Special may be left in raised strips flush with the letters,

Subjects between the lines of the inscription.

Punctuation.—In early inscriptions the words

were separated by points; in the more ancient
they are square shaped Ц, mm, in the
more elaborate, triangular ^ some¬
times with curved-in sides (Plate I). These

developed later into the ivy leaf tí У or

“ herera distinguent es.Such points may be used
occasionally in modern work with fine effect, but
should seldom be used between every word, unless
the words are necessarily so close that distinguishing
marks are required.

Phrasing and Arrangement.—An inscription may
be arranged in sentences or phrases, and occasionally,
by the use of larger letters, greater prominence is
given to a word or phrase (see figs. 197, 204, 211).

This method is particularly adapted to the nature

of a set inscription (p. 228), and may help both its
readableness and its appearance, but it must be borne
in mind that to lay stress on any one statement or
work may pervert its meaning or attract too much
attention to it.

Any confusion of sense, or accidental word
(p. 223) or phrase, appearing in the setting-out is
avoided, if possible, by a slight rearrangement of
the part, or, if necessary, of the whole inscription.
Great care is taken that the spelling is accurate: a
pocket dictionary should be carried.

Reading is further facilitated by avoiding, where
possible, the dividing of words at the ends of lines.
It may be observed that in the more ancient inscrip¬
tions words were generally kept entire.

348

Exercises in letter form and arrangement, more
profitable than mere paper “designing,” might be
devised by the craftsman. Inscriptions might be cut
—on a small scale—in gesso or chalk, or inscriptions
might be variously spaced and arranged on a properly
coloured surface—such as a drawing-board covered
with light or dark cloth—in letters cut out of sheet-
lead or card.

BIBLIOGRAPHY, &C.

The few books and pamphlets given below are
generally practical or useful. They are roughly
classed under Writing, Illumination, Books, &c.;
Heraldry, and Lettering; but examples of most
of these subjects occur under nearly all the headings.
Some of the books are now out of print. They are
all illustrated, except those marked with an asterisk.

WRITING, &c.

The Story of the Alphabet: Edward Clodd.
55-

Handbook of Greek and Latin Palaeo¬
graphy: Sir E. M. Thompson. (See
extracts here, pp. 2, 7, 380, &c.J

The Journal of the Royal Society of Arts,
No. 2726, Feb. 17, 1905; Papers on
Calligraphy and Illumination: Edward

Johnston and Graily Hewitt. 3s.

Manuscript & Inscription Letters: Edward
Johnston & A. E. R. Gill. 5s. (16 PI.)

Fac-similés de Manuscrits Grecs, Latins et
Français du Ve au XIVe Siècle exposés
dans la Galerie Mazarine: Bibliothèque
Nationale, Département des Manuscrit,
Paris.

Special

Subjects

349