ACCURACY OF PRINTING.
Much of the copy forwarded by the contributors to "NOTES AND QUERIES" contains quotations from old books; which I presume are accurately given, without alteration of spelling or punctuation. The difficulty is this; that the printer, or perhaps even the editor, may sometimes alter what he supposes to be a contributor's error of copying. Thus, in Query 93. (Vol. iv., p. 151.), there is medulla grammaticæ, where I wrote grammatice, as in my authority: but the vile punctuation of the subsequent extract (which is also that of the original) is duly preserved. It would be desirable to have some symbol by which to call attention to the fact that some glaring error is real quotation, and is to be preserved in printing. For example, an indented line (~~~~) drawn under the words in question, or at the side, would warn the printer that he is not to correct any error, however gross. If you would suggest this, or any other method, and request your contributors generally to adopt it, an increased degree of confidence in the quotations would result.
"Nec [sic] intersit nisi dignus vindice nodus
Inciderit."
M.
[We are quite alive to the importance of our correspondent's suggestion. The excuse for such corrections by compositors and readers is, that copy frequently comes into their hands in such a state, that if they did not exercise a power somewhat beyond the strict limit of their duty, they would commit greater sins, and give more of offence both to writers and readers. It may be feared that some compositors would not know what was meant by an indented line, and would (especially if it was not carefully made) take it as a direction for Italics. The object may, however, probably be attained by the writer's placing in the margin, or in the line, or between the lines, so as to be either above or below the particular word or phrase to which it is meant to refer, the word "sic," with a line completely round it. All persons concerned in the practical part of printing understand, that "matter" which is thus circumscribed or circumlineated, is not to be printed, but is a private communication for the benefit of such readers of the written copy as it may concern. If there are many lines which require this caution, it will generally be enough to mark one or two of the first instances, for that will suffice to show that the writer knows that he is doing, and means to do, what looks as if it wanted correction.
We are inclined to add one suggestion, for which this seems to be a good opportunity, because it is peculiarly inapplicable to the correspondent who has drawn from us these remarks. It is this, that as those who know that they are telling a story which is likely to excite doubt, take more than usual care to put on a grave and honest countenance, so those who know that they are writing what is bad or questionable in grammar, spelling, &c., should use the precaution of being peculiarly legible.]