Fax Nova Artis Scribendi: OR, AN INTRODUCTION (By way of DIALOGUE) To the best FORMS and PROPORTIONS of all LETTERS, in each Hand most useful; and excellent for all business both in Clerkship and Trade.  
To which is added, RULES for SPELLING and POINTING.  
AS ALSO, A TABLE of Abbreviations, so large that it will facilitate both the Writing and Reading of any business at Common or Civil Law. Together, with some Directions which may be beneficial for a CLERK in the progress of his whole Clerkship.  — Peragunt Linguae Charta manusque vices. 
By JOHN MATLOCK, of the City of Lichfield, Philographer.  
LONDON, Printed by John Leake, for the Author; and are to be sold by Luke Meredith, at the King's Head, at the West-End of St. Paul's Churchyard. MDCLXXXV.   

THE PREFACE.  
THE devising and finding out of Letters has ever, by the Sage and Prudent of all Ages, been adjudged as one of the rarest, and most heavenly Inventions of all that are in use in Humane Society, both in respect of its excellency in contrivance, and also for the extensiveness of its benefits. For the excellency of its contrivance; it is almost a Miracle, that a Mean could be invented, whereby Words and Sounds, which naturally be the Objects of the Ear, should be made the Objects of the Eye. This is indeed a most admirable Invention, that Sounds and Voices should by the power of certain Characters (as it were by charms) be stolen away, from their own proper sense, and conveyed into another by Leger-du-main, and so made an object of the fame. This, I say, is a very wonder, and among all the Senses not to be found in any other: No Invention ever yet could make the object of Seeing the object of Hearing; nor the object of Hearing the object of Smelling; nor the object of Smelling the object of Feeling: only the object of Hearing, by this Invention of Letters, is made (in some sort) the object of Seeing. And as it is excellent for its Contrivance, so it is no less for its Benefit: For by Writing we have the comfort of God's Holy Word continued to us; which from Writing receiveth its denomination, in being called Scripture; which is nothing else but Writing: By this we have the Monuments of Ancient Times communicated unto us, and all good Arts and Learning derived unto Mankind. By Writing, we may give direction for our Foreign business, though we stay at home; and for our Domestic, though we be abroad. By Writing, we may confer with our absent Friend as freely as with a present Neighbour; communicating all our counsels as secretly and closely, as if we should whisper in one another's Ears, though we be divided many Miles asunder: By this, we are furnished with invincible Arguments, to fight against the Factious and Seditious Enemies of Church and State; these, and infinite like Blessings are conveyed unto Men, by the benefit of Writing. The only motive that encouraged me to this trouble, was, my being wearied through a long travel after exact Writing, in those many ways chalked out by Penmen both Ancient and Modern; which being many, cannot all be excellent; for Perfection is single, and cannot consist in plurality of ways, to one and the same end. This ●ngle, and best way, both in respect of the form of Characters, and also in the manner of making them, ●as never yet been demonstrated, either by Rules, 〈◊〉 Examples. The best Rules to Handwriting have ●een published by Mr. Cocker, and these are many, ●nd very excellent. But their full extent is too ●ort, to regulate the Errors that may happen in ●●y one Character: He having given by them, no ●mpleat proportion of any Letter: And its imposable to have a right understanding of the proportion 〈◊〉 any Superficies, without a true knowledge of ●●e length and breadth of each part thereof: And ●ere can be no Extreme, where there are no Rules ●●r a Mean. Now if Mr. Cocker, or any other Mo●rn Penmen, have published such Rules as will corect the Extremes, that may be committed in the writing of any Hand, I shall willingly submit that ●ese my Papers be Burnt, and myself pointed at. ●nd that it is absolutely necessary, to have a true knowdge of the due, and just proportions of Letters, ●order to the attaining of an excellency in Writing, I judge, I need not go about to prove: ●●ker, and the best of Penmen, having acknow●ge it. Therefore, I hope, the following Tract, ●ll be entertained with a kind acceptance: where●is chalked out a way single, short, and easy, to 〈◊〉 best way of Writing, in laying down Three undeniable Principles; and from thence branching o● such Rules as will prove and regulate every pa●● and particle of all Letters, in each useful Hand which may serve as an Axe to cut off the unnecessary young Suckers, and also the old withered Branch. By which husbandry, I doubt not, but that Hand Writing will thrive to a greater perfection. And (kind Reader) it was not the desire of being see in the Press, that moved me to this public Work but my Favour, and kindness to the Art and Artist who have been not a little abused by Engrave● (for so I call them, rather than Penmen) who ha● made it their business to burden this Kingdom wi●● almost an innumerable number of Copy-Books (some of them being as useless and ridiculous 〈◊〉 Dr. Donn's Sun-Dyal in a Grave) which ha●● made such a confusion, that its difficult to distinguish between good and bad; They being like Moc● guides, that point to a Traveller twenty ways once, never constant, but ever changing. Now wish, that you may take as great delight in the practise of these things herein contained, as I to●● pains in the Composing of them; so shall the bour be well bestowed by,  
Your Friend, JOHN MATLOC   

TO MY HONOURED FRIENDS, THE BROTHERS OF THE QUILL.  
