To the German nation belongs the glory of this salutary discovery. The true inventor of printing being John Guttenburg (called also Gansfleisch), of the equestrian family of Lorgenloch (born 1397(, who conceived the first idea of this art, and executed it at Mentz, with the aid of John Faust (since 1450), a rich goldsmith of that place, and with the subsequent co-operation (since 1453) of Peter Shaeffer, of Gernsheim, who completed the invention. It arrived only gradually and slowly to perfection. Among the great events of the world, no one has been more important in its consequences, and more beneficial, than this grand invention. By this art, writing with letters, consequently also language, and, in general, the human intellect, were first enabled to fulfill completely their destinations; the word of one is transmitted to millions; the treasury of the knowledge as well as of the feelings of all men and of all times, are made the common property of our race - a possession that is partly attained by every individual. Its immediate effect was to render possible the union of nations, and, indeed, of mankind, into one great family.