wide as for two of them to occupy the width of the sheet, and so
short as to have six in the depth; in this case there are no backs,
technically so called, but only gutters; but as the long cross
comes between the pages, they must be treated as backs, in the same
manner as in folio, and the fold of the paper must be allowed to lie
more over the side of the adjoining page, as was described in making
margin for folio; if the page be very wide, less than half an inch;
if it be narrow, and a large margin, it may be a little more; the
head margins or bolts are three in depth, and may be ascertained in
the same manner precisely as for octavos or common twelves, which,
being done, the foot margins must be ascertained; these, being two,
may have a Pica body each less than the outer foot margins, to allow
for any inequality in the size of the paper, or in laying on the
white paper at press; this will be done by folding the sheet of paper
exactly in three portions across it, and extending the pages till one
of these portions covers the two outer pages with the gutter, and
lies over the third about a Pica body; when this has been performed
at one end, repeat the same process at the other end of the form.
The margin may then be tried in the manner before described, and any
necessary alteration must be made in the space at the feet of the
pages, care being taken that both spaces are equal.
In _Long Duodecimo_, the pages are the same in size as in the
preceding, only that they exchange the length for width, and the
width for length; the manner of making margin is the same for this
size as for the last; the only difference between them being one of
words--that which was the gutter in the other being the head in this;
and what was the head or bolt, and the foot margin, now becoming
the gutter and the back; the spaces between the pages, for heads,
for gutters, and for backs, are ascertained in the manner before
described.
As the number of pages multiply in a sheet, so the utility of placing
slips of paper, folded in the middle, in the gutters, backs, &c.,
becomes greater, by enabling the person, whose office it is, to know
readily the middle of each space when he tries the whole margin with
the sheet opened out; to some this may appear unnecessarily minute,
but I hold that whatever method tends to facilitate an operation, and
enables a person to perform it more correctly, is useful.
SIXTEENS.--After having described so fully the manner of folding the
paper, and ascertaining the spaces between the pages for the gutters,
the heads, and the backs, which are required for quartos, octavos,
and duodecimos, it appears unnecessary to extend this article by
repeating the same thing in every size. For sixteens, fold a quarter
of a sheet of paper exactly in four; pursue the foregoing direction
for ascertaining the width of the gutter, the back, and the head, in
one quarter of the form, and having made these right, arrange the
remainder of the form in the same manner, always trying all the pages
by the whole sheet opened out, and rectifying any thing wrong by
adding or diminishing in the backs, and similarly at the feet of the
pages next the short cross.
The greater the number of pages in a sheet, the smaller in proportion
does the margin become: it must therefore be evident, that the folded
paper should lie proportionably less over the edge of the adjoining
page, both for gutter and for back, as the number of pages increases;
for as a folio may require the page to be half an inch nearer the
back than the fore edge, an eighteens may not require it to be more
than a Long Primer; and so in proportion with respect to the size of
the page and of the margin.
EIGHTEENS.--A sheet of eighteens is the same as three half sheets of
twelves imposed together: there are two backs and three gutters in
each form: the other way of the chase it is three pages in depth,
having bolts and an offcut the same as twelves; and the process is
the same as when making margin for twelves, only ascertaining the
first gutter and back by one third of the sheet of paper the long
way, instead of one half of it the narrow way: having made the six
pages on the left hand of the form right, make the remaining twelve
pages like them, and then try the whole with the sheet of paper
opened out; the creases in the folds should fall exactly in the
middle of the gutters and backs; but as the offcut is not imposed on
the side of the short cross with the groove in it, the crease for the
offcut should be exactly half the width of the bolt from the running
title or headline, or it should fall in the middle of the long cross.
I wish here to impress upon the mind of the person who is making
margin, never to attempt doing so with the whole form at once; for
if he does, it is more than probable that he will get wrong, cause
himself additional trouble, and frequently waste furniture; but
let him get one portion right, then make a range of pages through
the form one way the same, and then another the contrary way, and
afterwards try them with the sheet of paper opened out, when any
little variation that may occur will be easily remedied before he
cuts the furniture.
