[HE ] [BRARY THE UNIVERSITY OF CAL IFORNIA LOS ANGELES "McEwan's Easy Shorthand is the simplest, the briefest, and the most legible ever devised." McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND The WONDER MANUAL By OLIVER McEWAN Reviser of Pitman's Shorthand Dictionary; Reviser of Pitman's Instructor; Author of "Verbatim Reporting" and 110 other works on Shorthand, English, Secretarial Training and Journalism. Price $1.00. Published by the McEwan Shorthand Corporation Chicago Copyright 1919 By the McEwan Shorthand Corporation OLIVER McEWAN OLIVER McEWAN Author of McEwan's Easy Shorthand; author of "Verbatim Reporting" and over one hundred other works on shorthand, secretarial training and English. Reviser of Pitman's Short- hand Dictionary; reviser of Pitman's Jubilee Instructor. Selected opinions from the world's press "The greatest living authority on shorthand." Lloyd's Weekly News (Britain). "The shorthand king." Ottawa Free Press (Canada). "One of the five men who have made shorthand what it is." Shorthand World (New York). "The king of shorthand writers." N. Y. Staats-Zeitung. "The last of the five great men who made shorthand what it is today." Philadelphia Item. M PREFACE* By the right honorable, the Earl of Albemarle, a writer of the old Isaac Pitman system. The study of McEwan's Shorthand is very fascinat- ing. One reason for this is that it removes two objec- tions that have been made to the "Winged art." First, the difficulty of its study, if one of the older systems is taken up; and, second, its unprepossessing appearance, - if one of the new "light-line" or "one-slope" abomina- 4J "> tions should be chosen. c McEwan's shorthand combines in itself all the more a, excellent features of both methods the geometric and 3 the one-slope, light-line systems : the beauty of the first, with all the simplicity that is claimed for the second. j The beauty of the outlines in the McEwan system . charms the eye of the most fastidious, while its sur- : prisingly simple construction, its scientific and logical ' principles, its marvelous brevity that makes such a speed as three hundred words a minute possible, all appeal to j the student, making the study a never-ending delight. *A part of the material contained in this book was prepared for publication in the year 1S92. For various reasons, one of which was my constant effort to improve and simplify my system of shorthand, its publication was deferred. The Earl of Albe- marle was so much interested in my project that he asked to b permitted to write the preface. One of my great griefs is that he did not live to see the system launched in America in accord- ance with my original design. 448269 A Key to the Exercises contained in this Manual is published separately and supplied free to all who purchase the Manual. INTRODUCTION. GEOMETRIC versus ONE-SLOPE SHORTHAND. Never in the history 'of the stenographic art has there been such an outcry against the inefficiency of the aver- age stenographer as there is today. The reason for this is the widespread use of one-slope, light-line, non-posi- tion shorthand. Naturally the great desire of a student is for an easy system, and many unscrupulous persons have taken ad- vantage of it. Men who never possessed any shorthand skill worth mentioning, some lacking even knowledge of the elementary principles, have set up as shorthand authors. Or, as a shorter road to fame, they have "adapted" or adopted the systems of others, with scarcely a change save in name. Ninety per cent of shorthand writers are incompetent. Even that astonishing percentage would be higher but for those wise teachers who know the value of geo- metric and shaded shorthand too well to be misled into the use of light-line and one-slope systems. To a certain extent I am responsible for the early adoption of that stenographic leper, one-slope, light-line, non-position shorthand. In the "eighties" in my school, in London I introduced a then new style of shorthand that seemed to be very easy to learn. I adopted it on condition that certain improvements were made. As the result of the immediate enormous sale induced by my recommendation the printing presses were kept working night and day ; they could not be stopped long enough for my improvements to be inserted, and, ex- cept in my own school, they were never actually put into practice. At first I was delighted with my choice. The new system seed so easy to master. But very soon the troubles of the students began. They could not read their notes, and 19 out of a class of 41 complained of pain in their hands and arms. I at once suspected the 8 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND cause and consulted several physicians who gave the unanimous decision that the trouble was writers' cramp, which is caused by the overuse of certain muscles. What had caused this overuse? Could it be that light-line and one-slope characters were at fault? I asked these physicians if such could be the case. Their unanimous decision was in the affirmative. There was no counter-play of muscles as the geometric and shaded strokes call forth by which all the muscles of the hand are brought into action and writers' cramp is rendered impossible. I then abandoned the one-slope and returned to Pit- manic shorthand. I searched further and was unable to find a single case of writers' cramp induced by the use of shaded characters. That the light-line and one-slope shorthand is still causing this trouble is shown by the fact that recently several persons writing this style of shorthand have come to me and enquired the reason why, when they try to get up speed, they are unable to do so be- cause of fatigue of the hand. It is a curious fact that the causes of writers' cramp and of shorthand inefficiency are the same. Writers' cramp and illegibility result from 1. Writing only in one position ; that is, on the line. 2. Writing on one-slope. 3. Writing one thickness of stroke. As a matter of possible interest I will illustrate one of the improvements suggested by me to the proprietors of Script Phonography, as the system I adopted was called. In that system the consonants R and L were indi- cated in such words as DOOR and DOLL by writing the consonant preceding the sound of R and L over the line, thus : doe, door or doll. McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 9 I made two alternative suggestions, one of which was that as R occurred more frequently than L it might be indicated by writing the vowel on the wrong side of the consonant ; thus : doe, door My recent criticism of light-line shorthand led to a significant change in the text-book of 'the system that now claims to be "national." Previously the boast of the publishers, and their chief claim to public patronage, was its being a LIGHT-LINE system. In the latest edition of the text-book, in place of the words LIGHT- LINE in an early chapter, there now appear the words NO COMPULSORY SHADING MAY BE WRIT- TEN EITHER LIGHT OR HEAVY. But, with a curious oversight, the title page still states that the system is a LIGHT-LINE method of shorthand. One of the reasons for the vastly superior speed of Pitmanic shorthand over all other systems is the use of light and heavy strokes. Shading imparts a flexibil- ity, a spring of movement that is the first condition of high speed in writing. Shading, with position and geometric strokes, lends a distinction to shorthand characters, making them far easier to read than the one- slope, one-thickness, light-line outlines. The statement made by the publishers of light-line shorthand that shading in Pitmanic systems is a cause of difficulty, is absolutely untrue. Shading is not only easy, it is natural. The light strokes correspond with the light sounds, the heavy strokes with the heavy sounds, and the hand naturally responds to the differ- ence in sound that falls upon the ear. McEwan's Easy Shorthand is shaded, geometric and positional ; it possesses the fourth element of legibility- joined vowels. It is, therefore, absolutely legible. It is so fascinating and so easily acquired that children of 8 and 9 have mastered it and used it as an aid in note- taking in higher grades. OLIVER MCWAN. 