THE YOUNG SCIENTIST. 
37 
it, there is really nothing wonderful about 
it when we reflect upon it. It is a simple 
example of equal distribution of weight. 
A man weighs on an average about 150 
pounds, and each finger, therefore, lifts 
about 21 2 pounds. And as the total effect 
First, there should be harmony of com- 
position—that is, the letters should so 
emphasize, subdue, or control each other 
that the composition should impress us 
as compact, appropriate, and, being so, 
beautiful. 
Second, there should be no unnecessary 
ILLUSTKATION OF UNCONSCIOUS EFFORT. 
is SO surprising, the individual performers 
are unable to estimate the amount of 
force used, and consequently exert much 
of it unconsciously. Each one thinks that 
he applies only two or three pounds. 
To Design a Monogram. 
SCAECELY anything seems so easy as 
to design a monogram, yet we see very 
tew successful ones, the most of them be- 
ing a mass of mixed-up letters and orna- 
ment, of which we can find neither the 
beginning nor the end. There is a law 
regulating the designing of everything, 
and it is this law which the true designer 
keeps in mind and applies to his work • 
the effects of obedience to this law and its 
violation are seen as clearly in the design 
for a monogram as ia the design for a 
cathedral. 
ornamentation ; there should be a quiet 
and peace about the design which will 
always please the truly artistic. Look- 
ing at some designs, we get the impres- 
sion that ornament was so plentiful that 
the designer saw no other means of con- 
sumption than that of burying his de- 
signs in it, for we see that there is a mass 
of curves, angles, shades and leaves, but 
nothing else. 
Third, simplicity of lettering is an im- 
portant requisite, as there should be no 
possibility of mistaking an E for a G or 
C, and the boundaries or outlines of the 
letters should be well defined. 
Fourth, the order of sequence of the 
letters should be carefully attended to. 
The common idea is, that a certain 
number of letters are given with which to 
make a pleasing design, and so far, that 
impression is right; but there is some- 
thing beyond this. There is the art of so 
