Page:Chronologies and calendars (IA chronologiescale00macdrich).pdf/89

 documents were accorded a startling antiquity. The paleographist, perusing, observe, however, that the

earliest uncial of precise date is found in the record of sale by Didymus and his wife to Miccalus of a date in the first century, now specified 3rd June, 88 A.D. (British Museum MSS., Case A, No. 6), the A.R. (7th) of Domition being given.

. In regard to printing, it is important to bear in mind that in 593 A.D. the Chinese Emperor Wan-ti ordered a collection of the syllabic texts with the view to their being officially printed; but there was no great use of printing in China until the tenth century of the Christian era.

. Printing in Europe was, however, much later; and the following table shows the Western progress of the art:—

At Mentz (Mayence) a printing press was set up in 1454

1467

1470