THE Devil Calumny (saith the Learned Erasmus) doth so rage against all Men, and all Things, in these Days, that it is not safe setting out any thing unguarded. If Integrity of the End may plead for my Vn●rtaking, I may presume you will not deny it Patronage: It's ●ief Design being to free both the Art, and You the Artists, ●om the erroneous Judgement of Irregular Fancies; and to ●aken the lazy Drowsiness of Others, that are loath to be row●d out of Fancy's pleasing Dream: There being a sort of melancholy, and drowsy Scribes, that can fancy nothing but centaurs, and Minotaurs; and the best of Characters by these ●hancy-Mongers, are condemned as Flat and Stiff, if they are not set off by some of their monstrous Fictions. But let the● delight to gild their base Metal, whilst Gold shines in i● Native Lustre. Writing is, by the Learned, acknowledged fo● an Art, though, I think, it was never yet proved; and by som● (who are reckoned for Masters of Writing) only for a Fancy: judge, these last can never be thought, by well-grounded Artists Masters of that Art they deny the Method of; and especially, 〈◊〉 the following Lines be well considered: Wherein is first proved That Writing is an Art; and then showed, how far Fancy 〈◊〉 to be considered therein. The First, That Writing is an Art I prove thus: The Practice of a certain Method, that's a● Art. But Writing is the Practice of a certain Method; Ergo● Writing is an Art. Of the Major, or First Proposition, Anstotle, in his Sixth Book of Ethics, calls that an Art, which is th● Practice of a certain Method. And Velcurio, in his Commentary upon the Universal Philosophy of Aristotle, Lib. I. cap 9 thus defines Art: Ars est habitus animi intellectu a● quisitus, constans ex certis Regulis, per Experientiam pr●batis, & exercitationem Cognitis. And for the Minor, 〈◊〉 Assumption, it is clear, the several Forms of Characters, b●ing only legible, and distinctly known by their certain Use an● Form. Also, observe, that every thing is performed by A●● Natural Power, or Habit. First, By Art, when the Acts prosecutes a certain Method. Secondly, By Natural Pow● when it's performed merely by the Instinct of Nature. Si● Luscinia secundum Naturalem potentiam non secundum A●tem, tamen optime canit. Thirdly, By Habit, when it only by Custom and Exercise. Sic mediocriter periti numrant, loquuntur sine Arte adjuti Exercitatione. No M● can be Master either of Natural Power, or of Habit: Not Natural Power, for that's the Gift of God alone, as Ovid: 
Est Deus in nobis: agitante callescunus illo  
Sedibus Aethereis Spiritus ille venit.  Not of Habit different from Art; for every Habit consists either in the Mind, or in some Member of the Body: And what is performed by Art, is according to the Intellective Habit of the Mind; as Velcurio: Artis vocabulo utimur pro habitu animi intellectivo, secundum quem, homo facilius & melius potest aliquid intelligere, agere, & praesertim facere, vel fabricari. And the Members of the Body are incapable of Instruction. Quod nemo didicit nemo docere potest. Now then, it must follow; No Art, no Writing; No Method, no Master. And, Arts being different, it will not be amiss to give you the Definition of the Art of Writing.  
