Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1906-03-02
WHATS THE NATTER WITH
THE PtOOF-REABEXf''

tBy Scapegrace, I'm Christian Advocate.)
Thus queries correspondent in one
OF our religious weeklies of February
lst. The question is the outcome of a
certain proof-reader's failure to correct
an authors grammar. AS a proof
reader, my answer to the above ques-
ton is, Nothing! The way of the
proof-reader is like that of the trans
gressor Tor, if you please, other trans
gressors) -hardl He considers himself
scape-goat, but authors consider him
scape-grace. The fact is, he is like
Charity, in that he covers multitude
OF other peoples sin; but the pity of it
is he cannot hide his own. Were he to
pass many manuscripts as written
there would soon be no manuscripts to
pass. Many writer would want to
meet him with cudgel. Our critic
adds too much to the function of
proof-reader. The duty of correcting
writer's grammar Gf it need correct
ing) devolves on the editor. The
proof-reader's dealings are with the
printer. But correspondents presume
too much on the time and patience of
both editor and proof-reader. 1t
would astonish many people to see the
amount of copy that must be prepared
to make up paper the size of the
Advocate. And when it is remembered
that on weekly paper this work is
nearly all done by one individual, and
that in addition to his big tent there
are many side-shows to claim his atten-
| ton, the revelation would be still more
startling. But l will let the editor tell
his own troubles-here are some of
mine:
Few writers take the pains properly
to prepare their manuscripts. They
dash them off, taking it for granted
that the printer and proof-reader are
experts and will be able to decipher
them and make good any deficit. A
perfect piece of copy from transient
writer is rarity. A case in point oc-
Cured to-day where the name of an in
dividual was spelt three different ways.
Such carelessness encourages profanity
among printers. Another specimen
had all the o's and as exactly alike.
Properly to punctuate a piece of copy
sometimes requires reading a whole
paragraph in advance, which no printer
can do and make time.''
In self-defence, let me say in ''open
meeting that ''the trials of an author,
are not to be compared with those of
proof-reader or printer. Frequently
word is submitted to every man in the
shop, but each in turn shakes his head
and gives it up.
II there is a book of remembrance
kept against printers there would be
fewer charges Of profanity therein If
writers would accept the following sug-
gestions:
Do not dash off" your COPY.
Write it.
Be particularly careful about un-
familiar names of persons and places.
Write them as if you knew the printer
had never heard of them before. In
itials are particularly perplexing.
Make the letters and distinct.
Many people write them all alike.
II an / is not dotted we may take it
for e; If is not crossed, we may take
1t for |; and who knows whether the
word Is intended for cutter or cutler?
IL you are not sure about the spelling |
OF a name, look it up.
Read your manuscript through from
end to end, and add touch to uncom- |
mon words, if by so doing you can
make them palmer.
Lastly, remember that printing in
these days is a rush business. But
1t is delightful pastime to those who
enjoy. it-and some dol A good work |
man detests errors, and does all he can
TO avoid them, knowing that every line |
he handles will be watched by some |
critical eye and be condemned if not
correct.
Finally, allow me to thank God for
the typewriter, and to pray that every
writer may soon be provided with one |
OF those soul-saving appliances.