Women Compositors

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITORS’ WORK.

Dear reader,

If you desire to know something about the Art of Printing, suppose you go with me on an imaginary tour of inspection round a printing office with which I am acquainted. We will suppose that you are quite ignorant of even the least fact connected with the business, and that you will not mind asking me questions as we go along.

Well, here we are, in a composing-room, which contains a great many things you have never seen before, and so, perhaps, I had better begin to tell you their names and uses.

First we notice the frames (see p. 35). These are wooden structures on the tops of which the cases lie in a slanting position, something like a desk. The lower part of the frame you will notice is fitted with a rack, in which cases are kept when not in use. These allow of the cases sliding in and out like drawers.

Next we notice the cases (see p. 33). These are wooden trays, with cross pieces forming a number of boxes or compartments, in which the types are placed. There is an upper and a lower case. The upper has ninety-eight compartments, and contains the capitals, small capitals, figures, and accents. The lower case has fifty-three compartments, and contains the smaller or “lower case” letters, points, spaces, and quadrats.

The types in these cases are arranged so as to afford the greatest facility in composing the letters into words. On looking at them you will observe this—more particularly in the lower case. You will notice that the letters required for the words most frequently recurring, such as and, the, this, that, there, them, then, are placed nearest the centre of the case, so that they are the more easily “set up.” We will explain this process further on.

Now let us examine the types. These are small pieces of metal, on the ends of which the letter is cast, and are all of a uniform height. On the front of the stem nicks are cut, so that it is easy to see the position of the letters as they lie in their respective boxes.

The compositor takes her place in front of the case, and works standing or sitting, holding in one hand an instrument made of iron, called a composing-stick (see p. 34). With the other hand she takes the types as she requires them out of the boxes; ranges them on a slip of brass, called a rule, in her composing-stick, and putting a space to make a blank between each two words, forms one line after another, till the stick is full, when she empties it out upon the galley (see p. 35). A certain number of these lines are measured off into pages, several of which being ranged and wedged tight in an iron frame, called a chase (see p. 34), are ready for the press.

The composing-stick consists of a plate of iron about six inches long and two inches wide. On the right side of this plate is a ledge, about half an inch high, running the whole length of the plate, and serving to sustain the letters, the backs of which are to rest against it; on the same plate are placed two other lesser pieces, one of which is contrived to slide along it, so that the two pieces may be either approached or withdrawn at pleasure, to adjust the line to the measure intended.

Before the compositor proceeds to compose, a rule, or thin slip of brass plate, cut to the length of the line, and of the same height as the letter, is placed against the ledge of the composing-stick for the letter to bear immediately against.

Being thus prepared, the compositor, with the copy lying before her, and the stick in her left hand, picks up with the right the letters, spaces, &c., and places them against the rule; with the thumb of the left hand she presses them close to the slide, and thus keeps them tight and steady while the other hand is employed in setting in more letters; the whole being performed with a degree of expedition not easily imagined.

A line being thus composed, if it end with a word or syllable and fill the measure, needs no further care; otherwise more spaces are to be put between the several words to justify the lines, i.e., make the measure quite full so that every line may end evenly; and thus she proceeds to another line.

The spaces here used are a sort of blank, of the like dimension as the letters, but not so high, whose faces, therefore, when set, do not appear nor give any impression. They are of several kinds, according to the dimensions of the whites or intervals to be made by them, viz., quadrats, to fill up a break at the end of a paragraph, or the like; em quadrats, which are square and of the thickness of an m, serving to make the distance after a period, or between sentence and sentence; en quadrats, of the thickness of an n, to be placed after colons, semicolons, exclamations, and interrogations; and thick or thin spaces, to be used between the words in justifying, as above.

The first line being completely justified, the compositor advances to the next. In order to do this, she moves the brass rule from behind the line and places it in front, and composes another line against it, after the same manner as the former: and thus she goes on till her stick is full, when she empties it into the galley in the following manner:

Taking the rule from behind the last line, she places it before it; with her two middle fingers she squeezes the lines in the stick close, her two fore-fingers at the same time being applied on the outside of the rule: she then lifts them out of the stick, and placing her thumbs behind the first line, lifts them into the galley; taking care to disengage her thumbs without breaking the lines.

The compositor, having set the proper number of lines in the stick, and emptied them out into the galley, again fills and empties, as before. When a sufficient number of lines have been composed to fill the galley she secures it with side-stick and quoins, and having pulled a proof on the galley-press (see p. 36), hands it to the forewoman with copy for reading.