Writing is an Art, which, by the Exercise of the Pen, makes Words legible. Now, every Art consists of Two Parts, (viz.) of Method, and Practice: 1. Of Method, in a compendious, and certain way and means of Art, delivered by Rules, Precepts, and Institutions. 2. Of Practice, in an Exercise and Use of the same. The next to be considered, is Fancy; wherein you may observe, That there is nothing in the Understanding, except it be first in the Sense: for as common Sense judgeth of Shape, from the outward, sensible, material Shape; and Fancy not only conceives the same material Shape, but also feigns and imagines like Idols, or such Shapes of the Intentions. So the Understanding receives the perceived Shapes, or devised by Similitude, from Fancy altogether immaterial; and feigns and judges them more significantly and clearly, whether or no they be Good or Bad. As every Letter or Character is first conceived in the Sense, and feigned and imagined, before it ●e made by the Pen; so the Understanding judges of the Character, when it's made into an outward material Shape: So ●hat, from hence may be observed, That Understanding is the Judge of Fancy; and then, consequently, Fancy cannot be Judge of Writing. Fancy has one more Office considerable ●n the Art of Writing; which is, more deeply to impress up●n itself the Shapes offered from common Sense, in the Absence of the Object: as after the viewing of an excellent Letter, a deep Impression of its Form remains upon the Fancy, in Absence of the Copy.  
Now, these Premises being granted, and myself being the First, who not only hath proved Writing to be an Art, (and so, consequently, to consist of Method and Practice) but have also prescribed such a Method, as will regulate every Character of each useful Hand: I am not afraid to challenge my Priority, nor to conclude with my Anagram;  
Calamus est mihi honos.   

Fax Nova Artis Scribendi. IN A DIALOGUE Between the Master and Scholar: Teaching the ART and USE OF WRITING.  Scholar, 
SIR, my Address to you is, to desire your assistance, in Teaching me to Write.  Master, 
I am ready to assist you, or any other person, who desires my Directions, to the utmost of my ability.  Sc. 
I shall think myself obliged in an infinite Gratitude, and will pay you to your content.  Mr. 
It very much rejoices me to have the good fortune to meet with a Scholar that promises so well; and I doubt not, but that your love to the Art will appear in your diligence to acquire it. The truth is, for a Man to Write well, it is very necessary to be in good Humour; of a serene and cheerful Spirit, and not overcast with clouds of Melancholy; Fancy being no less eclipsed with the unquietness of mind, than Beauty with the indisposition of the body. What employment are you intended for? I ask you, because I would make choice of such proper Hand, or Hands, as may be most requisite.  Sc. 
I am uncertain of that yet; therefore I desire to learn all useful Hands, that thereby I may be fitted for any business.  Mr. 
Now I know your design, I shall proceed with you in such a Method as will, doubtless, lead you to your desires. And that you may the better understand what you are to Learn, and I to Teach, you are to observe, That Writing is an Art consisting of two parts; Method, and Practice: and as Method without Practice avails nothing, so Practise without Method avails as little; therefore, I shall in the first place instruct your Hand with such precepts as may give you the true knowledge of your desires: that thereby you may understand how to guide your Hand. And then, and not till then, I think it convenient to let you imitate, or Writ by a Copy. For to begin to Write after a Copy before you know how to manage both your Hand and Pen, your success is like to be equal with that of the Pilot at Sea, who is furnished with Instruments fit for his Navigation, but is altogether ignorant as to their use; and you cannot but judge, but that a Voyage under the Conduct of such a Pilot is very hazardous. Therefore, in the first place, learn how to Sat to Write, and Hold your Pen. Sat so high that you may with ease place your Elbow close to your Body, and your Hand strait from you, so that you may, without daubing, give every stroke naturally its perfect full and small: Then observe to sit upright, and not writheing your Body, but strait, bearing your Breast from your Desk, or Table whereon you Writ. Then hold your Pen between your two Fore-fingers and Thumb; your Fingers being almost extended to their full length, and your Thumb-joint bent outward; your other two Fingers bent inward, and upon the end thereof rest, and move your Hand; your Pen also being rested upon the end of your Second Finger close to the Nail thereof. Your Pen and Hand being thus held, you may make any stroke of a reasonable length, without moving your Hand either upwards or downwards, only by the motion of your two Fore-Fingers and Thumb: for if your Thumb be bend outward in the joint, you may extend your Pen upwards and downwards, at least an inch, to the making of any stroke without moving your Hand. So that you need move your whole Hand no way but strait forward, towards the end of the Line. These Rules being observed, you will also soon learn to Write strait.  Sc. 
