Having cut the nib of a reed or large quill to the exact width required for the thick stroke, copy the component strokes of the letter @ (Script I.), and [p087] immediately make the complete letter: go through the whole alphabet in this way several times (fig. 58). Next join the letters together (see p. 73) [p088] to form words--writing always between ruled lines (fig. 59 & p. 414).
Script II. is similarly practised: the letters are _grouped_ (p. 82) to form words (fig. 60).
Next make a neat page of large writing, and, if possible, write such a page every day. The more definite and methodical practice is, the better. "Practising" _anyhow_, on scraps of paper, does more harm than good.
The _size_ of an inscription is commonly settled before the arrangement of the text is planned out, being determined by considerations of its future position and office, or by custom and use (see pp. 100-103 & 351). [p089]
The proportions of the writing, spacing, and margins will likewise properly _settle themselves_ (see pp. 265, 103, 107), but where the size of the sheet only is fixed, we have, broadly speaking, to decide between "large" writing with "small" margins (fig. 61), and "small" writing with "large" margins (fig. 62).
Generally a compromise is arrived at and the proportions are more evenly balanced (fig. 63).
_Ruling_ (see also pp. 258, 99).--The mode of ruling _marginal lines_ and _writing lines_ is shown in fig. 65. The ruling should be light, but firm and accurate. A fine pen, or hard pencil, or a blunt point may be used. Where the _writing lines_ are double (as for _round_ hands, p. 304), it is best to have a double ruling point (see fig. 77). Two hard pencils firmly [p090] lashed together make a convenient tool for large work: the distance between the points is easily adjusted by means of a small wedge.
_To write out the Pater noster_ (50 _words_) _in a formal round-hand (arranged in "mass" of equal lines) on a sheet of "foolscap"_ (i.e. 17 _inches high and_ 13-1/2 _inches wide_).
If the size of the writing be considered of the first importance, a few words are written out in a script chosen to suit the subject, the space, &c., and these are measured to find the area which the whole text so written would occupy (fig. 64). The size of the script is then modified, if necessary, to suit the available area. [p091]