SEMOGRAPHY: OR, SHORT and SWIFT WRITING. Being the most easiest, exactest, and speediest Method of all other that have been yet extant: the full understanding is so easily attained that the Learner hereof needs no other help but the book itself, 〈…〉 which will bring him to such exact 〈…〉 that in a short time he shall be able to take word for word after the speaker with much ease.  
Invented and composed for the benefit of others by the Author hereof WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT.  
And is now set forth and published by his Nephew Jeremiah Rich immediate next to the author deceased.  
There is divers that the Professor hereof hath, taught, that will affirm this hand to ourgoe all others for briefness, which have had the sight likewise of other hands.  
All which desire to learn this hand may have the book to teach them.  
London, Printed in the year, 1642.   

To the not curious, but honest Reader.  
KInd Reader, I am not minded to trouble your view with foolish and empty compliments; neither need I write any thing to the praise of short-writing, it is already done by so many to my hand, who have so far strained their finest compliments to boast out their own works, that the strongest cords thereof have not only cracked, but very complemental-like, they have broken out into large lies: but yet alas we all know that many times men over-strain themselves with too long a reach. But to pass that: for my part, I conceive that all the hands that are written are advantageous to those that write speeches or Sermons. And, I further conceive, that there is little difference in those hands that are already extant, for those which brag most have least cause: for if their Method be shorter, it is because they commit more to memory: then it is the memory which helps, and not the Rule; but that must needs be best that is briefest with the least trouble to memory. For if any be pleased so far to charge their memory, there is a way in this hand to write any or all the sentences in the Scripture by marks, which for the most part plainly figureth out the several sentences they belong to; but it would be too long for me to discourse of that here, something to this purpose I have written in the book, and if any desire further satisfaction let them repair to me, and they shall have it. For there is more to be done by this hand than can well be committed to the press without great and large expression. Now as for my commending of the work, I know not why any man should expect it, seeing it is my own: for although I am not Father to it, yet am I the right heir, for my uncle dying left it to me only, and now contrary to the custom of all others, I am willing that any that please should partake with me of this my small portion. Farewell.  
Thine, JER. RICH.   

To all good Artists, that would write The shortest way, lo here's the light.  
LO here's presented to thy view,  
What none before could ever show,  
For it short-writing we may praise  
The like hath not been seen these days:  
For Method rare, and abbreviation,  
Excelling all within this Nation;  
For sure there is not any hand.  
As far as I can understand,  
That doth instruct to write so brief,  
With ease to learn; of all its chief,  
An easy apprehension may  
With few spent hours find out the way,  
Both for to write, and eke to read,  
Such ease doth from these Rules proceed.  
Here I might lay down some reason,  
But it would much be out of season.  
For he that's pleased this book to buy,  
May read and know as much as I.  
This branch I leave now to thy view,  
The stock is dead from whence it grew,  
And thou partaker of his pains,  
Possess with joy, thine be the gains;  
And when thou knowest, then say I tell  
The very truth, and so farewell.  
Per me TIMOTHY LANGLEY  
Who hath written Sheltons' this 12. years, and viewed many others, yet conceives there is none can parallel this.  
This I will make appear to any that desires to learn this hand, in 4. or 5. particulars.   

SEMOGRAPHY: OR, Short and Swift Writing.  
FIrst of all in the writing of this Art, it is to be observed that the Learner hereof must be a skilful speller, having knowledge in all manner of words that can be named.  
For the briefness of this Art consisteth not only in the easiness of the marks or Characters for the same; but in the shortening of words by casting out all such letters that are superfluous, and of little sound, and only to write as much as will bring in the sense of the word. And this he must be skilful in before he can undertake to write after any, or to take any quantity of a Sermon.  

For the help of the Learner in this observe these things following.  
First, that at the least one letter may be left out in the shortest word that can be spoken.  
Secondly, that sometime two Consonants or more may be left out, and yet the word sufficiently pronounced.  

As in these words, and the like.  
For might write mit.  
For fight write fit.  
For light write lit.  
For doubt write dot.  
For dough write do.   
Thirdly, observe that sometimes a whole syllable may be left out; and yet the word understood plainly.  

