IN ARABIC OR ROMAN
Do not mix old-style and new-face figures in the same book without special directions.
Nineteenth century, not 19th century.
Figures to be used when the matter consists of a sequence of stated quantities, particulars of age, &c.
Example: ‘Figures for September show the supply to have been 85,690 tons, a decrease on the month of 57 tons. For the past twelve months there is a net increase of 5 tons.’
‘The smallest tenor suitable for ten bells is D flat, of 5 feet diameter and 42 cwt.’
In descriptive matter, numbers under 100 to be in words; but print ‘90 to 100’, not ‘ninety to 100’.
Spell out in such instances as—
‘With God a thousand years are but as one day’; ‘I have said so a hundred times’.
Insert commas with four or more than four figures, as 7,642; but print dates without commas, as 1908; nor should there be commas in figures denoting pagination or numbering of verse, even though there may be more than three figures. Omit commas also in Library numbers, as—British Museum MS. 24456.
Roman numerals to be preferred in such cases as Henry VIII, &c.—which should never be divided; and should only be followed by a full point when the letters end a sentence. If, however, the author prefers the full title, use ‘Henry the Eighth’, not ‘Henry the VIIIth’.
Use a decimal point · to express decimals, as 7·06; and print 0·76,not·76. When the time of day is intended to be shown, the full point . is to be used, as 4.30 a.m.
As to dates, in descriptive writing the author’s phraseology should be followed; e.g. ‘On the 21st of May the army drew near.’ But in ordinary matter in which the date of the month and year is given, such as the headings to letters, print May 19, 1862; not May 19th, 1862,[73]nor 19 May, 1862.
To represent pagination or an approximate date, use the least number of figures possible; for example, print:
pp. 322-30; pp. 322-4,notpp. 322-24. But print: pp. 16-18,notpp. 16-8; 116-18,not116-8.
In dates: 1897-8,not1897-98 (use en rules); and from 1672 to 1674,notfrom 1672-74.
Print: 250B.C.; but when it is necessary to insertA.D.the letters should precede the year, asA.D.250. InB.C.references, however, always put the full date, in a group of years, e.g. 185-122B.C.
When preliminary pages are referred to by lower-case roman numerals, no full points should be used after the numerals. Print:
p. ii, pp. iii-x;notp. ii., pp. iii.-x.
When references are made to two successive text-pages print pp. 6, 7, if the subject is disconnected in the two pages. But if thesubject is continuous from one page to the other, then print pp. 6-7. The compositor in this must be guided by his copy. Print p. 51 sq. if the reference is to p. 51 and following page; but pp. 51 sqq. when the reference is to more than a single page following.[74]
In a sequence of figures use an en rule, as in the above examples; but in such cases as Chapters III—VIII use an em rule.
Begin numbered paragraphs: 1. 2. &c.; and clauses in paragraphs: (1) (2) (3), &c. If Greek or roman lower-case letters are written, the compositor must follow copy. Roman numerals (I. II. III.) are usually reserved for chapters or important sections.
References in the text to footnotes should be made by superior figures—which are to be placed, as regards punctuation marks, according to the sense. If a single word, say, is extracted and referred to, the reference must be placed immediately after the word extracted and before the punctuation mark. But if an extract be made which includes a complete sentence or paragraph, then the reference mark must be placed outside the last punctuation mark. Asterisks, superior letters, &c., may be used in special cases. Asterisks and the other signs (* † ‡ &c.) should be used in mathematical works, to avoid confusion with the workings.
In Mathematics, the inferior inP1′ should come immediately after the capital letter.