162 



ON COLOUR. 



Part I. 



The order in which coloured papers with black ink are most 

 suited for use, on the score of distinctness, appear to be — 



1. "White paper with a cream- 



coloured hue. 



2. White paper with a bluish 



tinge. 



3. Light ochrous yellowish tinge. 



4. Light ocbrous with warm or 



redder tinge. 



5. Light ochrous with yellower 



tinge. 

 G. Light greenish tinge. 

 7. Light pink tinge. 



8. Light stone-colour. 



9. Light purplish grey. 



10. Light bluish grey. 



11. Bright yellow. 



12. Bright pea-green. 



13. Bright yellow-orange. 



14. Bright blue. 



15. Vermilion. 



16. Purple. 



17. Carmine-pink. 



White paper with black ink offers, of course, the greatest 

 contrast, and the black is consequently seen more distinctly 

 than on any other coloured paper ; but it is more fatiguing to 

 the sight than some others, especially in a strong light ; and 

 a light tone of ochrous yellow is far more comfortable to the 

 eye for long-continued use. 



Again, it is not always the hue that accords best with black 

 in the harmonious combination of colours, which is the one 

 to be chosen for the purposes of distinctness and comfort to 

 the eye. Black on blue, for instance, and black on orange, 

 which are very agreeable combinations of colour, are not 

 sufficiently distinct ; and the contrast of black with many 

 other hues is far more eligible for the type of a printed book, 

 at the same time that it is more agreeable to the eye. 



It is not enough to know on what coloured paper black ink 

 is most distinct ; the selection of that one which fatigues the 

 eye least is a most important question, especially by candle- 

 light. It will then be found that with black ink papers such 

 as Nos. 3 and 4 are better for long use than No. 1, where 

 the contrast is so much greater and harsher; and even the 

 green of No. 12 would be more comfortable to the sight than 

 Nos. 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17; but the subdued greenish 



