Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-06-19

handled by all early artists. The
style, sharp pointed instrument of
metal, ivory, or bone. was used for
writing on wax tablets. The style
was unsuitable for holding a fluid.
hence q species of reed was employed
for writing on parchments. These
styles and reeds were carefully kept
in cases, and the writers had sponge,
knife, and pumice stone, compasses
for measuring. scissors for cutting,
puncheon to point out the beginning
and the end of each line, a rule TO
draw and divid the lines into columns,
a glass containeng sand, and another
with writing-fuid. These were the
chief implements used for centuries
to register facts and events. Reeds
continued to be used till the eight
century though quilts were known in
the middle of the seventh. The earl
lest author who uses the word penna
for writing pen is Isidorus, who liv-
ed ia that century, and towards the
end of it Latin sonnet To a Pen"
was written by an Angle Saxon. But
though quilts were known at this
period, they came into general use
NOiy S1o"Ay, ~ IL A11o q PASSChs Vi
bundle of quillswas ssnt from Ven~
ice by a monk with letter, in which
he says: 4" Show this bundle to Bro
Their Nicholas, that he may choose a
quill" The only other material to
which we refer is ink, the composition
and colors of which were various.
The black was made of burnt ivory
and the liquor of the cattle fish We
are not prepared In say what other
ingredients were used or how it was
manufactured, but these ancient man
uscripts prove that the ink was of a
superior description. Red, purple,
silver, and gold inks were also used
The red was made from vermillop
and carmine. the purple from murex,
and the manufacture of these. especial
ly the gold and silver varieties, was
an extensive and lucrative. business
Postal Changes After July /.
Ga July the following important
changes will be made in the rates of
postage:
1. Any article in newspaper or
other publication may be marked for
observation, except by written or
printed words, without increase of
postage.
2. All newspapers sent from the
office of publication, including sample
copies, or when sent from a news
agency to actual subscribers thersto,
or to other news agents, shall be en-
cent per pound or fraction thereof,
the postage to be prepaid.
3. The weight of all single rate
letters is increased from one-half of
one ounce each or fraction thereof 10
one ounce. The same increase of
weight is allowed for drop letters,
whether mailed at stations where
there is free delivery or where car
rier service is not established.
4. A special stamp of the value OF
10 cents may be issued, which, when
attached to letter, IN addition TO the
lawful postage thereon, shall entitle
the letter to immediate delivery at
any place containing 1900 popula-
ton or over according to the Federal
census, or within one mile of the
post office coming within the provis-
ions of this law, which may in like
manner be designated as special &c
livery office; that such specially stamp
ed letter shall be delivered between Z
a. m. and midnight; that book
shall be provided in which the person
to whom the letter is addressed shall
acknowledge it's receipt; that messen
gers for this special delivery are to be
paid so per cent. of the face value of
all the stamps received and recorded
in month, provided that the aggre~
gate compensation paid to any one
person for such service shall not ex-
coed $50 per month, and provided
further that the regulations for the
delivery. of these specially stamped
letters shall in no way interfere with
the prompt delivery of letters as pro
vided by existing law or regulations.