The
Develop¬
ment of
Writing

Acquiring
a Formal
Hand:
(i) Tools

ITALICS.—The Roman Letters, together with
the cursive hand of the time, gave rise to “Italic ”
letters (see fig. i, & pp. 275, 280, 419).

ORNAMENTAL LETTERS originated in the
simple written forms, which were developed for
special purposes, and were made larger or written
in colour (see Versals, &c., figs. 1, 189).

Their first object was to mark important words,
or the beginnings of verses, chapters, or books. As
Initial Letters they were much modified and embel¬
lished, and so gave rise to the art of Illumination (see
pp. 79, 80).

CHAPTER II

ACQUIRING A FORMAL HAND I (i) TOOLS

Acquiring a Formal Hand: Tools, &c.—The Desk—
Paper & Ink—Pens: The Reed: The Quill—Of
Quills generally—Pen-knife, Cutting-slab, &c.

ACQUIRING A FORMAL HAND : TOOLS, &C.

The simplest way of learning how to make letters
is to acquire a fine formal hand. To this end a
legible and beautiful writing (see p. 36) should be
chosen, and be carefully copied with a properly
cut pen.

For learning to write, the following tools and
materials are required :—

Desk.

Writing-paper.

Ink and filler.

H

Pens (Reed and Quill) with “springs
Pen-knife, sharpening-stone, and cutting-slab.
Magnifying glass.

Two-foot (preferably three-foot) rule, and pencil.
Linen pen-wiper.

THE DESK

An ordinary desk or drawing-board can be used,
but the best desk is made by hinging a drawing-

Fig. 14.

board (“ Imperial ” size) to the edge of a table.
The board may be raised and supported at any
desired angle by a hinged support, or by a round

15

Acquiring
a Formal
Hand:
(1) Tools