Cathedral High School - Cathedral Yearbook (Wichita, KS)

Page 17 text:

rnxe Faculty .gu-

Page 16 text:

The Faculty -10-

Page 18 text:

illumination of Books A ck -,kg NE cannot enter a book- ?--- as 'il shop today without real- izing how many thousand L,'4 ff books are in circulation. Y,.,,iif,5 There was an age how- li3 ' ' ever, when books were laboriously written, instead of being thus quickly manufactured by the ai of the type-setting machine. And the il- lustrations, instead of being easily re- produced by photographic processes, were veritable miniature paintings, most decorative, ablaze with colour and fine gold. In these times it is easy to forget that there ever was a period when the making of a single book occupied years and sometimes the lifetime of one or two men. There are many arts and crafts which come under daily observation that make no impression on us and have no message for us, simply be- cause we have never considered the subject of their origin and construc- tion. It is only after one has once studied the subject of historic carving, metal work, embroidery, tapestry, or illumination, that one can ever look upon these things with intelligent in- terest and vastly increased pleasure. The staff of the Cathedral Annual 1927, in casting about for a theme came upon one linked most closely not only with learning but Catholicity itselfg for the transcription of books was one of the chief occupations in religious houses and the recluse monk, in t e quiet of the scriptorium, was in spite of his seclusion, and indeed, by reason of it. the chief link between the world of letters and the world of men. We have enjoyed the research work entailed in bringing only a touch of old-world book-ma ing craft to our Cathedral Annual and, if the subject awakens any little interest in our readers, we shall feel even more richly repaid. Many different arts were represent- ed in the making of a mediaeval book. Of those employed, first came the scribe, whose duty it was to form the black, even, glossy letters with his peng then came t e painter, who must not only be a correct draughtsman, and an adept with his pencil and brush, but must also understand how to pre- pare mordants and to lay on the gold leaf, and to burnish it afterwards. After him, the binder gathered the lustrous pages and put them together under silver-mounted covers, with heavy clasps. The large hall or studio in which the work on the books was accom- plished was called the scriptorium. When the scriptorium was consecrat- ed these words were used: Vouch- safe, 0 Lord, to bless this workroom of thy servants, that all which they write therein may be comprehended by their intelligence, and realized by their work. The work of each scriptorium was devoted first to the library of the individual monastery and after that, to other houses, or to such patrons as were rich enough to order books to be transcribed for their own use. One of the most important monas- teries of early times, on the Conti- nent, was that conducted by Alcuin, under the protection of Charlemagne. When the appointed time came for writing, the monks filed into the scriptorium, taking their places at their desks. One of their number then stood in the midst, and read aloud, slowly, for dictation, the work upon which they were engaged as copyistsg in this way a score of copies could be made at once. Alcuin him- self would pass among them, making suggestions and correcting errors, a beautiful example of true consecra- tion, the great scholar spending his time thus in supervisirrf, the transcrip- tion of the word of Go , from a desire to have it spread far and wide. With the introduction of printing, the art of illuminating was doomed. The personal message from the scribe to the reader was merged in the more comprehensive message of the press to the public. The printing press stands for all that is progressive and desirable, modern thought and life hang upon this discovery. But in this glorious new birth there was sacrified a certain indescribable charm which can never be felt now except by a book lover as he turns the leaves of an ancient illuminated book. To him it is given to understand that pathetic appeal across the centuries.