Inscriptions and on a Tombstone the Name (see fig. 211), may
in Stone be made larger than the rest.

To the dor memory of

EU2ABETH *

Daughter of John &
Elizabeth Smith of~~
thisparish.Shedieet
August i4; lpot, Aged ló.

Fig. an.

Spacing.—Proper spacing is essential to a good
Inscription. As a general rule, Roman letters should
not be crowded together. Space should be left
between each, varying according to the letters—a
narrower space between two O’s, for example, and,
generally, a wider space between two straight letters.
The lines may be about the height of the lettering
apart (see Plate I) or pretty close together (see
Plate XXIV).

Margins.—If the Inscription is to be carved in a
panel, the surrounding mouldings take the place of
margins, and the lettering may fill the panel (see
fig. 211). If any space be left, let it come, as it

З58

naturally will, at the bottom. If the lettering is not
to be in a panel, the margins depend primarily on
what the carver can afford, and where the Inscrip¬
tion is to go. Every case must be treated on its own
merits, but as a general rule one may say that the
bottom margin should be the widest and the top
margin the narrowest.

THE MATERIAL

The best quality a stone can have, from a letter-
cutter’s point of view, is fineness or closeness of tex¬
ture, combined with freedom from holes and flints
or occasional shells, and the letter-cutter will do well
to choose the stone himself, if possible, having regard
to this quality.

The following is a list of a few of the best stones
for outdoor and indoor use :—

Outdoors or Indoors.

Portland.—Good for lettering :
excellent weathering quali¬
ties : becomes quite white if
exposed to wind and rain,
thus showing very clearly
any differences of light and
shade.

Hopton-

wood

Slate

Especially good for
lettering: fine
and hard: good
weathering
qualities. Great
delicacy may be
attained in these.

I Only suitable for

Ancas ter

Kettend large lettering.

Clunch

Chalk

Indoors only.

Very fine and deli¬
cate work may be
done in these.

Bath.—A cheap stone, and
easily carved; but unsuit¬
able for small lettering.

Marbles and Alabasters.—Ex¬
cellent for inscriptions in¬
doors, but much colour or
veining tends to confuse
lettering.

Inscriptions
in Stone

359