[67] It is interesting to note in this connection that the eye seems to prefer looking upon the tops of things, and in reading, is accustomed to run along the tops of the letters—not down one stroke and up the next. This may suggest a further reason for smaller upper parts, viz. the concentration of as much of the letter as possible in the upper half.
[68] The extremely beautiful and finished B in the “Trajan Alphabet” ([Plate II.]) has the division a little higher, and a marked enlargement of the lower part; until the letter-craftsman can approach the perfection of its execution he will find a simpler form more suitable for his “standard.” A curious form, in which the top lobe has nearly or quite disappeared (comp. c, fig. [161]), is found in early Roman inscriptions. This form (which may have helped to give us the useful small b) is not suitable for a modern Capital, and would lack the distinctiveness of B.
[69] Chisel-made Roman Capitals (possibly influenced by brush, &c., pp. [292], [391]), Plates [I.], [II.]: (modern), [XXIV.] Pen-made, Plates [III.], [XVIII.]: (modern), figs. [147], [148], [167], [168], &c.
[70] J. C. Egbert in an “Introduction to the Study of Latin Inscriptions” says, “J was not specialised as a letter until the 15th Century.” It would seem that in early inscriptions a tall I was frequently used for J between vowels, and for I at the beginnings of words: later, while the medial I remained straight, the initial form was curved to the left and used for both I and J; this curved initial form, J, at length became identified with the letter J.
Similarly, it appears that V was used for an initial, and U for a medial; and later, the V form became identified with the consonant.
In the words
in fig. [95], the initial I is curved like a J, while the medial i’s are straight; the initial V has a v form, while the medial V in nativ(itatis) has a u form.
[71] The more ornamental treatment of Stems, Bows, Serifs, Tails, &c., is referred to at p. [331], and in figs. [188], [189].
[72] Their thin stems and heavy branches may tend to weakness and illegibility—e.g. such letters as E, F, I, L, and T (see fig. [4]) are not always easily distinguishable.