Matheson Collection > Lebor na huidre

xvi INTRODUCTION
H or the interpolator. As it is the hand that transcribed
the Homilies (p. 31-37) it is denoted by H (pi. lb 34-end ; lib
32-end.) This hand exhibits much greater variety than either
of the preceding, is liable to deteriorate, and ranges from
a neat and careful script to an untidy scrawl. In general it is a
plain sloping hand, somewhat stiff and irregular, the strokes
usually terminating squarely as if made by a broad pen. It has
none of the delicacy and lightness of M. Its distinguishing
characteristic is again the tall e, which unlike that of M is never
looped but always open, and clear of the fullow'ng letter.
Precisely the same treatment is observed in s when rising above
the line, e.g., in ss, sf, sr, sp, etc. The small round head of/" is
characteristic, and the g is rather square. In the Homilies,
where a large amount of matter is compressed into a page, the
writing is small and cramped : the stumpy appearance of si
and the short tails of r and s will not fail to strike the eye.
Elsewhere the writing is larger, in one place upright and
carefully formed (p. 21, cp. Eriu VI, pi. VIb), inclining to the
round, in another angular and approximating to M (p. 26; ib.
pi. Via), but always, with the tall e open. Again, rough and
untidy [p. 42; ib. pi. Vila), rapid and spread out (p. 105; ib.
pi. Vile), as if the object were to make a certain amount of
matter extend to the end of the column. Occasionally the
style is more free, seeming almost to borrow some of the
features of M (p. 1 10 ; ib. pi. Vllf). Note also ci, the i subscript
and drawn round, a favourite form with H, also used by A, but
only sparingly by M (p. 34; ib. Ilia 20). The capitals and
large ornamental letters are with one or two exceptions more
rudely drawn than those of A or M.
Interpolator. — The intervention of H is throughout rude and
violent. Not only single words and lines, but whole columns
and pages have been erased by him, and leaves intercalated, to
make way for the particular recensions which he favoured. He
set to work with great determination and, it must be said, with
no small interest in the texts. The membrane of many leaves
has been rubbed down into holes, and is exceedingly fragile in
places. Even the three shorter leaves intercalated appear to
have been cut down, scraped, and prepared for his purpose. 1
1 For instance, on p. 123 traces of the former text, elo. are clearly visible on the
outer rim.