TWENTIES.--A form of this size has four pages in width, and five in
length; in width the margin will be made in the same manner as for
twelves; in the length there are two heads or bolts, which will be
also ascertained as for twelves; the space between the feet of the
pages must be out and out, except about a Pica body; and the offcut
must be treated the same as for a form of twelves or eighteens.
TWENTY-FOURS.--The side margin will be ascertained just as for
eighteens, there being the same number of pages in width; and the
head and foot margin as for sixteens; the difference in the size of
the pages not affecting the principle of making margin.
_Long Twenty-fours._--A form of this size is similar to a sheet
of twelves imposed in one chase, the width of the pages being the
longest way of the paper: the method of making margin for it will be
similar to that for twelves or eighteens.
_Square Twenty-fours._--The difference between this size and
twenty-fours is, that the width of the pages occupy the sheet the
longest way; the margin will be made in the same manner.
THIRTY-TWOS.--One quarter of a form of thirty-twos is similar to a
form of octavo; and the margin may be made by folding a quarter of a
sheet of paper, and arranging the pages of a quarter of the form only
in the first instance: then place the others at the same relative
distances, and try the whole with the sheet of paper opened out,
before cutting the furniture.
There is no variation in any principle of making margin as to the
remaining sizes; and if I were to go into detail for each, it would
be but a repetition of the method of ascertaining the width of the
gutters, backs, heads or bolts, and of the spaces at the feet of
the pages where they either cut up, or fold, at that part, which I
think unnecessary; for when a person is competent to make margin
correctly for an octavo, a twelves, and an eighteens, he will find no
difficulty with respect to the other sizes.
Wherever a half sheet is imposed, or two half sheets to work
together, the middle margin, where the sheet is cut in two, should
always be made out and out, that both the fore edges may be equal.
When the margin to the first sheet of a work has been made, and
the quoins tightened with the fingers, a gauge should be cut for
the back and head, for the succeeding sheets. _See_ ALTERATION OF
MARGIN.--GAUGE.--IMPOSING.
MARGINAL NOTES,
generally called side notes by printers, are notes at the fore edge
of the page, running from top to bottom, or placed opposite the
matter to which they refer, when they are short. They are generally
of the width of a broad quotation; in historical works, where there
is only a date at the top of each page, a narrow quotation is run
down the side. They are always used in acts of parliament, and in law
books, and contain a short abstract of the clause to which they are
affixed, and should be justified to range with the line to which they
refer.
It is usual, where marginal notes are not heavy, to economise the
metal quotations by using furniture; in this case I would advise
the compositor to select pieces of precisely the same width, but of
different short lengths, and to cut their ends square; some should
extend the length of the page; and when he uses short pieces, that he
always put a metal quotation or a justifier next to the note, which
will cause the lines to stand more even; he will then not lose so
much time in seeking quotations and justifiers, nor will he be blamed
for monopolising them, as they are seldom so plentiful in an office
as to allow of being lavishly used.
MARKS. _See_ POINTS, and REFERENCES.
MATHEMATICAL COMBINATIONS.
This is the name given by Messrs. Thorowgood and Besley to a number
of ornamental designs for letter-press printing, which they were,
in the first instance, the means of introducing into England from
Paris, these being the invention and execution of Mons. Derriey, a
French artist. In England, they come under the denomination of what
are called Flowers; but Messrs. V. & J. Figgins style them Changeable
Borders.
The flowers in the English founderies have received little
improvement or addition during the last hundred years, and are not
remarkable either for their beauty or taste: the consequence is,
that they are seldom used, hardly ever indeed in fine works. It is
difficult to account for this apathy of our letter founders and
artists, for the few improvements that have been introduced, have
generally been copied from French patterns.
