THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHEE, EXPEDITE L0]S'GHAJ;D WRITER. MAY BE HAD OF THE AUTHOR, 29, NORTHUMBERLAND STREET, WEST STRAND : PRICE FIVE SHILLINGS. THE PEACTICAL STENOGRAPHER : COMPREHENDINQ NUMEROUS -IMPROVEMENTS, THE LEGIBLE APPLICATION OF EVERY niPORTANT PREFIX AND AFFIX IN THE LANGUAGE, THE CLEAR CONTRACTION OF THE TEDIOUSLY AVRITTEN COMMONPLACE WORDS, ETC. ETC., AND CONTAINING THE INVENTION OF THE CONNEXION OF INITIAL VOWELS: By WHICH PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES, TRIALS, SPEECHES, SERMONS, LEC- TURES, OR ANY ORATION, MAY BE TAKEN DOWN. . ALSO, THE EXPEDITE LONGHAND WEITEE, OR A SYSTEM OF CONCISE WRITING WITH THE COMMON LETTERS; SUIT.YBLB FOR COPYING REPORTS, STATEMENTS, TAKING HEADS OF SERMONS, SUBSTANCE OF LECTURES, ETC., AND WHICH BEING BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OP STENOGRAPHY, IT IS LIKEWISE A STEPPING-STONE TO THAT ART. BY DAYID HAMMOND. By patient practice teach the Hand despatch; The Ear to earn/ sounds as well as catch; The ready Eye to tell what they have done, And SHORTHA^'D'S Art is gain'd— her crown is won. LONDON: PARTRIDGE, OAKEY, AND CO. PATERNOSTER ROW. 1855. LONDON : KNIGHT AND SON, PRINTERS, CLERKENWELL CLOSE. p THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHEE. It is needless to expatiate on, or to show the import- ance of a knowledge of Stenography, did it only extend so far as to be applied to keep anything particular to [2 one's self, to take notes, or make memoranda, etc. For the Art a great deal has been said, and though a great § deal, not one superfluous word; but this cannot be M remarked of what has been said on it! Amons: arts, Stenography is second to none; and it should, long before this, have made universal acquaintance. Why has it not ? Mastery is the reward of perseverance ; and z perseverance and patience Stenography requires : but neither the one nor the other can be secured without encouragement ; and some of the works on Shorthand y are so long and ponderous, and their requisite expla- 3 nations, etc., given with such circumlocution, — as if it were endeavoured, as with many other arts, to mysterize and make the thing more prodigious, — that, instead of interesting and encouraging, they are really enough to frighten any novice. It is, then, the design here, to be 448385 2 THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. encouragingly simple and explicitly brief, — and, when we come to practice, facilitously expeditious. The present System, it is hoped, will give universal satisfaction. To form it, the author spared no pains, and halted at no sacrifice, not even at the giving up of his first-learned, practised method, which, though tolerably facilitous to him by tedious exercise, fell far short, when become so, of his recommendation. Its basis,* however, was good; and, by retrenching super- fluities, naturalizing deformities, — by improvements in every possible way, and by inventions, — this, his own System, has been produced, and is now conscientiously offered to the public. In Shorthand, ^^ the consummation most devoutly to be wished" was, to give vowels theii' places without lifting the pen ; or at least, if rejected, to leave words legible. Here it is hoped we have been successful. We have shown, when required in the most important respect, how to connect them, viz., when they are initial: we have likewise endeavoured in their exclu- sion, when medial, to make words distinct, which is done — in the only manner practicable — by double consonant characters, in which vowels are understood ; and their junction is taught, or rules are given for their rejection, when final. The student will find the 2nd Plate, containing the double consonants, much easier to learn than the 1st; for, in almost all of its characters, whatever letters * Taylor's. THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. 3 they may represent, a letter, as learned on Plate 1, is seen. Owing to the initial connexion of vowels, one totally unacquainted with the Art would perceive the emer- gency we were in for characters, they being limited, and found only in lines, semicircles, and segments. Of the first-mentioned, (lines,) we can use but five — two of these, even, having the same direction, one being made from the top, the other from the bottom; from the second-mentioned we get four ; and from the third, five, which, together, make fourteen — and sixteen characters are required for the consonants of the alphabet alone. By hooking, etc., the lines, we get a few more, but this addition in the present System could only be given in one particular way. Thus we sustain a considerable loss, and must, one way or another, make up for it. This we have done, and it is hoped satisfactorily ; but its time and trouble is now needless to relate. We may however remark, that, independent of the requisite letters of the alphabet, we have represented all the double consonants which could give prepositions or terminations ; and by allotting to the letter x, the double consonant wh, etc., fixed characters, and expressing arbitrarily the one or two initial vowelled words which they would be required to give, another difficulty is surmounted — saving characters which can undergo change or receive addition, and assigning them to letters or double consonants, before which, in half their usage, vowels are required. Great care has been taken to give those letters of 4 THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. most frequent occurrence, or those which are to join with every other letter — the liquids, for instance — the characters which are most readily made ; and if one character he more difficult to form than another, it is made to represent some letter which is least wanted. In short, each character has gone through every ordeal, and its name has been only given when advantages and disadvantages were impartially weighed. Again, when y ended such words as mightij, lofty, by the old method it was represented by i, consequently the pen had to be lifted; but the character here allotted to this letter is almost as easy to make at the end of a word as to omit — its formation requiring the most natural motion of the fingers. Some alphabets have a great many looped letters: this is far from being commendable. Loops require some time to make, and, when two or three meet together, are awkward and tedious. I have seen some alphabets with their looped letters so disposed, that, in spelling a simple word oi four letters, four loops have been together ; this also is, without extenuation, had. One of these characters, nevertheless, is soine- times made with as much and more despatch than a curve, or even a straight line : an occasional one, particularly among a lot of curves, is a gi'eat reUef ; it gives the word a more decided appearance, and you feel as if you had more satisfaction in building upon it. Therefore, in the present System, a loop is not given to a character merely to distinguish that character from another ; when it is given, it is turned to some THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. D account, and made to represent, not one letter only, but two, and even three. * Some ^vriters are so economical, or rather penurious, that they have to allow too many prepositions and terminations to be represented hjone letter : — a mistaken idea of brevity, — and not to allow it to appear overtasked, a great many valuable ones of both are altogether left out. This, it is evident, must cause immense confusion and delay ; which, in order to avoid, we have made a more impartial division — a division w^hich is not only more satisfactory and legible, but more rational, f Now, why the plan of this incompetent, yet over- worked alphabet was pursued cannot be clearly seen, for it is quite as easy to remember an adequate number of characters in Shorthand as in longhand. By the present economy we have sufficient to keep us out of every emergency, while several are not the slightest additional tax on the memory. It is true we might have given less to learn, and appeared more prepossessing, — although we have seen a vast deal more, not only of alphabetical, double and triple consonant, vowel and diphthongal characters, etc., but likewise an