The Roman
Alphabet
& its
Derivatives

Uncials may be “round” (see Plate IV, fig. 5,
and p. 268), or “pointed” (see fig. 169 and p. 375).

CAPITALS & SMALL-LETTERS

During the development of Small-Letters from
Capitals but little distinction was made in their use,
and such capital forms as N and R were freely and
promiscuously used in the round minuscule writings,
together with the small-letters n and r (see Plates VI,
VII). On the other hand, Small-Letter forms were
frequently written larger and used as initials. In
Irish and Anglo-Irish MSS. these were filled inside
with green, yellow, or red, and surrounded outside
with red dots, or otherwise decorated with colour
(see fig. 7, and Plate VI).

In early MSS., therefore, one does not find an
alphabet of Simple-Written Capitals, which is pecu¬
liar to a given small text. But we may employ
a kindred capital—such as the round Uncial for
the round Half-Uncial. And a fitting alphabet
may always be constructed, from the “Roman”
or “Uncial” types of Capitals (footnote, p. 264),
by taking the same pen with which the small-letters
have been made and using it in a similar manner:
“straight” for “straight-pen” writing, and “slanted”
for “slanted-pen” writing (see figs. 147, 148).

When in doubt as to the type of Capital—for
any purpose—use Roman Capitals.

EARLY, ROUND, UPRIGHT, FORMAL HANDS

Examples: Half-Uncials—fig. 6 (Roman); Plate
VI (Irish), Plate VII (English) fig. 17О later; see
also pp. 6, 10, 375-7. Uncials (Plate IV and
p. 4).

266

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The Roman
Alphabet
& its
Derivatives

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Fig. 170.—Part of an English eighth-century MS. (British
Museum, Case C, No. 68), enlarged three times linear.

267