the fork principle. The two tines were flat and thin, and the points when brought closely together formed the "nib." The whole was made to resemble a quill pen in shape, and was gradually developed into a beautiful but expensive article. Some of the most highly finished were sold as high as five shillings each. They were generally purchased as presents or articles of curious mechanism, but were too few and costly for any considerable use. There was at that time no town in England that had developed such varied machinery for such purposes as Birmingham, and the making of pens became a speciality which perhaps has characterized the town more distinctively abroad than any other manufacture. At first the use of them encountered an obstinate prejudice, like the introduction of most useful articles. In fact the school-house door had to be carried at the point of the pen itself by a few teachers brave enough to lead the storming party against this prejudice. First and foremost and bravest of them all was Mr. James Perry, founder or patron of the Perryian system of education. He was supplied with excellent pens by Mr. Josiah Mason, who was a pioneer in their introduction to the public. But at this time they were very expensive, being sold at a shilling each by the dozen. Their use and manufacture progressed very slowly both from the prejudice against such
