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Colonist, Issue 16, 15 December 1857, Page 4

OF THE TERM " PRINTER'S DEVIL."

In the adventure of Dr. Faustus and the Sorboririe at Paris, we seem to have the origin of the opinion that the printers have occasion for the assistance of a supernatural "personage in the progress of their labours, With whom all the test of the world is most anxious to avoid any acquaintance. The printer's devil is.a character almost identified with the brigiir of the art, from whom we have so littleita apprehend, that he is commonly ourfalthful^a'ssistant, both in our labours and our pleasdres^,,;Fr||n^lience also the legend'.'of hsG{>pem aW/fipctor Faushts. In further elucidation^ we may inform our readers that the youngest apprentice of a printer is called the devil, and he generally conveys the messages and the proofs of works in the press between the printer and the author. OF THE ROYAL ARSENAL AT WOOLWICH. The Government Foundry for casting brass ordnance was formerly situated in Moorfields. The process of casting the cannon was then an object of curiosity to the inhabitants of the metropolis, many of whom, pf. all classes, frequently attended during the operation of pouring the melted metal into the moulds. The injured cannon w rhich had been taken from the French in the successful campaigns of the Duke of Marlborough, amounting to a considerable number, had been placed before the foundry and in the adjacent artillery ground, and it was~determined, in. 1716, tfr'T .cast these ; cannon. On the day appointed; for .performing this work, a more than usual number of persons were assembled to view the process. Many of the nobility and several general officers were present, for whose accommodation temporary galleriesvihad. been erected near the furnaces. Among the company then drawn together was Andrew Schalch, an intelligent voting man, a native of Schaffhausen in Switzerland, who was travelling for improvement; he was at the foundry at an early hour, and having been permitted minutely to inspect the works, detected some humidity in tlie moulds, and immediately perceived the danger likely to arise from the pouring into them of hot metal in such, a state. Schalch communicated his fears to Colonel Armstrong, the Surveyor-General of the Ordnance, explained his reasons for believing that an explosion would take place, and strongly urged him and the rest of the company to withdraw from the foundry before the casting of the metal. The colonel having closely questioned Schalch on the subject, found him perfectly conversant on the principles of the founder's art, and being convinced of the good sense which dictated his advice, quitted the foundry, together with all those persons who could be induced to believe that there were any grounds for apprehension.

The furnaces being opened, the fluid metal rushed into the moulds, the moisture in which was instantly converted into steam, and its expansive force acting upon the metal drove it out in all directions with extreme violence; part of the roof was blown off, the galleries gave way, and a scene of much mischief and distress ensued. '' Many of the spectators had their limbs broken, most of the workmen were burnt in a dreadful manner, and several lives were lost.

A few days afterwards an advertisement appeared in the newspapers, notifying that if the young foreigner who foretold this explosion would call at the Ordnance Office it might prove advantageous to both parties. Schalch being informed, through a friend, of this intimation, lost no time in obeying the summons. Colonel Armstrong had then much further conversation with him on the subject; and became by this means so well assured of his superior ability, that it was finally agreed to intrust Scalch with putting into execution the intention of Government to seek an eligible situation, out of the metropolis, and within twelve miles thereof, to which the Royal Foundry should be removed. Schalch, after examining different places, at length fixed ba-the rabbit warren, at Woolwich, as suitable to his purpose, and the erection of the; works, was left to,his superintendence. ?

The first specimens of artillery cast by Schalch were so much approved, that he was appointed Master Founder to the Board of Ordnance, and this office he continued to hold during sixty years," assisted in. the latter part of that term by his nephew Lewis Gaschlin. Twenty-five years ago, this nephew, then more 'than eighty years old, was still employed in the Arsenal as principal modeller, for th_o Military Repository. Schalch died in 1776, at^the advanced age of ninety, and is buried in Woolwich churchyarcL Softie of the largest mortars now remaining in the, Arsenal were cast under his direction and bear his name.

It is well worthy of remark that the discernment, which did so much honour to Colonel Armstrong, was fully proved by the fact, that during the whole period in which Schalch, superintended the casting at Woolwich, amidst operations attended with much hazard and difficulty, no one single accident occurred: this fact bears ample testimony to the skill, prudence, and watchful, care pf' the young foreigner,' who owed his rise in life to the judicious and^rompt application, at a critical moment, of the knowledge he had acquired.