280 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE.—IQT3. 
recent type-faces the designers have accordingly 
shortened the letters below the line, and lengthened 
those above—thus the p is shortened and the A 
lengthened, at the same time the upper parts of 
the # have been raised. It is too early to pass 
judgment on the results, and more experiment is 
desirable. 
With reference to the question of ‘modern- 
face’ versus ‘old-face’ design for type, the 
Committee is not prepared to advise the use of 
either to the exclusion of the other, good and bad 
varieties of both styles being at present in use. 
Great contrast between the thick and thin strokes 
is a serious defect which often appears in ‘modern 
face.’ It is claimed for the ‘modern face’ that the 
letters are more legible, and it may be conceded that 
failure to provide the minimum height of the short 
letters is more frequent in ‘old face.’ Hence the 
letters of the ‘modern face’ are sometimes more 
legible in the case of sizes below twelve-point. 
The advocates of the ‘old face’ contend that the 
‘modern face’ letters remain isolated, whereas the 
letters of the ‘old face’ flow more naturally into 
words ; thus the form of the word and its meaning 
are apprehended smoothly. It is also claimed 
that the basic design of the ‘old face’ is of higher 
esthetic merit. The Committee insists on the 
importance of the minimum height and breadth 
for the small letters (vide columns 2 and 3 of the 
table), and if this be secured leaves the decision 
between the ‘modern face’ and ‘old face’ to 
individual judgment helped by the criteria provided 
in various paragraphs of this report. 
Italics, being less easy to read than ordinary 
type of the same size, should be used sparingly. 
8. The size of type-faces and their vertical and 
horizontal separation.—The size of the type-face is 
