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/189

 When the inserts put in a text are set in smaller type it is desirable to make clear to the reader, by the use of still smaller type, the relatively inferior value of the notes; but the inserts and the notes should be of the same face as that of the text (unless for an attempted facsimile in black-letter or old style), and should further show their mutual relationship by a graduated diminution in the thickness of leads. To lead notes with the thick lead selected for the text is always a blemish.

The signs that were selected for many years to refer to notes, * † ‡ ∥ § and ¶, and are still made a part of every font of book type, are now rated as disfigurements to the page. Superior letters or figures are preferred as more sightly and not so obtrusive, but when these references are made by the use of letters or figures upon a body one half that of the text they may be as objectionable by reason of their pettiness as are signs by their obtrusiveness. The regular superior figures made