Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 January 1919 — PAPER FAMINE IN OLD TIMES. [ARTICLE]

PAPER FAMINE IN OLD TIMES.

There was a paper famine in Europe in the seventh century. In A. iD. 640 the Saracens conquered Egypt, and at the same time, hy order of Omar, fhldr caliph, the renowned library at Alexandria. consisting of 400.000 volumes, was burned. The paper supply of the then world was derived from the pa bark, a reed which grew only in Egypt. Consequently, the Saracens possession of the country the paper supply was cut off. This led to the adoption of a curious exjiedient. The writing on used papyrus paper was erased and the paper, which was thus made available.- again- brought into use. An obi author has suggested that probably owing tq this many "•valuable contributions from classic writers, Tacitus, Livy and others, were lost to the world.