10 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND ADVICE TO THE STUDENT. How to Study This Manual. The chief essential difference between this manual and nearly all others that have ever been published on the subject of shorthand, is that theory and practice here start simultaneously ; whereas in the manuals usu- ally issued, practise begins only after months of weari- some theoretical study, which only a small percentage of students ever survive, the majority abandoning the study long before the principles have been learnt. In this manual the briefest correspondence style begins with the first lesson, and nothing presented in that lesson will ever have to be unlearnt for ordinary pur- poses. Experience has proved that the contents of this man- ual may be grasped in a week by persons who can devote their whole time to study ; the lessons, however, are arranged to suit the limited leisure of those who are employed during the day, and who, therefore, have but their evenings for study. To thoroughly master a lesson requires but two hours' application. The book may thus be mastered within a month by the moderate use of leisure time. Then practise to get up speed alone is needed, with or without the assistance of the special "helps" that I have prepared. Do not attempt to write with any great facility at first. Rather wield the pen with painstaking delibera- tion so that the characters may be formed with mathe- matical accuracy. Neatness is the first indispensable condition of great success in the study of shorthand, and one which students too often ignore. Use a pen rather than a pencil. The use of the pencil in the study and practice stages is apt to bring into being a slovenly McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 11 style of writing that is fatal to success. A fine, flexible pen is best for the purpose. Use only the best paper. Do not be induced to purchase the abominations in stenographer's notebooks that represent quantity at the expense of quality. A hard, smooth paper, the fibre of which will not catch the pen, is best. Practice daily. Do not study by fits and starts. Never miss a day if you can help it. Unremitting attention makes the study seem very easy, and conscious, rapid progress is made. AN ENCOURAGING FACT The "grand old man of shorthand," Sir Isaac Pit- man, once said to me : "Is it not strange that all the men who stand in the front rank of shorthand writers today, except yourself, hardly ever had a teacher ; they simply taught themselves."* It was. true, and it is just as true today. It is for this reason that I am so confident of such happy results from the effort I am now making to help the government and business men to find competent stenographers. OLIVER MCWAN. *In the early stages I had as teachers Mr. David Nevison and Mr. J. W. Love. The first, the best teacher I have ever known; the second, an enthusiast who inspired his pupils with his own wonderful love and reverence for Phonography. 12 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND THE CONSONANTS As a first step to learning the following char- acters, they should be copied slowly fifty times. Do this before beginning Lesson 1. p \ B \ T | D I Ch / J / K G -Sounded as in the ordinary spelling. Represents the sound heard in CHurCH. Represents the sound of J and DG in. JuDGe, and G in Gem. The hard sound of K, C and CH, in Key, Came, CHaraCter. The hard sound as in GaG. I- As in the ordinary spelling. v V. Th ( As heard in THigh, paTH. Th ( As heard'in THy, baTHe. S ) As S and C in Sell, Cell. ) As Z and S in Zeal, barS. Sh J As SH and CH in SHall, CHandelier. Zh ) As S is sounded in treaSure, McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 13 j-As in the ordinary spelling. Ng ^~-s As NGin siNG, not as in eNGage. L* S R* ^ W Y f >-As in the ordinary spelling. H / *L and R are written upwards. THE PHONETIC PRINCIPLE. McEwan's Easy Shorthand is wholly phonetic so far as the consonants are concerned, each being provided with its own sign, and no sign being allowed to represent more than one consonant. From the study of other systems I have learnt that too great accuracy in the expression of vowels is a source of weakness and not infrequently defeats the very object in view legibility. I have, therefore, steered a middle course as between the total omission of vowels and their full represen- tation, making the system semi-phonetic so far as the vowels are concerned. And experience has proved that this middle course is the best. I use four vowel characters : A, a small circle ; O, a large circle ; E, a small hook ; OO, a large hook ; and assign to each its legitimate sound and two modifications. The vowel A represents the three sounds heard in the words AID, ADD and PA. I find that it greatly simplifies the matter from the student's point of view to treat the sounds heard in PA and ADD as one sound The vowel O represents the sound heard in NO and its modifications heard in RAW, ROT. I treat the sounds heard in RAW and ROT as one. 14 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND The vowel E represents the long sound in SEE and its two modifications heard in SET, SIT. The vowel OO represents the sound heard in SHOE and its modifications heard in TOOK, TUCK. I treat the two sounds heard in FOOL and FULL as one. Notwithstanding these irregularities perhaps because of them McEwan's Easy Shorthand has acquired a reputation for legibility far above the average, equal indeed to that enjoyed by Pitmanic shorthand- in the hands of the experienced expert. The first rule is : Write by sound. Omit all silent letters; omit L in palm (pam), E in game (gam), Y in pay (pa) ; C in either K or S, as In came (kam), ace (as) ; and so on. THE ORIGIN OF McEWAN'S SHORTHAND The system has a double foundation : 1. The consonants of Isaac Pitman, except W and Y. 2. The joined vowels of the French author, Duploye. In buliding up the system on this foundation I have kept as near as possible to Pitmanic shorthand, intro- ducing, with cfertain modifications, the halving and doubling principles, some of the prefixes and suffixes, and not a few wordsigns. The most important rule in the system the omission of the short vowels E and I medially is my own crea- tion, as are also all the rules for the brief expression of S. The principles of contraction in phrasing are my own. O. McE. McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 15 THE SCIENTIFIC BASIS OF ISAAC PITMAN'S CONSONANTS As will be seen from the following illustration, Isaac Pitman arranged his consonants and represented them by characters that would suggest the vocal organs by which the sounds they express are produced. (* N. 16 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND LESSON I THE VOWEL "A" First copy the consonants on pages 12 and 13' fifty times. RULE. Write by sound. The vowel A is expressed by means of a small circle attached to the consonant. It has the two sounds of A heard in ADD and AID. The circle is always attached to straight consonants with a motion of the hand like that of the hands of a clock. Note the arrow below. I,t is written inside of curves always. It is written outside of an angle formed by joining together two consonants of a different in- clination. Copy the following model outlines ten/ times : ~>j add ...j... aid ..A., may f^t>. aim <57^\ they ...(o- say ...a... patch -\D.. chap QC.. pay .?^b-. day ..J gay .-rrrr^ ray .^^? palm :r^x nap s~_2 make f nff I ..... tOy tOO, tWO ... ^v.... come . . if ..S^ 1 on today ..."^..... will ../ S" but ....!..... we .7!7X. givc-n. gave zrrr=.. McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 17 and ._^.~. take ..a it j (written up) with .J< dear .L should _.^...~ us .... J... thank .Jo .(written up) have ..V for all _... you ....L/.. frr /7 me, my Z^^. who, whom, whose JL your * also /../. PHRASING \\'ords that frequently come together should be joined together if possible , as, we may T^Vr^ can you ^r) with us .....(.... thank you ...L>.,. which came ..*:.. can this be ^x .we should be _-V\. THE may be expressed by a slanting TICK, as, by the .. >s ?>... for the __2_ which the ....A:... A, AN may be expressed by an upright or horizontal tick , as, at a ...1 for a !?.... Punctuation marks are the same as in ordinary print, ex- cept the full stop ....>i and the dash . CORRESPONDENCE EXERCISES To Be Written in Shorthand Dear Jack : *Can-you come to-the bay today ? We-may take May and Ada with-us. Yours, Dear-May : Thank-you for-the cake which-came today, and also for-the wrap. Yours, First read carefully your notes and then compare with key. *Phrases are suggested by hyphens. Compare with Key. 18 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND LESSON 2 THE VOWEL "O" The vowel O, heard in Low, Law, is ex- pressed by a large circle. Initially it is attached to straight consonants with a motion from left to right, in the same direction that the hands of a clock move. It is written outside of angles. It is written inside of curves whether or not they are connected to other consonants. Copy the fol- lowing model outlines fifty times: go ^^T\ dock CjLTTr..... job QS^ loan f. ....... going .i....S>^.... show ..Cl/.. no >>Js< owes ../... cocoa .