innumerable host of words, represented * It may be here remarked, that there are two ways of making a loop — a ready way, and a dilatory way. If made as in the Plates, there is little time lost ; if begun from the point of the line, or nearer to it than in the Plates, there is a rotatory motion, which must retard. t A great many of the prepositions which were formerly represented, instead of impelling the vehicle of the Art, were, in fact, drags upon it. As we can connect our initial vowels, we can connect our short prepositions ; and consequently we represent, and have only to lift the pen for deserving long ones — two-thirds of them being dissyllabic. b THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. by other characters, which would make you fancy, either that every word in the language had a separate sign, or that you were looking into a book of Chinese hieroglyphics ! The difference therefore here, between too much and too little, amounts to one and the same thing — the latter, when learned, being of little or no benefit, and the former frightening one from learning it at all. The argument, that more, than is here given, is necessary for legibility and expedition, we will resign; but had less been adequate, the labour and trouble taken mth the present work might have been spared. We wish to be candid with the beginner : it is natural, the less we have to learn the better we like it; but had it been given, the student, as we have ourselves experienced, would in the end be only left to his own powers of invention. However, liarmony being one of our principal aims, when the consonants of the alphabet, which are but sixteen, are known, the rest of the characters will be learned and remembered without difficulty. Again, with less, on trial, how far would you shortly find yourself behind even a tardy speaker ! And suppose it were possible that you could keep pace with him, it would be a decided impossibility to decipher afterwards what you had written. Nor do we advocate or sanction, except in a few clear, unmistakeable cases, the leaving out of words, and trusting to the context to make sense of the paragraph. This method may answer very pertinently in subjects with which one is partly conversant, as THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. 7 theological discourses, pieces from the Bible or Testa- ment, or poetry, where the peculiar diction, or measure, will make you give completion; but with some new topic — some unfamiliar subject, (and one cannot be familiar with everything that is broached) — if this method be pursued, it would be out of the pale of reason to expect to make an accurate or satisfactory interpretation. We have endeavoured to get as near word for word as possible. It will be admitted that we have a very great abbreviating power, every way, on Plate 2 and Plate 5, (see words spelled by their aid under heading. Mode of Spelling, and ^xa?nples.) Now every one of the prepositions and terminations there, could have been put on Plate 1, but it is obvious that such a step would tend neither to perspicuity nor expedition ; and it is £s evident that a disregard of them would not be compcitible with the study of the promotion of speed, as they would then all have to be written as tediously as uravoidably tedious words. With all our concise- ness, long words — but principally technical — mil some- times occur; but let the Stenographer remember — whicli is consolatory — they take a long time to be pronounced. It will be perceived that the double consonants selected, are not only those which are in greatest requi- sition, but those which would be more tedious to make Avith single letters; besides, being profitable in these two instances, they make the writing more compact and neat. However, these beauties have not in any 8 THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. case been considered before speed and perspicuity. Beauty is a desirable end, but it must not be thought of too much, here ; to consider it pre-eminent, were only theory, and superficial theory, too. We do not wish the student to plod incessantly ; if he will only apply himself steadily, he cannot but know, in a very short time, the ^:>rmc?}j)/e5 of the System : it of course then remains with himself how to work for the practical part. While studying, he will find, that, whatever has been last shown him, is consequent upon something he has seen before. The commonplace words, most of which are dilatory to write, and obscure when written, arbitrarily expressed by each of the letters of the alphabet, and a few of the double conso- nants, are selected so wide apart in signification or otherwise, that they cannot be confounded. Those again shown by their principal consonants, are known immediately by their peculiarities. They are plain and unmistakeable, easy to learn, and they add another feather to the wing of Stenography. The latter, however, you are not peremptorily en- joined, but, if practical Stenography be your aim, are strongly recommended to learn. They are words vhich frequently occur, and if not learned to be expressed concisely, must be written tediously; when, perhaps, while engaged, securing weakness and insignificance, emphasis and force will make their escape. When the student has made himself thoroughly conversant with the first two Plates, he may be con- sidered competent for any trial : however, for less tKAb THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. 9 labour and more rapidity, we would bring under his notice another innovation — viz., the letters of the common alphabet representing awkward, incompressible, commonplace words. This is a desideratum which ■will be particularly appreciated when following a quick speaker. With these, as Avith the double conso- nant characters, — which should have been remarked of them before, — it is shown how to make them stand for, and be immediately known, whether verbs, nouns, participles, adjectives, adverbs, etc. : for example, to make the character which stands for hlas2)he?ne stand likewise for blasphemer, hlas2)hemedj hlaspliemeth, blas- pheming, blasphemous, blasphemously, etc. — the old method being, to represent all of these words, with one and the same word, or character, or to write them at full length ; which method, without much explanation, required some improvement. There are likewise given several new arbitraries, simple, rational, and made with the greatest celerity ; which, too, as required, may be given different terminations. But the student is here left to his choice, to learn them or to disregard them : they, however, will recommend themselves by their plainness, and, when learned, give ample satisfaction by their facility. A few abbreviating characters, as cursorily remarked^ will be found on Plate 5, which will be highly advan- tageous to the practical A\Titer. Thus we have given every useful prefix and affix in the language, and have, it is presumed, represented them as simply and palpably as any learner could desire. 10 THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. Other improvements are throughout, which, as far as the author knows, have not appeared in any other work. But, to be brief, his System is now, after pains useless to describe, given to the pubhc, and all that is looked for in return is, candid commendation, where commendation is due, and that encouragement alone which will requite for the time occupied in consum- mating its objects, which are, and were — ^regardless of convenience, regardless of trouble, regardless of toil — brevity, expedition, perspicuity, and harmony. For its acquirement, — in the first place, let the alphabet be well based in the memory. The 1st Plate, with the diphthongal characters of the 2nd, is all that should be aimed at at first. This should be thoroughly learned and well practised; the characters will soon become familiar, and the prepositions and terminations be always at the point of the pen. You may then learn the remainder of Plate 2, and introduce its characters into w^ords, when you can at once, by a facile movement, make two or three letters. The vowels will be spoken of again. We will now proceed to explain the Stenographic mode of spelling, and to show the peculiarities of some of the letters of THE ALPHABET. You can look over it first, and particularize each character, or keep the Plate open, and turn to them, as they are separately mentioned. THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. 