An Acquaintance of mine holds his Pen between his Fore-f●inger and Thumb only, and prefers that way before all others.  Mr. 
That way of holding the Pen was Used and Taught by Frisius, a French Master, who only wrote Italian Hands ●o. And I judge this way of holding the Pen in Writing ●hose Hands best, by reason that way of Writing is the ●ightest, and with the least obstruction; but in the writing of our English Hands it is not so; they requiring a heaier poise of Hand, which is not so well performed by one Fin●er and Thumb.  Sc. 
I will submit unto your judgement, and will endeavour closely to treasure up all your directions.  Mr. 
Let this also be for your Encouragement, that the Principles of this Art do not dernand an endless Labour; but are contained in a few easy Documents of meet Proportions, which will present unto you an open and ready Access unto the most inward Secrets of the Art.  Sc. 
These Words much encourage me; for I have much doubted the Attainment of the Art of Writing, upon the account of the great Number of Copy-Books extant by Mr. Coeker and Others.  Mr. 
Many lively Spirits have been overwhelmed in the misleading Labyrinth of the confused Examples of Mr. Cocker, and other Modern Penmen; who have invented or altered a vast number of Hands, very useless and insignificant; which will appear by the ensuing Discourse: And by their Rules, no Man can judge which is best of their Works, their Rules not reaching the Proof of any one Hand; they altogether neglecting the chiefest, and most excellent Principles, viz. Firmness, and Expedition; and having only a general Respect to Beauty.  Sc. 
I have heard much in the Commendation of Mr. Cocker's Works; and in One he writes himself, ENGLAND's PENMAN.  Mr. 
I have had as great an Esteem for the Works of Mr. Cocker, as for the Works of any Engraver: And I judge, that he might have, in his Time, as great Skill in the Art of Writing, as any other Person . But I also judge, that if his Rules had been more copious and certain, and his Examples fewer, he might have given a Greater Light than he did, into the Knowledge of Writing. You will, I imagine, be more discerning to judge of Mr. Cocker's Works, and Others, before You and I part, if you well weigh the following Discourse.  Sc. 
I am uncapable of Judging, as yet; what I may be, I know not: But this I know, that there is but one Best; and, if so, I may be sure, that there must be a great de●● of Rubbish amongst so much Variety.  Mr. 
In this you err, saying, That there is but one Best Hand; for as there is variety of Business, some requiring a shorter, and others a longer Continuance; so it is absolutely necessary, that there be Hands also of a greater, and lesser Firmness. And likewise, it being judged convenient, that the several Courts, (viz.) the Courts of King's- Bench, Common-Pleas, and Chancery, should use distinct Characters for their Records: So that, from hence you cannot but conclude, as it is absolutely requisite to have several sorts of Hands for several Uses; so there may be a Best of each sort.  Sc. 
I am very well satisfied with what you have said: But pray then (Sir) inform me, how many Hands are requisite for me to Learn, to qualify me for the best Writing of ●ny sort of Business?  Mr. 
There are but Five Best in use for a Man, and One for a Woman.  Sc. 
But Five! If this be so, surely Mr. Cocker, and O●hers, have taken great Pains to small Purpose, to publish so ●any.  Mr. 
