It is suggested below that the essential virtues of good lettering are _readableness_, _beauty_, and _character_. If, then, we can discover some of the underlying qualities which make for these, our choice will at least be better considered, and instead of [p238] forming our "style" on the first type of letter that pleases, we shall found our work on a good model, full of possibilities of development.
_The Roman Capital_ (Chap. XV.).--The ancestor of all our letters is in undisputed possession of the first place: but it is open to comparatively few to make a practical study of its monumental forms by means of cutting inscriptions in stone with a chisel.
_The Pen-formed letters_ are more easily practised, and the mastery of the pen acquired in the practice of a root form--such as the half-uncial--is the key to the majority of alphabets (which are pen developed) and to those principles underlying the right construction and arrangement of lettering, which it is our business to discover.
Doubtless a "school" of lettering might be founded on any fine type, and a beautiful alphabet or fine hand might be founded on any fine inscription: but the practical student of penmanship may be sure of acquiring a knowledge of lettering which would be useful to any craftsman concerned with letters, be he printer, book-illustrator, engraver, or even inscription carver.
The first general virtue of lettering is _readableness_, the second, _fitness_ for a given Use. And the rational basis of the following summary is the assumption that such _fitness_ is comprised in _beauty_ and _character_, and that a given piece of lettering having _readableness_, _beauty_, _and character_ has the essential virtues of good lettering.
The qualities on which these virtues seem chiefly to depend, and their special significations in the case of plain writing, may be set forth as follows:-- [p239]
1. _Simplicity:_ As having no unnecessary parts (and as being _simply_ arranged: see 6).
2. _Distinctiveness:_ As having the distinguishing characteristics of each letter strongly marked (and the words _distinctly_ arranged: see 6).
3. _Proportion:_ As having no part of a letter wrongly exaggerated or dwarfed (and as the lettering being _proportionally_ arranged: see 6).