This book, like the others in this Part, makes nopretense at originality. The author has studied andcompared a considerable number of works by the bestauthorities on the subject and has endeavored to adapt thebest of their contents to the use of printers’ apprentices.Every author has his own set of rules. At first sight, eachset appears inconsistent with those given by other writers.This inconsistency, however, is generally more apparentthan real. It arises from differences in point of view,method of approach, and system of classification.
An attempt has been made to compile from these sourcesa set of rules which would bring before the pupil a correctand comprehensive view of the best current usage, wellillustrated by examples and accompanied by practical typographicalhints. The fact has been kept steadily in mindthat this book is intended for a certain definite class of pupilsand no pains have been spared to fit it to their needs.
Any treatise consisting, as this one necessarily does,mainly of rules is practically useful only as a basis for constantand persistent drill. It is, of course, valuable for reference,but the emergencies of the day’s work leave notime for consultation. These rules must be learned, andnot only learned but assimilated so that their correct applicationbecomes instinctive and instantaneous. This resultcan be secured only by practice. Hence the emphasis laidon the exercises indicated in the paragraphs introductory tothe review questions.