11 All lines and curves, here and elsewhere, are made from left to right, or from top to bottom, with two or three exceptions, to which when we come you shall be told. B. In Shorthand, according to sound, and regardless of orthography, words must be spelled ; h shall therefore be dropped from such words as succumb, tomh, doubtful. This letter is made from the bottom. D. (C is altogether excluded; when it is soft, s will represent it, and k when it is hard.) From some words, without detriment to sound, d may be exploded, as badge, hedge, sledge. F. In many words, as phantom, phrenology , cough, tough, f may take the places of ph and gh. F and d having a somewhat similar sound, v is by some writers rejected ; but as it will give words prefixes and terminations, it is here retained, and allow^ed the same character as f, but, for distinction, it is made a little heavier. G. / sounding something like g, is likewise frequently exploded, {g supplying its place;) but as this tends not only to complexity, but to delay, and as by its retention we are gainers alike as with v, it is allotted a distinct character like g, but a little heavier. If we reject it, delay is caused, inasmuch as writing grudge, 1^ THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. ledge^ wedge, etc., to make g soft, d must precede it ; but, according to this method, w and g a little thicker will satisfactorily spell wedge ; si and heavy g, sledge, etc. When g occurs, as in deign and gnat, and gh as in slight, they must be omitted. H. IT, although some authors admit it with a grudge, and others disregard it altogether, is here retained, and considered a useful letter. Like v and J, it gives us important words, prepositions, and terminations. It has been said that h is not aspirated after tv : now I cannot at present think of a word in which, following w, it is not aspirated. It is in what, which, why, whistle, when, whither, wherefore, white, wheel, whip, who, whisker, ichirl, whence, etc. etc. To teach h to be mute in some of these words might do phonographi- cally with many learners, but universality is considered. Now if h were rejected, how often should we be involved in confusion ; for if some of these words were spelled without it, they would stand for a number of others. A character is therefore given embodying w and h, (see foot of Plate 1,) which, no matter where placed, represents these two letters. H does not often begin syllables, and is always silent after g and r. To distin- guish this letter, when standing alone, from h, it is given a small loop or hook. K. Jfand Q are, by almost all Shorthand writers, allotted the same character. Perspicuity is one of our principal THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. 13 Studies, but the adoption of this method would palpably portray indecision and trouble. For example, kr will stand for care, cure, cur, and car, but who would ever dream of kr standing for queer! If u, which letter always follows q, were given, we would still make some of these words. Q, in this system, may be shown like k, if made from the top, (k is made from the bottom;) or, according to circumstances, if it would be more expeditious, may be commenced, like k, at the bottom, but made a little hea^ier, and, for facihty's sake, more of the form of m. In both cases it can take an initial vowel. When k, beginning a word, is followed by 7i, it must be left out, and knit, knoh, etc., be spelled nt, rib. L. When I occurs, as in chalk and would, it must be disregarded. M. does not require any explanation. N. When n follows m, and terminates a word, as hymn, contemn, it shall be omitted on the ground of redun- dancy. P. This letter is not to be given in such words as exempt, psalm ; and in phthisic, etc., all superfluous letters shall be rejected. 14 THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. R. R is an oblique line, like d, but is commenced at the bottom. This letter is in a predicament somewhat similar to h. I have somewhere seen it hinted, that r, when it terminates syllables, or is the last letter of a word, might be omitted. This, too, might do provin- cially, but would not be in strict accordance with our intention of universality. In many parts of England, when it so occurs, it is not pronounced, even by the politest speakers ; we hear, for instance, lord pronounced lawd ; cord as if written caiod ; party, pa-ty, (the a heard as in father ;) hear, he-a ; peer, pe-a ; ladder, ladda, etc. etc. To omit this letter in such as the first of these words, would create most wearying ambiguity. Just spell the first word, lord, in this manner : now from Id w^e make lad, led, lead, lid — anything at all but lord. * When r stands alone, it is made something like r in common hand. S. Z, in almost every word sounding like s, is allotted its character. When s is quiescent, that word, in which it is so, shall be given without it. To recognise z in graze, advize, etc., and that these words may not for a moment be thought grass and advice, it is made a little heavier. By this method, with these Uke- * To prove in some degree the prevalence of this mode of pronunciation, we see versifiers sometimes give good, creditable sentiments in pitiable rhyme; coupling words like charm with calm, war with atve, morn with dawn, etc. This pronunciation, though unregarded in ordinary conversa- tion, is, in rhyme, insupportable. THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. 15 sounding letters, as with those treated similarly and lately explained, perplexity is avoided, and important advantages derived, without the slightest further tres- pass on the memory. T. As d may be dropped from tuedge and ledge, so may t from match and catch, etc. In such words as wrought, wright, lorap, to must be considered superfluous. When w is the final letter of such words as throw, stow, groic, it may be omitted ; joined to the next consonant will express it. X. When nouns ending with ck are made plural, as flochs, locks, docks, x may take the place of cks. Y. When words terminate with igh, as sigh, nigh, etc., these letters must be disregarded, and y used to give their sound. REMARKS ON THE VOWELS. The vowels have always, to the young student, been an insuperable barrier. In some systems three are allotted the same character, which character, when it is intended to represent a particular vowel, must 16 THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. occupy a particular position, at the top, middle, or foot, before or behind the consonant. It is therefore obvious, that, unless they be thrown from the pen with a precision unteachable and indescribable, there will be no chance of success. Again, they are sometimes wholly exploded. The former method, though highly objectionable, is to this infinitely preferable. Other systems, again, give the vow^els distinct characters, to be given as required, regardless of particular locality. Of the three this method is the best, but considerable delay is made in lifting the pen, and a single vow^el is often so meagi'e with meaning, that it is not worth while procrastinating to give it a place. It has, therefore, been our study to do away with all mathema- tical work — all irrelevant delay — and to guard against enigmas, by giving, as far as is in the bounds of practicability, w^hat can be performed with ease and despatch, and deciphered with accuracy. Medial vowels are rarely necessary to be made, as we have given the principal and most required double consonants ; any word, in which one of their characters appears, will sound almost as well as if the vow^els were written. It is a matter of some importance that the student should know something of the vow^els — the different sounds of each, etc. — as he may at first be a little slow at deciphering some w^ords ; but if these sounds be known, they will not long remain in obscurity. This subject we will now consider. Initial and final junction shall be exemplified hereafter. THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. 