i6 Let there such an institution be established to—day, and it could supply all Germany with its productions , since no estab- lishment of the kind exists as yet. It would be equally as pro- fitable as the establishments of England and America, however incredible that may now appear. Our important geographical position, the net of railroads that is extending in every direction, our very Danube is a convincing proof, that the press of Austria is not only occupied with the inhabitants of its own country, but also with those of all the neighbouring and even of far distant countries ·-—- as long as they are obliged to do without such a press, which will be the case until our own press, turning out to be a profitable concern -—- which will ultimately be the case -- excites our neighbours to imitation! In the government establishment confided to my care, l have placed the germ in the ground, I have sown, in the most unwea-· ried manner, twelve years long, but the time has not come yet at which the seed could have sufficiently blossomed. I acted in accordance with the maxim, that where the energy of private individuals turns out to be insufficient, it is the duty of the govern- ment, in imitation of so many preceding examples, to lend its support; for in Austria the ease differs from England and Ame- rica, where every kind of enterprise is commenced by private societies and carried out by them in the most energetical manner. If we consider that through the possession of our Western and Eastern alphabets and types nearly all nations are drawn within the marks of` our boundary, this circumstance ensures to us a far more extensive field for action than I hinted at before in speaking of Austria or Germany. The East, in particular -- where as yet there exist scarcely any printing-otlices -- must occupy our attention `foremost, and it would be most interesting if, besides other articles of export, the hooks for the use of the blind would ‘ be commenced with, in order to let such for persons that see J follow in increased measure. What gain would not the printers y of England and America derive, if they were in possession of our {
