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/165

 The signatures of numerous persons to a document or memorial, when arranged in columns, are often set in capitals and small capitals. Full capitals of the text are always found much too large.

The dedication of a book is generally in small capitals only. The usual requirement of the writer that particular words or phrases be set in one line only may compel the unwise selection of too small a size. As the dedication occupies an entire page, it should have wide leading always.

Small capitals still find some favor as one of the approved styles for the running titles of pages, but they should not be selected for this use when the words are few. Capitals of full size are more effective. The small capitals of twelve- or fourteen-point body are sufficiently distinct, but those of nine-point and smaller sizes are dense and not easily read. This indistinctness can be ameliorated by a hair-spacing of letters, but this is not always practicable. In their exposed positions as lines at the head of the page they receive too much wear; their shallow counters are too soon choked with ink. As a safeguard against undue wear, capitals of the monotone or of a light-faced antique are sometimes selected for books frequently reprinted in which the running titles have to endure much wear in a very exposed position.