As in these,  
For commandment write commament.  
For congregation write congation.  
For resolute write reslut.  
For communication write comucation.  
For hypocrite write hypcrite.   
Fourthly, observe that the like two or three syllables may be left out.  

As in these,  
For incomprehensible write incom.  
For internal write ntern.  
For Mephibosheth write Mefb.  
For Holofernes write Holof.  
For uncreated write uncre.  
For redeemed write rd.   
And the like.  
It often happeneth that in the end of a long word two or three syllables may be spared.  
Fifthly, one Consonant may be changed for another of the like sound, when the other cannot conveniently be, as in this Art must be often used.  
As commonly in the end of long words x may be writ for ch: as in Patriarch, x may express it thus Patriarx: And so in divers other.  
As to write all such words as begin with c: k may be expressed standing in the place of c.  

As followeth,  
For come write kom  
For call write kall  
For cold write kold  
For crime write krime  
For crowd write kroud   
Sixthly, some words may be shortened by the leaving out of e: sometimes at the beginning, sometimes in the middle, and sometimes at the end. As followeth.  

In the beginning when it cometh before x.  
For external write external.  
For extent write xtent.  
For extend write xtend.  
For extreme write xtreme.   

As also when it cometh before n. As  
For entrance write ntrance.  
For enternall write nternall.  
For entension write ntension.   
And the like  

When e also cometh before s. As  
For escape write scape.  
For estate write state.  
For establish write stablish. And the like.   
When it cometh before m also, it may be left out in the like manner.  
When e cometh in the midst of a word, and the sound thereof be drowned by the Consonant, that follows it may be spa●ed, as when it cometh before r.  

For internal write intrnall.  
For interrupt write intrupt.  
For interpretate write intrprate.  
For intercession write intrsetion. And the like.   
And always at the latter end of a word it may be spared, because it is but of little sound.  

As  
For come write come.  
For cry write cri.  
For believe write believe.  
For belike write belik.  
For betime write betim.  
For before write before.   
And thus e is cut off from most words by reason it hath but little sound, but especially in the precedent words.   

Of Diphthongs.  
A Diphthong is when two vowels meets together in a word, and one of them must of necessity be sounded: And now because that one doth chiefly sound the word; therefore the other may be omitted. As in these.  

For fear write fer.  
For heat write het.  
For meat write met.  
For feat write set.  
For great write great.  
For feat write fet.   
And the like.  
Although two do come together, yet the first doth principally sound the word; And must be writ as is said. So much for Diphthongs.  
Observe that for a slow hand there is a help in this Art, both in speediness and also in memory, by the reason that a whole sentence may be joined together, as one mark; And also plainly be read, which I leave and refer to the learner when he comes to them.  
Having spoken something of this Art in general, we come to the first point thereof in particular.  

The Letters of the Alphabet.  a 
/  b 
 ch 
c  d 
 e 
 f 
 g 
 h 
 i 
 k 
 l 
 m 
 n 
 o 
 p 
 q 
q  r 
 s 
s  t 
 v 
 w 
 x 
 y 
y  z 
z    

CHAP. I.  
All which Letters except y must be made before the Pen be taken from the Paper, that is to say, at once.  
Also observe that q stands for qu. because they always come together.  
Likewise all the Letters (save only t and y: and y) are to be ended towards the right hand, that you may the better join the next ensuing letter to it.  
These Letters being so perfectly obtained by heart, that you can make all of them without looking on the copy, you may proceed to the next.  

An observation of the Letters ch and i.  
If it be demanded how all such words shall be expressed as are written with c because that ch will sound the word too soft.  
I answer that in such words as c must begin and principally sound the word, than sometimes we in this Art do change another for the like sound; therefore k may serve to express c thus:  

For come write kom  
For call write kall  
For cold write kold  
For cast write kast  
For can write can And the like.   
This may thus be wrought, and yet no prejudice at all in the reading, but rather a help, after a little use.  
Likewise we have an i vowel, and not an j Consonant, and it being impossible to observe five places about a common period, therefore we change i for g being of the like sound.  

