The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-11-16
EARLY BOOKMAKERS.
THE FINE ART OF THE MONKS OF
 THE MIDDLE AGES


 Were MaryeIs of skin and Industry
 AngIO-saxOa Monks Originated 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 fOrmen 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 diIi- gence in the education of youth.
 In the large monasteries a chamber was always set apart for writing, aI- lowing space in the same apartment for other quiet employment also. The transcribers were superintended by the abbot, prior, subprior and precentor of the convent and were distinguished by the name of "autfquarli" These in luxurious persons were continually oe- .cupied in making new copies of old manuscript books for the use of other mOnastries, and by this means many were educated and our most valuable historical records were preserved.
 The Anglo-Saxon monks were most celebrated as writers and were the Originators of the small Roman letter used in modern times. The greatest delicacy and nicety were deemed es- sential in the transcrfbing of books, whether for the purpose of general in struction or for the use of the convents CarlesS and HIegible writing is therefore but seldom to be met with among the remains of m0nastic 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 putnice stone and they were also provided with a punctCrfum, or awl, to make the dots and with metal pens for writing until after the seventh century, when quills were brought into use, they being far better than the metal pens then in use.
 The inks were composed of lamp black soot mixed with water and gum for use upon the vellum, paper not be- ing introduced until the tenth century; hence the beautiful distinctness, as well as durability, of very ancient manuscript books. So important was the art of writing in those days that it 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 transeribing, 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 a wooden board, with irn- imense bosses of brass, but the ex- terior 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 Foy
 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 disclaimed not to contribute to these cumbrous and sometimes con- fused decorations. The art of correct drawing and a knowledge of perspec- tive cannot, however, be aseribed to the generality of the fantastic pictures by which illuminated books are adorn- ed. Coloring and gliding appear to have been the chief points to which the att tention of the illuminations was direct ed. The natural 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 imbedded in gold and silver. The pie lures represent different subjects. ae- cording to the nature of the book which they were intended to embellish. The title on the pages was formed of capi- tai letters of gold and azure mixed. Illuminated pictures are of 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 transcribing and il- luminating that they were sometimes obliged to introduce hired limners, al- though contrary to the monastic rule in general, but such aids were seldom resorted to, the monks being usually the only laborers.