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Robert Kilburn Root Papers

Notifications

Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Call Number:
C0674
Repository:
Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division
Extent:
  • 16 boxes
  • 7.9 linear feet
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Robert Kilburn Root Papers, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
Date:
1914-1950 (inclusive)
Creator:
Root, Robert K. (Robert Kilburn), 1877-1950
Form:
American diaries -- 20th century.
Abstract:
Consists of scholar Robert K. Root's manuscript and notes for his annotated edition of Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde (1926), as well as six diaries he kept between the years 1914 and 1920.

Root, Robert K. (Robert Kilburn), 1877-1950

Robert K. Root was a Chaucer scholar and fourth dean of the faculty at Princeton University.

The collection consists of Root's manuscript and notes for his annotated edition of Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde (1926), as well as six diaries he kept between the years 1914 and 1920. Also includes numerous correspondence between Root and members of Princeton faculty and faculty at other Universities.

This collection was a gift from Mrs. Evelyn Ringler in 1990 (AM 1990-104) with additional gifts from Mrs. Ringler in 1991 (AM 1992-31) and 1993 (AM 1993-127).

This collection was processed by Nicholas Williams '2015 in 2012.

No appraisal information is available.

People

Publisher
Manuscripts Division
Finding Aid Date
2009
Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.

Collection Inventory

"Textual Criticism": Typed Manuscript with Autograph Notes, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Syllabi for Courses Taught by Dean Root, 1938-1945. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Chaucer and the Comic Spirit" Autograph Essay and "The Noble Philosophical Poete in English" Typed Manuscript, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Pope and the Art of Moralized Song" Lecture on the Shelby Memorial Foundation, Bryn Mawr College, 6 March 1931. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Material Regarding Recommendations and the Phi Beta Kappa Society, 1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Autograph Notes on 18th-Century English Literature Authors, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Autograph Notes Concerning Chaucer and Boccaccio, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Some notes are written in Latin.

Physical Description

1 folder

Autograph Manuscript of "English Letter in the Renaissance", 20 November 1913. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Typed and Autograph Manuscript of "What Are We Teaching?", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence Between Root and Colonel Grier, 1943 October 30-November 3. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Regarding Application for Federal Employment, including Root's original application, filled out.

Physical Description

1 folder

Notes Concerning Jefferson Papers and Printed Card on Canterbury Tales, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Card is in Latin and contains typed print on one side and autograph notes on the reverse.

Physical Description

1 folder

Gallery Proofs for The Seventeeth Century, Including Piece Entitled "The Metaphysical Poets", 1 December 1949. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Dean Swift and His Friends" Lecture by Root in Lamont Foundation, Yale University, 1930 March 21-24. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes correspondence from Yale University Department of English and Yale Daily News review of lecture.

Physical Description

1 folder

Typed Manuscript of "What's in a Name?", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Autograph Manuscript of "The Graduate Study of English", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Autograph Manuscript of "On Translating Old English Poetry", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence with P. F. Collier & Son Corporation Regarding Publishing Root's Essays in Encyclopedia, 1946 December 13-1947 April 24. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Also includes autograph manuscript essays on 18-century English.

Physical Description

1 folder

"Good Reading: Review of Books Recommended by the Princeton Faculty", September 1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Autograph Manuscript of "Who Killed the 'Dead Languages'", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Essay on the Relationship Between War and Literature, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

First half is typed and remainder is autograph.

Physical Description

1 folder

"Horizons and Landmarks" Address Given for the Columbus School for Girls Commencement, 9 June 1939. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Autograph Manuscript of "Great Things and Small" in Notebook Jacket Labeled "Spartan", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Two Articles by William Ringler Sent to Root, 1941-1942. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

"Poeta Nascitur Non Fit: Some Notes on the History of an Aphorism" and "The First Phase of the Elizabethan Attack on the Stage, 1558-1579"

Physical Description

1 folder

"The Atlantic Monthly" Including "The Virtue of Intolerance" by Root, March 1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"The Forum" Including "Sport Versus Athletics" by Root, November 1924. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Bulletin of the American Association of University Professors", October 1926. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Englische Studien" Featuring Articles by Root, 1909-1911. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Scribner's Magazine" Including "Our Youth as We Would Have Them" by Root, January 1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Andreas: The Legend of St. Andrew Translated from the Old English by Root, 7 April 1899. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Modern Language Notes" Including "Shakespeare Misreads Chaucer" by Root, June 1923. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Pamphlets Concerning Philology, 1901-1927. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Essays by Root on Chaucer, 1909-1924. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes "A Planetary Date for Chaucer's Troilus," "The Date of Chaucer's Medea," and "Chaucer's Legend of Medea."