-rrrzrp^rx. poach ^y PREFIXES AND SUFFIXES. COM-, CON-, COG-, are expressed by means of a heavy DOT. More frequently they are indicated by writing the outline close to the preceding word. When the prefix occurs in the middle of a word, then the preceding and following parts of the word are written separately, but close together, as, convey .NsCJ. may convey OS?-... WORDSIGNS AND CONTRACTIONS Every consonant in the alphabet is used to represent some frequently occurring word. up, upon ..\_... have ..\ ___ ask-ed ...J. be, by ..^._ think ._.C.~ will ...L.... it ...J. them, with .....x.. are ..^.^ do, done, down... ...... us ...2-.... we .-.l^V.- McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 19 which, much ....(..... was ...x beyond . f gcneral-ly *.... she, wish ....^... he, him / come, came ..-^^.. give-n gave me, my .^r^^. in ."^rrr^... shall ..../.. look " ' if..V asked me Jrr^., tiling .Sr^T.. PHRASES in (a) day (or) two: tomorrow ^r^r ^^i..for you .._.. if this should be .S^. ....I shall go ...kl... A . r it IS .... U G we hope ..CA^..* *H is omitted A ^> can pay ..-n~L medially will be Z\. CORRESPONDENCE EXERCISES Dear Cora : Dora will-be back tomorrow. Can-you come in ? We-shall- be happy to-have-you with-us. Will-you accompany us to-the show? Yours-truly, Madge. Dear Bob : I-shall-go to-the show and will look out for-yoti. Toto will go with-me. Yours-truly, Cato. Dear Joe : I hope you-can-ga to-the Dock with-us tomorrow. Can-you look in? Job asked-me to ask-you for-a loan of-the barrow and- the rake for-the day. Yours-truly, Roberto. Compare with Key. 20 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND LESSON 3 THE VOWEL "E" The vowel E, heard in the words EEL, ELL, ILL, is expressed by means of a small hook. It is attached to straight consonants with a motion of the hand like that of the hands of a clock. When used medially, it may be written either to the pre- ceding or the following consonant as may be con- venient. But when it precedes M or N, it is always attached to the preceding consonant and never to N or M. It is written inside of curves. Write the following model outlines fifty times: pea ..^>.. tea ...U... eve .N Inn S-*s. deep ..k^- cheap leave L.- keen .TTTT^....^-. beam .^->. PREFIXES AND SUFFIXES. -ING is ex- pressed by a light DOT at the end of contractions and whenever it is inconvenient to write the con- sonant stroke, which should always be used if pos- sible. -INGS is expressed by a heavy DOT. Study and copy the following model outlines: giving ...Trm./ ......... coming ..... -. ....... . ...... doing V_^ ......... being .-Sw^... having TSn^y.. thinking ..... .V... WORDSIGNS AND CONTRACTIONS McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 21 PHRASES \ve should be J\<\Jf you can also -S^....^../..will take .La.... to have you .X ..... are you ....^.? *on the .......... do come .JUnr. we can take*yoil^Wr..*but trie ,.../^... *On-thc and but-the. The tick for ON and BUT is here sloped to obtain a more easily written form. CORRESPONDENCE Dear Ella : Mary and-Pattie are both coining to-tea tomorrow and we-should-be so happy to-have-you, too. Do-come, and-if-you- can-also do-so, remain for-a game or two. You-can leave by eight. . Yours-affectionately, Katie. Dear Eddie: Are-you going with-us on-the launch tomorrow to see Mr. and Miss Barry? If so we-can-take-you to-the dock in-the automobile. Phone Main 24, Yours-truly, Mary. Compare with Key. 22 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND LESSON 4 OMISSION OF SHORT "E" AND SHORT "I" MEDIALLY The most frequently occurring' vowels in the language are short E and short I, and a most ingen- ious means has been devised for their expression medially where the use of the E hook would be somewhat inconvenient. They are simply OMIT- TED. Yet they are more clearly expressed than if the E hook were employed. If the E hook were employed, then it would represent three sounds, whereas by the means adopted the E hook medially represents the long sound only, and the absence of a vowel sign gives the reader the choice of only two sounds short E or short I ; and there never is any difficulty experienced in telling which of these twc sounds is required. Copy the following model out- lines fifty times: pip .-is*- bib ..S^..... kick ...-. .................. neck -''\ I 1 lip /....\.. tip ...-t... vigor .S^*.^ dinner beggar .^W-j caper r^r&.y vanity ...Ss&-^d ...... Derry /> " merry .C7T\/... Prefixes and suffixes. -tion is expressed by means of a. short curved tick; thus, . passion ....^S^... connection ...r^rr^r. ...... condition ...\C. ..... -in is expressed by N; thus, invitation ....s^^...... invention .s^ri.. ........ incommode O) McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 23 WORDSIGNS AND CONTRACTIONS Ly book .\TTT. accept-ed .d~ time ..k^x. been ....^... Monday sure ......... PHRASES as you wish .-Qi-. to take me .>> Yours very .truly ....\_.. with me ..Vn?>. " to save time ..s^... Yours sincerely long time..7TL ^ all right "^^Dear Mr CORRESPONDENCE EXERCISES Dear-Mr. Rich : Can-you-come to dinner on-Monday? Mr. and Miss Dick have accepted-an invitation and will-be happy to see you. Yours sincerely, Bonnie Figaro. Dear Harry: I-shall-be at-the shop at eight as-you-wish and will fetch- the big book on invention with-me. Will-you have-the dinghy at-the dock ready to-take-me to-the ship. This to-save i time. Yours-truly, Minnie. Dear Tom : We-shall-have our picnic all-right on-Monday evening, so be sure to-come. We-shall all have dinner at-the cafe at eight. Yours-very-truly, Willie. , C/. .G ^~**S. .>...! 24 M'cEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND LESSON 5 THE VOWELS "OO" AND "U" The vowels OO and short U, heard in COOP, CUP, are expressed by means of a large hook. The hook is written on the left-hand side of P and the corresponding side of other straight letters, that is to' say, with a motion of the hand like that of the hands of a clock. Medially, it may be written to either the preceding or the following consonant, except when preceding N and M, when it is always written to the preceding consonant. Copy the fol- lowing model outlines fifty times: pooh .^>~ Jew L/... coo .TTTT^ woo To., loo .(. poop . I \ V s~\ pup ..^.. duck I....... tun u_^.. boon ^...^ run ....^...i^r^.... gun rrriTj. nook .sJIZlTr.. move /^^>.. love /...S?. room .<".. Prefixes and suffixes. -Ex is expressed by the arbitrary character-^.. attached to the first consonant of the outline. It is disjoined only in compound words. Write the fol- lowing model outlines fifty times: .exceed ...!.... exaction ..Cfcx'.. exit ....1 ...... exhibition ^ ex-convict ... WORDSIGNS AND CONTRACTIONS expect-ed ...T^s. anything .S^Sw--' thus ~.\J.. -expectation .^g\ nothing .:s*x_^ themselves ...\J. McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 25 PHRASES this week ....v>. I think ....Jf... you wish J.. *I am going .^c^__Q_x *"I" is thus contracted before M only. Write FIGURES in the ordinary way. "Hundreds" may be indicated by writing "n" under a figure, "thousands" by "th" and "millions" by "m," thus : 100, ..^L.. 2,000, ../k( 5,000,000, ... 100,000, ...I..., ^ CORRESPONDENCE EXERCISES Dear-Mr. Currie: The big cook will cook-the duck in-the-way you-wish. It- should-be ready for-you by ten. Will-you look in or shall [-give it to Lou to-carry to-you? Are-you expecting Mr. Curry this-week? Yours-sincerely, Tom Rook. Dear Jerry : Thank-you for-the pup. He-is a fine fellow and I-shall love him much. I hope the gun will reach-you in-time to be of use at-the picnic. Yours-sincerely, Henry Winborne. Dear Mr. Rooney: I-am coming down to-the loop tomorrow at two and will look you up. I-think Mr. Bunny is coming to Chicago in June and will-be looking for-a job. Can-you do anything for him? I-can-do nothing. Yours-truly, Aleck Mooney. > J. (.... > Compare with Key. 26 M'cEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND LLSSON 6 THE DIPHTHONG "I" The diphthong I is expressed by a sloping- angular sign ; thus, & pie .^. buy .^. die .J..... guy .rrr^, shy ..>... sigh .X.... pipe -X^. Wright .oil. ^ It will be observed that the sign is attached to the consonant when it begins or ends an outline, but that it is disjointed medially. Prefixes and suffixes. Contra- and counter- are expressed by a light ^ DOT; as in counteraction .:.a....t ..... contrive ........ contravene In-, En-, Un- are expressed by N , as in income .."s^TT^rr^... unmake ..*^^r&~... enmity WORDSIGNS AND CONTRACTIONS home .CT7>.. enough ..^rrrrl^. I, eye ...&.... ^ your .......... never ..>?^i *tape .^ name ..SrrrcTT^ cover ..TTTTT^ tap dx-- *Should it ever be necessary to indicate a long vowel, this may be done by placing a dot close to the vowel, as in tape above. PHRASES I / V ^v^ with them ....V... for this ..... ^.. for a day or two .../I...... V*l ^, will take the ..(..L.. annoy "^rf. annoying 9^S^r. loin *A proper noun may be indicated by writing two short ticks under an outline. Prefixes and suffixes. Re- is expressed by R , as in y\ A . a - repay <:....o redeem .