As thus  
For iohn write gone  
For join write goyn  
For jack write gack  
For ieames write geames  
For just write gust   
When the learner hath all these observations by ●art concerning the letters, he may proceed to the next, which is double Consonants.    

CHAP. II. The Double Consonants.  
To begin  and end. bl Words L br  lk fl  lm fr  In dr  lt dw  lp gl  ls gr  lst kn  mp pl  nk pr  ns sh  nt sk  rm sm  rn sn  rs Saint  Th' sp  ch Stir  wh tr    tw     
All which letters or double Consonants, unless 〈◊〉 be the three last, are the very letters of the Alphabet joined together; and therefore they are to be observed:  
As to write (bl) your (b) alone is thus (): and (l) thus (); when you join them toge●●●● draw (l) from the foot of (b) thus ().  
As also for to write (ld) your (l) thus (); and (d) thus (), when you join them together draw (d) from the foot of (l) thus ().  
And the like of all the rest as you shall see them in the copy of the double Consonants and Terminations.  
The single vowels are in number five: as a. e. i. o. u. most sort of writers observe five places about the Consonants for the same: but I seeing some ill convenience in the same by the reason that the places of a and e be so near the one to the other; that if the writer be not perfect in his writing he may mistake and place a for e, and e for a, which breeds confusion in the reading as by daily experience doth appear.  
Therefore for the learners more exactness in this Method, I have omitted one of the vowels, and reserved but four to be placed about the Consonants▪ and therefore these are to be observed.  
The vowel that is omitted is (e) which we write in his own proper Character, and join it to the Consonant when it doth end a word thus:  

Deed  
 
set  
 
me  
 
we  
 
fe  
 
ye  
  
As also when it doth come in the middle of a word it is expressed thus:  
bet 
 set 
 let 
 net 
 get 
 het 
 fet 
  
And such like.   

CHAP. 3. The places of the Vowels.  
b ch d f g  
The place of (a) is over the head.  
The place of (i) lower than the head.  
The place of (o) almost at the bottom.  
The place of (u) underneath thus; and so are all the Vowels placed.  
By the places of these four Vowels the learner may observe to write any manner of word that containeth one or two syllables; as for Example:  
bat 
 bet 
 bit 
 bot 
 but 
 dat 
 det 
 dit 
 dot 
 dut 
 fat 
 fet 
 fit 
 for 
 fut 
 got 
 get 
 git 
 got 
 gut 
 lat 
 let 
 lit 
 let 
 lut 
 mat 
 met 
 mit 
 mote 
 mut 
 sat 
 set 
 sit 
 sot 
 sut 
 hat 
 het 
 hit 
 hot 
 but 
  
By the former Examples of the four Vowels places, and the observation of the vowel (e) the learner may express any manner of word, as by these Examples may appear.  
When two Vowels come together in a word, a●● one of them will sound the word; the other may omitted, as for Example:  
feat 
 heat 
 meat 
 great 
 seat 
  
Where you see that although two Vowels come together, the first doth sound the word principally, and therefore the other may be spared as we have said before, in the former observation concerning Diphthongs.  
If two Vowels meet together in a word and they both must be expressed, the former vowel is expressed by a tittle, and the latter vowel by placing the last consonant in the place thereof.  
dial 
 roit 
 poet 
 lion 
  
For words of two syllables we observe to separate the syllables in setting the first by itself, and expressing the other, like unto a word of one syllable; As for Example:  
defile 
 de fame 
 de face 
 de form 
 belike 
 betime 
 beseech 
 believe 
 become 
  
Thus the learner may observe, by these directions may learn to write any manner of word that can be named, but for the learners brevity in this Art in writing of long words we have marks to observe for the beginning and ending of the same as followeth:   

CHAP. 4. Prepositions and Terminations for long words.  
come 
 con 
 under 
 pra 
 pre 
 pri 
 pro 
 pru 
 sus 
 suf 
 re 
 ack 
 mount 
 ment 
 tempt 
 core 
 cashion 
 nation 
 ration 
 ation 
 lation 
 tation 
 zion 
 union 
 count 
 sent 
 tent 
 sever 
 ture 
 ternal 
 trance 
 ever 
  
By these Prepositions and Terminations the learner may observe to express all manner of words, they being a sufficient ground for the same.  

