Imágenes de página
PDF
ePub

b. So, also, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter; the Sun, the Earth, the Moon, and the Stars, should each begin with a capital when they are personified, but with a small letter when they are used in ordinary composition. In works on astronomy, it is better to capitalize them.

c. The rule should be applied with some discrimination. It is only when the figure prosopopaia is uncommonly vivid that the noun should have its initial with a capital letter; there being a tendency, even in the most inanimate compositions, to impart a certain degree of life and energy to the representatives of our thoughts. But, though in numberless instances it would be improper to capitalize such words, the more glowing personifications of the poet and the orator ought unquestionably to be so distinguished.

RULE XI.

Quotations, Examples, &c.

The first word of every quotation, example, precept, or question, introduced in a direct form, must begin with a capital letter; as,

[ocr errors]

1. Bushnell well remarks, "Hitherto, the love of passion has been the central fire of the world's literature."

2. These two questions, "What are we?" and "Whither do we tend?" will at times press painfully upon thoughtful minds.

REMARK S.

66

Happy those who, "This great patriot

a. When a quotation is introduced by the conjunction that, or is brought in obliquely or indirectly, a small letter is preferable; as, "It is well said by a celebrated writer, that, 'precious as thought is, the love of truth is still more precious.' 'dying, leave no line they wish to blot'!" bequeathed to his heirs the sword which he had worn in the war for liberty, and charged them 'never to take it from the scabbard but in self-defence, or in defence of their country and her freedom.'"

b. Examples, consisting of mere words or phrases, may have small letters for their initials, when they do not commence new lines, or are not formally introduced with the words "as follows," or with a similar expression. Numerous illustrations of this remark may be seen in pages 211-20.

RULE XII.

Capitals used instead of Figures.

Numbers are sometimes written or printed wholly in capitals, as representative characters. Thus, —

I. is used instead of one, or first; IV. for four, or fourth; XI. for eleven, or eleventh; XX. for twenty, or twentieth; XL. for forty, or fortieth; &c.

66

REMARK S.

a. Some writers refer to passages in books by putting the num. bers of the volume, part, chapter, &c., in capital letters, and also by capitalizing the first letter in the name of the division specified; as, Campbell on the Four Gospels, Vol. I. Diss. V. Part IV. Sect. II. Page 218." But, when such references are numerous, small letters are preferable, because they have a neater appearance; as, " Campbell on the Four Gospels, vol. i. diss. v. part iv. sect. ii. page [or p.1

218."

b. For the punctuation, see pp. 150-1, Rule V. and Remarks.

RULE XIII.

Titlepages, Inscriptions, &c.

Title pages of books, and heads of chapters, sections, articles, &c., are, with some few exceptions, put entirely in capitals. Unless very long, dedications of printed works, and inscriptions on monuments, are commonly distinguished in the same manner.

REMARK S.

a. The first word in a book or chapter is usually put in small capitals, with the exception of the initial letter, which should have a common-size capital.

b. Capitals or small capitals are also used, either singly or otherwise, as abbreviations of titles and other words, and as representative signs, particularly in works of art and science, such as chemistry, mechanics, arithmetic, grammar, music, &c. Many of these will be exhibited in the article beginning on page 272.

In concluding these rules and remarks on the use of capitals, we would suggest that authors either note accurately and consistently the words which they mean to be so distinguished, or allow the printer to exercise his own taste and judgment. By this means, not only would a great loss of time be saved to the workman, but the work itself would have a neater and more uniform appearance.

In manuscript, words or sentences meant to be printed in CAPITALS are distinguished by having three lines drawn under them; in SMALL CAPITALS, by two lines; and in Italics, by one.

II. ITALIC CHARACTERS.

Characters called Italics, and printed in this form, are used chiefly to point out emphatical expressions, or to distinguish foreign words and phrases. In the common version of the Scriptures, however, words are so printed to show that they have nothing corresponding to them in the original Hebrew or Greek, but were inserted by the translators to complete or explain the

sense.

It is quite impracticable to lay down definite and unvarying rules in respect to all the circumstances under which it is proper to use Italic letters. Their employment was at one time exceedingly common; all proper names, and almost all words of more than ordinary significance, having been written or printed in this

manner. A sparing use of Italics is, however, strongly recommended to authors and typographers; for it is obvious, that, as there are in composition innumerable shades and degrees of emphasis, a prodigal introduction of words of a sloping character would tend rather to confound the sense and perplex the reader, than to elucidate the meaning, or to assist in discriminating the relative importance which should be attached to different sentiments.

In all works, however, which treat of matters relating to science, art, or language, where it is necessary to adduce words and phrases in illustration of certain principles, or to employ them in technical senses, the use of Italic characters is indispensable. In the present treatise, it will be seen that they are freely and unavoidably used.

III. TERMS RELATING TO BOOKS.

CAPTIONS and SUвHEADS are words or expressions that stand above chapters, sections, and paragraphs, for the purpose of indicating their contents. SIDEHEADS are of a similar nature, but put in the first line of the paragraph or paragraphs to which they refer. RUNNING TITLES or, as they are sometimes called, headlines are such words or phrases as are placed at the top of the page. All these are printed usually in capital or small-capital letters; sometimes, especially in magazines, in Italics.

[ocr errors]

SIGNATURES are the letters of the alphabet, used by English printers in the foot-margin of certain pages, as a guide to direct the bookbinder in arranging and folding the sheets. The letter B is put at the bottom of the first sheet or half-sheet which comes immediately after the titlepage, preface, and contents; C, at that of the second; and so on throughout the alphabet, with the exception of J, V, and W. If the number of pages require more signatures than the alphabet will indicate, the letters are doubled or trebled, or a numeral is prefixed to them; as, A A, B в ; 2 A, 2 B ; 3 A, &c. Figures, or numeral characters (1, 1*; 2, 2*; &c.), being more convenient than letters, are used for the same purpose by American printers. But in catalogues, and other publications in which figures often occur, capitals or small capitals are, for distinction's sake. preferable.

NAMES OF VARIOUS SIZES OF BOOKS. — Folio denotes a sheet of paper folded into two leaves, making four pages; quarto, or, as abbreviated, 4to or 4°, is a sheet divided into four leaves, or eight pages; octavo, 8vo or 8°, a sheet into eight leaves, or sixteen pages; duodecimo, 12mo or 12°, a sheet into twelve leaves, or twenty-four pages. So, also, sixteens, 16mo or 16°; eighteens, 18mo or 18°; twenty-fours, 24mo or 24°; thirty-twos, 32mo or 32°; forty-eights, 48mo or 48°; sixty-fours, 64mo or 64°, are the several designations of sheets when folded into sixteen, eighteen, twentyfour, thirty-two, forty-eight, and sixty-four leaves; making each twice the number of pages.

« AnteriorContinuar »