Regulæ trium ordinum literarum typographicarum, or, The rules of the three orders of print letters viz. the Roman, Italick, English capitals and small : shewing how they are compounded of geometrick figures, and mostly made by rule and compass, useful for writing masters, painters, carvers, masons, and others that are lovers of curiosity / by Joseph Moxon ...

Some Rules to be followed in the Making of Letters.

1. The Length is divided into 42 Equal parts; from the Bottom to the Foot is 12 of them in Romans and Italicks, and in English 9, as aforesaid.

2. From the Bottom to the Head-line, as in Letter a, is 30 of them, and in Letter a 33. From the Bottom to the Top is all the 42. So that a Short Letter of Romans and Italicks stands between Parallel 12 and Parallel 30, and in English between Parallel 9 and 33.

3. The Stem and other Fat strokes of Capitals Ro∣man is 5 parts.

4. The Stem and other Fat strokes of Capitals Ita∣lick is 4 parts.

5. The Stem and other Fat strokes of Small Roman is 3 ½ parts.

6. The Stem and other Fat strokes of Small Italick is 3 parts.

7. Of English the Short stand between 9 parts at the Bottom, and 9 parts from the Top, as aforesaid.

8. The Stem of English Capitals is 6 parts.

9. The Stem of English Small Letters is 4 parts.

10. If these Letters are made with a Pen, this ge∣neral Rule is to be observed, That in making them you begin where the Letter may be quickest made. As for Example, If you would make M, you must be∣gin at the bottom on the Left Hand; for then with∣out moving the Pen off the Paper you make the whole Letter at once, all but the Footings and Top∣pings, and then you will find the course and progress

of the Pen will make those strokes Lean which should be Lean, and those strokes Fat which should be Fat. For as the Pen goes upwards, its Nib strikes a Lean stroke; but as it comes down its Nib opens wider, and strikes a Fatter stroke. So that whatever Tool a Letter is made with, you are to consider it as made with a Pen, and to allow it its Fat and Lean strokes accordingly. But in this the Copies of the Letters themselves will more fully instruct you.

11. You must take special care that you allow the Letter its full length: for because none of the Capi∣tals but the Consonant J and Q are Descendents, you may be apt to think that in some cases, where the In∣scription is all Capitals, you may drive up the top of the under-line above the bottom of the line above it; yet if a Consonant J or Q should come in the matter, you must be forced to shorten it, and so lose its grace. But besides, the whole Inscription will not shew so fair and beautiful, as if this convenient Space be allow∣ed it. And if any Ascending Letters should happen un∣der the J or Q, there would be no room for their Heads.

12. When I direct you to set off 1, 2, or 3 parts, &c. you are to understand it for 1, 2, or 3 parts of the Erect line or the Parallel line.