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Typo: A Monthly Newspaper and Literary Review, Volume 4

Patent Justifying Quads.—

Patent Justifying Quads.—

« Nut-quads » will have a new meaning if the following, from Invention, is correct: « We are pleased to notice that a patent has been granted to Mr J. Hayes, Preston, for a new or improved justifying-quad, which is possessed of the merits of justifying quad-lines in every kind of open composition, without the aid of the small spaces after the requisite amount of quad-space has been fitted up. The quad is cast in type-metal in two parts, one part having a brass screw and fluted nut attached. The quad is inserted in the line with other quads until the line is full, all but the 'space' required in the ancient style of justification, and the compositor has only to give the fluted nut a turn with his left thumb and the line becomes spaced out or justified. In distribution the process is quite as simple, and only requires that the justifying-quads should have a separate place in or on the case set apart for them. » We can quite believe that such a patent has been applied for and granted, though we have seen nothing about it in our trade exchanges. Any compositor would at once reject the idea as unpractical. The various styles of mechanical quoins—some of them really excellent—have not yet displaced the old wooden wedges in locking-up; but what are we to say to the introduction of similar mechanism into the compass of a nonpareil quad? At what price per pound could the new quad be supplied? How large is the nut which the comp is expected to turn with his left thumb? Does he re-turn the screw when he returns his letter? How long is the apparatus expected to last? If the quads exist in any more substantial form than the specification-drawings, we should much like to see a sample.