(..xr^.. regain ^..... -able, -ble, -bly are expressed by AB, B and BE , as in unable s^^. payable .>y. nobly .> noon >??>, same uJTX. differ-ent-ce ...J., public ...^... one ...C^. her x V I ....IS.... here Sam .cz^v. PHRASES in the mine .Srr^7^_^ is to be had ...&> if they have a >... I shall hope M.. McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 29 CORRESPONDENCE EXERCISES Dear Roy : Ask-the boy to fetch-me a loin chop at noon. Yours, Guy Boyne. Dear-Mr. Toyne : The toy-maker will-be unable to use-the alloy which-you gave him. Can I -give him anything different ? Yours-truly, Jerry.' Dear Sam : It-is annoying, I-know, but I-shall-have to-ask-you to join me at-the bindery to-make sure the binder is making-the right binding for-the book. I-shall look to see you at one. Yours-sincerely, Larry. Dear Jack : If-you-have-the time I-wish-you to-go to-the public library and see if -a book by-the name of-the "Ninety and Nine" is-to- be-had. Also, if-they-have-a book by-the name of "The Buoy- ancy of Pine." " Yours-truly, Nora. ....a # &. *.... 30 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND LESSON 8 THE DIPHTHONG "OW" The diphthong OW is expressed by the up- right angular signs, -A., and ^-, preference being .given to the first character, the second sign, used in ROW,- being only a substitute for the other when that cannot be easily attached. Copy the follow- ing outlines fifty times: ....:SA ..... COW ...-rrrrrA.... TOW ......... HOW ...>TT .. bounty .>s*^<.. Howett ..../&.. J 1 Prefixes and suffixes. Ins- is expressed by means of a small curved tick ; as in, inside ?\..~ inset ...I... institution ...I... ^J WORDSIGNS AND CONTRACTIONS issue .^Z month .^~-J name ..V-^r^ > -^ out .-A... tomorrow .Vrr^j^ *where .......... *A shaded W. ^ she had been ..&?.... she has been ...^;u<:. how can .Arrr^j no one .>>JLS ^ he may .J^Q. of the month'.!7?TTT7r^ as the day ./%!.... *they have been ...\^..*may have been ./T5>y. ' * ~v {' *we have been ^X^.-.there has been ...>L.. can you write a 7rn6V > *Have coming before Been, in phrases, may be safely omitted. _ McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 31 CORRESPONDENCE EXERCISES Dear-Mr. Dow: Shall-you be at-the Bowery convention? If so, how-can I -see you? I-shall-have to-leave-the depot at ten. Can-you run down and see me off? Yours-truly, Jack McKee. Dear John : Now is-the time for us all to-do all we-can for-the "Bough." Can-you-write-a poem for us for-the June issue? Or, if-you like, an essay will-do. The June issue will-be out on-the fifth of May. Yours-sincerely, Jennie Kelly. Dear-Mr. Howett: There-has-been-a big row at-the Institution. The cow has- been taken away and no-one has any idea where she has-been taken to. If-you hear anything write to-me. Yours-sincerely, Zenophon Miner.- V ..... Na ..... S^ ..... 2, ...... ^ \t..x ....... Js- ....... C . .C ...... 1 ... I V .V? ....... \f. ...... vv. ..>^?. pew. .o~. few .:O.. view .vD.. dupev^..... tube -si-- renew '^C^TTreview /.v) youth ..S^.. use(v) .../... use(n) ...).... Prefixes and suffixes. De- is expressed.by D , as in .decay L-^y depot .1^... delay .V^J. To add D to -tion to form the past tense, shade the tick : mentioned .../^*~*4..... fashioned ...:...-. occasioned (j -^- WORDSIGNS AND CONTRACTIONS manager ^?~-As advancement ..il.... allow .&!.. magazine /^bsr- return isr* such 2.. capable .^~& inform ~H.\. *Erringham &.. r ( advance-d ....L... favor ..So... *H may be omitted medially. PHRASES to renew .Y^...TT to you ...S..,.. do you think ./U. fetch the ...S^. in his ...VT^ you have ...Sw... have you ...Vs?.. if you ....S*J>. you have been ... McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 33 CORRESPONDENCE EXERCISES Dear-Mr.- Depew: I-wish to renew my contribution to-the library. How much is it and how shall I-do it? Shall I-fetch-the money to- you or give it to-the manager of-the workshop? Yours-truly, John Erringham. Dear Hugh : I like your review in-the "Monthly Magazine" this month. 1-know of few capable of-such-an effusion. I hear you-have- been asked to-write-an essay for-the June issue. If-_you do-this I-shall buy it you-can-be-sure. Yours sincerely, Henry Hewitt. u Ot ....... ^ ....... \rrr,....S^ ..... .*... .V .... Compare with Key. 34 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND LESSON 10 THE TRIPHTHONG "WT' The triphthong WI is expressed by the angu- lar sign ~^~ ; as in wide 1... wife .J^L. wine bv^ wipe .7\.. white ...L.. Prefixes and suffixes. Non- is expressed by NO , as in non-efficient v-D\*/ non-conduction sJD. L,- Full-y is expressed by F , as in painful ....^ft^.... painfully ....^Q_^-.. useful WORDSIGNS AND CONTRACTIONS require .^...... keep .TTTTT^. deliver-ed . o g, half ...:Sw.. information .......... *anybody . < ^-.- r> suggest-ed ..... /.. why ...^.... anyone .^r.'^^-' seems ..-T^. wire anything .s~*s*~s those ...JO.. any .^3.. *In these compounds the vowel hook is placed at the beginning. PHRASES to those who ...S..... I gave the ..Jt?.~7 my dear /^^> fc we can buy !_S. McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 35 CORRESPONDENCE EXERCISES Dear-Mr. Berry: My wife will require a ton and a half of coke this week, and I-shall-be happy to-have-you deliver it. Should you be out of-it can-you suggest anybody from whom we-can buy it ? For-any information you-can-give I-shall tliank-you. Yours truly, Barry White. Dear Jack : The tape is too wide. Have-you anything narrower? It so, wire and I-shall look in on-my way home tomorrow Yours truly, Jim Coranzo. Dear Carrie . I gave the type to Mr. Baker to-give to-you. Thank-you so-much for-the use of-it. I-shall come in and see you in-a- day-or-two. Yours sincerely, Ella Baker. Dear-Mr. Pugh: If-you-should see Hewett at-the depot will-you ask him to- give me leave to fish in-his lake. I-wish to-catch-a minnow or two and some hake. I-thank-you in advance for doing-this for-me. Sincerely yours, Hugh Lane. 36 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND LESSON 11 THE INDICATION OF "R" When the frequently occurring letter R follows the first consonant in a word, it may be indicated by writing the consonant above the line; thus, pray draw ....S?. more fear proper >.^v.^ .brake Friday ~1 Review of prefixes. . compare contrary ........ portion ...;.. extra ..?.... extor- tion ...?). unscrew unskilful powerful ? N ^~X Note that a prefix does not take the addition of R when written in position ; the R is added to the first consonant, as in the above examples. VVORDSIGNS AND CONTRACTIONS ^0 v ^ for\vard-ed being ..X^_^ number, near C\ ^. large open .> very i / i i church kluring try, truth PHRASING ARE is represented by the wordsign -<^ (r) ; and it is found convenient to employ the R position rule for the expression of ARE in phrasing; thus, 3^ they are ....::.... in your .......... if you are at your .......... you are .......... as it is .../!.... "N . ^ \ve are .......... by your ......... _ McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 37 CORRESPONDENCE EXERCISES Dear-Mr. Barker: I hope the brake was all-right. The tire you forwarded is of no use for our car as-it-is too large. I return it. Yours-truly, George Barker. Dear-Miss Brooke: The proper- way to-do-the thing is to try to pry open-the top of-the drawer. There you-have it. If-you-are this way any-time during-the week, will-you look in and see me? I- have-much to talk over with-you. " Yours-truly, Charlie Morpeth. Dear-Mr. Bridge : Mr. Burke and Miss Brook will marry this-week. The marriage will-be at-the church at-the corner of-the avenue near the pier. Can-you be there? Yours-sincerely, Jack*Morley. V- Compare with Key. 448S69 as McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND LESSON 12 THE INDICATION OF "L" When the letter L follows the first consonant in a word, it may be indicated by writing the con- sonant through the line, or under the line, if the let- ter is H or a horizontal character (K, G, M, N, Ng) : thus, play .\... black .\.... hill clock bill ..V.- fell A.... o ' O N> Wherever R or L begins a separate syllable, as in the words below, berry, then the strokes L and R must be used , as in below :S/^? berry !\^. perry .\. daily ..fl.... villa V/T Review of prefixes and suffixes, compel .N^.. complication \...... expel .f^\^ counterfoil .A^.... retail y^\- pliable ..xK- instill ..r.... installation ..I.... trouble..^. influenza ... WORDSIGNS AND CONTRACTIONS sliall .... J.. call .......... only people -X-... full-y ...L.... religion-ous ...^r... belief, believe-d ..N^... vaiae-d ...L.... whole-ly, holy PHRASES WILL is represented by the wordsign . (L) , and it may therefore be expressed in phrasing by writing the preceding word, if it contains but one McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 39 stroke consonant, in position; thus, it will ....i... we will ..T^Y.. he will ._.._... they will ....... you will this morning ...'AT.. answering yours.