40
10
---
400)422000 words in MS.
------
1055 pages.
Divide
16)1055(65 sheets,
15 pages.
Another method for casting off copy is the following, as laid down by a
predecessor:—
“After having made the measure for the work, we set a line of the letter
that is designed for it, and take notice how much copy will come into the
line in the stick,—whether less or more than a line of manuscript; and,
as it is seldom that neither one nor the other happens, we make a mark
in the copy where the line in the stick ends, and number the words that
it contains. But, as this is not the safest way for casting off close,
we count not only the syllables, but even the letters, that are in a
line in the stick, of which we make a memorandum, and proceed to set off
a second, third, or fourth line, till a line of copy falls even with a
line in the stick; and, as we did to the first line in the stick, so we
do to the other, marking on the manuscript the end of each line in the
stick, and telling the letters in each, to see how they balance against
each other. This being carefully done, we begin counting off, each time,
as many lines of copy as we know will make even lines in the stick. For
example, if 2 lines of copy make 3 lines in print, then 4 make 6, 6 make
9, 8 make 12, and so on, calling every two lines of copy three in print.
In like manner we say, if 4 lines make 5, then 8 make 10, and so on,
comparing every four lines of copy to five lines in print. And in this
manner we carry our calculation on as far as we have occasion, either for
pages, forms, or sheets.
The foregoing calculations are intended to serve where a line of print
takes in less than a line of copy; and, therefore, where a line of print
takes in more than a line of copy, the problem is reversed, and, instead
of saying, if 2 lines make 3, we say, in this case, if 3 lines of copy
make 2 lines in print, then 6 lines make 4, 9 make 6, 12 make 8, and so
on, counting three lines of copy to make two lines in print. In this
manner we may carry our calculation to what number of pages, forms, or
sheets we will, remembering always to count off as many lines of copy at
once as we have found they will make even lines in the stick. Thus, for
example, if 5 lines make 7, the progression of 5 is 10, 15, 20, &c., and
the progression of 7 will be 14, 21, 28, &c.
In counting off copy, we take notice of the breaks; and where we judge
that one will drive out, we intimate it by a mark of this shape [; and
again, where we find that a break will get in, we invert it, thus, ]. And
to render these marks conspicuous to the compositor, we write them in the
margin, that he may take timely notice, and keep his matter accordingly.
We also take care to make proper allowance for heads to chapters,
sections, paragraphs, &c.
In examining the state of the copy, we must observe whether it has
abbreviations, that we may guard against them in casting off, and allow
for them according to the extent of the respective words when written out
at length.”
The foregoing will convey a sufficient idea as to the best mode of
casting off copy; still, these remarks more properly apply to regularly
written and thoroughly revised copy. Upon this subject, Smith justly
observes,—
“But how often one or more of these requisites are wanting, compositors
can best tell; though very few will imagine that among men of learning
there should be some who write after such a manner that even those who
live by transcribing rather shun than crave to be employed by them: no
wonder, therefore, if compositors express not the best wishes to such
promoters of printing. But it is not always the capacious genius that
ought to be excused for writing in too great a hurry; for sometimes those
of no exuberant brains affect uncouth writing, on purpose to strengthen
the common notion that _the more learned the man, the worse is his
~(hand)~ writing_; which shows that writing _well_ or _bad_ is but a
habit with those that _can_ write.”