17 A. The vowel a has five sounds, heard severally in rate, rack, tar, cat, ivall ; yet it may be altogether rejected. When it has the slender sound, which it takes with a few exceptions before a consonant and e mute, the learner may, if he please, write it, until the characters become familiar. For example, he may spell rate rat, wade ivad — recollecting, whenever it appears, it has always this its slender sound : are and hade, with one or two more, are the excepted words, but their conso- nants are sufficient to express them. A, with this sound, can likewise represent the diphthongs ai and ei in the words wait, fair, remain; skein, veil, etc. ; — and in the words deign, feign, reign ; arraign, campaign, etc., it can take the places of eig and aig. E. 'When e sounds as in let and her, the consonants alone are to be written. When it has the long sound, as in scheme and mete, the beginner may use this vowel, as directed, with a. He may also, if he wish, give it for ee in feet, feel, and for ea in seat and treat, etc. When ea takes a different sound, as in hear and swear, the young practitioner, if he wish to represent it, may use a, I. When i sounds as in words ending with silent e or ght, the young student may give it, and ^vrite pin for pine, fit for fight, etc. ; and when it sounds, which is 18 THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. very rarely, as in marine ^ he may, if he please, give its place to e. It must be dropped from sit and third, etc. O. The vowel o has seven sounds, which may be in- stanced in hot, mote, move, nor, shove, woman, and, where it takes the most eccentric, women, (plural of tooman,) being the second sound of i. Although this vowel has such a multiplicity of sounds, its presence in a word is rarely required. It may, however, be requisite to use it in such words as soah, boat, soar : it can also give this, its long open sound, in words terminating with a consonant and e mute, such as /iope, trope, choke, etc., {come, some, etc., can be expressed by their consonants.) If the student w^ill look for the words in which he thus writes o, as in hoat, trope, etc., he will perceive that he can rarely make a misconstruction. U. This vowel is made to give three or four sounds. It may be written in cube, fume, and such words, but from run and pull, etc., it must be dropped. A most singular sound of this vowel is heard in the second syllable oi ferrule, being the second sound of i; but to regard such anomalies further than this instance respecting this vowel, and that of o sounding like i, would be more nice than useful. TJ can take the place of a triphthong, as in beauty. When this vowel is used, it must, like a, e, i, and o, have the sound which is given to it in the alphabet. /// ! t*^ AVords. Prepositions TerDimatiorLS . h i — 1 — 1 u \ y \ a^, n^v, away a^«fe_ car/phi:^ .arro' -«^. b J 1 /^/ ^^; h'^ -^/zim/e'. , l^elew henj'- -ahle^, oriiife _ ulfU . d / dv,, da^. * dlsccn. tr disajm^ -da/U-diut e / ever^ evefy\ c^e/rru^e/^ eter^ ever^ -ever- erioT' j \i) vay valji^, Teri/- ycht — -vefi// — vert:' 1 j'^iffo, aood -^-e^s iTTjro.ss -jeit7 -^ent' hJ )hejum/, \ however. hert^- hand- -?fX>cd -h*:/xd i 1 • J,(^e^. ':' hde^^' in/er cr- -mir£>_ i r Vnfj kruw. I'^i^se^jTumt'^ -famnsel. am (jr ac^-arrvL- - Jcmd -uicc or eiic ■'upj ( auM^dvfiy, ^iial- quftr^ -i^ienl -quest I c all, lord lib-lil— -lec& -lent nv r\ TTve' 7rvam','^vmme yaa/<^-vc>ia: U£u/:i/,c^it^perT7Wst under- imOTrv'^zmccnv- -ical -imte W j ""\ widi/, we., -mdi^- yvhervL- -yvidt -ward ea:iniy- eoc6T-. e.ader^ — — y\ ^- je,re&. yec- -Jen/* -denty* chX \^ I'Ti^aracter) chi^c^^. diar_ -Ci^il/ or ti/tl -nari/ dv / she., snre. sh/iH . thy . di<€ crduTu , )( di^e^^, shortL. iTiero^ fhanJc^^ . scf^ent t tr .sci4^nc^^— ship Jknjpy^ tkesi^ \ \ yshere ,_ what- -wJiere \ vr/ie/ parct^Txzprr/ 4-,P^- ^ pTvr ^'' |l j/u ertt' jfie' enje^ THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. 19 DIPHTHONGS. The diphthongs used in common writing are, ai. au, ea, ee, ei, eo, eu, ey, ie, oa, oi, oo, ou, oiv, ua, ue, and ui; some of these we cannot well do without. We may indeed do without them, and affect brevity in a paucity of characters, but we will assuredly find, in the end, that the short way was the longer. But to illus- trate our argument : Without the diphthongs oi and oo, how will the words choice and roo7n, etc., be left legible ? Again, there are words in which two vowels occur, and though they do not make a diphthong, we have given a character, without whose aid those words would likewise be left in obscurity. They are trial, phial, fiat, viand, viol, diet, riot, quiet, etc., though the vowels: in these words do not make a diphthong, but are in separate syllables, we have assigned a character to two, which will express them all — viz., to i and a : this character coming between d and t will give diet ; between r and t, riot ; between q and t, quiet, etc. etc. The diphthongs we have selected are au, oi, oo, and ou ; these are allotted distinct, easily remembered marks, being derived from, and made with, the same readiness as the single vowels. The utility of some of these diphthongs, even the proficient will betimes acknow- ledge. 20 THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. EECAPITULATION. EXILES AND EXAMPLES. THE JUNCTION OF VOWELS CONNEXION OF PREPOSI- TIONS AND TERMINATIONS^ ETC. If the following Rules and Examples be well re- garded, the foregoing remarks, — though quite necessary to be made, as we wish to be plain and explicit, and, as far as it is possible, please all, — may be but cursorily perused. The Table on Plate 3 is to show how the letters are to be joined when writing. The connexion of the characters should be practised very assiduously: any word which may be somewhat difficult to write, ought to be written again and again ; this will not only make you write that particular word well, but it will impress its characters in the mind, and render them easy to form when met elsewhere. When connected, each letter should be as like that of the same name, standing separately in the alphabet, as possible. Suppose you want to see how to join two letters — say m and t. Find m at the left of the plate under the hand ; in the square opposite, under t, (towards Avhich the hand points,) m and t are rightly connected. Suppose r and x : get r under the ha7id, and straight across in the square under x you will see them joined. The letters must be connected as seen in the Table, making the second without lifting the pen. THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. 21 The double consonants of Plate 2 are joined in the same manner. EXA^klPLES. 1. "When a vowel is required to commence a word, if the next consonant be a line, a small hook shall be made to the left of it ; if a curve, a hook or loop shall be added, and if it be a looped character, the loop shall be turned out, or up. By this method we are doubly expeditious, and always legible. When a word has an addition thus, at the beginning, you can immediately tell what vowel is meant; it is, in fact, an impossi- bility to mistake it, for that vowel alone which is intended, will make the word sensible. For example, to spell admit : hook d to the left, and add mt ; now any other vowel before dmt will not make a word of meaning. A loop given to m, and pch added, will clearly give impeach. In like manner, n with a hook, and 'crt^ will make invert. The loop of pr turned out, with cli, will make approach. A small hook given to 5, {ahove^ with rt, will give assert; and r, hooked at the bottom, with dnt added, will, without any chance of misconstruction, spell ardent. (Ex. No. 1, Plate 3.) 2. The vowel o, when ending a w^ord or preceding the final consonant, can be joined. In dissyllables, trisyllables, or polysyllables, like abuse, impute, intro- duce, superijiduce, it can, if joined to the last conso- nant, express u; and as e is only sounded in words from foreign languages, o, if connected outside of the final letter, will, when required, represent it without giving complexity to the word. (Ex. No. 2.) ):2 THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. 