[Fig. 71.]—Diagram showing the ruling of a (Recto) page 434 inches × 714 inches as for a manuscript book (allowing five or six words to the Writing-line). There are fifteen Writing-lines, the Line-space being 516 inch.
The proportions of large CAPITALS, shown above, are set by the Line-space (footnote, p. [221]).
The Foot margin is 178 inch.
Inner margin 58 inch. Side margin 114 inch. Top margin approximately 78 inch (measured to the top of the writing on the first line—see also fig. [65]).
The proportions of the margins to each other follow a sort of tradition (see fig. [70]), the foot margin (4) usually being twice as wide as that at the top (2), the side margins generally greater than the top and less than the foot. The two pages of an opening may be viewed as one sheet having two columns of text; and the two inner margins, which combine to form an interspace, are therefore made narrow (about 112 each), so that together they are about equal to one side margin (fig. [70]). These proportions (112 : 2 : 3 : 4) approximate to the proportions common in early MSS.
Sufficient and proportional margins add greatly to the usefulness and beauty of a book. That the writers and illuminators used them when books were read and valued in a way we can scarcely realise now, shows that such things are not, as some might suppose, a matter of affectation. Besides the natural fitness of the common proportions commends them: a deep foot margin is a foundation to the whole, and gives a spare piece for the reader to hold,[20] and wide side margins rest the eyes and keep the text from “running off the page” at the end of each line; and (the two) narrow inner margins combine to separate the pages sufficiently, but not too far, so that they form two “columns” together, framed by the outer margins of the open book.
When books are meant to be bound, from 116 inch to 18 inch extra margin should be allowed all round the page for the cutting down and binding. The [p107] binding is apt to encroach on the inner margins, especially in vellum books, which do not open fully; in order, therefore, that the inner margins may keep their proper width, an extra width of 18 to 14 inch (according to the stiffness of the material) is allowed.
THE SIZE OF THE WRITING, &C.
The shape, size, and margins of the page (already settled) together determine the length of the writing-line (see fig. [71]); and the size of the writing should be such as will allow a reasonable number of words to that line.[21]