only been written, with much toll and
at great expense. What had now been done,
could be done again, and more and more per-
fectly as the work would go on. There was
glory enough for one day and one man yea,
for one age and one nation. But Gutenberg
even, had but a faint conception of what he
had really accomplished. His active imagi-
nation could not picture to him the reality in
the future. That could be compre hended
only by the united experience of all the civil
lied nations of the earth, through all time.
Here was born the art that was destined to
revolutiohize the world, and give to mankind
the richest boon that Heaven has yet be-
slowed. In q few days these earnest work
men had bound several copies of this beauti-
full book, and they were ready for sale. But
who would purchase the book? This was
an important question, as but few in That day
could read. and still less the lumber who had
means to buy. But the effort must be made.
A student in one of the schools, by the name
of Schoeffer, was employed to offer them for
sale. The first week he sold two copies still
another was sold at the shop, and ere long
others were disposed of. 1t was a success,
and these joyful men took courage.
Gutenberg consoled himself in view of the
small receipts from the sale of the History OF
St. John in the belief that the demand for
books would increase with their use, and that
lie could now issue a book suitable for a more
accessible class. There were many young
men in the cathedral studying for the priest.
hood, who must have the Doiatus, a manual
of grammar, for their daily Use. This they
had always been compelled to copy. IF this
book could be printed he was sure of many
customers, as he could sell much cheaper
than they could produce it. Hence Guten-
berg at once went to work upon this manual,
whicl, was Completed in due time. An edi-
ton of fifty copies was readily sold. The
market, however, was confined to Strasbulp
aud vicinity, as communication with other
cities was not easy nor frequent. There were