_Phrasing and Arrangement._--An inscription may be arranged in sentences or phrases, and occasionally, by the use of larger letters, greater prominence is given to a word or phrase (see figs. 197, 204, 211). This method is particularly adapted to the nature of a _set inscription_ (p. 264), and may help both its readableness and its appearance, but it must be borne in mind that to lay stress on any one statement or word may pervert its meaning or attract too much attention to it.
Any confusion of sense, or accidental word (p. 259) or phrase, _appearing in the setting-out_ is [p385] avoided, if possible, by a slight rearrangement of the part, or, if necessary, of the whole inscription. Great care is taken that the spelling is accurate: a pocket dictionary should be carried.
Reading is further facilitated by avoiding, where possible, the dividing of words at the ends of lines. It may be observed that in the more ancient inscriptions words were generally kept _entire_.
_Exercises in letter form and arrangement_, more profitable than mere paper "designing," might be devised by the craftsman. Inscriptions might be cut--on a small scale--in gesso or chalk, or inscriptions might be variously spaced and arranged on a properly coloured surface--such as a drawing-board covered with light or dark cloth--in letters cut out of sheet-lead or card.
The few books and pamphlets given below are generally, of recent date, practical, and inexpensive. The prices quoted are, I believe, those at which the books are generally sold (not necessarily their published prices). They are all illustrated, except Nos. *9, 10, 11, and 19.
_WRITING, &c._ (See also Nos. 8, 12, 14, 19, 28, 29, and 31.)
1. The Story of the Alphabet: Edward Clodd, 1900. 9d.
2. Greek and Latin Palæography: Edward Maunde Thompson. 3s. 9d. (The extracts in these pp. 36, 41, 416, &c., are from the 2nd edition, 1894.)
3. The Journal of the Society of Arts, No. 2726, Feb. 17, 1905; Papers on [p386] _Calligraphy and Illumination_: Edward Johnston and Graily Hewitt. 6d.
4. Fac-similés de Manuscrits Grecs, Latins et Français du V^e au XIV^e Siècle exposés dans la Galerie Mazarine: Bibliothèque Nationale Département des Manuscrits. 5s.
5. "A Guide to the Manuscripts" in the British Museum, 1906 (30 plates). 6d.