PROOF-READING. The reading of printers' proofs, for correction of errors in the type, or, by authors or editors, for final approval or altera tion. Proof-readers are sometimes called cor rectors of the press, and their work correction of the press, especially in Great Britain. Of course, the assembling of types. one by one. from their boxes in the printer's case, or the striking of a corresponding number of keys in machine composition, is not done by the average worker without accidents, making errors that need cor rection; and the work, besides the mere technical minutia, comprehends reproduction from hand writing that presents many points of perplexity. In fact, typographic composition is liable to error in more ways than any person not a printer could possibly imagine. Thus it may be seen that correction through proof-reading is a most important feature of the production of printed matter. In fact, sometimes the work clone on proofs is one of the largest items of expense.
Special marks are universally used by printers in correcting proofs, and authors and editors will find advantage in knowing and using these marks, mainly because of their inherent sim plicity. Absolute simplicity in indicating changes, however, is the only essential desidera tum. If a desired change is shown ou the margin of a proof so plainly that it cannot be misunderstood, its conformity or non-conformity to technicality is of no consequence. One method of marking a proof will almost surely fail, and that method is one that suggests itself instinc tively to the novice. It is that of making changes within the bounds of the text, such as a line through an extra letter or word that should he taken out, or writing a comma or other point after a word, with no mark in the margin. Proofs have been so corrected, and great disap i)ointment felt because the final result showed neglect of the corrections. in the words of a puzzled editor who was shown how to change a sentence: "Why. it's nothing but common sense!" Some of the words in the sentence were to remain, but they were to have a different position (they were to be `transposed'), and it was thought that through some special tech nicality they must he preserved : hut the advice was that the whole sentence he crossed out and the whole new one he written in, directly in line with the erasure. Markings for correction may
be enumerated as follows: (1) In ordering the removal of anything not desired, a novice might write a full direction. as "This is to be taken out:" but the proof-reader makes in the margin, opposite a crossed letter, word, or words, the sign St. which is merely a specialized form of the initial letter of the word dc/c. meaning 'take out.' One way secures the result as well as the other. but the second v shows its economy, which exemplifies that of all marks peculiar to proof-reading. Frequently a number of corrections must be made in the same line, and in this case the only really arbitrary mark is used, being a vertical stroke. placed after each marginal item, merely for separation. Some readers make such a stroke after each correction in the left-hand margin, but before those in the right-hand. It is better always to have it follow, as that practice becomes so instinctive as to free the mind from unneces sary formality, and so assists toward concentra tion of attention, which is the key to success.
(2) A wrong letter is corrected by making a stroke through it and writing the proper letter in the margin. Exact system in the arrangement of marginal items is very desirable. Thus, a line may contain a number of errors, and it is much easier for the compositor to trace the corrections if made in regular order, exactly in line with the corresponding, faults. It is well worth while to cultivate the habit of using the margin on the left for corrections in the first half of the line, and that on the right for others: also to write the first one well out toward the left edge. and the first on the other side near the print. Some proof-readers make the first mark on the right distant from the print. and those for later posi tions nearer, thus undoubtedly causing loss of time to the correctors of the type, who have to trace out the correspondences.