Emerald Green has been latterly introduced; and though, from its inferior richness when contrasted with other colours, it should be sparingly employed in illuminations, it may occasionally assist in producing a very pleasing effect, especially in floriations and ornamental stops.
Beautiful emblematic meanings are attached to this colour,—namely, hope in immortality, eternity, victory. This last, because green is the colour of laurel and palm.
Grey.
Grey, the colour of ashes, anciently signified mourning, humility, and innocence accused. This colour is sometimes employed in ground-work, not for letters.
Black.
Black is, of course, employed only as being useful and distinct, without symbolism. It is adapted to all words of minor importance, and to intermediate stops; also, of course, for the stalks and veins of leaves, and stems of branches, &c.
It may not be considered irrelevant to the subject, if I subjoin an explanation of the colours employed in the services of the Church, taken from Purchas's Directorium Anglicanum:—
White.—From the evening of Christmas Eve to the Octave of Epiphany, inclusive, except Feasts of St. Stephen and the Holy Innocents. From the evening of Easter Eve to the Vigil of Pentecost; on Trinity Sunday, Purification, Conversion of St. Paul, the Annunciation, St. John Baptist, St. Michael, St. Luke, and All Saints.
Red.—Vigil of Pentecost to the next Saturday; Holy Innocents (if on a Sunday), and all other Feasts.
Violet.—Ash Wednesday to Easter Eve; Advent to Christmas Eve; Ember Weeks in September; Rogation Days; Holy Innocents, unless on Sunday; on Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima Sundays.