The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-05-20
Historical Facts Regarding Paper.

In ancient times, when comparatively
few people could read, pictures of every
kind were much in use where writing
would now be employed. Every shop,
for instance, had its sign, as well as ev-
cry public mouse, and those signs were
not then. as they are often now, only
painted upon a board, but were invaria-
bly, actual models of the things which
the sign eXpressed-as we still occasion
ally see such signs as beehive, tea
canister or a doll, and the like. For the
same reason printers employed some 1e-
vice, which they put upon the title
pages and at the end of their books.
And paper makers also introduced marks
by way of distinguishing the paper of
their manufacture from that of others;
which marks, becoming common, nat
urally gave their names to different sorts
of paper. A favOrite paper mark be-
tween 1910 and 1860 was the JUG or pot,
and would appear to have originated the
term - pot paper. The fOolscap was
a later device and does not appear to
have been nearly of such long cOntinu-
ance as the former. 1t has given place
20 the figure of Britannia, or that of
lion rampant supporting the cap of lib
erty on a pole. The name, however,
has continued. and we still denominate
paper Of particular size by the title of
- foolScap.' Post paper seems to have
derived its name from the post horn,
which at one time was its distinguished
mark. 1t does not appear to have been
used prior TO the establishment of the
General PoSt-oilice $500, when it be-
came custom to blow horn, to which
circumstance, no doubt, we may attrib-
ute its introduction. Bath post is so
named after that fashionable city. EV
cry kind OF paper is known to the sta
toner by its name-qUartO post, SvO
post. foolscap, etc. The term foOlScap
TO designate a certain kind of paper no
doubt has puzzled many. The origin is
not only amusing but historical. Charles
l. of England granted numerous mOnOp-
olies for the support of the Government.
Among other things was the manu-
facture of paper. The water-mark of
the finest sort was the royal arms of En-
gland. The consumption of this article
was great at this time, and large for
tunes were made by those who had
purchased the exclusive right to vend
1t. This. among other mOnOpOlies, was
set aside by the Parliament that brought
Charles |. to the scatlold. and bywav of
showing their contempt for the kingthey
ordered the royal arms to be taken from
the paper and a fool with his cap and
bells To be substituted. 1t is now over
POO years since the foolScap and bells
were taken from the paper, but still the
paper of the size which the Rump Par
lament ordered for their journals bears
the name of the water marks then or
dered As an indignity to Charles. An
English paper saws: The practice of
blung the paper pulp had ito origin in a
singular accident. II occurred about the .
year 1880, at a paper mil belonging to F.
Mr.. ButtOnShaW. whose wife, on the Oc- .
casion IN question. was experimenting .
the washing Of some linen. when acct /
dentallv she dropped her bag of pow .
dered blue into the midst of some PUN,
in a forward state of preparation, and
so great was the fear she entertained OF
the mischief she had done, seeing the
blue rapidly amalgamated with the
pulp. that illusion TO ii was studiouslv
avoided. until, ON Mr.. Buttonshaw's in
curing in great establishment what it
was that had impaired the peculiar col
or to the pulp, his wife, perceiving that
no great damage had been done, took
courage and at once disclosed the secret,
for which she was afterwards rewarded
In a remarkable manner by her husband,
who, being naturally pleased with an
advance OF so much as four shillings
per bundle upon submitting the i'm
proved make TO the London market,
Immediately presented costly scarlet
cloak somewhat more congenial to
taste in those days, it is presumed. than
it would be now, with much satisfac-