Ps. xlv. 2.CALAMUS SCRIPTORIUS, a Reed or Rush to write with. The Antients made use of Styles to write on Tables covered with Wax, or of Reed or Rush to write on Parchment or Egyptian Paper; for our common Paper is of a new Invention. The Psalmist says, his Tongue is the Pen of a ready Writer.1 Lingua mea calamus scribæ. But the Hebrew Text signifies rather a Style, than a Reed to write with. The Author of the third Book of Maccabees says, that the Writers employed in making a list of the Jews who were in Egypt, produced their Reeds quite worn out, declaring, that they were not able to prepare such a Roll as was required of them. Baruch wrote his Prophesies with Jer. xxxvii. 8.Ink, and consequently with the Reeds we have been speaking of; for it does not appear, that the use of Quills was known at that time. S. John in his third Epistle, says, it was not his design to write with 3 Jon v. 13.Pen and Ink, Nolui per atramentum & calamum scribere tibi. This custom was common among the Gentile Nations2.
Inque manus chartæ, nodosaque venit arundo.
The Arabians, Persians, Turks, Greeks, and Armenians still to this day make use of Reeds or Rushes as is testified by Travellers.
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