The borders in question are a great improvement, and will, by
exciting emulation, most probably lead to others still greater. They
are of various patterns, formed of straight lines, as well as of
diversified curves; the corners are also formed of angles and curves,
so that they may be combined into an almost innumerable variety of
forms; in addition, there are many detached tasteful pieces, which,
when judiciously used, will add greatly to the effect; but unless the
workman possess judgment with some taste, it is doubtful whether he
will be able to produce a border, or any other subject, that will be
gratifying to the eye.
That the reader may himself form an opinion of these borders, I have
given two pages in which several of these pieces are arranged so
as to show their effect. Those who are desirous of seeing all the
varieties, may find them in the type founders specimen books, where
there are a number of borders of different forms and patterns, which
are combined in such a manner as to convince the beholder of the
superiority of these ornaments over our old class of flowers.
As the French and German type founders, when they produce any new
devices, sell matrices of them as articles of trade, the ornaments
that are now introduced into England, have consequently all been
manufactured from the same punches.
[Illustration: Mathematical combinations]
[Illustration: Mathematical combinations]
MATRIX PLATES. For stereotype printing, _see_ RISERS.
MATTER.
The series of the discourse of the compositor’s copy.--_M._ It now
also means pages of types composed for any work; thus we have _Set
Matter_, and _Matter for Distribution_, which _see_.
_Matter for Distribution._ Types that, having been composed for
a work and printed off, are ready for use in another work, are,
collectively, called Matter for Distribution.
MEASURE.
The width of a page. _See_ COMPOSING STICK.--_M._ _See_ also JUSTIFY
A STICK.
MEDHURST’S PRESS.
A few years ago, a new press was constructed by Mr. Medhurst, of
London, the great recommendation of which was its simplicity, and
consequent cheapness. In its general form it much resembled the iron
presses in common use, the principal difference being in the manner
in which the pressure was produced. This was accomplished by means
of an ingenious arrangement of levers, differing so much from every
thing previously employed in machinery, that the inventor described
his contrivance as one which exhibited a new power in mechanics.
[Illustration: Medhurst’s press]
The principle upon which this press acts will be understood from
the annexed sketch of the parts by means of which the impression
is given. Instead of a screw, a plain spindle is employed: on the
lower part of this spindle there is a swell or collar, A, into which
the handle, or working bar of the press, B, is fastened. The upper
part of this collar has cups or steps for the reception of two short
iron props or pins, C, D, which extend up to the head of the press,
and are there supported by the points of two screws, E, F, entering
sockets cut out in the heads of the pins, which are made of steel.
When the platen is up, these pins stand in an inclined position,
as represented in the annexed figure: but when the lever handle
is pulled towards the spectator, so as to turn the spindle, the
two screws remain stationary, while the props come into a vertical
position, thus forcing the spindle and attached platen to descend, as
if a screw were employed. It may be observed that, in the figure, G
is merely a section of the head of the press, which is supposed to be
looked at sidewise, to present the back and front projections, H, I,
through which the screws pass.--_Lardner’s Cabinet Cyclopædia_, 1833.
MEDICAL CONTRACTIONS
used in prescriptions, &c., with the words at length, and a
translation. From _Gray’s Supplement to the Pharmacopœia_. 5th edit.
8vo. _London_, 1831.
_A._ _Aa._--Ana, of each ingredient.
_Abdom._--Abdomen, the belly; abdominis, of the belly; abdomini,
to the belly.
_Abs. febr._--Absente febre, in the absence of the fever.
_Ad 2 vic._--Ad duas vices, at twice taking.
_Ad gr. acid._--Ad gratam aciditatem, to an agreeable sourness.
_Ad libit._--Ad libitum, at pleasure.
_Add._--Adde, or addantur, add; addendus, to be added; addendo,
by adding.
_Admov._--Admoveatur, or admoveantur, apply.
_Adst. febr._--Adstante febre, when the fever is on.
_Aggred. febre._--Aggrediente febre, while the fever is coming
on.
_Altern. horis._--Alternis horis, every other hour.