That you may be the better satisfied of this, I will acquaint you with the Use of Writing in general; and then ●ive you the Use of each particular Hand. Of the Frist:  
Writing is the Recording in legible Characters, any Pro●eedings at Law, Evidences of Land, Book-Entries, and ●pistles. All the Records of Courts, and Evidences of Land, ●ight to be wrote in a Firm and Substantial Hand; so that ●ey may remain Legible for ever: for what is of a perpetual concern, requires a perpetual Duration. Book-Entries, as ●op-Books, and the like, being of less Duration, they ●ight to be wrote in a Hand of a lesser Substance. And, 〈◊〉 for Letters, they requiring no longer Duration almost ●an their Reading, they cannot be written too small or faint, Legible.  
And now I have given you the Use of Writing i● general; together, with the Reasons of Firmness, or Faintness of Hands, according to my promised Prosecution; it remains, that I give you the Use of each Hand in Particular: In order to which, I will inform you what Hands are used for the Engrossing of all Records; which are Court, Chancery, Set, and Text. All the Proceed both in the King's-Bench, and Common-Pleas, are, or aught to be, Recorded in Court-Hand, either Great or Small. And, as this Hand is of great Antiquity, without almost any Alteration; so it is most excellently designed for its Use: For no Hand is gracefully wrote so close; therefore it's the more fit for Writs, and such close Ingrossments: nor no Hand more Firm, and Substantial. The whole Substance of each Character requiring the flat Application of the Pen, for the Performance; therefore the more durable; and so, consequently, the more Excellent for Records.  
The next Hand that takes place, is Chancery; which is, I think, of no less Antiquity than the Former: And for its Firmness, for the same Reason alleged in the Court, is as Excellent. But it is not written gracefully, so close as the Court. This Hand is called Chancery, by reason tha● all Chancery Proceed are, or aught to be, written in it; no Court, besides it, using the same Character.  
Now the Set-Hand is thought fittest, and best for Engrossing all Evidences of Lands, as Bargains, and Sales, Feosments, Jointures, Leases, Wills, and all other Deeds, where by any Lands are conveyed; it being also a very Substantial Hand; and being used so frequently, is thereby become Legible to all that can read any Manuscript.  
Text-Hand is most properly used for Ornament, and fo● Marks; whereby any Part of a Deed may be discovered b● a sudden Inspection; and, if well written, answers its en● as for its Beauty, exceeding well; no Hand admitting 〈◊〉 more Beautiful Proportions: And, for its other End, 'tis ●●ry Excellent, its Character being far larger than the rest of the Writing. It points out the Premises, Habendum, Tenendum, and each particular Covenant; so that, if you have a long Deed before you, you may look to any Part you desire, without reading any more than the Part looked for.  
And now I have done with the Four Hands, used for Ingrossments: It remains yet to speak of Hands fittest, and best for Book-Entries.  
Hands, said I? There you might oppose me, and answer, That there is but one Best: For two Superlatives, cannot accord with several Operations to one Effect. And seeing there cannot be but one best for this Business, I will inform you, from Three undeniable Principles of this Art, what sort of Hand is Best.  
That Hand is Best, that is as Firm as the Duration thereof requireth; and also is the most Expeditious, and Beautiful. These Three Principles are the only Touchstone, to try all Hands.  
So that, if you be to judge of a Piece of Writing; first, Observe whether it be written so Firm, that it may endure so long as the Business therein written requireth. Then observe the Expeditiousness of the Hand: And then the Neatness, or Beauty thereof. And let your Judgement ever pass for that Hand, that cometh the nearest these Three Principles.  Sc. 
You have, I thank you, enlightened my Judgement very much, in these Three Principles, or Fundamentals. But it will be a very difficult, and tedious Search, to find out the best Hand for the Use last , if I were to search it out amongst the almost innumerable Engraven Hands extant: Therefore, pray be so kind, as to let me know the Name of the Hand?  Mr. 