3. When x is seen at the beginning of a word, a vowel can be understood to precede it; and, as this letter cannot be pronounced without sibilation, when s or c soft follows it, it may often be omitted. (The two monosyllables requiring an initial vowel before x are represented by it arbitrarily : see alphabet.) An initial vowel is given top by lengthening its hook. (Ex. No. 3.) 4. The preposition and terminative characters are to be made something smaller, and must stand close to the full-sized written part of the word. A preposi- tion and a termination can often express a word : when they do so, both must be made so small that neither can be mistaken for a single consonant. (Ex. No. 4.) 5. X not being used at the commencement of English words, when it appears so in Stenography, a vowel, as has been remarked, can be always understood to precede it. Before wh, an initial vowel — but in one word, which word it represents arbitrarily — is never required. The remaining hooked characters, therefore, /r and kl, are the only two which cannot admit of change; they are, however, rarely required to do so, and when required, the student is left to his choice either to place the vowel unconnected before them, (opposite the centre,) or to use the single consonants of the alphabet, and give it joined. (Ex. No. 5.) 6. When a vowel is used as a preposition, it must be placed above, and when as a termination, right below the consonant, in order that it may not be mis- taken for a word which it would arbitrarily represent. (Ex. No. 6.) THE PRACTICAL STENOGKAPHER. Zo 7. By lengthening a line, enlarging a curve, or increasing a loop, two letters of the same name, or two double consonants, may be made. It will be remembered, when a loop is increased for this purpose, it can still, if necessary, be made to indicate an initial vowel. (Ex. No. 7.) 8. When double consonant characters begin a word, they must (at least with the beginner) alone represent those double consonants ; but when another consonant, a vowel, or a diphthong precedes them, vowels may be understood to intervene. (Ex. No. 8.) 9. The characters under the heading Auxiliaries in Plate 2 are the same as those in the opposite column, but made to represent other words having the same letters : for distinction, the next or principal consonant in each of their words is drawn through them ; this is always a guide, and makes them easily remembered. When different endings or beginnings are to be given to these, to the letters of the common alphabet, or to any contracted or arbitrary character, the preposition and terminative signs, or the letters of the alphabet, are to be applied. Terminations can often be given to the auxiliary characters without lifting the pen. (Ex. No. 9.) 10. To avoid the too frequent lifting of the pen, when a word has both a preposition and a termination, the preposition may be joined to it : to show that such has been done, the termination shall run through the last consonant. And for further brevity, two prepositions or terminations may be used in one word. (Ex. No. 10.) 11. When a curve is required as a termination, it 24: THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. can, by adding a small loop, be joined to the word ; but this must not be done when the word has a con- nected -preiiiosition. (Ex. No. 11.) 12. Auxiliary verbs can frequently be united. (Ex.12.) 13. A comma above the line represents the definite article the; on the line, the conjunction and; and below a letter, the termination ing or ings. In active participles it can be used twice. (Ex. No. 13.) 14. A dot under the last letter will give the termina- tion ly ; a comma and a dot, ingly ; and so under a word will represent the termination so ever. (Ex. No. 14.) 15. aS' under the personal pronouns will give the terminations self or selves ; and the diphthongal' cha- racters for au, 00, ou, the terminations ang, ong, and img, (Ex. No. 15.) 16. When rr occur in a word, (not commenced with a vowel,) which will express it, make the Steno- graphic r from the bottom, and connect the small common r at the top. When h is to stand alone, or to be used as a preposition or a termination, it must, to dis- tinguish it from 5, be given a small hook. (Ex. No. 16.) 17. A dash under a sentence or a word implies repeti- tion ; a curve swept round a word intimates antithesis, or opposition ; (and a carat, as in longhand, wherever it appears, denotes that something is there omitted.) (Ex. No. IT.) 18. If a sentence, after something else has been said, be repeated, a line may be drawn under it, crossed at the end, and a small cross made where it should come in. Two pips above the line will supply the place of THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. ^0 a note of interrogation — may be used as a hyphen, and if placed under a word, will serve to show that it is a name. (Ex. No. 18.) 19. When a diphthong is required before a horizontal letter, it must be placed above that letter, and below the same when required after it. A diphthong pre- ceding a perpendicular or a slanting consonant must be placed on the left hand side, and on the right if following it. When au is to be used before a hori- zontal letter as a diphthong, (not as a preposition,) it shall likewise be placed as shown in Ex. No. 19. 20. Th, when it sounds as in hreathe, and to distin- guish verbs from nouns in which it occurs, can be made a little heavier. If the down stroke of sli be treated similarly, it will save the trouble of learning a new character, and indicate zh. (Ex. No. 20.) 21. The prepositions and terminations of Plate 5 must always be placed as shown in Ex. No. 21. It is immaterial which way a hook or loop is turned, when the letter which has such does not begin a word. For f and ^), g and /, h and q, s and z, see remarks on the alphabet. The passive participles of regular verbs, or regular verbs when in the imperfect tense of the Indicative Mood, need not have their endings written : example, I walk yesterday ; for, I to alked yesterday. When the possessive case of nouns is expressed as follows, the prepositions, etc., may be omitted : the joys of heaven ; the depths of the sea. From the following, 26 THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. and similar sentences, they may likewise be exploded : tlicy said to me ; he came to me ; I went to him. Sa7/, lay, pay, decay, and such w^ords, for the sake of prompt deciphering — as they might for awhile be taken for others if ended with y — may be spelled sa, la, pa, etc. In the sentences, for ever and ever; between man and man ; from generation to generation, etc. etc., if a small line be drawn under the and and the to, it will represent the last word. The characters on Plate S must not be used to repre- sent any words but those assigned to them ; for instance, st must not be used to express sit, but w^hen that word occurs, the single letters, s and t, must be employed. When two words are arbitrarily represented by a letter, or by any character, when the second occurs, for the sake of ready deciphering, the letter, or the charac- ter which represents it, might, according to its shape, be made through or under the line. For punctuation, a short space may be left between sentences ; or the comma, the semicolon, and the colon of common writing may be used, if the comma be made from the bottom, and the lower dot of the colon be placed on the line, not immediately helow, but more to the right of the upper one. An undulating, or a short dotted line, will supply the place of a period. If either of these two lines be drawn under a word or sentence, it will likewise serve to denote emphasis. (See Plates.) The common figures, w^hen required, will be made with sufficient despatch ; new characters could hardly THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. 