Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1906-04-19

There is scarcely any error so popu-
lar, yet so unfounded, as that which
Invariably attributes unbounded indo-
ence 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, all
lowing space in the same apartment
for other quiet employments also. The
transcribers We're superintended 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 writer's and We're the
! originators of the small roman letter
used in modern times. The greatest,
delicacy and nicely were 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 to be met with
among the remains of monastic indus
| try, and when erasures We're made
they appear to have been done with
the utmost care and skill. For this
purpose the monks used pumice stone,
and they We're also provided with. a
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 yellum. paper not be-
ing introduced until the tenth century;
hence the beautiful dstinctness. 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 We're 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 q 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
oq
verbally great, and large estates We're
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
ling 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 a rough white sheepskiI
pasted on a wooden board with i'm
mense bosses of brass, but the ex.
terror of those intended for church
service was inlaid with gold relics OF
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 thu
middle ages, although not confined tt
them, for the greatest painters Of tht
day disdained not to contribute to thes,
cumbrous and sometimes confused dec
> orations. The art of correct drawin.
and knowledge Of perspective cannot
however, be ascribed to the generalit.
Of the fantastic pictures by which illu
inflated books are adorned. Colorin,
and gliding appear to have been th
chief points to which the attention o
the illuminations was directed. Th
neutral tint was first laid on somewha
in the same mode as in the present day
some portions being left untouched IL
order to be afterward imbedded In golt
and silver. The pictures representa-
different subjects, according to the ma
ture Of the book which they were in
tended to embellish The title on tn
, pages was formed Of capital letters o
gold and azure mixed. Illuminated pic
!. lures are of a dazzling brightness, tn
white predominating, which, not bein
an oil color. reflects the rays of ligh
: and does not absorb them. So muc
custom had the monks in their labor
Of transcribing and Illuminating tina
they were sometimes obliged to intro
luce hired limners, although contrar
to the monastic rule In general, bu
such aids We're seldom resorted to, tn
monks being usually the only laborer.
The Invention of printing diminishe
the Importance and annihilated th
profits Of writing, and in 1460 that {
engraving superseded the art Of I'll,
minating.-New York Herald
vi Wanted Bright, honest, young ma
e from Pierre to prepare for paying POI
tion in Government Mail Service. Bo
one Cedar RaDids ToWa l.la