If I should tell you Secretary, you would nevertheless be very much puzzled to find out the Best for your Use; there being so great a number of differing Hands, called by the name of Secretary. But if you were so great a Critic, as to find amongst the Hands extant, whether it were Secretary, Mixed, or Italian, or any other the very Best of all amongst them, for your use: yet, let me tell you, That it will fall short of answering these Three Principles : For neither Mr. Cocker, nor any other Penman, either Ancient or Modern, ever reduced Writing to any Certainty, either in respect of Firmness or Expedition, before myself, (I think, I may truly say.) Therefore, for your Satisfaction, I will show you a Hand of my own ordering, according to the Three Principles , for Book-Entries, or any other Business, excepting Ingrossments; and I would advise you to make use of That, till you meet with a Better. And now I have (I hope) sufficiently proved, That there are but Five Hands Best, for the Writing of all sorts of Business.  Sc. 
I am very well satisfied; and I desire I may Write these Five Best, and I care not who Writes the rest. But, Sir, seeing you have been so kind, as to inform me with the Fundamentals, or Principles, pray let me also know, wherein they consist?  Mr. 
I will insist upon them very plainly, and fully; for in them consisteth the whole Marrow of Writing; they being the Basis, upon which the whole Structure is built.  
For the First, which is Firmness; I Answer, That Firmness consisteth in the Fullness of Strokes: So that, that Hand is most Firm and Durable, whose Characters are, in their several Differences, performed by the Full of the Pen. And how Firm each Hand ought to be, I have already proved.  
For the Second, which is Expedition; I say, That the lesser Compass the Pen doth move in performing any Letter, that it's the more Expeditious. And that the taking off the Pen, in the making of any Letter, or in the joining of Letters; and in the making of Letters that require an extraordinary Poise of Hand; and also, the turning of the Pen from any Part of a Circle, to a strait Line or Angle, or from a strait Line or Angle, to a Circle; makes the Hand more slow: And the Reason of this last will plainly appear, if you do but consider the great Contrariety that is between a strait Line, and a Circle; or the great Opposition that every thing meets with, that is upon a swift Circular Motion, in turning to a strait Line or Angle.  
For the Third, which is Beauty; I Answer, That it's impossible to prescribe satisfactory Rules for this Excellency, the Opinions and Fancies of Men being so various, that there are scarce Two of one Judgement concerning it; one deeming that Beauty, which another condemns for Deformity. Notwithstanding, I will give you my Judgement herein, which will extend to every Part of Writing, wherein Beauty may be considered.  
Then First, I conclude, That every Letter ought to have its Natural Full and Small; (I mean by Natural, such Strokes as are made at one Motion.)  
Secondly, That every Letter in a Hand, stand alike.  
Thirdly, That all the Letters without Stems be of one height and depth, and that all the Letters with Stems be of one height and depth, provided the Form of the Letters will admit of it.  
Fourthly, That every Full bear one proportion of Fullness; and that every small Stroke be as fine as is possible.  
Fifthly, That all Letters, or Parts of Letters of one kind or name, do, in all their Dimensions, remain the same.  
Sixthly, That all the Letters, or parts of Letters within the Ground, and upper-lines of those Hands that depend upon the Circle, and Perpendicular Line, be of the same Breadth with their Height; and then all their Whites will be alike: Which will much add to the Lustre of an Hand.  
Seventhly, That the White of the [o] be observed between Letter and Letter, and the double thereof between Word and Word. These Three Principles being thus considered, they give you a certain Method for the making of every Character.  Sc. 
Now (Sir) I thank you. I understand what it is that makes an Hand Firm, Expeditious, and Beautiful. But, methinks, Firmness and Expedition are inconsistent with each other: For you say, That the larger the Hand is, it's the more slow. Therefore, Firmness and Expedition cannot accord.  Mr. 
I shall very easily Answer this Objection, if you will but consider, first, the Use of the Hand; and if it be for Perpetuity, than the Character must (as I have said before) be so Firm, that it may continue Legible for ever: So that, in such like Hands, (viz. Hands of Ingrossments) Firmness is the chiefest Excellency. But notwithstanding, that Hand is Best, that is most Expeditious, and Beautiful; and yet answers the end of Firmness. But my Rule for Expedition, is; The lesser Compass the Pen doth move, in performing any Letter, it's the more Expeditious: But from thence you gather a false Notion. For though you say true, in saying, The larger the Hand in Compass, the more slow: Yet it doth not follow, that Expedition doth oppose Firmness. For the Firmness of an Hand doth not consist in the large Compass of the Hand; but in Firmness of Stroke, as is before alleged.  Sc. 
