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The Saw is an instrument of somewhat ancient origin. We cannot ascertain precisely when the first saw was made; but it probably followed the more common and primitive tools — the hatchet, the knife, and the chisel. The first saw was, no doubt, a very imperfect instrument in comparison to those of the present day.

Still, it seems incredible that such elaborate works of art as we read of among the ancients should have been constructed without the use of the saw. The Greeks ascribed the invention of the saw to Deadalus, or his pupil Talus; but it is certainly more ancient, for it is represented on the obelisks of Egypt It is a tradition that the prophet Isaiah suffered martyrdom by the saw.

There is an ancient book, called the " Ascension of the Prophet Isaiah. It says: "Then they seized and sawed Isaiah the son of Amos with a wooden saw. And Manasseh and Melakira the false prophets, the princes and the people, stood looking on. But Isaiah said to the prophets who were with him, 'go ye to the cities of Tyre and Sydon, for the Lord hath mixed this cup for me alone.' Neither did he cry out or weep, but continued to call on the holy ghost until he was sawn asunder."

It may be in reference to this circumstance that St. Paul says of the early martyrs, "They were sawn asunder." The ark, the temple of Solomon, and the ruins of buried cities lately exhumed, would seem to have been impossible without the use of the saw, although we know how much may be accomplished with very rude tools when time and patience are not spared.

We do not find the saw used by savage nations, as, without the tools and skill to keep it in order, it soon becomes useless. The knife and the hatchet, more barbarous weapons, can be sharpened on a smooth stone; but sharpening a saw is a very different affair. The first saw-mill, or saw driven by power, which we have any account of, was erected in the Island of Madeira in 1420; the next at Breslau, in Austria, in 1432. This was followed by many others all over Europe.

The saw is now an indispensable instrument, and is in more general use by all classes of mechanics than any other tool. It is difficult to imagine how we could dispense with it for a single day - from the burglar who cuts off the bars of his cell with his watch-spring saw, to the builders of navies and cities, and the busy mills which quickly fashion the huge monarchs of the forest into shapes for the dwellings and conveniences of mankind.