&c.
Its most effective use, however, is as pure ornament—when it does not matter whether the words are easily read or not. For mottoes, &c., painted or carved on walls or furniture, and for ornamental borders round tapestry hangings, tombs, book-covers, bowls, flagons, plates, &c., bands of such ornamental lettering are extremely decorative (see footnote (2), p. [255], & also p. [364]).
[ Fig. 191a.—Shield of Arms of Earl de Warrenne, Castle Acre Priory, Norfolk] (Gold and blue chequers, diapered—see p. [215]): reproduced, by permission, from Boutell’s “English Heraldry,” No. 68.
FOOTNOTES TO PART II:
[53] In fact, our “small-letters” are the formalised result of the rapidly scratched Square Capitals of the Roman era (p. [37] & fig. [3]).
[54] Their greater strength may not at first be apparent in fig. [148], as the nib used therefor is narrower, in proportion to the height of letter, than that used for fig. [147] (see also fig. [151]).
[55] The exaggeration of one part may be said relatively to dwarf the other parts of a letter; but it is seldom advantageous, and often not permissible, to dwarf part of a letter absolutely.
[56] As when the construction of a part of some letter is peculiar (all the y or g tails, for example, catching the eye, and standing out on the page), or, as when promiscuous types are used, giving the impression of a confused crowd of letters.