machine, depositing the types in due order upon a single belt.  This latter carries them, in uninterrupted succession, to a brass receiver, on which they stand ranged in one long line.  This line is then cut into lengths and justified by hand.  Mr. Mitchell’s Distributing-Apparatus—­which is entirely distinct from the Composing-Machine—­is, substantially, a circular wheel armed with feelers, which latter distribute according to the nicks cut in the types.

These machines require very considerable external aid in the labor they accomplish, while, like the Alden Machine, they neither justify nor lead the matter that is set.  They have, however, stood a practical test,—­having been in use several years.  It may interest the reader to know that the matter for the “Continental Monthly” is set up and distributed by them, in the office of Mr. John F. Trow, of New York.  They are also known, and to some extent employed, in printing-houses in London, and are found to be economical.

But, as remarked by Macbeth, “the greatest is behind.”  I touch now upon the most comprehensive and effectual invention for labor-saving in this respect,—­namely, the Felt Machine.  This ingenious creation, which is, in all particulars, original, and quite distinct from those already mentioned, performs, with accuracy and speed, all the work of composing, justifying, leading, and distributing types.  It was invented by Mr. Charles W. Felt, of Salem, Massachusetts, a man of superior genius, whose energy in overcoming obstacles and working out the practical success of his idea is scarcely less remarkable than the idea itself.  I shall dwell briefly upon his career, since it teaches the old, but never tiresome lesson of patient perseverance.  He began the business of life in his native town, though not in mechanical pursuits.  His mind, however, tended naturally toward mechanical science, and he improved every opportunity of increasing his knowledge in that department of study.  The processes of Printing especially attracted his attention, and the idea of applying machinery to the work of composition haunted him from an early period of youth.  He read, doubtless, of the various experiments that had been made in this direction, and observed, as far as possible, the results achieved by contemporary inventors.  But it does not appear, that, in the original conception of his wonderful machine, he was indebted to any source for even a single suggestion.  I have seen his first wooden model,—­made at the age of eighteen,—­crude and clumsy indeed, compared with the machine in its present shape, but containing the main features and principles.  This was the first step.  He began with the earnings of his boyhood.  Then a few friends, fired by his spirit and courage, contributed money, and enabled him to prosecute his enterprise during several years.  In this way it became the one purpose of his life.  In time the number of his liberal patrons increased to nearly one hundred, and a considerable fund was