, [p362] and may be repeated and reversed if desired (see fig. [200]).
Monograms and cyphers may be very decoratively employed as ornaments, and may be used to mark a man’s goods, or as a signature on his work: something easily recognized—either very legible or characteristic—is therefore desirable. The two modes may be combined, and there is no limit to [p363] the effective devices and ornaments which may be composed of letters. Simple and straightforward devices, however, are generally preferable to very ornate or intricate designs.
Chronograms.—A chronogram consists of a word or words in which the numerical letters indicate a date. The following is from a very fine memorial inscription at Rye (see fig. 207):—
Ioannes ThreeLe MeDIo Lætæ ætatIs fLore obIIt.
It expresses the date I + L + M + D + I + L + I + L + I + I (or 1 + 50 + 1000 + 500 + 1 + 50 + 1 + 50 + 1 + 1) = 1655. As every letter having a numerical value (i.e. C, D, I, (J), L, M, (U), V, (W), X) may be counted, a proper chronogram is not easily composed.
The letter-craftsman will discover many ways of “playing” with letters, and of expressing—or concealing—names and numbers in other words, and he may take every liberty he chooses in his private pleasure, provided it does not clash with public convenience.