of the national purse. Beginning with the year 1617 the particulars
of every important patent were printed from the original specifications
and fac-simile drawings made, where necessary, for the elucidation
of the text. A very moderate price was charged for each,
only indeed the prime cost of production. The general public,
of course, cared little for such literature, but those interested
in the origin and progress of any particular art, cared much,
and many sets of Patents were purchased by those engaged in research.
But the great bulk of the stock was, to some extent, inconvenient,
and so when a removal to other offices, in 1879, became necessary,
the question arose as to what could be done with them. These blue-books,
which had cost the nation many thousands of pounds, were positively sold
to the paper mills as wastepaper, and nearly 100 tons weight were carted
away at about L3 per ton. It is difficult to believe, although
positively true, that so great an act of vandalism could have been
perpetrated, even in a Government office. It is true that no demand
existed for some of them, but it is equally true that in numerous cases,
especially in the early specifications of the steam engine and
printing machine, the want of them has caused great disappointment.
To add a climax to the story, many of the "pulped" specifications
have had to be reprinted more than once since their destruction.



CHAPTER VI.

THE BOOKWORM.

THERE is a sort of busy worm
That will the fairest books deform,