27 be devised which, when learned, could justly super- sede the old. The letters should be made light and small, — not so small as to create ambiguity, — but, however made, they must bear as close a proportion as possible to those in the Plates. One thing before all others we would caution the learner against — which is, trying to write quickly at first. If this be done, you will give the hand a snatchy irregular motion, and never make well-formed, decided letters. You should write again and again, deliberately and equably, the pieces on pages 33, 34, and 35, until you make counterparts of their respective numbers on the Plates ; and not even then desist until you can make eveiy letter at once, as it were, without reflection, and see the shape of every word in your mind before it is written. A pen A\dtli a strong, fine nib is preferable to a pencil : pencils require firm holding and hard pressure, which weary the hand. The paper should be perfectly dry, and might be lightly ruled — the lines so far apart that the terminations of one, may not by any chance be mistaken for the prepositions of the other. The student may at first, for want of the medial vowels, be a little tedious in interpreting a few words ; but let him remember that it is owing to the ncAvness and unfamiliarity of the characters, which will quickly and unconsciously vanish. If the foregoing rules be well regarded, difficulty will not arise either in writing or deciphering. When the characters are perfectly »0 THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. known, so that you can write with some degi-ee of rapidity, you should partly give up copying from books, and get some one to read for you, slowly at first, and steadily; this will bring your ear and memory into practice, and fit you to use the Art in its utmost and noblest requirement. After these remarks, some of which may be considered superfluous — but example is better than precept — the lines on the title page will be more fully understood : — By patient practice teach the Hand despatch ; The Ear to carry sounds as well as catch ; The ready Eye to tell what they have done, And Shoethand's Art is gain'd — her crown is won! MODE OF SPELLING. (At full length pp. 29, 30.) THE WORDS AKD PARTS OF W^ORDS I^' ITALICS ARE ALMOST ALL REPRESENTED BY SINGLE CHARACTERS — LETTERS OF THE ALPHABET, PREPOSITIONS OR TERMINATIONS. HAEK, HARK FOE, THE SIGNAL. Hrk, hrk fr the sgnl, and prostrate all, Ye pwrs s^ats ntions and languages fl ; Dwn, dwn to tlie img ^L^ov-ing-ly stoo'p, JVhck Xbkdnzr tJie king hth st tqy. And lolio luith the vanAate shall fl to com-plj, W7m the sgnl is hrd, shall thv homj deny. Till firing, a fiery frns shall hrv, And ichr is the Grd shall he able to sv ? THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. 29 2%n loud dd the krnt, lirp skbt vsound, And ntions and languages fl to the gr-ound ; Bt loho are yn 3 md the WTshpJl crowd Who undntdZy 5^nd md the hndijig unbwd ? Tn 3, ivhm the frs rgl fury i^rsues, Who ])re&m.i\ly stnd and to y^rship rfus, Who fl to ador, to the imj to stoo^ Wlich 'N the king hth st ttjy ? 'Behold thm. nw szd ivith a ^rmt zealous kr And drgd to the rvrnt TdJcld br Before the vth thron see thm frlsZy s^nd And bldZy rfuse to oba its com-mand. And nw to the vnjns pre-j)?'^ are they born, IF/^r no pwr kn skA;;' ^Ar mdness to mm ! But in the vadst ws an ojpriwB. sta. To shld, and thr Grd, and hs mit to dspZa. ^Tzc? s^l 091 thia sta, in thy trhls depend, A stSL ever ner the sm akkr to Ind, O stl in the Gd of all pwr on hj, Of Ahdngo Shdik and Mshk vly. D. H. HAEK, HAEK FOE THE SIGNAL. (Daniel, ch. iii.) Hark, bark for tbe signal, and prostrate, all, Ye powers, states, nations, and languages fall : Down, down to tbe image adoringly stoop Which Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up. 30 THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. And who with the mandate shall fail to comply, When the signal is heard, shall tlieir homage deny, — Their daring, a fiery furnace shall brave. And where is the God shall be able to save ! Then loud did the cornet, harp, sackbut resound, And nations and languages fell to the ground : But who are yon Three 'mid the worshipful crowd. Who undauntedly stand 'mid the bending unbow'd ? Ton Three, whom the fierce, regal fury pursues, Who presumptively stand, and to worship refuse ; Who fail to adore, to the Image to stoop. Which Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up ? Behold them now seiz'd, with a prompt, zealous care. And dragg'd to the reverent, ridiculed Bar ; Before the wroth Throne see them fearlessly stand, And boldly refuse to obey its command ! And now to the vengeance prepared, are they borne. Where no ])ower can succour^ their madness to mourn !- But ! in the midst was an opportune stay, To shield, and their God, and his might to display. And still on this stay in thy troubles depend, A stay ever near the same succour to lend : ! still in the God of all power on high. Of Abednego, Shadrach, and Meshach, rely. D. H. THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. 31 ARBITRARIES. Although theorists have a great deal to say against them, Arhitraries, provided they he expeditious enough to requite for the trouble of committing to memory, are admirable. But expedition alone is not to be considered, for sometimes these characters, though made with much promptitude, are a very great trial and tax upon the memory. How often do we see them without palpa- bility — without analogy, — no relationship, no guide — nothing, to lead to the word or words they are intended to represent ! We are told, for instance, that such a one stands for underneath, when it might just as well stand for overhead for all the clue we have to it. — It has not been our intention, nor have we in any page of this treatise, positively or obliquely, endeavoured to disparage all works indiscriminately, and everything in them on the same subject as our own. All we ever intended, and all we want credit for, is improvement, where improvement was to be made, and needful invention; which credit, we trust, discernment, both at home and abroad, will allow us. — The arhitraries here given, are as simple, as consequent upon something learned, and as rational as possible ; such as would be almost perceptible to one unacquainted with the Art. The words represented by the letters of the common alphabet can be learned in a very short time ; and, for 32 THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. further despatch, the adept can turn these letters the other way, and make them stand for different words. Example — i, beneficial ; e, considerable ; d, dangerous ; T, familiar, etc. etc. One ignorant of the Stenographic Art, looking at some of its contractedly and arbitrarily expressed words, might be inclined to cavil, and conclude them prepos- terous ; but if the alphabet, etc., were properly known, they could not fail to perceive their consistency ; and if known, and they had to follow a quick speaker, their utility would be equally felt. These characters are not absolutely necessary to learn ; the words, repre- sented by them, can all be expressed by the letters of the alphabet : they are, however, worth the trouble of committing to memory. It would be better to learn only a few at first, necessity will advocate for the rest. PL. 2. cX ^;z.' Words. Erepositions. 1 TeiTxTiuatious. Auxil- iaries. Words. hi ■' 7w:/, Mm^. ZaInfiti~Zail^ ess •'±,. Wi^p/,^m^SS.f^:f±A br / 'J^:.^]^- h^^ h,r — •■ — .jff- i bairier ' j fl c moyy. phzZo _/?'?<-/- pr fled-- Haeni' a \ff'wnf j fr \ from- e/fprt /htTuL. /ree/— -,/ercnfe _form/ X [ aflrtd ^r v ffreM JOUJW^ ^jmrn' -graph/ \ '^I'uma- %l [ cimtd, claim'. L afea/n "^ufui/e ns , ncr/aim kr f crtm>^', cruzise . CfTrdro/ or con^rv^ ccKn^ei.- \ ^ c-reasc ^craa r. '.crim,,,,,/ ,J VpalUxi/^ 1 1^ \f>artic/j/cir . Pl plm/y. plen^ plau/_ -pTam -plm' fn- \ iriwer, ptac- proc^ _purt erpcrt sh "> sciive/ nrca,^ ci>-ci.cm' - scnbe .^senpi ^'T \scriptiire sp ^— spoU Slipa— spec/ -Spin- .,-^ \supr&w \ si 1 stmriffe . sahs sid,kr ^ stmct'-sbiti- t t slnuf -strain 'f \sireniicus \ prei'Uft^^us . "sM'' ^\ sa - 1/ sue aii/henOty auspvcu?//.!. niitii/!r.. (lujf'-' ' t 1 ; /as in pocrj (OS in' hcwse/ ■^ ff« C J« r / . /?«/; ^(_mie-) 1 j ^«» 1 ,'.. ffmdKoL) 1 Spedmenof Ifetiii^-word lornxjri,, Words lu frequent use cantractediy and i see snbjecl(pg 33 1 The fbl^ of Jtusspendixw' Time . Arittrarily expi-essed . " | ■^ itUer/irence^ \ . ' ' L 1 r ' - -i- chnst or crass s Im^ago ^A^ ^1^ h'^zl^. V, /" ^\---^^-- bO'-." 4- acrcss -ff-> satrce/im-ai \ Ar^ uiiMyrum^ -X /l _ <-/ i v^-; '^ / \ / ^ I zL^/^, 41- ehristim 'the' crass )^ rum' a ltd /fun' \ ^K A ^r ;,i '^/'Z /-L l-\-L -Kv\.5\ ^+, e/instian chruimas l- mrbvpolui A/r-^\ neirvspecf' -^ X maliipif I) naitirtii \ W /hendJy \ ■^ suHm,-/u>n' -*" sha/p \- //len^ecus L ^ c&nde repeca a/Kuen^r •\ II ^1 togeOier alfnyMer J. reptldim ^ tm:/cu(£/ 't -J undasiyneci- ^ du^ ^ pratUtee.' 