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/168

 It is impracticable to strait- jacket these words in separate lines of symmetry, or to try to show the relative value of each clause by alternating lines in plain roman lower-case, italic, and small capitals. The job-printer may do it with his greater variety of styles of type, but the book compositor cannot. The reader is not helped, but is bewildered, by the artificial arrangement and by the mixing of types.

Although the extravagant use of small capitals gives undue distinction to many words, there are readers accustomed to this style who find the more extended use of roman lower-case equally offensive for its alleged monotony and want of display. Attempt is sometimes made to avoid this presumed fault by the use of small capitals two or three sizes smaller than that of the text, which will allow many words to be put in the desired single line. This method is not an improvement, for it makes a needless feebleness in places where some clearness is needed. If the name of the person or firm addressed is composed in small capitals, and the signature of the writer is put in the same style or in italic, the letter should have point enough from the typographical standpoint. All else may be in lower-case with propriety. When there is no specification of name or address, and the complimentary salutation is only that of Dear Sir, Gentlemen,