_Alvo adst._--Alvo adstricta, when the belly is bound.
_Aq. bull._--Aqua bulliens, boiling water.
_Aq. ferv._--Aqua fervens, boiling water.
_Bis ind._--Bis indies, twice a day.
_BB._ _Bbds._--Barbadensis, Barbadoes.
_B. M._--Balneum maris, a sea-water bath.
_Bull._--Bulliat, it should boil; bulliant, they should boil.
_B. V._--Balneum vaporis, a steam heat.
_Cap._--Capiat, take.
_C. m._--Cras mane, to-morrow morning.
_Coch. ampl._--Cochleare amplum, a large spoon.
_Coch. infant._--Cochleare infantis, a child’s spoon.
_Coch. magn._--Cochleare magnum, a large spoon.
_Coch. mod._--Cochleare modicum, a dessert spoon.
_Coch. parv._--Cochleare parvum, a small spoon.
_Cœrul._--Cœruleus, blue.
_Col._--Colatus, strained.
_Colat._--Coletur, it should be strained; colaturæ, of or to the
strained liquor.
_Colent._--Colentur, they should be strained.
_Comp._--Compositus, compounded.
_Cont. rem._--Continuentur remedia, the medicines should be
continued.
_Contr._--Contritus, ground to a fine powder.
_Coq._--Coque, boil; coquantur, they should be boiled.
_C. P._--Codex of Paris.
_Crast._--Crastinus, to-morrow.
_Cuj._--Cujus, of which.
_Cujusl._--Cujuslibet, of any.
_Cyath. theæ._--Cyatho theæ, in a cup of tea.
_Deaur. pil._--Deaurentur pilulæ, the pills should be gilt.
_Deb. spiss._--Debita spissitudo, a proper consistence.
_Decub._--Decubitus, of lying down.
_De d. in d._--De die in diem, from day to day.
_Dej. alvi._--Dejectiones alvi, stools.
_Det._--Detur, it should be given.
_Dieb. alt._--Diebus alternis, every other day.
_Dieb. tert._--Diebus tertiis, every third day.
_Dim._--Dimidius, one half.
_Dir. prop._--Directione propria, with a proper direction.
_Donec alv. bis dej._--Donec alvus bis dejiciat, until two stools
have been obtained.
_Donec alv. sol. fuer._--Donec alvus soluta fuerit, until a stool
has been obtained.
_Ejusd._--Ejusdem, of the same.
_Enem._--Enema (en-e-ma), a clyster; enemeta, clysters.
_Ext. sup. alut._--Extende super alutam, spread upon leather.
_F. pil. xij._--Fac pilulas duodecim, make 12 pills.
_Feb. dur._--Febre durante, during the fever.
_Fem. intern._--Femoribus internis, to the inner part of the
thighs.
_F. venæs._--Fiat venæsectio, bleed.
_Fist. arm._--Fistula armata, a clyster pipe and bladder fitted
for use.
_Fl._--Fluidus, liquid; also by measure.
_Gel. quav._--Gelatinâ quâvis, in any kind of jelly.
_G. G. G._--Gummi guttæ gambiæ, gamboge.
_Gr._--Granum, a grain; grana, grains.
_Gtt._--Gutta, a drop; guttæ, drops.
_Gutt. quibusd._--Guttis quibusdam, with a few drops.
_Har. pil. sum. iij._--Harum pilularum sumantur tres, three of
these pills should be taken.
_Hor. decub._--Hora decubitus, at going to bed.
_Hor. som._--Hora somni, just before going to sleep; or on
retiring to rest.
_Hor. un. spatio._--Horæ unius spatio, at the expiration of an
hour.
_Hor. interm._--Horis intermediis, at the intermediate hours
between what has been ordered at stated times.
_Ind._--Indies, from day to day, or daily.
_In pulm._--In pulmento, in gruel.
_Inj. enem._--Injiciatur enema, a clyster should be given.