*? ^y at the time...i^> CORRESPONDENCE EXERCISES Dear-Mr. Bell: Tlie ball player you-mention is Croaker. He-is-a fine fellow ; nothing vulgar there. He-is-the man of-the eagle eye. Shall-you be at-the mill this evening? I-think George Nailor should win. Yours truly, Tom Blake. Dear Bill: The globe you-gave me was broken this-morning by Clara. Tell-me if I-can buy one like it. The fish were thrown into- the boile and I fear the shock will kill them. Yours truly, Earl. Compare with Key. 40 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND LESSON 13 THE HALVING PRINCIPLE By making any consonant, except H, half length, T or D is added ; thus, pat ..^>... pot ..^.. peat ..^i... pit ..^.. putt ..^>.. net ..s^.. let ./?... bid .\.... part ........ pert ........ build ..5^.. killed ........ glad ........ No appalled '**- pity .N. body ]>L party ..I.... Prefixes and suffixes reviewed. command *.Q^. refined .-^S^v^T. controvert ........ invite >r^^ .).. deport .).. portable ./S, compatible .. The suffix -Ment is expressed by Mt or Xt ; thus, commandment *.Q^s^ payment -V^-- endowment ^^.4... /N WORDSIGNS AND CONTRACTIONS put, point-ed ... V S.. find, found ....S>... occur into /s... that, without ...(. occurred not ...s^... . appoint-ed ...5?S.. particular n suggest-ed .../.... called, difficulty about ..rrx... great kind ...... meet-ing ..c^>. /i good ..m... kindly ..-n^.... might ...-Oi.. building ...N^,... very used ...J.... 9 1 account-ed ..OT... had ....!.... tried accountant .cr^rf happy .?N- toward McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 41 /""" * amount-ed ...<>.. fegret short s \ . would ../!7\... regretted thought ...(,..... what ....~"Y. cannot ...77^). . immediately ...c^.. PHRASES IT is expressed by the wordsign T. The halv- ing principle may be used for the indication of IT by making the last consonant in the preceding word half length, as in at it ...3.... if it ....Ss... make it J^TZ have it ....V..... were it for it \ as soon as .._J?. at your at all ..9 CORRESPONDENCE EXERCISES Dear Teddy: Are-you particular about-the payment of-the account this- week? I-find-that I -cannot very well pay it now. I-can meet the note due tomorrow all-right. As-soon-as the building is put up I-can let you-have-the amount without fail. I-have applied to-the Education Committee to appoint me immediately to-the vacant appointment of accountant. It-has occurred to-me that you might be able to help me. as I heard that your aunt is-a member of-the committee. Kindly let me hear from-you. Yours sincerely, Albert Pitt. Compare with Key. 42 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND LESSON 14 THE DOUBLING PRINCIPLE By making any consonant, except H, double length, the syllables TER, DER, THER may be added; thus, r .^>... father \^2. patter ..>.. Peter .>... father ^2. mother ..S^ rather ...r^^... ..... murder .................... glitter .... CK. operator .................... daughter O.... arbitration Prefixes and suffixes. Enter-, Inter-, Intro- may be expressed by NT: thus, interviewT\J} *introduction ...L r *interruption .....V" *In lengthy words the "OO" vowel may be omitted. Review of prefixes. regret ............ commander ..5L^^^*s. ..... comforter .......... debater ..... JLinsipid ..^>.. reporter .....\encounter ..... JLinsipi >*> inspiration ... reparation ........ exporter ........ WORDSIGNS AND CONTRACTIONS ^^ ^ seems ..(Z^.. long .(.. ...... between .. another Q^.._^/ enter 3!r>^ -- ^ shorter ..... r^. won, one ..C-/.. difference ...A... ""Orthography .C$..lO, ..o. *The R in "graph" and "graphy" may be safely omitted. McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 43 PHRASES THERE, THEIR, expressed by.. . (ther), may be indicated by lengthening the last consonant in the preceding word; thus, in there t^**-^ my dear ^^T over there over which there ..../... well make their , CORRESPONDENCE EXERCISES My dear brother : The letter came all-right. Peterton brought it. Are-you sure that mother is going to Peterboro ? Are-you going-there, too? We-are all happy to know that the theater is doing so well- there. Mr. Waterton is-to-be-there thisrweek. He-is-a fine actor, as-you-know. Shall-you come-home by motor? Yours-affectionately, Sallie. My dear Peter: I regret to say that neither Arthur nor Mr. Proctor can- come this-week-end, so ask mother not to prepare dinner as she intended to-do. I saw the new actor at-the theater. He-is good. He* played the murder part well. Charley has-a new ]K>rter named Carter. Yours-truly, Richard. Rule Do not use the doubling principle when a vowel follows R. Use the stroke R in flattery, victory, etc. Dear-Mr. Flattery: The notary gained-a great victory on Friday. He won-the battery over-which-there has-been so-much trouble. I-noted, though, that he-is-not good at orthography and could-not tell- the difference between pottery and poetry. The rotary engine is working well. Yours truly, Alfred Brody. Compare with Key. 44 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND LESSON 15 THE INDICATION OF "S" The letter S so frequently occurs that it is found necessary to provide an easier means of expressing it than by the consonantal form .../. To express S the vowel is written on the wrong side of the consonant. Up to the present the vowels have been written on the left-hand side of P, and the corresponding side of other straight letters; that is to say, with a motion of the hand similar to that of the hands of a clock. So, by writ- ing the vowel oh the other side of the consonant, the reverse direction (see arrow), S may be clearly indicated; thus, sap ...X. soap ...X. sip ..!\.. soup .^S... pass .\o. pose .7^0. V V L cr- 3 peace ..\>.. puss .?SO. dress grass egress across class close .....~ o t_) Prefixes and suffixes. Magni-, Magna- are expressed by M, dis- jointed; thus, magnify .<^TN magnitude .<^p\ magnanimity .r^2^__ ** ] Dis- and De-s by DES, as in I I -> \^ D dispose .lAdiscuss Irrr: dispel .L..~ desirous ACT. Review of prefixes. "v **- \. compose X2 composition TO- interpose ^SO induce s-H- /\ / V a > ^ repose -/JOdespair S^_ basementXTv unscrews McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 45 WORDSIGNS AND CONTRACTIONS possible ^O world welcome .rr\..... great satisfy .....\j... within ..s^...^ that .....(.... vourself it is I/ PHRASES in a few days V *'X and is . . dear sir he is L.\ k anc j as ___, it is not CORRESPONDENCE EXERCISES Dear-Mr. Seaton : I suppose you-will cross the channel on your way to Paris. I hope to-be able to pass your office \vithin-a few days and will call on you. I-gave-the rose to-thc secretary of-the hospital. I propose to hold the new class on Tuesdays. Is-this possible ? Yours truly, Martin Soper. Dear-sir : The sack of potatoes will-be delivered on Saturday. Wili- this-be satisfactory? The sago and-the pears I-have-had to order. Yours truly, John Sage. Dear-sir : Mr. Pearce will address-the Press Club on Saturday eve- ning and it-will please us very-much to see you present. You- \vill-be-a welcome visitor. A new proposition is-to-be set forth that will I feel sure secure-the support of all. Come if-you- can. You-will certainly enjoy yourself. Yours-truly, George Sier. Compare with Key. 46 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND _ LESSON 16 "S" ADDED TO CURVES To express S the vowels are written outeide of curved consonants; thus, fuss .Sy *foes ..Sjry feesrsj-^face-.S^ shoes.. ..S} *shows .<>. {^jf v _ X muse .^/. *nose .s-^ **loose ..(.. ..... ^0 / loss .'.. ..... **yes ..Jn... *Form the circle with exactly the same motion as the hook in the preceding outline (see arrow) **It is easier in these words to write the vowel inside the curve- Review of prefixes and suffixes. confess .S^^ confuse .s .. passing ^so,. causing {-S V casings TTTT?.* possession .JQ. proposition .T^XDe >^ disposition .1\"- enclose ........ .^... interposition ..... (P v jL~ feasible .S^.. unscrupulous .....: WORDSIGNS AND CONTRACTIONS accord-ed ..^.... gentleman ..... /. advantage :.../... according to --------- only _....., forward-ed .......... advantageous ..Ju... business ..:S>>... advantages ....Z -- received ...^.. gentlemen .../.... PHRASES at all ....... it is not so -bV choosing the ..L^a McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 47 -Ing-the is expressed by a disjointed tick as in causing the .rrJP./. encasing the ^^crf' receiving the .. -S may be expressed by thickening the THE tick; thus,^ convince the .N^/.. thinks the ....