Page:The practice of typography; correct composition; a treatise on spelling, abbreviations, the compounding and division of words, the proper use of figures and nummerals by De Vinne, Theodore Low, 1828-1914.djvu/133

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Capitals for geographical names
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tematically makes use of the lower-case letter for any one of them, his usage must be followed. The compositor who changes the de of copy to De in type, fancying that De is always proper, is in fault.

Nicknames or disparaging epithets when applied to races or castes are rarely capitalized, as Creole, negro, coolie, quadroon, gipsy.

The word devil is sometimes written with a capi- tal when it is obviously intended for the Devil of the Bible and of John Milton. When used in dia- logue matter, or as an expletive in swearing, the capital is never allowed. Other names of the devil, as Satan or Beelzebub, always take the capital.

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES AND QUALIFIERS

Names of all geographical zones or sections of the world, when used as proper nouns, take a capital, as the Arctic, the Tropics, the Levant, the Orient. Geographical, national, or personal qualifiers, when used as nouns or before nouns in common use that specify merchandise, do not need a capital.

  • arctic ivory
  • arras
  • castile soap
  • china
  • Chinese blue
  • delft
  • gobelin
  • india ink
  • india rubber
  • levant (leather)
  • levantine silks
  • majolica
  • morocco
  • oriental rugs
  • prussian blue
  • russia (leather)
  • surah silk
  • tropical plants
  • turkey red
  • wedgwood (pottery)