_Lat. dol._--Lateri dolenti, to the side that is affected.
_Lb._--Libra, a pound; or libra, weight, or a wine pint; when
preceded by Arabic figures, Avoirdupois weight is generally
meant; but when succeeded by Roman numerals, Troy weight, or pint
measures.
_M._--Misce, mix; mensura, by measure; manipulus, a handful.
_Mane pr._--Mane primo, very early in the morning.
_Min._--Minimum, the 60th part of a drachm measure.
_Mtt._--Mitte, send; mittatur, or mittantur, there should be sent.
_Mitt. sang. ad [ounce]xij. saltem._--Mittatur sanguis ad uncias
duodecim saltem, blood should be taken away to 12 ounces at least.
_Mod. præsc._--Modo præscripto, in the manner directed.
_Mor. sol._--More solito, in the usual manner.
_Ne tr. s. num._--Ne tradas sine nummo, you should not deliver it
without the money: as a caution to the shopman, when the presence
of the customer prevents the master giving a verbal direction.
_N. M._--Nux moschata, a nutmeg.
_O._--Octarius, a wine pint, being 1-8th of a gallon.
_Ol. lini s. i._--Oleum lini sine igne, cold drawn linseed oil.
_Omn. hor._--Omni hora, every hour.
_Omn. bid._--Omni biduo, every two days.
_Omn. bih._--Omni bihorio, every two hours.
_Omn. man._--Omni mane, every morning.
_Omn. noct._--Omni nocte, every night.
_Omn. quadr. hor._--Omni quadrante horæ, every quarter of an hour.
_O. O. O._--Oleum olivæ optimum, best olive oil.
_Oz._--The ounce Avoirdupois, or common weight, as distinguished
from that prescribed by physicians in their orders.
_P._--Pondere, by weight.
_P. Bat._--Pharmacopœia Batava.
_P. Belg._--Pharmacopœia Belgica.
_P. D._--Pharmacopœia Dublinensis.
_P. E._--Pharmacopœia Edinensis.
_P. L._--Pharmacopœia Londinensis.
_P. L. V._--Pharmacopœia Londinensis [Vetus?] before 1745.
_P. U. S._--Pharmacopœia of the United States.
_Part. vic._--Partitis vicibus, to be given in divided doses,
instead of all at once.
_Per. op. emet._--Peracta operatione emetici, when the operation
of the emetic is finished.
_Post sing. sed. liq._--Post singulas sedes liquidas, after every
loose stool.
_P. r. n._--Pro re nata, according as circumstances occur.
_P. rat. æt._--Pro ratione ætatis, according to the age of the
patient.
_Pug._--Pugillus, a gripe between the finger and thumb.
_Q. p._--Quantum placet, as much as you please.
_Q. s._--Quantum sufficit, as much as may suffice.
_Quor._--Quorum, of which.
_R._--Recipe, take; but for this the old authors, and the French
to this day, use this sign ♃, being the old heathen invocation to
Jupiter, seeking his blessing upon the formula, equivalent to the
usual invocation of the poets and of Mahomedan authors, or the
Laus Deo with which book-keepers and merchants clerks formerly
began their books of account and invoices, a practice not yet
quite extinct
_Red. in pulv._--Redactus in pulverem, powdered.
_Redig. in pulv._--Redigatur in pulverem, it should be reduced to
powder.
_Reg. umbil._--Regio umbilici, the parts near the navel.
_Repet._--Repetatur, it should be continued; repetantur, they
should be continued.
_S. A._--Secundum artem, according to art.
_Semidr._--Semidrachma, half a dram.
_Semih._--Semihora, half an hour.
_Sesunc._--Sesuncia, an ounce and a half
_Sesquih._--Sesquihora, an hour and a half.
_Si n. val._--Si non valeat, if it does not answer.
_Si op. sit._--Si opus sit, if need shall be.
_Si vir. perm._--Si vires permittant, if the strength will allow.