Physical Description

1 folder

"The American Church Monthly" Including "English Poetry and the Catholic Faith" by Root, May 1923. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Reviews" from Speculum, January 1928. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Plan of Study Leading to the Degree of Bachelor of Arts," Princeton University, August 1945. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

"A Report to the University Faculty by the Committee on the Course of Study"

Physical Description

1 folder

Troilus Photostat, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence Between Root and H. Russell Regarding Planets, 1923 February 21-April 13. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Report of the Special Committee of Five," Princeton University, 1921 November 15-1922 January 26. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Material Regarding Professor Root's Retirement as Chairman of the English Department, 1933 October 9-1934 May 21. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Inter-Office Correspondence Regarding Preceptorial System at Princeton University, 1928 January 17-March 14. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Inter-Office Correspondence Regarding Princeton During WWII, 1945 August 16--1950 June 30. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Notes Regarding Research by Various Departments at Princeton During WWII, circa 1945-1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Notes Regarding Statistics of Princeton Students and Faculty Serving During WWII, 1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Autograph Notes Regarding Princeton During WWII, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Pamphlets: "Dedication of WWII Panels in the Memorial Room of Nassau Hall", 1945 August-1949 June 12. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Also includes "Plan of Study Leading to the Degree of Bachelor of Arts."

Physical Description

1 folder

Autograph Drafts of Chapters Regarding Princeton During WWII, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Chapters Regarding Princeton University Before and After Pearl Harbor, Typed Manuscripts, circa 1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Chapters Regarding Pre-Medical Students, Athletics, and The Belle Mead Project During Wartime, Typed Manuscripts, circa 1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Chapters Regarding Princeton Students in Armed Services During WWII, Typed Manuscripts, circa 1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Chapter Regarding Princeton Faculty During WWII, Typed Manuscripts, circa 1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Chapters Regarding ROTC, NROTC, and Selective Service Programs at Princeton During WWII, circa 1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Chapters Regarding Weekend and Shortened Courses at Princeton During WWII, circa 1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Chapters Regarding Commencements and Memorial Services, Typed Manuscripts, circa 1950. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

One chapter describes a memorial service for President Wilson and another describes a memorial service for Princeton students and alumni who died during WWII.

Physical Description

1 folder

Baptism Certificate for Root, 4 July 1885. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Robert Root's First Bills for Kindergarten, Dentist, and General Goods, 1882-1886. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Robert Root's Early School Reports, 1886-1891. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Robert Root's Early Letters to His Mother, 1894-1896. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Robert Root's Early Letters to His Father, 1883-1887. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"The Handy House Herald" and "The Dialy Root" Written by Robert Root, 1887-1890. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Root most likely meant "Daily" but instead wrote "Dialy" since he was only ten years-old at this time.

Physical Description

1 folder

Photographs of Robert Root in Captain's Uniform, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Also includes a photograph of an unidentified nude man hunched over.

Physical Description

1 folder

Official Documents of Robert Root, 1918 February 4-1932 June 3. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes passport, documents appointing Root to Major in U.S. Army, War Department Certificate of Identity, and Officer's Record Book.

Physical Description

1 folder

War Department Correspondence and Memoranda, 1918 January 31-1929 April 30. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter to Robert Root from Gerry, 11 February 1919. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Receipts for Insurance and Shipping, 1918-1922. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

War Department Orders for Robert Root, 1918-1924. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Vaccination Register and Memoranda Regarding Report of Physical Examination, 1918-1929. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Publisher's, 1905-1937. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Gerry Gerould, 5 January 1919. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: United States Senate, 25 February 1913. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Invitation to the Inauguration Ceremony for President Woodrow Wilson.

Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: New Jersey Senate and General Assembly, 17 January 1911. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Invitation for Inauguration Ceremony of Governor Woodrow Wilson.

Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: President Woodrow Wilson, 15 May 1917. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes letter from Woodrow Wilson to Root as well as invitation to Eleanor Randolph's (Wilson's daughter) wedding.

Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Princeton University, 1905-1945. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes correspondence from the Board of Trustees, Princeton Tower Club, the Whig-Clio Society, and faculty members.

Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Yale University, 1900-1945. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: General Letters to Root, 1900-1943. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Written Examination of Richmond Brown in Root's English Course, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Autograph Notes and Poems, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Printed Reviews of Root's Work, 1906-1953. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Presentation Ceremony of Portrait-Bust of Woodrow Wilson in Nassau Hall, 1945. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Harvard University, 1926. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Letter's to Root from His Father, 1882-1892. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Forbes Magazine: Correspondence Regarding Citations for "50 Foremost Business Leaders", 1947 March 31-October 14. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Forbes Magazine: Rough Draft Citations for "50 Foremost Business Leaders" by Root, 1947. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Forbes Magazine: Final Citations for "50 Foremost Business Leaders" by Root, 1947. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Forbes Magazine: Issue Containing "50 Foremost Business Leaders" by Root, 15 November 1947. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Forbes Magazine: Invoices for Payments Made to Root, 1947. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Forbes Magazine: Invitation to Banquet Held in Honor of 30th Anniversary of Magazine, 5 November 1947. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Letters from Chauncey Brewster Tinker, 1910-1916. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Letters from Chauncey Brewster Tinker, 1917-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Letters from Chauncey Brewster Tinker, 1921-1923. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Letters from Chauncey Brewster Tinker, 1924-1928. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Letters from Chauncey Brewster Tinker, 1929-1933. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Letters from Chauncey Brewster Tinker, 1934-1937. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Letters from Chauncey Brewster Tinker, 1938-1939. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Letters from Chauncey Brewster Tinker, 1940-1942. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"The University Library: An Address on Alumni University Day by Chauncey Brewster Tinker", 1924. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: William A. Ringler, Class of 1934, 1936-1941. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

Correspondence: Letters from William Ringler and Chauncey Brewster Tinker, 1935-1939. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Letters from William Ringler and Chauncey Brewster Tinker, 1941-1942. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Letters from William Ringler and Chauncey Brewster Tinker, 1943. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Letters from William Ringler and Chauncey Brewster Tinker, 1944. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Letters from William Ringler and Chauncey Brewster Tinker, 1945-1947. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Letters from William Ringler and Chauncey Brewster Tinker, 1948-1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Letters to William A. Ringler from Root, 1935-1938. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Letters to William A. Ringler from Root, 1942. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Letters to William A. Ringler from Root, 1943. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Letters to William A. Ringler from Root, 1944. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

Correspondence: Letters to William A. Ringler from Root, 1945. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence: Letters to William A. Ringler from Root, 1948-1961. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Newspaper Clippings, 1934-1944. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence and Photographs Regarding 18th-Century Conference Group, 1947 January 17-21. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Itineraries for Root, 1935-1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Framed Picture by Ella Fillmore Lillie, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"The Journal of Higher Education" by Ohio State University, 1944. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes "Princeton Program for Servicemen" by Root.

Physical Description

1 folder

Documents Regarding the Four-Council Survey for Princeton University and the Death of William Magie, 1943-1947. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"The Princeton University Library Chronicle", November 1944. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Address Book, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous Articles and Addresses Written by Root, 1939-1945. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous Notes Written by Root, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Blank Postcards and Holiday Cards, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1909-1928. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1938-1946. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1949-1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous Correspondence, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Sam Shellabarger" Autograph Manuscript (Photocopy), undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Autograph Diary Written in "The Old Farmer's Almanac", 1919. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Diary is of someone close to Robert Root, possibly wife or girlfriend (?).

Physical Description

1 folder

Personal Documents of Dean Root, 1933-1946. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes funeral arrangements, brief resume of Dean Root, and some correspondence.