'u j-'^i:/"'^ /c" \ J / y t \.~^ ,yT '■: \ r< undermfn/um-ii H scn^U _ ^3 . .-) r^ \ y -; I '^. — >^\ C' A^ r\ eiitn/emen/umai ^'- hinnm M. aMU>ieneis \ Yj 7Jve>u ie^inmn^ ,? TW/hin^ ^ a/Uance- 9 ^ m'fh^'^rs&/'ia/^ (T^ ,am.Uun^ i'-^ explauc 4 z'.. -7 iV •-- i-;n ,..^./-,\/-. f noK' u efeiys nam^h ,-^ ea^ert^ ^ \'~^ '/- \1,-- - ^ JcA ^ H ^\ J ^ \~ 6or?-«ar/vw i eU uuipect' "^ \ presenOf ,-.,_/ cvni/^i/v .^ V-Vl-I V'-^^^ \\^'/l^- =-^ ctrcumspectr ■V -> ^ ^ V'^j (^J ^^- V 1 77 ? ^^ TrwiKaMeness j A' :' _' J 7 M -A ^ b /y^ .' vv 4 ■-• .^^ ^>t<./W^^ ^1 k cudfu^ze/ M S \\Zj^ I _^> (I / fy V 9J r. h y h / I r nv r- w L. P c- r / s.z. - t w ■^ Ck' "w sTv 6 t^ / wh _/ / 4 S 6 7 METHOD ®jF €®NHE€TIIT:& TffliE rMMLWTF.IRS, The cramnon tedious, and less disUnd \ vwjrds wben writtnn . le^l\' contracted 1 CCW- b d A yj k' / «/ Tl' p 7- J.^ i? IV JO ,, cJi sh ^ 00 C < 6 / y / V )) U a^e«/ beheld' he/ireh.etnd' {crealure-- de^rree' den/ rum',TvM£, re^sitrrec/ion/ nntd' iwi > ,9,i 3) V / ^ ) y I X Il 2. > ^ P \ -y ^ ^ ? / h J P J <' r y ^ ; i z > z r^' < ^ ^ ^ / y h / /7 A A / A A" A r- <^' /— ^ r^ r^ ^v ,^ Z^' / I C u ^ s. s if ( 0^ ^ (;_ (/ c_ s S V ^ ^ s 9 m f~\ rJ ? r\ ^ rf ^ ,.-^ n^ ^ rv- r>~ n ^ 0/ ^ ^^j ^ 1 n; ^ ^ W ^ ^ ^ K Lr^ ^ ^ ^/ ^ M ^ ^ ^A_ ^ V y p <- ^ 7 --N ^ ^ '~C ^^ ^ -^ ^ -- n ^ ^ -V ^ -^ -r r / / ^ A /O / X /" r /^ / / ^ /I A y /V A' ^ r S.Z- — _J ^ "A ~) -T t -^ -^ ^- -y _ n -^ -^ "X —^ 1/ -f t 1 V ) 'x ^ K ^ k L L V L 1 ^ J/ L L I > w ^ V ) ^ ^ V ";; ■V 'x. 'v V ^ ~1 \ V V "u > > cA' ^ ■^^ y "A y) ^ K v^ •y-Kj v-^ ^ 1-^ y ^ ^ ^ ^—^ ^ / sh & y ^ '^\ ^ / /X ^ ^' ^ cX' 7~ 'j^i '^ r" ^v 1^ / y a, / ^ / < < A- / ^ ^ /^ /- /- r / / <^ C / /> ■uih /" £j / < < f' /" A C /- ^ Z (' r ^' C C /■ / E^fAMFJLE So .r / 4 , S 6 & ' 9 ^ ) / pi sfeferjnd^^iarier.ffuaer, ^ -7 --^ <^^ ^/S4/, ;r/7«o«/e; ^r»e<^< «^«^*.., j ky ampnhendJ k i> ki'tk^ mff, sum/, sit^, sife/Ksiraim, Aemii/i' // /J /^ // 18 19 20 21 „ y'~ h J "> y »umhnd, rubuss, segmen//, mendimiy. /FrJk^ c -~-'f"'ffl'c mm h' . ma,^/6e, s/u>ll7wtio, ' ^ , 'C tit, /•OKfiNif /)i> (/itten, -J ^ sui^ sinymtf A J^ / ,/airh'.,,u/,wiruih whosoever 'yiy^hum''/^'timns,/u,<'.rHrselws-c — — sa>iy,smff,.fivu/. ^ rare \ "^i hene/ic£ , /cypecnte \>.,A'<. '\V {n^eh,ttJu.l>m^e',nom ha tiu/ brave, ■ . ' V ^ {dt^ervest/ieAir ' 't-J y 1i£ru^hiwusuruli/tiumufhA!mis.ae'rifJi/a7u//{lie^pr A - /^ ! -^.-^ ?f, ^[ fe^^, J-ohn/MUm r- "Tor^ 7vuse^,scci^,Y YaudW.Sol-.,^ aiupice -/ -f haA!lm,nJba/kefv«i; )/ ^ y pressure. . pOamre '^^^\ V, -i? enlerprise/.7Rstapk^r THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. 33 THE FOLLY OF MISSPEXDIXG TIME. (See Plate 2 ; and Plate 4, No. 3.) " It is usual for those who are advised to the attain- ment of any new qualifications to look upon them- selves as required to change the general course of their conduct, to dismiss their business and exclude pleasure, and to devote their days or nights to a particular attention. But all common degrees of excellence are attainable at a lower price; he that would steadily and resolutely assign to any science or language those instertitial vacancies which intervene in the most crowded variety of diversion or employment, would find every day new irradiations of knowledge, and discover how much more is to be hoped from frequency and perseverance than from violent efforts and sudden desires — efforts which are soon remitted when they encounter difficulty, and desires which, if they are in- dulged too often, will shake off* the authority of reason, and range capriciously from one object to another. " The disposition to defer every important design to a time of leisure, and a state of settled uniformity, proceeds generally from a false estimate of the human powers. If we except those gigantic and stupendous intelligences who are said to grasp a system by intui- tion, and bound forward from one series of conclusions to another without regular steps through intermediate propositions, the most successful students make their advances in knowledge by short flights, between each of which the mind may lie at rest. For every single 34 THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. act of progression a short time is sufficient ; and it is only necessary that, whenever that time is afforded, it be well employed. He that will not suffer himself to be discouraged by fancied impossibilities, may sometimes find his abilities invigorated by the necessity of exerting them in short intervals, as the force of a current is increased by the contraction of its channel." — Rambler ^ NATUEE'S IXDEPENDEXCE OF MAN {Extract). (Plate 4, No. 1.) Look up — around — awhile delay — "Whence every lofty, labour' d scheme ? Awhile their workmanship survey, Then ask, is IMan — is Chance supreme ! And say, should I far hence betake, "Woidd not yon jealous Orb on high With dalliance still fond Nature seek, And walk and sentinel the sky ? And when the Despot from his route Lay buried in the West's embrace, The timid Queen of night steal out, And o'er the clouds her daughters chase ? Ay, still the lightning-flame would dart Across the gorgeous midnight sky ; The loosen' d Comet headlong start, And on its unknown errand hie ! Still would the rebel winds outbreak. And after one another howl ; Still would the midnight tempest wake, And the rous'd thunder surly growl. THE PRACTICAL STENOGRAPHER. 35 Xature in direful throes would toss, As the young Earthquake from her tore ; The Hurricane would still break loose, And panting Ocean rage and roar. Ay, man, remove — here stand nor strive, jNTature will still as forward seem ; Still her machinery she'd drive, And own some Power o'er earth supreme. D. H. (Plate -i, Xo. 2.) O man ! frail, thoughtless creature — why, alas ! This vain display ? Compound of dust and ashes — loathsome mass — How short your stay ! To the foul worm akin ; a few years pass, And then its prey. These busy scenes — engrossing pleasures gay, "Will shortly end ; And weeping friends around our slow decay Shall soon attend ; And after us, when slowly borne away. Their steps shall bend : Then " dust to dust" — the rattling lid replies. Here ends your span ; And then our lonely dwelling, with red eyes Priends, lingering, scan — Life's scenes they join, and then our memory dies, And thus ends man ! D. H. THE EXPEDITE LONGHAND WRITER, Any one, whose time may be so engrossed by neces- sary duties that they can hardly hope for the acquire- ment of practical Stenography, might, in a very short time, become conversant with its mode of spelling, — its contracted, arbitrarily expressed words, and many of its abbreviating signs ; all of which might be used, and save a vast amount of trouble and time, in common writing. With the latter (the prepositions and termi- nations) all long words could be very materially short- ened. If copies of any particular writing had to be made — and it is seldom an enviable task to have to write a lengthy statement over again, when words always, or generally long, and full of redundant letters, seem more so — here, this expedition would be most desirable. By thus writing, according to sound, omitting super- fluous vowels and quiescent consonants, you will not only give a desirably greater velocity to the pen, but will often get as near the means for orthoepy as you before, by spelling in the customary way, went from them. A specimen of this kind of writing (System 2) will be seen on Plate 4. The prepositions and terminations, etc., are of course learned on Plate 1. The upper words, in the braces, are given to show how the same words beneath them may be made more brief, by using tlie THE EXPEDITE LONGHAND WRITER. 