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/243

 Why the last word was inclosed in quotes is not to be explained.

The desire to make written language clear to the reader is to be respected, but some of the methods now in general use are unsatisfactory and will not stand critical examination. A hundred years ago it was the duty of the printer to begin every noun with a capital letter and to compose in italic every word that needed or seemed to need emphasis. It was hoped that capitals and italic would help the reader to a better comprehension of the subject, but they were used too profusely and really made trouble for the reader.

Experience has proved that readers do not need these crutches, and that ordinary matter can be made readable and intelligible without them.

It is probable that the next generation will put greater restrictions on the use of quotation-marks. They will never go entirely out of use, for they are of real importance in many forms of literary work, but they will be used with more discretion and only in the places where they are really needed.