Black
& Red

PREFACES & NOTES IN COLOUR

Fig. 90 represents a preface, or note, written in
red.

It was a frequent practice in old MSS., where
there were prefaces, or prologues, or notes—not
actually part of the text—to keep these distinct by
writing them in red. A somewhat similar usage still
exists in modern typography, where such parts are
sometimes distinguished by Italic type (see p. 279).

The distinction of a preface, “rubric,” or note
from the main body of the text makes a book more
readable, and, as a page of red (or blue) writing is
very pleasant and effective, we may certainly take
advantage of such a reasonable excuse for introducing
it. Entire books have been written in red, but this
is a questionable mode, as too much red text would
tire the eye.

Note (i).—The writing is founded on the tenth-
century English hand given in Plate VIII.

(2) The flourishes on s and e fill gaps at the
ends of the lines, and the spread out A M E N fills
the last line.

(3) The Headline is in simple written capitals.

(4) The effect of colour contrast of the built-up
Ps with the simple writing: the solid Ps (though
really the same colour) appear to be a much deeper
red than the writing, which is lightened by the
intermingled white of the paper.

(5) Other Colour Schemes.—The Versals (Pp) in
burnished gold; the rest in red or blue.

96

У ÀTER FOSTER
qui es in coetis-т'
ctxficctur nomea
дп. Àdveniat raç
пит tuum .fixt vo -
luntas tux, sicut in
codo et in terra *+*
jPanem nostrum quo
ttdixnum faL nobis~
hodie. èt dimittr^
nobis debiti nostra,
Sicut et nos dirruir-
timas debitoribus~
uostris. 6t ne nos in
ducas in tentation-
cm. Sed libera nos л
malo. А СП 6 X

Fig. 90.

Black
& Red

97