Acquiring in order to ascertain how to space the matter. This

a Formal is a mistake, because if written well, it is a waste of

Hand: good writing on a mere draft; if written ill, it is bad

(4) Practice practice. The briefer experiments and calculations

are, the better, though the simplest problem always
requires for its solution a calculation or process of guess
and trial (such as suggested in the preceding pages).
Practice will make people very good guessers, and the
best work of all is done when the worker guesses
rightly, and follows his guesses with the actual work,
itself the trial and proof of accuracy.

CHAPTER VI

MANUSCRIPT BOOKS1

MS. Books: Tools & Materials—Methods & Propor¬
tions—The Size & Shape of the Book—The Widths
of the Margins—The Size of the Writing, &c.—
Ruling—MS. Books: General Remarks.

ms. books : tools & materials

Manuscript The making of manuscript books., based on a study of
Books the early MSS., offers the best training to the scribe
and illuminator in writing, lettering, rubricating,
gilding, illuminating initials and borders, and miniature
painting, and is the best means of mastering the
foundations of Book Typography and Decoration.

Materials, &c.for MS. Books; Paper (see pp. 17,
69, 77, 281); Vellum and Parchment and Pounce
(see pp. 76, 133, 139—41).—Cut a small sheet the

1 MS. Books are further considered in Chap. XVI.

64

size of a page of the book, and clip the long edge
between two flat pieces of wood (holding it as it
would be if bound). If the page will bend over and
stay down by its own weight, it is thin enough
(R) fig. 68) ; if it stands up (W), it is too stiff.

Fig. 68.

Cutting Sheets.—A frame or template (the size
of the sheet desired) is used by parchment makers.
It is useful for cutting out the sheets for a common
size of parchment book. They are cut on the end-
grain of wood, or on card or glass.

Folding.—A Folder, as used by bookbinders (or
a bone paper-knife), is useful, and also a Set or
T-Square for testing right angles, &c. The fold
and the top edge of each book-sheet are commonly
squared by proper folding.

Ruling, hi c. (seep. 307).—For marking distances
of lines, a carefully prepared paper1 scale (p. xxiii) or
a pattern & an awl (p. 75), or a “star-wheel ”—

1 The direct use of a thick wood or metal scale may lead to
inaccuracy.

65

Manuscript

Books