*y... gives the ...rr^. CORRESPONDENCE EXERCISES Dear-sir : Please forward-the moss according (to) order. You-gave me your promise that it- would-be delivered two days ago. If- you-cannot deliver it now I-shall-have to refuse to-receive it. Yours truly, Robert Morse. Dear-sir : The letter which I enclose will amuse you, I feel sure. The news is very amusing. I-don't think it-is worth making-a fuss about, though, so will allow it to pass without notice. Yours truly, Thomas Saxon. Gentlemen : I fear that-the thing you propose would add to-the- con- fusion and-not help at-all. The plan suggested by Mr. Pen- rose is not at-all feasible. Yours very truly, Amos Roseberg. .a. ' *V"3 k--*-=M Compare with Key. 48 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND LESSON 17 EXPRESSING "S" WITHOUT A VOWEL When there is no vowel, S being sounded with the consonant, it is expressed as follows: a. Before P, T, and K by the SE hook ; thus, sky ...f^rrrzs. ..... space ..^iO.. score ... ... scale school b. Before the letters M and N, the E ond OO vowel hooks are used with perfect safety to express S, or Se or Soo; thus. Smith .. snow <^75\J sinner ........ soon .C_^. sum CTV sung .C-/.. sunk ..C-/ c. Finally, by a semi-circle; thus, box (ks equals X) .^rrtsex .?^t ounce ...^r^. ...... aims T^x> sums CINi Review of the prefixes and suffixes. \ -s -^6) ^*^ conspicuous ..\rrrJ... consecration ................ rescue .s~. ..... J... resume .. hands .... McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 49 PHRASES as it is ...tl as well as ..5^. which made me v?zi as far as sometime ago crvrrs-^oon after ._.. CORRESPONDENCE EXERCISES Dear-Mr. Spicer: I-shall stay here till-the closing of-the school, but will see you within six days. The new skiff has-been delivered by- the master of-the schooner, and I-am sure that you-will like it. It-is-a smart craft. Yours truly, Spencer Summers. Dear-Mr. Smith: I went to-the central depot for-the snuff you ordered, but found they did-not seem to-keep it. I suppose they don't like- the smell, the thought of-which made me smile, because a little- snuff could-not .make much difference in-the odor of-the place, filled as-it-is with-the smell of cigarettes.. Yours truly, George Snitchie. Dear-Mr. Summers : Some-time-ago you sent me a summary of Mr. Ransom's book on "Summer walks." I returned it and-then soon-after you sent me several handsome volumes, all of-which I-have read and-now wish to replace on your bookshelves as-soon-as I hear that it-will-be convenient for-me to call. May I hope to hear from-you soon. Yours truly, Sarah Jones. Compare with Key. 50 M'cEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND LESSON 18 DIPHTHONGS SHADED FOR "S" The angular diphthongs are shaded on the downstroke for S; thus, pies -"^-. boys ..S^/. . cows r^r^A brouse towels .A. prize _..wise ..L-. -self is expressed by a semi-circle disjointed: thus, CsV-. selfish 2... oblige .C\.. society ....Cy... selfishness 2... obligation PHRASES s...JP_ if you are npt ... this. is \J. at once ...A, *- there is.. ;. . f or its ... JP _ sincerely yours McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 51 CORRESPONDENCE EXERCISES Dear-Mr. Brice : Please send me two pounds of rice at once, and oblige. Yours-truly, Dear-Mr. Spencer: I would certainly advise you to follow the advice of-the physician. There seems to-me to be no reason why you should resign your position at-the school because of your illness. If- your mother applies for-it, you-will-be given a two months' vacation. Yours-sincerely, Jane Price. Dear Doctor Bryce: You-\vill-be glad to hear that Mr. and Miss Price have won-the thousand-dollar prize of-the Society of Arts. If Mr. Price complies with-the desire of-the committee, and allows them to publish his prize paper, they-will double-the prize. Besides, they-will allow him to preside at-the first meeting, of-the prize winners. I-think-this-is fine. No more now. Sincerely-yours, Arthur Powers. Dear-Mr. Black: Answering yours, the real trouble is this: Mary and Roberto have-had-the influenza. They were very ill at-the-tlme of-the game and so were unable to-go. I hope this explanation will prove all-right. Yours sincerely, Clara Butt. Compare with Key f 52 M'cEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND LESSON 19 "SL" The combination SL may be expressed by writ- ing" L in the wrong direction. It is usually written, upward (with a few exceptions) , as in below .VP'daily . 1C... chilly ../?. villa \ willy ^C. mel- Now, by writing the L downward, S may be .clearly indicated; thus, epistle .V^>.. drizzle .f.... chisel _. vessel ..S^. missile ..<^> thistle .A.. Exceptions. One of the first rules of high speed in shorthand is sharp angles. Therefore L is written downward after N, as in Nellie ..... >^. ....... Townley ..... J^-. ....... finely ''6 * Now, by writing the L upward after N, S is. clearly expressed, as in nestle ....S~^ WinsJow ....A /. nasal After F, V and TH with a CIRCLE VOWEL, L is always written downward in accordance with another latent rule of high speed, CONTINUOUS MOTION in the same direction, as in valley ..Va.. folly -Ao. volley ..VC? % thoroughly ko. So, by writing L upward after F, V or TH with a circle vowel, S is expressed, as in vassal ...S^C... facile ,.!sL.. facility ..S,^]... facilitate .S^2.. McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 53 WORDSIGNS AND CONTRACTIONS objection ^~. object-ed ...^\. double ...xL-- PHRASES in regard to the he said . inward .v~*^ - by ~*^ or --^2->as in ..\o surveor ....... surpass :7...^P surmount '.jf.^. survey ...Xo surveyor WORDSIGNS AND CONTRACTIONS find, found ....S*^. through McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 55 PHRASES 6v yours very sincerely .....:fc_-^ sincerely-yours ...s^/ as you desired .-rr> S^ V / ^ if Compare with Key. 56 M'cEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND LESSON 21 "ST" and "STR" LOOPS St is expressed by a loop half the length of the -consonant to which it is written. It is made thick or thin to indicate the vowel; thin to indicate the small circle and small hook (A and E), and thick to correspond with the thickness of the large circle and hook (O and OO), these several vowels being thus suggested , as in step ..\.. stop .:>*... state ....1L stoat ...L.. stead ...I.... stood ...\... tfiste ........ trust ...-.Q.. trusted ..Pi- cast .TT^?.. coast .-?.. .guest srfS?. ghost .-*?. fist ..So., fussed .SO. feasted Sa^ , \> feasts ..fe.. nests .stf?. prigsts ... The loop is written on the opposite side of straight consonants, and outside of curved conso- nants for Str; thus, strip ./Sv. strop TT^v. taster ..d... toaster .Q... . pastor .^!t.. postef j>~ ttstofe .^ff. roaster .s~?. east ..!).... caster ../ astray %^r. esteemed .Jr*. Strive .^\^ strainer pos- ters ..IS., clusters ....... Exceptions. The STR loop is not used before gr after M, L or W. Use the stroke S made double length for TR, finally, and S-t initially; thus, master ..Juster /T.Tx musters j^^. waster T^k... stream rv \ \ \ storm^i..^... / h McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 57 Review of prefixes. constipation ..^S) stipulation .^Wa- construction *CZZT. pester- ing ..^v- expressed increased reposed .<^S> in- censed 4?.. depressed ...V^ depositor ..L... interposed :H^> decomposed I.^Q. discomposed .l^O magnificent ^\. mas- terful ^i WORDSIGNS AND CONTRACTIONS N V? was ... J. ... always could ...?.., shorter great he, him ...J.... PHRASES this is .....SJ>. you will be ..., yours faithfully .:S; ( ^^ with which ....L. if it is ....V^ CORRESPONDENCE EXERCISES Dear-Mr.. Story : The strike storm is over. The men struck for-an increase of wages and shorter hours. I-am glad thaf there-was-no strife, but that-is only because Mr. Leicester is made of -the right stuff. As-a master the mea' know he-is-to-be trusted to-do-the right thing always. We shall-now be-able to finish your esteemed order. Yours truly, Stephen Stone. Dear-sir : I-am asked to inform you that-the priest who designed the poster has gone to Manchester with Mr. Nestor. Yours truly, Stanley Story. Compare with Key. 58 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND LESSON 22 THE DOUBLE CONSONANTS -^-- ]r-f Copy these double consonants fifty times. The double letters are subject to the same rules of contraction as the single consonants: the rules of abbreviation for R, L, T, D, TER, S, St, Str, are all applicable to the double letters, except Lr, with the following modifications and additions: a. The W hook in Tw, Dw, Kw, Gw is omit- ted medially. Write /*=>. -^ . ^-j* inquest ..^^c^r.... request^.. ..... bequest ...Vrs==.... inquired ....... require ........ anguish $**4. disquisition .!C7r requisition ....< ........... indwelling ..... <. ......... distinguish . b. The W hook is shaded for S in square ......" squall squat 3=^. but, sequence =L ~ consequence *^v_^/ sequel ........ c. Mp, Mb and Ng, when made double length, take for the most part the addition of R only; as in temper ...W^rrrs danger ...j^!T^v encumber longer ..(.. finger ..^^^^e.... but, embitter d. Lr is to be used only when L cannot be> indicated by position ; as in poplar .o^- tickler .Wf.. buckler .Scrz. bookseller ..\r^c,~..< circular..;.!!?'.... McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 59 But retain the primitive form in pole .X,.. polar ^^. dollar JL*.. tailor ...L<: fail ...L failure Lmill ........ miller .- WORDSIGNS AND CONTRACTIONS twelve ...M ..... twenty ..J. ..... quite ..Arr... quality .......... qualify- ied ... ....... qualification .......... question-ed .3rrr.. impossible.*rrx.. importance ..... ..... improve-d-ment .......... improvements J-5L when ..7"\... what....7\.. where ...... .... while ...t^.. whilst ..^x.... CORRESPONDENCE EXERCISES Dear-Mr. Taylor: Please call at twelve o'clock and-view-the dwelling about- which Mrs. Taylor enquired today. I-have requested the book- seller who-is-the owner of-the property to relinquish his claim on-the fixtures and also to throw in-the timber yard ; further, to-add-a few necessary additional fixtures.- I feel pretty certain that he-will yield to our denands without much quali- fication. When-you call I-will tell-you something more about- the house. Yours-very-truly, William Wheeler. Dear-Mr. Guest: I-have tasted the tea as-you requested me to-do, and-find^- that-it tastes all-right. Yours truly, Arthur Preston. .<>.. 7T Compare with Key. 60 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND LESSON 23 OMISSION OF LETTERS To secure the easy formation of outlines it will sometimes be found convenient to omit letters that interfere with facility. We have already seen the advantage of omit- ting the short vowels E and I, without in any way affecting legibility. The vowel OO is also frequently omitted with- out danger of mis-reading, more particularly be- fore K: Again, as may have been already observed, when two vowels concur, and both cannot be clearly expressed, one is omitted, the choice being given to a circle vowel if the other Is a hook. The consonants H, W and Y may also be omit- ted medially without danger of illegibility; but if any letter that may be abbreviated or indicated should follow (R, L, T, D, S, St, Str, or E), then these letters and syllables must be written out in full, as in behest .Scj.. not :S>... behave ^Sn.. behead !Sa. ( between .^^r... maidenhood ..sZk^Jl...-. William. ,.'^s> farewell ...?. , but write out BlackweU inkwell It is better to insert H in negatives,, as- V ^~f unhurt ..... J...... unheard ....... (....unheeded ~ McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 61 WORDSIGNS WITH IN ITIM/H* OMITTED happy .I^L. Jiappen-ed ^. had ..J.*. have ..\... home was ...)... went ..Srf-.. wont ...8^. want ..Qs. Dear Rehoboam, William has-come into-his inheritance which includes the Cricklewood farmyard and-the dockyard, the combined income from-which will give him a good livelihood. You-can-come here to rehearse the play on Mahomet, unless you prefer to-go to Blackwall. Youiwill-have to pay as they-will admit no deadheads to-the rehearsal. The play is.-not at-all unwholesome as some critics have called it. Tom is having-an uphill struggle and mayhap yet may- reach-the poorhouse. All the advice that we gave him was unheeded and-this-is the result. Perhaps you-can suggest some way in-which we-might be able to help him. Write to-me soon again. Yours- sincerely, Joe Underbill. * f. % .^f-r^... L L.... Compare with Key. 62 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND LESSON 24 PREFIXES AND POSITION The prefixes are divided into two classes, arbitrary and non-arbitrary. The arbitrary prefixes are all con- tracted ; the non-arbitrary are written in full. The ar- bitrary prefixes are com-, counter-, contra-, ex-, sur-, inter-, magni-, ins-, non- and self-. The non-arbitrary prefixes are de-, dis-, des-, re-, in-, en-, un-, mis- and ad-. The non-arbitrary prefixes occupy the position above, through or under the line to indicate R or L, the indicated R or L being added to the first consonant fol- lowing : EX 1. Write the prefixes on the line in depose, dispose, renew, indeed, misgive, advise. EX 2. Write the prefixes above the line in despair, degrade, distort, regard, regret, reproach, retrench, incur, increase, injure, entreat, untrue, mis- creant, adverb, admire. EX 3. Write the prefixes through the line in deplore, dispell, distill, declare, include, incull, ad- valorum. The arbitrary prefixes never occupy position. Ignore the prefix in the following exercises, the position being occupied by the first consonant : EX 1. Write the first consonant on the line in contain, counteract, inside, surpass, incite, insipid, sustain, magnify, interview, entertain, intercede, excite, exceed, expose, self-made, non-content. EX 2. Write the first consonant above the line in express, excursion, concrete, controvert, surveyor, instruct, inspire, interfere, interpret, self-interest. EX. 3. Write the first consonant through or under the line in explain, complain, surplus, internal, encyclopedia, in- still. Compare with key. McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 63 EXAMINATION EXERCISE For Theory Certificate Students who desire to test" their progress, or to re- ceive Credit Certificate, should write in shorthand the following test paper and send to "Examination Depart- ment, McEwan Shorthand Corporation, 72 West Adams Street, Chicago." Write on one side of the paper only, and on EVERY OTHER LINE. Enclose fee of fifty cents in stamps, Thrift Stamps preferred, but ordinary stamps will be accepted. In the following exercise, every rule in the system, including all prefixes and suf- fixes, is introduced. It will therefore prove a very thorough examination of the student's knowledge of the principles. EXAMINATION PAPER Dear Mr. Newcastle : Many thanks for your letter enclosing card from Lieutenant Smith, formerly a non-commissioned officer. I fear the delay caused by your illness will cause the company either to countermand the order or to introduce some new conditions that will considerably reduce your income. Personally I do desire to retain your services as your long experience and undoubted skill as a physician and surgeon are beyond dispute. I enclose check for $100 in payment of your services at the inquest. I suppose you have heard that the Presbyterian pas- tor threatened to resign. I am hopeful that self-in- terest will cause him to change his mind. He is such a magnificent preacher that we must do all in our power to retain him. We must not lose him. Mrs. Taylor and her twin sister have opened an ice cream parlor next door to the Swiss Bakery of Miss Kemp. They will reside in the adjoining dwelling. When you come back from the Quaker City please call on me, as I wish to ask you some questions about a man named William Quelph who has fallen very much behind with his rent. Yours sincerely, 64 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND INTRODUCTION TO HIGH SPEED PRACTICE The theory of McEwan's Easy Shorthand has now been completely covered. The next step is to acquire such speed as may be necessary to use the system in business as a correspondent. In the following pages will be found lists of wordsigns, contractions and phrases that should be copied repeatedly until they be- come thoroughly familiar. You should then obtain "The Handy Dictionary," the study of which will occupy but a few hours. Having followed the above instructions, you will be ready for speed practice writing from dictation. As aids to "getting up speed" there have been prepared two books, (1) The Test and Exercise Book, and (2), The Business Letter Dictation Book. Be sure to follow instructions as to practice. All advice given is based on many years of study and ex- perience, and is designed to save time. Any departure from the plans suggested, by introducing some other plan of your own, will only lead to loss of time, if it does not actually result in failure. Students who cannot obtain dictation at home should communicate with the author of this book, who will be able to recommend some school, or a McEwan Short- hand Association. Associations are being formed in every large commercial center. Practice! PRACTICE! PRACTICE! McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 65 SUPPLEMENTARY LIST OF WORDSIGNb Above ... < ?S.. advertisement ...1 apply ..Ss^.. applied ../N,... application ..^Sgt- cannot ..^^... Christian-ity church :. circumstance-d circumstances ..? convenient-ce .. educate-d .1.. education ...&>.. effect-ed ....$*.. England English exercise-d .... excel-ed-ent-ence ...... , 6r\ V expenence-d ......... first .....(?... hand ....9^... happy ..