Divisions of Text a clear line apart, or marked by a difference in colour or size (see figs. [94], [96], [186], &c.).
Proportion in the Treatment of the Whole Inscription.—The spacing-proportions referred to above apply to lettering generally, but the proportions of an inscription as a whole involve the consideration of a special case. Example:—
| The Proportions to be Considered in the Case of a Manuscript Book (see pp. [100]–[108], [341], &c.). | |
|---|---|
| (1) Size and shape of the Book and its page (proportion of width to height) (see p.[103]). | (Set by custom, use of Book, size of material, &c.) (see figs. [69], [70], and pp. [101], &c.). |
| |
| (3) Size of Writing— Proportion of height of letter to length of line. | (Set by page, and margin, and number of words in the line; usually more than four words to the line) (see pp. [107]–[8]). |
| (4) Number of lines— Proportion of text to page. | (Set by page, margin, and height-of-letter, and modified by treatment of spacing) (see pp. [108], [262]). |
| (5) Size of Large Capitals, Initials, &c. | (Set by Small-Letter; commonly one, two, three, or more of the writing-line-spaces high) (see footnote, p. [221]). |
| (6) Size of Decorative Divisions of the Text (marked by different treatment, colour, ornament, &c.). | (Set by page, &c.; usually such Division is relatively small or large—as a definite “heading,” or a whole page) (see p.[132]). |
- (2) Width of Margins—
Proportions—- (a) to each other.
- (b) to size of page.
- (c) to the lettering.
- (a) (Commonly about 112 : 2 : 3 : 4) (see fig. [70], and pp. [103]–[7]).
- (b) (Frequently about, or more than, half the area of the page).
SETTING OUT, & FITTING IN
Ruling.—The approximate sizes of margins and letters, and the number of lines of text, having been estimated, guiding lines are ruled on the surface (see p. [343])—a right and a left vertical marginal line, with the necessary number of horizontals between them. (In the case of a manuscript, these lines are ruled faintly (or grooved), and are left to form a feature of the page; for inscriptions on other materials than paper, parchment, &c., they are generally removed after setting-out.)
Setting-out.—An inscription of any size, or one requiring complex or very nice arrangement, is set-out in faint, sketchy outline of lead pencil or chalk. Simple writing is not set-out, but such slight calculation or planning as is necessary is carried out mentally, or on a scrap of paper. By practice the scribe, like the compositor, can fit his lettering to the given space with ease and accuracy. For writing and (to a large extent) printing, both combine setting-out and the act of “lettering” in one operation. And this shows how practice gives foreknowledge of the “mechanical” part of the work, leaving the mind free to take pleasure in its performance; and also how slight—if necessary at all—is the experimental setting-out of simple forms required by the practised workman.