The corrections are written on the margin of the proof, right against the line where the faults are found. There are different characters to express different corrections, as D or δ, dele, for anything to be effaced, or left out. When anything is to be inserted, the place is marked in the line with a caret, ^, and the insertion added in the margin. When a word, syllable, &c., is to be altered, it is erased from the proof, and that to be put in its place written in the margin; always observing, that if there be several mistakes in the same line the corrections in the margin must be separated by bars, or strokes, /. If a space be omitted, its place is marked with a caret, and the margin with #. If a space be wrongly placed, as in the middle of a word, the two parts are connected with a cu‿rve, and this mark ⁐ put in the margin. If a letter be inverted, it is expressed on the margin with ੭. If anything be transposed, it is marked thus: The shortest |are the|follies best; for the shortest follies are the best; and in the margin is added trs. in a circle. If Roman characters are to be changed for italic, or vice versa, a line is drawn under them thus, and Roman or italic added in the margin; if to capitals, a treble line. If a word or sentence is entirely omitted, the place is marked with a caret, and the missing words written in the margin. If the letters of a word stand too far asunder, a  curve  is drawn under them, and in the margin is put this mark ⁐.

Where the alterations are considerable, and particularly where insertions or omissions are to be made, there usually arises a necessity for over-running. In order to do this, they must decompose, or return the lines back from the galley into the composing-stick, to be rectified accordingly.

If one or more words to be inserted in a line cannot be “got in” by changing the spaces of the line for lesser ones, part of the line must be put back into the close of the preceding one, or forward into the beginning of the subsequent one, or both, till room is obtained. If the insertion be large, several lines will need to be over-run, either backward or forward, till a break is arrived at; when, if it will not come in, a line is to be driven out.

When an omission is to be made, the contrary course must be taken. If it be but little, the compositor takes it out, and drives out the remaining matter, either by enlarging her spaces, or bestowing the beginning of the following, or the close of the preceding line therein. If it be considerable, she may be obliged to over-run several lines before it can be driven out.

As to the faults which escape the reader and compositor, they are usually noted in what is called the errata.

The type, then, being composed and corrected in the galley, she measures off enough for a page, ties it up with a cord, and proceeds to the next, till all the pages required for the sheet are completed; this being done, she carries them to the imposing or correcting stone (see p. 33), there to range them in order in a chase. This is called imposing.

The chase is a rectangular iron frame of dimensions which vary according to the size of the paper to be printed on. It has two cross pieces of the same metal, called a long and short cross, mortised at each end into the frame so that they may be moved if necessary.

By the different situations of these crosses, the chase is fitted for different volumes; for quartos and octavos, one traverses the middle lengthwise, the other breadthwise, so as to intersect in the centre, which is the most customary situation; for twelves and twenty-fours, the short cross is shifted nearer to one end of the chase. For folios, the long cross is left entirely out, and the short one placed in the middle; and for broadsides, or sheets printed on one side only, both crosses are set aside.

To dress the chase, or range and fix the pages in it, a set of furniture is made use of, consisting of reglets or slips of wood of different dimensions, which are only about half an inch high, so as to be lower than the letters. Some of these are placed at the top of the pages, and are called heads; others between them to form the inner margin, called gutters; others at the sides, called side-sticks; and others at the bottom, called foot-sticks.

The pages then being placed in order on the stone, the chase is put over them, the furniture applied between the pages and the chase in the positions above mentioned; and the whole is locked up by means of small pieces of wood, cut in wedge form, called quoins, which are driven with a mallet and shooting-stick to a sufficient tightness. In this condition, the work is called a forme, containing more or less pages according to the size of the volume.

Before the forme is quite locked up, it is pressed down by passing a smooth piece of wood, called the planer, over the letters, to make their surfaces stand flat and even; and, when locked up, it is tested, to see that nothing is loose.

As there are two formes required to every sheet, when both sides are to be printed, it is necessary that they should be of exactly the same length and breadth; i.e., the corresponding heads, gutters, &c., are to be equal in both formes, that the pages may fall exactly on the back of each other. This is called register.

Here, then, properly ends the compositor’s work; the forme, thus finished, being ready to be committed to the pressman.

Besides the several kinds of letters and characters above mentioned, used in printing, there are likewise rules for division lines, borders, and head and tail-pieces, accommodated to the several kinds of letters.

The rules for division lines are of brass, and are made exactly the same height as the letter; otherwise they would hinder the neighbouring letters from printing, or would themselves be hindered. These the compositor occasionally cuts into proper lengths, as her work requires.

The borders, or flowers, are a kind of ornament, in various forms, serving for the division of books, chapters, &c. Their depth is proportioned to the letter, and their length adjusted to the page; for being composed of several moveable pieces, it is easy to lengthen or shorten them.

The head and tail-pieces, either cut in wood, or cast in type metal, are used at the beginnings and endings of chapters or books.

