_The Size of Lettering_ depends on where it is to go (_i.e._ outdoors or indoors, far away or near), the material to be used, and the space at the carver's disposal.
_Out of Doors_ letters should not, as a rule, be less than 1-1/4 inch high, more if possible.[123]
_Indoors_ smaller lettering may be carved, but even then 1 inch is quite small enough, and that only in marble, slate, or the finest stones.
In such stones as _Ancaster_ or _Ham-Hill_ it is not possible to carve good letters less than 3 inches high.
More than one size of letter may be used in the same Inscription to give emphasis to certain words, thus: on a Foundation Stone the Date (see fig. 210), [p394] and on a Tombstone the Name (see fig. 211), may be made larger than the rest.
_Spacing._--Proper spacing is essential to a good Inscription. As a general rule, Roman letters should not be crowded together. Space should be left between each, varying according to the letters--a narrower space between two O's, for example, and, generally, a wider space between two straight letters. The lines may be about the height of the lettering apart (see Plate I.) or pretty close together (see Plate XXIV.).
_Margins._--If the Inscription is to be carved in a panel, the surrounding mouldings take the place of margins, and the lettering may fill the panel (see fig. 211). If any space be left, let it come, as it [p395] naturally will, at the bottom. If the lettering is not to be in a panel, the margins depend primarily on what the carver can afford, and where the Inscription is to go. Every case must be treated on its own merits, but as a general rule one may say that the bottom margin should be the widest and the top margin the narrowest.
The best quality a stone can have, from a letter-cutter's point of view, is fineness or closeness of texture, combined with freedom from holes and flints or occasional shells, and the letter-cutter will do well to choose the stone himself, if possible, having regard to this quality.
The following is a list of a few of the best stones for outdoor and indoor use:--
Portland.--Especially good for lettering on account of its fineness and its excellent weathering qualities, for it not only hardens on the surface, but also becomes quite white if exposed to wind and rain, thus showing very clearly any differences of light and shade.