Words by the farmer Examples  communication 
 congratulate 
 commandement 
 commission 
 contrition 
 action 
 correspondent 
 contain 
 conform 
 understand 
 prayer 
 prefer 
 prudent 
 pride 
 proscribe 
 consolation 
 sustain 
 confirmation 
 condition 
 assault 
 misinformation 
 consent 
 content 
 confusion 
 misbeleeve 
 containing 
 servitude 
 conclude 
  
First of all the learner may observe that if he hath a Preposition to begin a word, and never a Termination to end it, he must end it with one of the letters of the Alphabet.  
Secondly, if he hath a Termination to end the word (named) and never a Preposition to begin, he must also begin it with a single letter.  
Lastly, if there happen both a Preposition and a Termination in the word to begin and end the same, he must first write the Preposition and set the Termination in the place of the vowel that sounds the word, as may be seen by the word (communication) above-written.  
Before we proceed to the Table we may observe certain of the letters expressing words of themselves, and these words being the most common and coming in every sentence, therefore it is thus ordered, that the letters should alone express them.  

The use of the Letters.  after Double consonants express these words. remnant be  small church  the children  you eminent  wherefore or he  example of  is God  his hospitality  &c. I    King    Lord  blessed man  glory in  grace order  knowledge principality  shalt question  impediment  
For a slow hand there is a help in this Art both to speediness and also memory by the reason that many words may be left out as superfluous, and the chiefest words of a sentence writ and the other omitted; the ground whereof followeth:  
abound 
 exceeding 
 large 
 long 
 measurable 
 unspeakable 
 transcendent 
 triumph 
 wide 
 little 
 short 
 small 
 increase 
  

Sentences writ by the former Examples follow.  abound in grace 
 increase 
 in knowledge 
 excel in virtue. and in the knowledge of Christ. 
 the exceeding love of God. 
 the large love of God to sinful man. 
 the exceeding love of God to give Christ. 
 the unspeakable love of Christ. 
 his transcendét riches of grace not to be measured. 
 his grace triumphing over death. 
 the exceeding long sufferings of Christ. 
 the love of God. 
 the power of God. 
 the joys of heaven. 
 the torments of hell. 
 the troubles of the Saints. 
 the gate of life. 
 the way of Salvation. 
 the ark of Covenant. 
 and mercy seat 
 as if he should say 
 as well as 
 as good as 
 as long as 
 as much as &c. 
 when thou art converted strengthen thy brethren, 
 both high & low, rich and poor, from him that sitteth on the throne to the hewer of wood and the drawer of water. 
  
As for those whose judgements are that the joining of a sentence breeds an ill convenience in the reading, by the reason that it is spoke divers ways, are not of my mind; for although some common sentence is spoken many ways, yet for the sentences that are taken out of the Scripture they can be read but the way that they are found, whatsoever the demonstration thereof may be, therefore I proceed a little further in expressing some of them that are most useful.  
Wash ye, make you clean, put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes, cease to do evil, 
 learn to do well, relieve the fatherless and the widow. 
 Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson they shall be as wool. 
 O that my people would have heard the words that I spoke, and to have known my way! I would have fed them with a crop of the finest wheat, and made the rock to drop with honey, and turn my hand against all their adversaries. 
 They say, when will the Sabbath be over that we may sell our Corn, and wine, and oil? 
 Neither height, nor depth, nor principalities, nor powers shall be able to separate us from the love of God, that is in Christ. 
  
Note that there is another way whereby dive●● short sentences may be writ:  

First of all thus written.  
Last of all thus written.  
First of all, the Martyrs of God.  
Last of all, the Mercies of God.  
Last of all, the judgements of God.   
City () thus, overrun the city () thus come against the city () thus, to undermine the city () thus, to war against the city () thus, ou● of the city () thus, within the city () thus.   

