Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1905-12-04
EARLY BOOKMAKERS
THE FINE ART OF THE MONKS OF
81. THE MIDDLE AGES. a"

Written and illuminated Works
That Were MarveIs Of Skill and
Observation-Disclosures Monks Orig
mated the Roman Letter.
There is scarcely any error SO popu-
lar, yet SO unfounded, as that which
invariably attributes unbounded indo-
lence to the monastic orders Of former
days. To them we owe the preserva-
ton Of literature, both in the pains they
took to perpetuate history by their la
bors in transcribing and by their dill
gence in the education of youth. -
In the large monasteries chamber
was always set apart for writing, al
lowing space in the same apartment
for other quiet employments also. The
transcribers were superintendent by the
abbot, prior, subprior and precentor Of
the convent and were distinguished by
the name Of "antiquaNi." These in
dustrious persons were continually &C.
cupied in making new copies Of old
manuscript books for the use of other
monasteries, and by this means many
were educated and our most valuable
historical records were preserved
The Anglo-Saxon monks were most
celebrated as writer's and were the
originators of the small roman letter
delicacy and nicely were deemed es-
sential in the transcribing of books,
whether for the purpose Of general in
struction or for tie use of the converts.
Careless and illegible writing Is
therefore but seldom to be met with
among the remains Of monastic indus
try, and when erasures were made
they appear to have been done with
the utmost care and skill. For this
purpose the monks used pumice stone,
and they were also provided with
punctorium, or awl, to make the dots
and with metal pens for writing until
after the seventh century, when quilts
were brought into use they being far
better than the metal pens then in use.
The inks were composed Of lamp>
black SCOT mixed with water and gum
for use upon the vellum, paper not be-
ing introduced until the tenth century;
hence the beautiful distinctness, as
we'll as durability, Of very ancient
manuscript books. So important was
the art of writing in those days that
1t Is conceded as many as 100 different
styles were in vogue among the learn
ed.
With so many impediments to the
multiplication of books as were at
tendant upon their slow production in
this manner, it is not matter Of sur
prise that the monks enjoyed almost a
monopoly of this kind Of labor, as in
truth they were the only body of men
who could properly conduct it. The
expense of preparing books was pro-
verbally great, and large estates were
frequently set apart for the purpose Of
purchasing them. In addition to the
cost Of transcribing, the materials of
which books were composed were
sources of great expense. The leaves
In many instances were composed of
purple vellum for the purpose of show
Ing off to more advantage letters of
gold and silver. The binding was often
very gorgeous, although Of rude con-
struction. The prevailing covering for
books was rough white sheepskin
pasted on wooden board, with i'm
mense bosses of brass, but the ex-
terror Of those intended for church
service was inlaid with gold relics or
silver embossed on ivory plates. Some
books had leaden covers and some had
wooden leaves, but even as early as
this bindings in velvet with silver
clasps and studs were made as pres
ents for exalted personages. "
Illuminating manuscripts was also
another occupation Of the monks Of the
middle ages, although not confined to
them, for the greatest painters Of the
day disdained not to contribute to these
cumbrous and sometimes confused dec
oratons. The art of correct drawing
and knowledge Of perspective cannot,
however, be ascribed to the generality
OF the fantastic pictures by which illu-
minated books are adorned. Coloring
and gliding appear to have been the
chief points to which the attention Of
the Nominations was directed. The
neutral tint was first laid on somewhat
IN the same mode as in the present day,
some portions being left untouched in
order to be afterward Embedded in gold
and silver. The pictures represented
different subjects, according to the ma,
ture Of the book which they were In
tended to embellish. The title on the
pages was formed Of capital letters Of
gold and azure mixed. Illuminated pic.
lures are Of a dazzling brightness, the
white predominating, which, not being
an oil color, reflects the rays of light
and does not absorb them. So much
custom had the monks in their labors
OF TRANSFERRING and Illuminating that
hey were sometimes obliged to intro
duce hired lmners, although contrary
20 the monastic rule in general, but
such aids were seldom resorted to, the
monks being usually the only laborers.
The invention Of printing diminished
me importance and annihilated tina
profits of writing, and in 146O that OF
engraving superseded the art OF illu-
minating.-New York Herald.
Z r. ~ 1 'aE 5a- L.