The Roman make the proper strokes automatically : then he may
Alphabet begin to master and control the pen, making it con-
& its form to his hand and so produce Letters which have
Derivatives every possible virtue of penmanship and are as much
his own as his common handwriting.

Most of the letters in a good alphabet have
specially interesting or characteristic parts (p. 214),
or they exhibit some general principles in letter
making, which are worth noting, with a view to
making good letters, and in order to understand
better the manner in which the tool—whether pen,
chisel, or brush—should be used.

The characterisation of the Roman Capital Form.
Note.—The large types below are indices—not models.

A I. A pointed form of A, M, and N (see
Plate II) may be suitable for inscriptions
in stone, &c., but in pen work the top is
preferably hooked (fig. 167), beaked (fig.
147), or broken (fig. 158), or specially
marked in some way, as this part (both in Capital
A and small a) has generally been (fig. 189).

2. The oblique strokes in А, К, M, N, R, V,
W, X, Y, whether thick or thin, are naturally
finished with a short point inside the letter and a
long, sharp point, or beak, outside (see serifs of oblique
strokes, p. 253).

3. The thin stem may be drawn out below for
an occasional form (see F, 3).

1. B, D, R, and P are generally best
mad & round-shouldered (fig. 162 & Addenda,
p. xxiv).

2. B, D, E, F, P, R (and T) have gen¬
erally an angle between the stem and the
top horizontal, while

В

244

3. below in B, D, E (and L) the stem curves or
blends with the horizontal.

4. See O, 2.

С i. C, G, (and round Q ) may have the
top horizontals or ‘arms’ made straighter
than the lower arms (see fig. 187).

2. C, G, S, &c. ; the inside curve is gen¬
erally best continuous—from the ‘bow’ to
the ends of the ‘arms’—not being broken by the
serifs (except in special forms and materials), and

3. it is best to preserve an unbroken .inside curve
at the termination of all free arms and stems in
built-up Roman Capitals. In C, G, S, E, F, L,
T, and Z the upper and lower arms are curved on
the inside, and squared or slightly pointed outside
(the vertical stems curve on either side) (fig. 163).

4. ‘Arms’ are best shaped and curved rather
gradually out to the terminal or serif, which then is
an actual part of the letter, not an added lump

(P- 253)-

5. See O, 2.

Di. See В, i.

2. See B, 2 and 3.

3. The curve may be considered as
springing from the foot of the stem, and
may therefore for an occasional form be
separated from the stem at the top (©, fig. 177).

4. See O, 2.

1. See B, 2 and 3.

2. See C, 3 and 4.

3. The lower limb in E, L (and Z) is
often drawn out: these, however, are pro¬
perly to be regarded as occasional or special

245

E

The Roman
Alphabet
& its
Derivatives