The initial letters are sometimes cut in wood, and figured; sometimes cast like the other characters.

For the convenience of binding, printers have recourse to signatures, i.e., letters of the alphabet placed at the bottom of the first page of each sheet, which show the order in which the sheets are to be bound, as well as whether the quires are complete.

And now, perhaps, you may be inclined to ask, “How long does it take a person to learn to set up type sufficiently well to obtain employment?”

To this we would reply, that very much depends upon the age and ability of the learner. Girls who begin young, say at the age of fifteen, generally learn to set up fairly well in about twelve months, and then begin to acquire speed, so that they can set from 25,000 to 30,000 letters per week.

Those who begin later, say at about twenty years of age, should be able to do the same amount at the end of six months, for which they would receive from twelve to fifteen shillings per week, according to the conditions on which they enter as learners.

We have known some to earn twenty shillings per week after twelve months’ learning, and afterwards increase to between twenty-five and thirty shillings.

We do not mean to say that every learner would make the same progress, as we have known many who have not; but, generally speaking, the deficiency arises either from a want of proper education, or a lack of anything like aptitude for business.

However, we are quite sure that persons of fair education, who make up their minds to learn, can do so with even better results than those we have before mentioned. It is not to be expected that a business of this description can be learned without some amount of perseverance, and those who take it up must be prepared to meet with difficulties and overcome them.

For persons of more mature age there are special posts to occupy, one of which is that of forewoman. This post requires not less than six months’ training, in order to learn the general routine of the work. But those who fill it must have a natural aptitude for business, and possess those qualities which are essential in governing a number of hands in any business. The remuneration would be higher in this case, though much would depend upon the ability of the individual.

The post of reader is also an important one, and requires about the same amount of training. It is essential that a reader should have a practical knowledge of at least the rudiments of printing. Moreover, a person filling this post must necessarily possess a large amount of general knowledge; must be able to read a great variety of manuscripts, and have a quick eye to detect errors. A good reader can always obtain a high rate of remuneration.

We have now gone over the whole ground, though, perhaps, very superficially. Our object, however, is not so much to give an exhaustive treatise on the Art of Printing, as a general idea of one branch of it to those who desire to learn; and only by entering a printing office for a given time as a learner, is it possible to acquire any useful knowledge of the business.

APPENDIX I.

NUMERALS.

Numbers expressed by letters; either Roman or italic caps or lower case are used, thus—Vol. I. chap. xvii. The numerals are—

The manner of expressing numbers by numerals, is by either taking from a higher or adding to a lower numeral thus—

LEADS REQUIRED TO EQUAL A LINE OF ANY GIVEN BODY OF TYPE.

ACCENTS.

The accented letters are—

French ç, Spanish ñ.

SIGNS.

The following are a few of the most common signs—

POINTS, ETC.

METAL RULES.

BRACES.

RELATIVE SIZES OF TYPE.

TABLE showing what number of ems of any other fount will correspond in depth of body with any given number of Pica ems, from 10 ems Pica to 30.

THE NUMBER OF LINES CONTAINING A THOUSAND ENS

In any body of type from Pica to Nonpareil, and from 10 to 40 Pica ems in width.

APPENDIX II.

DIAGRAMS OF IMPOSITION.

APPENDIX III.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

APPENDIX IV.

TERMS USED IN A COMPOSING-ROOM.

APPENDIX V.

Miss Emily Faithfull wrote as follows in 1874:

In the end of 1859 our attention was directed to the printing trade as offering a field for the employment of women, and early in the following year the Victoria Press was opened in the face of a great and powerful opposition,[A] and we commenced what was then considered a rash experiment, and perhaps might have proved so, but for the liberal support accorded by friends who appreciated the difficulties we had to encounter from those who tried to check the movement by fair means or foul.

The opposition was not only directed against the employer, but the female apprentices were subjected to all kinds of petty insults. Unmanly tricks were played upon them; their frames and stools were covered with ink so as to soil their dresses unawares, the letters were mixed in their boxes, and their cases were emptied of “sorts.”

Nevertheless, after some years of work, in spite of foes without and traitors within, property purposely injured, machinery wantonly broken, &c., &c., we have steered our little bark safely through the natural and artificial perils by which it was surrounded, and can now point to an office in thorough working order, producing its own monthly magazine and weekly paper, together with the books, reports of societies, chancery bills, cards, and circulars, with which the friends of the movement from all parts of the country kindly favour us.

Nor does the success of our experiment stop here; we gladly and thankfully recall the fact that female compositors are now employed in several other offices; the applications for “trained hands” are increasing. During the last month we have received letters from different correspondents asking us to send women compositors and proof readers to country offices. For the women who have taken up this trade have proved equal to their work. They “set up type” with expedition and accuracy. We have no hesitation in saying, after our long experience, that young girls learn with greater rapidity than boys of the same age; they are not only more intelligent, but they are far more attentive.

