The method of using this holder is as follows: Unscrew the knob c until the letter to be used will drop into the square, and then screw in D until it forms a pivot for B to work upon. It will not be necessary for D to be moved, except when a different size of letter is to be used; simply tightening C will cause it to grip the letter, and a slight turn back will allow the latter to fall out. The typeholder and the guide will ensure perfectly straight lines and equal spaces.

The gold leaf can be bought at 1s. 1 ½ d. or 1s. 3d. per book. Dutch metal is the best imitation, but no matter how good the imitation, time will destroy, more or less slowly but very surely, the lustre of the metal, and finally turn it black. When it is considered how small a quantity is used at a time, it is clear that the purchase of inferior leaf is inadvisable.

In arranging the title the object aimed at is to enable the book to be found at a glance. If the title occupies two lines, the first line may be in larger type than the second; if three lines, the first should be largest and boldest, the second smallest, and the third of a size midway between the first and second; but a great number of modern books have their two and three line titles all in one size type. Suppose that the title shown in Fig. 109 is to be printed. If it is set out as shown, and the year put about two thirds down, the result will be as effective as It much more elaborate arrangement.

Take the volume and screw it in the press, with the back of the book level with the top of the press. Place the ruler (Fig. 106) across the book, and, by means of two pins, fix it in position to the upper edges of the press. The best size scale for the word WORK will be that marked No.4. A good bold type will be best for this. Lay it on the stove, in the oven, or in front of the fire to get hot (being careful, if the type is of ordinary type metal, that it does not reach melting point). With a small sponge, damp the space to which the letters are to be applied, and lay on a piece of gold leaf large enough to cover the letters. Take up the letter W, fix it in the holder, and see that it is of about the same heat as a sad iron when in use. Now place the T square across the first mark to he used on scale 4, put the heated letter into the corner formed by the ruler and square, marked x on Fig. 106, and press it firmly on to the gold leaf, keeping it on for a few moments. Put the W aside and fix the O in the holder, move the square to the next mark on the scale, and repeat the operation as before, and so on, till all the lettering is done. Now move the ruler a little lower down and print in “Vol. 24." Scale No. 3 will do for this, using smaller type.

The ruler should now be moved lower down the book, to the position before indicated, and the year, "1902," printed. The superfluous gold leaf is wiped off with a greased sponge, when the letters should stand revealed, clear and perfect. It will be noticed that, although lines have been represented above and below the title, no mention has been made of them. This is a simple matter. Where the type is procured, lines, technically termed "rules," of various kinds can be got, or they can easily be made from scraps of sheet brass, and then they can be used in the same manner as the type. Or together with the various ornaments, etc., so often seen on books, they can be added by means of the tools already illustrated in this chapter.

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