^s... hear high .. himself A.. how, out ..A.... however .. eye .. interest-ed-ing little ./:. mind, meeting .....o.. mistaken .. out .*>.. /S- ourselves particulars ~?... No parts people-d ....>s^.. pleasure ..-C...1... point-ed .....^s.. principal-le .. put .....>*.. quality .^...^ remember-ed ^. religious-ion ...^e... safe ....3w.. selfish-ness ..._2.. themselves .O these ..._.C.. this ......6.. tried !... usual-ly ....J..... word ..^ yesterday /. yourselves . CONTRACTIONS In every business there is a large number of words so fre- quently occurring as to need abbreviation. In contracting such words the practice of rapid longhand writers should be fol- lowed. Just as much of the word should be written as will clearly suggest it. BliNEV- will be found sufficient to represent the words benevolent and benevolence; then DIG- for dignity; 66 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND AKNO- for acknowledge-d-ment ; and so on. Be careful to avoid clashing. That is to say, do not em- ploy as a contraction any combination of letters that represents another word with which the. contraction might clash in reading. The same form should not represent two nouns, or two verbs. or two adjectives. But the same form may be used to repre- sent both a noun and a verb. A noun and a verb cannot clash. Words derived from the same root may be represented by the- same contraction, provided, as is usually the case, they are of different parts of speech, as in the case of practice and prac- tical. The same form may be used for both present and past tense of a verb. Note, however, machine and machinery below The subject of contractions is fullv dealt with in "Step Two'' of the Reporter's Course ; or, How to Write Three Hundred Words a Minute. Now study the following contractions, acknowledge-d-ment ..?r^>>P cover-ed ..^y.. baptist-ize-ism ./^ x ... discover-ed .Vrrry^ certificate .....w^r\ inform-ed ...^TSv. recover-ed .^TTTV^ never ..s^. practice-ical ..^TT represent-ed ..^\. benignity-ant ..\rr^7~ machine ....- . in a . ..v_^j. it should be ....Lv. we may become ~^m> you can be .cr^ vou have much .^y do you know ...JJD if you can be ..Lx^\ I am ....'irr^N I may come ...~\^~a from month to month ..> from year to year X "Step. he may come ^~^3 we are from day to day ..... from house to house ./..^. in a position ..S^SQ . on the subject of ^^ they are you will at it ...3..... for it .JL. for there in there .N- s by their ..._S. in respect to ~^^ in reference to x. it is L.. at his .. L in connection with ...s-IZ 7 for a time ....^T^^ for ever and ever ^-r give us ...r~?. The subject of Three" in the Court Phrasing is fully dealt with in Reporter's Course. 88 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND LORD ALBEMARLE'S OPINION of McEwan's Easy Shorthand f (For Key see page 5) ^ /n*... > X^....-. .erTx #.?..... ^ ...L. ^ * ^1 \ k~~ , L. JL. -at +* <^ v > ^O . Ns-rO. >~^1 o 7 .^^ = N ' ..o . > S- "" 2 S. n 3 ~^ I THE LORD'S PRAYER A V Q> <^\^ A N^r< Sh-...><; ~?. \| \ / ^O_D A ^ ^^ V x 7 t 70 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND GEOMETRIC VERSUS ONE-SLOPE SHORTHAND (For Key see page 7) > ( r, ...>> /fc. .A.?". >Jv?..Sp - X. .. \r^. L/ <^.. ' s^^> ^ "V-^ -i 9 "1 ;Vtl- 4 \ *&. J^^^t.v^ ' o . ^ (*...> ..O... "V. > ^ <~S^ \N I ?) ...r?r. i ( ....Nr^\..^ ...... U. ..... Jl O McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 71 \, s -** \ s~<\ J. C_x..r7.....^ *drT^..X ->- v^ c*L /X C| 9..... VQ. .!!$?. "X >rr^i. .U // "*> t^Ls . \ . ...... '. ..... VA^. ....... t..*. ..... J. .. ..... X ....... .. ** . 72 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND .f\. * /A ....... \ D. ...... vra.. ..... . X3 ..... rrrs It. ........ i ...... A. McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 73 e / v~> /_ t\* \ \ <*.... .Ct^^rr.... \. ..D. C ..... N .c _Q x 3 : 74 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND ...Lr ....~Q 1. > 2 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 75 s ..... k . ' vA cvL / v. ...... ?7i . . . . ....... .sL*-/ ...... s>~^ 76 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND .ft Ir c r. o C) \ _ x ...x ^ /...,..?. McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 77 L \ .. K7\ . ^ L.....S - S. 3 ~ <. / 1.. ul~*J ..'SP.....> W T< 78 M'cEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND AIDS TO GETTING UP SPEED IN McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND NOW READY The Hand-Dictionary, containing the 1,500 most frequently occurring words used in commercial cor- respondence, representing nearly 94 per cent of what is called "Business English." Price Fifty Cents NOW READY The Test and Exercise "Book, being an introduction to speed practice, and containing many practical ex- ercises, with Key in shorthand. Also full list of reporting wordsigns, alphabetically arranged, lists of contractions and phrases. The book also contains two long Examination Ex- ercises to be corrected by mail. Price (including correction of exercises by mail) Two Dollars Or, without correction of exercises, $1. NOW READY The Business Letter Dictation Book, containing nearly two hundred business letters in ordinary print, with Key in shorthand. Also the principles of Lightning Business Phrases, by the application of which from five to seventeen words may be clearly expressed with from two. to four strokes of the pen. Price One Dollar NOW READY The Dictionary of McEwan's Easy Shorthand, con- taining 20,000 OUTLINES. Price $1.50 IN PREPARATION Readers in McEwan's Easy Shorthand : 1. "The Lost Princess," being a series of six Fairy Tales specially written by Oliver McEwan. Each story is printed separately. Price Twenty-five Cents Or, all six* tales bound in cloth and gold $1.50 (Suitable for presentation) 2. "Sesame and Lilies," by John Ruskin. This McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND 79 wonderful book should be read by all who aspire to be educated. In two volumes. a. "King's Treasuries" $0.50 b. "Queen's Gardens" 50 Or, the two parts bound in cloth and gold 1.50 Send orders, with remittances, to McEwan Shorthand Corporation, 72 West Adams Street, Chicago. McEWAN'S SHORTHAND WEEKLY OLIVER McEwAN, Editor EVELYN BULLEYN, Assistant Editor On October 18 there will be issued the first num- ber of a weekly magazine, printed wholly in McEwan's Easy Shorthand. It will contain special articles by Oliver McEwan and others on subjects of interest to writers of McEwan's Easy Shorthand. It will an- swer questions and be open to help students in every possible way. Contents of No. 1 . Biographical : The story of Tyro, the slave, who invented the first system of shorthand. McEwan's Shorthand Association News : All the news of the Associations that are being formed all over the world. Review : New issues of books on McEwan's Easy Short- hand. Special Article : Principles of Speed in Shorthand : 1. Centrifugal Force. The first number will be sent free to any address on application. Register NOW. The price of the Mag- azine will be FIFTY CENTS a volume of 26 numbers (six months). Two volumes a year. 80 McEWAN'S EASY SHORTHAND HOW TO BECOME A PRIVATE SECRETARY By OLIVER McEwAN The celebrated secretary's course built up by Oliver McEwan as the result of the vast experience gained in training many thousands of secretaries for the world's great men, is presented in the text-book formerly sold at $3, but now offered to all students of McEwan's Easy Shorthand for $2. The book is divided into six parts, as follows : 1. The characteristics of the secretary. 2. Some social and special duties. 3. Preparing speeches and addresses. 4. Filing and business methods. 5. The private secretary's accountancy. 6. Twenty days in the life of a secretary. "A UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IN TABLOID FORM" The "open sesame" to social success is a good knowledge of the English language. This knowledge is assured by the study of "McEwan's Cultural English Course," arranged to suit the needs of all, from the university graduate to the person of neglected edu- cation. The studies are so interesting and effective that the student is conscious of progress with the completion of the first lesson. A university professor who took this course from Mr. McEwan declared that it was "A university edu- cation in the tabloid form." The course formerly sold for $3. It is now offered to students of McEwan's Easy Shorthand for $2. Address all communications to McEwan Shorthand Corporation, 72 West Adams Street, Chicago. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles _fin L thelast date stamped below. RECEIVED IAK 2 6 1986 IKC. DEPL URL L9-10w-3,'48(A7920)444 UNIVERSITY of CALlFOKIMiA AT LOS ANGELES LIBRARY A 000 576 273 7 PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE THIS BOOK CARD I * r o s J University Research Library