Brass rules

Thin strips of metal, of the height of type, used for forming lines, and generally manufactured in lengths of 16 or 24 inches, and of various thicknesses, corresponding to the thickness of leads, and of various shades of breadth or darkness. They are made either single, double, triple, &c., are also either plain, curved, waved, dotted, or made to various fanciful designs.

The practice of cutting-up rule to any necessary size, or according to the momentary caprice of the comositor, gives rise to great waste, both of time and material. Several years ago it was suggested by Mr. T. S. Houghton, of Preston, that rule should be cut up to certain specified lengths, and the manufacturers now send it out in accordance iwth this suggestion. Mr. Houghton’s “Printer’s Everyday Book” contains some useful information on this subject.