Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-01-05
EARLY BOOKMAKERS
THE FINE ART OF THE MONKS OF
THE MIDDLE AGES.
Written and Illuminated Works
That Were Marvels of skill and
observation-disclosures Monks Orig
mated the Roman Letter.


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-
tion Of literature, both in the pains they
took TO perpetuate history by their la
bo'5 in transcribing and by their dill
gence In the education Of youth.
In the large monasterles chamber
was always set apart for writing, al
lowing space in the same apartment
for other quiet employments also. The
trunscribers We're superintendent by the
abbot, prior, subprior and precentor OF
the convent and were distinguished by
the name of "antiquarii." These In
duStrious persons were continually oc-
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 writers and were the
Originators Of the small roman letter
used in modern times. The greatest
.delicacy and nicely We're deemed es-
sential In the transcribing of books,
whether for the purpose Of general in
structiOn or for the use Of the converts.
Careless and illegible writing Is
therefore but seldom 10 De met WIN
among the remains or monastic INDUS
try, ana Wheh erasures were inaue
they appear TO nave Deeh done win
the utmost care ana Skill for tnls
purpose the MONKS USED pumlce stohe'
and they We're also PROVIDED Win
punctorluih, OF a"i' 10 ihahe the uots
and with metal pens 1or "ritihs uhtii
after the seventh century, when quliis
were prought INTO use tney peihe iar
better than the metal pens theh IN use.
The INKS were composer OF lump
black SCOT mixed with water ana gum
for use upon the vellum, paper not De-
Ing introduced until the tenth century,
hence the beautlful dlstlncthess' as
well as durablilty, OF very ancient
manIscrlpt DOCKS. 80 important was
the art OF writing IN those uays that
1t Is conceded as many as loo ainerehe
styles were In vogue among tne iearh-
ed.
With so many impediments TO tne
multiplication OF BOOKS as were at
tendant upon their SLOW productioh III
this manner, IL Is not matter OIL sur
prise that the monks enjoyed utmost
| monopoly or this KIND OF lapor' Us III
truth they were the only pouy OIL neh
who could properly cohuuct IL. ihe
expense OF preparing DOCKS WAS pro-
verDlally great ana large esta'es "ere
frequently set apart for tne purpose oi
purchasing 'heni III au'i'ioh " 'he
cost VI u"asciiD'ne' 'ne in '".e y.
"hlch DOCKS were coliposeu WIZ
SOURCES VI hie"' eNPe'''' e 'e.
III MANY Instances "eie eoiApo'Iu y.
purpie >ehuni io' 'ne p"ipo', y.
1ns vi NV. - - 80,
soiu anu 'ii' -,
very soi ieeuus' % ,,,. "sn o.,
s.iue''on. ne 49, p. - shanns,,in M
pooAs "a' en 80, Iii, -,
pae'u 20 80, 49,. .ha
~ " 1850 -, ,.a''S,, co. a,,,,roh
'eiioi y. Us 80 - it, -.
su,,a,. tosaoa on ,ror,, nlato. Some
So haa ,ooaan aorors ond some nod
aa,,, Iao.as hut aron nc oorIy no
.hIs hira,nas IN velvet With silver
oIasns ond st,ds were made os nres.
go Gov axo,tod ner.onaoe.
I,,,,ro,no+,ro ,nonuScr,nts wos a,so
a.Iau tor q, tho monl. or tho
n,,aaIo oaos o,though mot confined tn
.ha,. ron ,ho orootast ro,nters or tho
49, ,,;.do,n.d not 70 contrihute to theso
49,, tro,,s ond .onot,mo. confused dec.
..,o rrh. ms, ~ oorroct drawing
ona Lmou,,adro ~ norsnactIve cannot
Saausn W. osn,.,hod n Tho oenero litv
~ A.. .,,ta.t,, ,,iot,ros hy which lin.
49,. VI I -. ~ adornca CoIorin,
u , -. n.u ~ hnro hoo-, tho
-, a,,,t, 81 ,,h,oh t,o oitortio, of