THE TABLE.  

A.  Advance 
 admit 
 affliction 
 adultery 
 anger 
 angel 
 against 
 arguments 
 among. 
  

B.  Behold 
 baptism 
 bless 
 because 
 begin 
 believe 
 behind 
 between 
 brethren 
  

C.  Cause 
 children 
 come 
 Christ 
 Church 
 congregation 
 conscience 
 conversation 
 comfortable 
 corrupt 
  

D.  do 
 diligence 
 destroy 
 deliver 
 dwell 
 darkness 
 discover 
  

E.  Elect 
 Example 
 enter 
 evil 
 even 
 expect 
 earth. 
  

F.  Follow 
 faith 
 from 
 foundation 
 forbear 
 flesh 
 feast 
 fast. 
  

G.  Give 
 God 
 great 
 glory 
 Gospel 
 good 
 generation 
 general 
  

H.  He 
 hath 
 humble 
 heart 
 heaven 
 hypocrite 
 heretic 
 hear 
 house. 
  

I.  Instruments 
 instruct 
 increase 
 inward 
 Jesus Christ 
 judge 
  

K.  King 
 kingdom 
 know 
 keep. 
  

L.  Let 
 love 
 Law 
 Lord 
 life 
 like 
 long 
  

M.  Mistake 
 mortal 
 Magistrates 
 ministers 
 multitude 
  

N.  nevertheless 
 neighbours 
 neglect 
 necessity 
 notwithstanding 
 name 
 nothing 
 now. 
  

O.  order 
 of 
 observable 
 over 
 others. 
  

P.  People 
 principal 
 particular 
 public 
 protection 
 patience 
 pacify 
  

Q.  quality 
 question 
 quarter 
 quantity 
  

R.  Remember 
 righteousness 
 regard 
 Religion 
 rejoice 
 repentance. 
  

S.  Stand 
 Salvation 
 Spirit 
 self-love. 
 small. 
  

T.  think 
 Trinity 
 themselves 
 torment 
 thus 
 these 
 those 
 there 
 taste 
 thy 
 trouble. 
  

V.  up 
 uppermost 
 voice 
  

W.  we 
 were 
 wise 
 with 
 wickedness 
 world 
 walk 
 whether 
 wild 
 worship 
  

Y.  yet 
 you 
 your 
 yield 
  

Z.  zeal 
  
kingdom 
 The people of the kingdom 
 the K. of the kingdom. 
 the Lords of the kingdom. 
 From East to 
 West, from 
 North to South. 
 The people of the East. 
 the King of the East. 
 the men of the West. 
 the king of West. 
 the country of 
 the North. 
 the men of the North. 
 the cold of the North. 
  
And after this manner or from this ground you may write thousands of others.  
Note yet further that here is another rule of abbreviation very necessary.  
As people: servants: Saints: men: women and children:  
For all these you must observe six places about your word or mark for your word, when you shall have occasion to write them, as you write God () thus, then observe six places () thus, now the lowest pricks on the backside of God, signifies the people of God () thus, the next to that the servants of God () thus, the next the Saints of God () thus, the next the men of God on top of the right side of your mark () thus, the next the women of God () thus the last the children of God () thus: and so about the word Israel or Judah, with many other words which the Artist may find out of himself, it would be too much to relate.  

As for Example.  The people of God. 
 The people of the Jews 
 The Servants of God 
 The Servants of Satan 
 The Saints of God 
 The Saints and Servants of God. 
 The men of God 
 The men of Judah 
 The men of Jerusalem 
 The men of Sodom. 
 The women of Samariah 
 Let women be watchful 
 Let women love their husbands. 
 The children of God 
 The children of the world 
 Let not the children of God fall to sin and wickedness. 
  
Many thousands more might here be added, and by this ground expressed, but the diligent learner may find them out of himself when he doth hear the sentence named.  
And upon the benefit hereof let me have thy Prayers.  
FINIS.