4 68 PRO VINCI AL BOOKSELLERS. In 1864, John Hey wood, senior, died, and the busi- ness devolved upon his son, who had inherited all his father's energy and industry. In 1867 he introduced a platten printing machine, adapted to take impres- sions from the stereo-plates of his school-books- known as " John Heywood's Code," " John Heywood's Manchester Reader," &c. and before long he resolved to become a regular printer as well as a publisher, and the " Excelsior Printing Works " were erected about a mile from Deansgate, where 355 people are con- stantly employed in the manufacture of books, in a manner very similar to that previously described in our accounts of the Messrs. Nelson and Collins, of Scotland. Among the books published by Mr. John Heywood are dialectic works, many of which are regarded, justly, as Lancashire classics. One of his latest triumphs has been the issue of the " Science Lectures for the People," delivered at the Hulme Town Hall, and sold separately at a penny each a fact that says something as to the good taste of the factory lads. Four monthly and three weekly periodi- cals are published by Mr. John Heywood. Of the former the Raihvay Guide is the most widely circulated, while the Lithographer is indispensable to the many decora- tive artists of the neighbourhood ; and Ben Brierley's Journal, with its vernacular contributions, finds its way to every Lancashire fireside. Of the latter, the Sphinx, a satirical journal, is the most popular. The career of the twoHeywoodsis a strikingexample of the labour, energy, and success which Lancashire folk are apt to think the true attributes of the typical " Manchester man ;" and if they have not been instru- mental in adding much to the higher literature of the world, their publications have very widely extended