Physical Description

1 folder

Appraisal of Estate of Robert K. Root and Last Will and Testament, 1947-1951. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Appraised Valuation of Root's House by The Federal Appraisal Company, 20 November 1935. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letters from Trustees of Princeton University, 1914-1933. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes notices of increased salary, election as Dean of Faculty and Professor of English, and granting leave of absence during war.

Physical Description

1 folder

Examinations Taken by Root as an Undergraduate at Yale, 1894-1898. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Financial Documents of Root, 1942-1949. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"L'Humanisme de Saint Thomas d'Aquin" Address by Professor Maritain at the Medieval Academy, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence and Report from Arthur Fox, Assistant to President of Princeton, to Dean Root, 23 May 1949. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Regarding History of Army Training Units at Princeton University during WWII.

Physical Description

1 folder

Hand-Drawn Map of a Portion of Essex County, Vermont, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Photographs of Unidentified Houses, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Photographs of a Navy Aircraft Carrier, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Photographs of a Two Friends of Root's, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Photographs of a Camping Trip (?), undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Photographs of Robert Root, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes photographs of Root as a 4-year-old, a child, an undergraduate at Yale, and Dean of Faculty at Princeton.

Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous Photographs, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"On my Novel 'The Magic Mountain'" by Thomas Mann, 1 April 1940. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Printed Material, 1833-1914. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes "The Pre-Christmas Antiphons," "A Discourse Delivered in the Congregational Church in North Branford by Judson A. Root," and "Description of the Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45"

Physical Description

1 folder

Troilus: H2 BOC Translated by William Michael Rossetti with Autograph Notes by Root, 1873. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Troilus: J.-CP.-H3 Comparative Translations of Three Texts with Autograph Notes by Root, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Specimen Extracts Edited by William McCormick and Robert Root, 1914. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

"From the Nine Unprinted MSS. of Chaucer's "Troilus" and From Caxton's and Thynne's First Editions"

Physical Description

1 folder

Troilus: CL.-H1.-G. Comparative Translations of Three Texts with Autograph Notes by Root, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Troilus Comparative Translations of Two Texts with Autograph Notes by Root, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folderPlease be careful as the pages are very fragile.

Diaries of Robert Root, 1914-1920. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Written in "The Old Farmer's Almanack"

Physical Description

1 folder

Observations on the Language of Chaucer's Troilus and A One-Text Print of Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde, 1888-1891. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes autograph notes by Robert Root.

Physical Description

1 folder

Two Copies of The Textual Tradition of Chaucer's Troilus by Robert Root, 1916. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Chaucer's Troylus and Cryseyde, 1873. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

"Compared with Boccaccio's Filostrato Translated by William Rossetti"

Physical Description

1 folder

Autograph Translation of Troilus and Criseyde: Book I, Lines 1-1092, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Autograph Translation of Troilus and Criseyde: Book II, Lines 1-1757, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Autograph Translation of Troilus and Criseyde: Book III, Lines 1-1820, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Autograph Translation of Troilus and Criseyde: Book IV, Lines 1-1701, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Autograph Translation of Troilus and Criseyde: Book V, Lines 1-1869, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Notes on Biblical Passages in Short-Hand, 1939. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Contained in envelope from The Curtis Institute of Music, addressed to Mr. Alfred Brinkler.

Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence from Robert Root to William Ringler, 1938. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence from Robert Root to William Ringler, 1939. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence from Robert Root to William Ringler, 1940. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence from Robert Root to William Ringler, 1941-1942. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence from Robert Root to William Ringler, 1943. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence from Robert Root to William Ringler, 1944-1946. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence from Robert Root to William Ringler, 1948-1951. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence from Evelyn Ringler to Robert Root, 1947-1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence from Princeton Bank and Trust to William Ringler Regarding Estate of Root, 1951. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Newspaper Clippings, 1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

24 Photographs of Manuscripts, undated. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

Manuscripts are possibly works by Chaucer. Parts and line numbers are written on the reverse side of each photograph.

Physical Description

1 boxPlease be careful with these photographs as they are fragile, especially on the edges.

Print, Suggest