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.
OLD SIGNS OF REFERENCE DISUSED
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
a book of 1400 pages, printed at Venice in 1498 by Andrew Toresani, the successor of Nicolas Jenson, and the father-in-law of Aldus Manutius, who became, in turn, his successor. Every page of text (some of a few lines only) is surrounded on each side by notes. More time must have been spent in overrunning type to adapt notes to text and text to notes than was given to the first composition. It is another exhibit pf the frequent abbreviations and narrow measures that had to be adopted by early corn positors to keep together the notes and the text.
