SPACING: LETTERS, WORDS, & LINES
The letters of a word are fitted together so that there is a general effect of evenness. This evenness is only to be attained by practice: it is characteristic of rapid skilful writing, and cannot be produced satisfactorily by any system of measurement while the writer’s hand is still slow and uncertain. It is worth noting, however, that the white interspaces vary slightly, while the actual distances between the letters vary considerably, according to whether the adjacent strokes curve (or slant) away or are perpendicular (figs. [53], [152]).
It is sufficient for the beginner to take care that two curved letters are made very near each other, and that two straight strokes are spaced well apart.
If the curves are too far apart there will be spots of light, and where several heavy stems are made too close together, “blots” of dark, marring the evenness of the page. [p078]
Words are kept as close as is compatible with legibility. The average space between two words is the width of the letter o (fig. [54]). [p079]
The Lines in massed writing (see p. [262]) are kept as close together as is compatible with legibility. The usual distance apart of the writing-lines is about three times the height of the letter o (see also p. [327]).