The Roman length, and may constitute a decorative feature of
Alphabet the writing, as in the Anglo-Saxon1 MS., Plate IX.

& its (See p. 295, and fig. 188.)

Derivatives Distinct Lines of Writing.—The line—especially

laudaci*

xtgrte Ms1

XV.

catorum

XVI.

Fig. 184.

in MS. books—is really a more important unit than

1 In English so many ascending and descending letters are
used, that it might be the best and most natural treatment of
these to make them a marked feature of the writing (see also
“ Fine Writing,” pp. 225-27). Note, in this connection, that our
a b с has been developed as a Latin alphabet, and that the
evenness of Latin MS. is largely due to the infrequence of tailed
letters.

290

the page; and the whole question of the arrange¬
ment of Lettering hinges on the right treatment of
the lines. One is particularly struck by the distinct¬
ness of the lines of writing in the old MSS., due
mainly to—

(a) The binding together of the letters in the line—
commonly by strong serifs or heavy “shoulders” and
‘ feet” (see figs. 11, 184, and p. 376).

(b) Packing the letters well together (see pp. 43,
226).

(c) Spacing the lines sufficiently apart (see pp.
262-9).

It is a good rule (especially when practising) to
space the lines fairly widely. Really fine writing
shows generally to greater advantage if not too
much crowded, and there is more danger of making
reading hard by crowding the lines, than by crowding
the words (see fig. 156).

Whatever mode of treatment be followed, each
line should be written with as much freedom as
possible, the simplest straightforward writing being
preferable to that which is over-arranged.

DECORATIVE CONTRASTS

The decorative treatment of lettering generally
involves contrasts of size, weight, colour, or form—
that is, of large and small, heavy and light, variously
coloured, or variously shaped letters. As a general
rule, marked contrasts are best; a slight contrast
may fail of its effect and yet be sufficiently noticeable
to give an unpleasant appearance of irregularity.

Contrasts of Colour (see pp. no, 146).—Note
that, while it is convenient to distinguish “colour”
—as red, blue, green, &c.—weight strictly involves

291

The Roman
Alphabet
& its
Derivatives