If the size of the writing be considered of the first importance, several of the _longer lines_ (_e.g._ the first and the eleventh in the poem given) are written on a piece of paper in the size of writing preferred (say, 1/4 inch). By laying this paper on the given sheet, it is seen whether such lines would allow of sufficient _side margins_. (If they would not, the writing may be made smaller.)
The height of the writing (1/4 inch) must allow of the full number of lines (fourteen) being properly [p097] spaced on the sheet (17 inches) with sufficient _head_ and _foot margins_. This is calculated--
1/4 in. writing requires approximately 3/4 in. spacing (p. 79): _Fourteen_ lines at 3/4 in. gives 10-1/2 in. = _depth of text_: 10-1/2 in. from 17 in. leaves 6-1/2 in. for _head_ and _foot margins_
--and if the space were not sufficient, the lines might be made a little closer, or the writing a little smaller (or, if necessary, the blank lines might be left out between the verses; p. 123).
_The Sizes of the Margins._--It will be seen that the above method is primarily for settling _a length of line_ which will allow of sufficient side margins. The process can be reversed; if necessary, the side margins are made of a given width, thus determining the exact length of the line, _the size of writing_ which this line allows being found experimentally.
NOTE.--The _extra_ long lines may slightly encroach on the right-hand margin: the effect of this is balanced by the falling short of other lines.
In penmanship great nicety of spacing and arrangement is possible. The _ascending_ and _descending_ strokes may be shortened or drawn out, the spaces between letters and words may be slightly increased or decreased, the lines may be written near or far apart, and the letters may be written with a broader or narrower nib.
Elaborate spacing and planning, however, should not be attempted at first, and straightforward, undesigned work is often the best. The student is apt to waste time writing out an elaborate draft [p098] in order to ascertain how to space the matter. This is a mistake, because if written well, it is a waste of good writing on a mere draft; if written ill, it is bad practice. The briefer experiments and calculations are, the better, though the simplest problem always requires for its solution a calculation or _process of guess and trial_ (such as suggested in the preceding pages). Practice will make people very good _guessers_, and the best work of all is done when the worker guesses rightly, and follows his guesses with the actual work, itself the trial and proof of accuracy.