They have another vantage ground which employers will not be slow to recognise—viz., habits of sobriety. They do not ask for a few hours’ leave of absence and remain away a couple of days “on the spree,” which too often forms the man’s excuse for placing the master printer in a position of more or less awkwardness, according to the size of the office.

And in one direction the introduction of women into printing offices may prove beneficial to others as well as to themselves. This has been tested to a great extent in America. Not only did we find women at work in Harper’s splendid office in New York, but during a visit to Harvard, Mr. Houghton, the proprietor of the Riverside Press, kindly took us over his immense establishment, where we found men and women at work, side by side, setting up type. He spoke not so much of the work executed by the nimble fingers of the women, but of the moral effects of their presence there. The men had been shamed out of the use of bad words and habits, and he declared that it was impossible to over rate the good achieved, adducing that in the interests of his business nothing would induce him to have a room in which men worked alone. And this is justly regarded as a model Press in America. It reminds you of the good old days when the printer was a scholar. The heads of departments are all college men. When we had concluded our tour of inspection, and Mr. Houghton had assured us that his idea of introducing women compositors was due to a visit he had paid to our own Victoria Press, we indeed felt amply rewarded for any anxiety experienced in the establishment of an office which had not only helped English women, but actually influenced the fate of their sisters on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean—far beyond its own immediate centre.

Female compositors can earn from 10s. to 30s., but a good reader sometimes receives £2 2s. a week. Before anyone is qualified to undertake this position they must spend about twelve months in learning the technicalities of the business. Quickness of eye and a thorough knowledge of grammar and punctuation are indispensable, but they are not sufficient qualifications. We must be emphatic on this point, for many ladies come to us, and think because they can detect an error in some newspaper or magazine article, they are capable of filling the very onerous position of a reader[B] in a printing office.

Unfortunately, few ladies ever think, or are allowed to think, of preparing themselves for work; they never dream of it until driven to take it up for self support, and then require immediate payment. Now, charity cannot find an enduring place in the labour market, consequently women cannot be placed in positions of trust and respectability simply because they need remuneration, and those who desire to undertake any work in connexion with printing must be prepared to train themselves.

In confirmation of the opinions we have expressed about the position of a proof reader, we quote the following observation from a practical printer, who has always been friendly to the movement, and is a recognised authority on this point. He writes in answer to our enquiry:—“There must be a previous acquaintance with practical printing. A very few people will do without it, but they are exceptions. By rights, there ought to be three or four years’ experience as a compositor first. Then a few months under careful supervision may make a reader.”

SIXPENCE MONTHLY, WITH PHOTOGRAPH.

Annual Subscription, 7/-, post free.

NEW SERIES.

THE VICTORIA MAGAZINE,

Conducted by EMILY FAITHFULL.

It discusses the social questions that affect the status of women with a knowledge and ability altogether its own.—Spectator.

There is not an article in it too dry for a lady’s reading, or too frivolous to interest a man.—Examiner.

Takes high rank among its contemporaries.—Daily Telegraph.

Altogether the Victoria shows traces of increased freshness and power.—Guardian.

Every number of the Victoria Magazine perceptibly furthers the good work.—Oxford Undergraduates’ Journal.

A credit to its conductors.—Liverpool Daily Post.

The Victoria thoroughly sustains its character as the principal organ in questions relating to women.—Yarmouth Independent.

LONDON:

THE VICTORIA PRESS, PRAED STREET, W.

Simpkin, Marshall & Co., Stationers’ Hall Court,
Sold at Railway Bookstalls.

SECOND EDITION.

Price £1 10s.

Dedicated by permission to Her Majesty.

TE DEUM LAUDAMUS,

ILLUMINATED BY

ESTHER FAITHFULL FLEET.

Could not easily be surpassed in beauty of design, or in the finish of their execution.—The Times.

Resplendent with gorgeous colouring and gilding, and the designs have much beauty and variety of form.—Illustrated London News.

We must not omit to state that the book is also a triumph of printing in colour.—Pall Mall Gazette.

THE VICTORIA PRESS, PRAED STREET, LONDON, W.

THIRD EDITION.

Price Sixpence.

PRAYERS, TEXTS, & HYMNS

FOR THOSE IN SERVICE.

By the Author of

“Count up your Mercies,”

AND

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THE VICTORIA PRESS, PRAED STREET, LONDON, W.

AMATEUR

AUTHORS

Can have their Works printed and published

AT THE

VICTORIA PRESS

With advantage to themselves, and at the
same time help in the movement for
the Employment of Women.

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