Page:The practice of typography; correct composition; a treatise on spelling, abbreviations, the compounding and division of words, the proper use of figures and nummerals by De Vinne, Theodore Low, 1828-1914.djvu/110



The free use, or even the moderate use, of italic for emphasis in a text is now regarded as an exhibition of bad taste on the part of the writer and a needless affront to the intelligence of the reader. For this reason the compositor should not servilely follow copy in its markings for italic. The undisciplined writer usually regrets profuse italicizings when he sees their effect in the proof. In case of doubt special instructions either to follow or to change overmarked italic should be obtained from the foreman or the proof-reader. If seven per cent, of the words in a manuscript is marked for italic, its composition cannot be done to advantage on the ordinary type-setting machine. When ten per cent, or more is italicized, the compositor by hand rightfully claims an extra price for the additional labor it imposes.

Italic was made objectionable to critical readers by its frequent mismating with roman. When a thin italic of light face was made the emphasizing character for a text in a bold-faced roman, the incongruity of the unlike styles was apparent, and this led to a general dislike of all italics. Type-setting machines constructed without proper provision for the composition of italic have been more effectual