37 Stenographic letters for prepositions and terminations ; which letters might, by degrees, be employed until the common ones would be altogether unused, and this System be superseded by Stenography. We can yet introduce and recommend another style of writing, which, although not quite so concise as the foregoing, is very far from being as long as the common method. This is, to write just as is done Stenographi- cally, only use the common longhand letters, both in the phonographic spelling and arbitrary representa- tion of words, and for prepositions and terminations Specimens will be seen on pp. 38 and 40. You are strongly advised to give even this style, which we will designate System 3, particular heed. A great many, from want of knowledge of their capabilities, — a fancied incompetency, or a sudden creation of insurmountable obstacles, — might be inclined, on the first view, to banish the very word Shorthand from their minds ; but if this, plain System 3, were awhile studied, they would soon get into the way of System 2, and insensibly from that into pure Stenography. Either of these last explained methods of vvriting might be employed in all avocations. The former, in particular, will not only be of avail in the instances mentioned, but in the Church, the Court, the Lecture E,oom,the Literary Assembly, — in business, and at leisure, — for private delight, and social benefit; in short, in every walk and work of life, its utility would be forcibly and happily felt. 448383 38 THE EXPEDITE LONGHAND WRITER. ATHEISM {Extract). SYSTEM III. Lesson 1. Without Prepositions and Terminations. Poor unblvr wh ma raz, r gv th brst a ples-i strf ? k gratfl smil th chek dsplaz & wh, ay wh to th z lif ! cherls, unlvly, drery wa k joys refind, th stps at-t ; wif, chldm, frnds, why lovd r they ? The ty z snapd & thr they end ! wy shdst th nrs a thot, r klsp & fondly her a chrm p-fer ? dth kms & tars t from th grsp, & lif's too shrt fr folsh kr ! w k swet hops th brst z frot, k fr-w gol rtans thin i ; rtchd suprmly rchd thot qkend to toil to gron & dy ' bt wh z athsm ? wh ? a trmbl-i host, a fols dsdan ! ts th wch nvr hd, hs not, & nvr sh a has obtan wher wz, r er wl b the mn w mnd untchd, b not subdud, kd kamly sa, I'l mete my spn & w the snshul brut k-klud THE EXPEDITE LOXGHAXD WRITER. 39 ATHEIS^^r {Extract). Exposition of Lesson 1. Poor unbeliever ! what maj raise, Or give thy breast a pleasing strife ? No grateful smile tliv cheek displays, And what, ay, luhat to thee is life ! Cheerless, unlovely, dreary way ! ]N'o joys refined, thy steps attend ; AYife, children, friends, why lov'd are they ? The tie is snapp'd, and there they end ! Why shouldst thou nurse a thought, or clasp, And fondly here a charm prefer ? Death comes, and tears it from your grasp, And life's too short for foolish care ! With no sweet hopes thy breast is fraught, No forward goal retains thine eye ; Wretched, — supremely wretched thought, — Quicken'd to toil, to groan, and — die ! But what is Atheism ? what ? A trembling boast, a fool's disdain ! 'Tis that which never had, — has not, — And never shall, a base obtain ! AYhere was, or e'er will be the man, With mind untouch'd, — by nought subdued, — Could calmly say, Til mete my span, And with the sensual hrute conclude ? D. H. 40 the expedite longhand writer. Lesson 2. With Prepositions and Terminations. (System III.) I k-sidr a humn scl w-out edk-s Ik mrbl n th q-ry, wch slios nn f its nhr-n butys, untl th ski f th plshr ftchs out th klrs, mks th srfs shin, & dskvrs e ornmntl kloud, spt, & van, tht rns thro th bdy f t. edk-s, aftr th sm mnnr, whn it wrks p a nbl mnd, drws out to vw e It-n vrtu & prfk-s, wch w-out sch hips r nvr abl to mk thr apr-n. f my rdr wl gv m Iv to chnj th alu-s so soon p hm, I sill nik us f th sm instns to ilustrat th fors f eduk-s, wch th flsfr hs brot to expln hs dktrn f sbstnshl frms, whn h tls s tht a statul ys hd n a blk f mrbl ; & tht th art f th sttu-r only klrs a th sprflos mttr, & rmvs th rbbsh. Th figr z n th ston, & th sklptr only fnds t. wht sklptur z to a blk f mrbl, edk-s z to a humn sol. th flsfr, th snt, r th hero, th wz, th g, r th grat mn, V ofn ly hd & k-sld n a pleben, wch a prpr edk-s mit hv dsintrd, & brot to lit. Spkttr. t shd b k-sdrd tht natr dd nt br-i s nto th wrld n a Stat f prf kshn, bt hs 1ft s n a kpsty f imprv-m ; wch shd sem t intimt tht w shd Ibr to rndr ^ xsl-n. v fw r sch abslut idyts s nt to b abl to bkm at 1st dsnt, f nt emi-n, n thr svrl sta-s, b unwred & ken aplk-s ; nr r thr n possd f sch t-snd-n jenus & abltys, z to rndr 1 pns & dljns unnss-r. prsvr-n wl o-km dfkltys wch at frst apr insprbl; & it z amz-i to k-sdr hw grat & numros obstkls ma b rmvd b a k-tn-u atn-s to n prtklr point. Konishr. THE EXPEDITE LONGHAND WRITER. 41 Exposition of Lesson 2. " I consider a human soul without education like marble in the quarry, which shows none of its inherent beauties until the skill of the polisher fetches out the colours, makes the surface shine, and discovers every ornamental cloud, spot, and vein that runs through the body of it. Education, after the same manner, when it works upon a noble mind, draws out to view every latent virtue and perfection, which, without such helps, are never able to make their appearance. " If my reader will give me leave to change the allu- sion so soon upon him, I shall make use of the same instance to illustrate the force of education, which the Philosopher has brought to explain his doctrine of substantial forms, when he tells us that a statue lies hid in a block of marble, and that the art of the statuary only clears away the superfluous matter and removes the rubbish. The figure is in the stone, and the sculptor only finds it. What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to a human soul. The philosopher, the saint, or the hero, the wise, the good, or the great man, very often lie hid and concealed in the plebeian, which a proper education might have disinterred, and brought to light." — Spectator. " It should be considered that nature did not bring us into the world in a state of perfection, but has left us in a capacity of improvement; which should seem to intimate that we should labour to render 42 THE EXPEDITE LONGHAND WRITER. ourselves excellent. Very few are such absolute idiots as not to be able to become at least decent, if not eminent in their several stations, by unwearied and keen application ; nor are there any possessed of such transcendent genius and abilities as to render all pains and diligence unnecessary. Perseverance will over- come difficulties which at first appeared insuperable; and it is amazing to consider how great and numerous obstacles may be removed by a continual attention to any particuiar point." — Connoisseur. Interpretation of the Characters on the Cover. " Knowledge is power!" be this your highest aim ; AVisdom is wealth ! be this your noblest claim : Then work, and so^ that thou shalt never say, As Titus mournful said, " Tve lost a day V D. H. LO.NDON : KKIGHT AXD SOX, I'KI.NTtKS, CLERKE.NWEI.L CLOSE. Tf 4- n r\ > Tl 4 Natore's hidepeiideiice of MaiL lp^3-|l (ETc erdfle t v iHi a few prep: azud TerminaUa ^/ VT-^ ^v <^ ^ - ^ - ^- •^-- 0'9M SV. //V^-/,l .- ''-o \ r. <^. ^ -^ ^ •< ^^ .c'-^^y^^ /.^U^ .<^/^ iw- r^^; S IPJE CIMJET?. Sysiein 2 . See Expedite Long Hand WntBT. The folly cf misspendiuj!; time ( P;i( 33 ) \Vt < — /^un' rqrcl I c/in/' '^/\ihf k-d/ \, dems thr i,sns , (^Itu^ pU/i^ , [ divt iAr / /■ n,^ \ - \ \&.s _ ) rslui asm/ I ^ [iians / <^ ^Afis [i^siaM %'ftnss wcA/ v.ven' K^'mst? / V \ dvr.s / \^^h'-Tn, wd /hd' '/ na tmdt/i s\~i. } ''S Am- mcA' Trwr _ \J /w/td \ frq. n/^ /rrsynri/ tAn/ \ nv-b ' > sddn, /■^\weh /< son. rrnUd ivhn J nJuaai^ /^ / wcA/\ J /• nd^'d l V^ wl' ski/ 4 ' aufhorfy' \ mn/, n^ ifimA/ \ / vb/ I an-Uir . ■" ^^ I ivls ' /ors \' kTrntr ^■-' J ' k' trk.s \ AMJBIiriRAmiES, tcwcirds henecdh/ paralld pefpeft^/iUculctr increase -tnove/th/e. world under the/ earth/ hevorvcL'die world aavss die world ifirpagh/ the/ world tv tke ends of the/ eartJt/ fronv Ihe/TWrtfi/ pol£' te the jc fivno easP to west> trom/Arsttvlcuf for ever, for ever and ever firstly sea>ndlv tAmtf foiutAl,- j- 7 _ Jamiliai- ^vords represented l>r the letters of ijjp caunnan Alp kaB ei. ei^W^U!f'^h-£f, «•>= /rem e^r^'P'^'^zhy ti' everhcs/in^. \ 7m^ne<^e7- r/ti/7/i/z/^^ . 7U^M>Tt/t.f/uru^in^ o6ne7i*ise, ppuu^'n. rerr/Mr/ra^l^ if/uimy7u,>us vc/icnlary nznety. Z— Ze/^lin^S, Za/Il/tC4^y Prepositioiis . Ter-minatuons r dernv cr dvmiy^ Il£f7t4/^ rneltu- i7i/e/- mcu^n'i. I y -# ^lo^-alfy ^se7v6 -worried^ UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. Form L9-25m-9,'47(A5618)444 UNIVERSITY ot CALit^UKNiA AT LOS ANGELES LIBRARY Z56 H184p Hammond- The practical stenographer. A 000 570 385 5 tXAS Z56 H184p I^BIHIff ■ 111 1 ■.^1 m- I-: "^i 1/ li ■! 1 -.i,. ;' <