_Sign. n. pr._--Signetur nomine proprio, write upon it the usual
name, not the trade name.
_Sing._--Singulorum, singularum, of each.
_S. S. S._--Stratum super stratum, layer upon layer.
_Ss._--Semi, a half.
_St._--Stet, it should stand; stent, they should stand.
_Sub fin. coct._--Sub finem coctionis, when the boiling is nearly
finished.
_Sum. tal._--Sumat talem, the patient should take one like this.
_S. V._--Spiritus vinosus, ardent spirits of any strength.
_S. V. R._--Spiritus vinosus rectificatus, spirit of wine.
_S. V. T._--Spiritus vinosus tenuis, proof spirit, or half and
half spirit of wine and water.
_Temp. dext._--Tempori dextro, to the right temple.
_T. O._--Tinctura opii, tincture of opium; generally confounded
with laudanum, which is properly the wine of opium.
_T. O. C._--Tinctura opii camphorata, paregoric elixir.
_Trit._--Tritus, ground to powder.
_Ult. præscr._--Ultimo præscriptus, the last ordered.
_V. O. S._--Vitello ovi solutus, dissolved in the yelk of an egg.
_Vom. urg._--Vomitione urgente, when the vomiting begins.
_Z._--A mark in writing that a word is contracted, as in oz. for
ounce.
_Zz._--Zingiber, ginger.
℈.--Scrupulum, a scruple, equal to 20 grains Troy.
ʒ.--Drachma, a drachm, equal to 3 scruples; or, in liquids, the
8th part of an ounce measure.
℥.--Uncia, an ounce Troy; or, in liquids, the 16th part of a wine
pint.
MEREDITH, CHRISTOPHER. _See_ DONATIONS.
METAL.
The technical name of a mixture of metals properly so called, with
which types and stereotype plates are cast.
In speaking of type metal, I shall first give Moxon’s description of
making it, which is curious; and then some interesting observations
on the same subject by M. Sage, from the Journal de Physique.
Moxon says--“What the metal founders make printing letters of,
is lead hardened with iron: thus, they choose stub nails for the
best iron to melt, as well because they are assured stub nails
are made of good, soft, and tough iron, as because they (being in
small pieces of iron) will melt the sooner.
“To make the iron run, they mingle an equal weight of antimony
(beaten in an iron mortar into small pieces) and stub nails
together. And preparing so many earthen forty or fifty pounds
melting pots (made for that purpose to endure the fire) as they
intend to use: they charge these pots with the mingled iron and
antimony as full as they will hold.
“Every time they melt metal, they build a new furnace to melt
it in: this furnace is called an open furnace; because the air
blows in through all its sides to fan the fire: they make it of
bricks in a broad open place, as well because the air may have
free access to all its sides, as that the vapours of the antimony
(which are obnoxious) may the less offend those that officiate at
the making of the metal: and also because the violent fire made
in the furnace should not endanger the firing any adjacent houses.
“They consider, before they make the furnace, how many pots of
metal they intend to melt, and make the furnace sizeable to that
number: we will suppose five pots. Therefore they first make a
circle on the ground capable to hold these five pots, and wider
yet by three or four inches round about: then within this circle
they lay a course of bricks close to one another to fill the
plain of that platform, with their broad or flat sides downwards,
and their ends all one way, and on this course of bricks they
lay another course of bricks as before, only the lengths of this
course of bricks lies athwart the breadths of the other course of
bricks; then they lay a third course of bricks with their lengths
cross the breadth of the second course of bricks.
“Having thus raised a platform, they place these five pots in the
middle of it close to one another, and then on the foundation or
platform raise the furnace round about by laying the bricks of
the first lay end to end and flat, close to one another: on the
second lay, they place the middle of a brick over a joint (as
the bricklayers call it) that is, where the ends of two bricks
join together, and so again lay bricks end to end till they trim
round the platform. Then they lay a third lay of bricks, covering
the joints of the second lay of bricks as before: so is the
foundation finished.