Lesson 1: Follow-Up

This manuscript extract presents an italic hand of approximately 1630: regular, fairly modern, and very legible. The main challenge presented by this manuscript sample is to develop a consistent practice across a long specimen, especially regarding majuscules, punctuation, deletions/insertions, and expansions. For example, consider the pervasive problem with minuscule/majuscule s, or perhaps the initial p of the word pupills in line 24: although this letter form is essentially infralinear and somewhat on the small side, its form suggests that it was meant as a majuscule, especially when placed next to other examples of majuscule and minuscule p on the same page.

Before moving on to the more cursive italic of the next lesson, which in its way is more consistent with modern practice, consider carefully some of the less familiar letter forms in this late Jacobean sample. In particular, note the Greek e ('epsilon' or 'reverse-3' e); the tendency to curve forward the ascender on minuscule t; the often pronounced foot on minuscule r; and other occasional vestiges of secretary practice, as in the ascending vertical in majuscule D and B, the initial majuscule A of the poem, and the forms of such majuscules as C and V.

Other manuscripts extracts in this hand are available via the 'index of manuscript images': see items 44-47 there, or consult them directly in the window above by clicking on the links below. (Note that the (+) link will display the enlarged version of each image.)

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