IN the Introduction to his “Handbook of Mottoes,” Mr. C. N. Elvin separates the mottoes into the following four classes:—
| I. | Mottoes which have no reference to the name or the armorial bearings of their users. |
| II. | Mottoes which have a direct reference to the bearings. |
| III. | Mottoes which have a punning reference to the name. |
| IV. | Mottoes which have a reference to both name and bearings. |
While all these classes are represented in the following list of mottoes and quotations taken from the early American Book-plates, such a classification is hardly adapted to the very limited number of mottoes employed, and we should divide them into but two general classes, under which, however, a number of subdivisions will occur to the reader.
1. The family mottoes: used either as a matter of course or with a reasonable pride in the possession.
2. The mottoes which are the choice or selection of the owner of the plate: in this are included quotations from the classic writers of both poetry and prose, mottoes of a patriotic nature, of a moral and of an educational character, as well as others in lighter vein.
Plates are found, too, that have the family motto and one of private suitability in addition. The expressions against the lending of books and the lines directing the attention to the value of good reading, and kindred sentiments, mentioned in previous chapters, are not included here.
The translations will be found rather “free” in many cases, and it will need but a casual glance at the construction of some of the Latin phrases to see that such a freedom is necessary.
ἉΚΡΟΡΟΓΩVΙΑΙΟΥ ὉVΤΕSἹΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ. (Eph. ii. 20.) Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. Andover Theol. Sem.
ἉΛΗΘΕΙΑ. Truth. Brothers in Unity (955).
βελτωναι οὑδιδἁξαι. Rather virtue than learning. Stith.