I confess, I was under a Mistake; for which I crave your Pardon: and I have received a great deal of Satisfaction from your Three Principles, together with their Existences; and, I hope, I have a right Understanding of them. But (Sir) Has the Scribe Liberty, by these Principles, to change or invent Characters for Hands, as he pleases?  Mr. 
No: But he may alter any useful Hand, to make it accord with the said Principles; provided his Alteration do not render the Hand more illegible. I will now proceed to give you the Knowledge of the best way of Writing, and according to the forerecited Principles, in each particular Hand: And I think it most convenient to begin with the English-Ingrossing-Hand, commonly called Set-Secretary. And that I may not do and undo, I will (First) set down the General Branches considerable in each Hand: Which springing from the said Three Principles of this Art, and being followed perfectly, will reduce Hands to their highest Excellencies.  
The Rules founded upon these Three Principles, have Respect either to the Proportion, or Forms of Letters. As for the Proportion of the several Characters of this Hand, I have already proved, That they must be so Firm, as that they may endure Legible for ever. But how Firm this Hand ought to be, that it may thus endure, it remains yet to be considered: And that I may not give you the Proportion too small, which would prejudice the End of its Use; nor too full, which would render it the more slow; I have considered this, That Hand which has endured Firm and Legible for several Centuries, will endure Legible for ever. Now, how Large and Firm those Hands are that have thus continued, may be seen both by Printed Authors, and Ancient Writings.  Sc. 
Sir, There are several sorts of Prints, and those of several Proportions.  Mr. 
The Smallest of any sort will endure for ever, if it be well Printed; which doth not only appear by the duration of Books extant in the smallest Prints, published both for the Instruction of the present and future Ages: but we may also see these Books thus Printed, an hundred Years or more after their Publication, to remain Firm and Legible as they were the First Day of their Printing.  Sc. 
There is a great Difference between that which is Printed, and that which is Written.  Mr. 
As to the Manner there is; but as far as it concerns that which I here argue for, there is no Difference; a Stroke of the Pen being altogether as durable, as a Stroke from the Press; they bearing both one Fullness.  Sc. 
But that which is Printed seems more firm than that which is Written.  Mr. 
The Print is the blacker, because it admits of no Hair-strokes; but this is Nihil ad rem, if you consider, First, That the Difference of Letters in this Hand depends upon a full Stroke: Secondly, That their several Forms by which they may be known, depends also upon a Full.  Sc. 
I observe from hence, That as all Letters are known by some Difference; so that Difference must be made by the Full of the Pen, that the Difference may remain.  Mr. 
It's well observed. Now, if the smallest Print be judged of a sufficient Firmness for perpetual Duration, sure an Hand as full again cannot be thought too small. Now, that I may give you the right Proportion of every Letter in this Hand, and of every thing that has relation thereunto; First, I will set down in what particulars Proportion is to be considered in this Hand.  
I. It has respect unto the Length and Breadth of every part of a Letter, both Great and Small.  
II. In the joining of these Letters, viz. In the distances between Letters and Words.  
III. In the Ruling, viz. The distance of Lines.  
For the First, (viz.) The Proportion of Letters; You are to observe, That some Letters are made with Stems, and some without: Those without Stems, are those Letters that are wholly made within the Ground, and upper-line. And I chose the rather to give you, first, the Proportion of these Letters within these Lines, because those with Stems take their Proportions from thence.  
First then, Observe to make these said Letters One Fourth of the Third of an Inch (or One Fourth of a Grain, which i● all one) in Height; and the Breadth (viz. The White and two-side Lines of each of these Letters) must be equal to their Height: All the Letters of this Hand depending upon a Circle, and Perpendicular Line.  
Secondly, Observe, that the Length of each Stem must be longer by one half, than the other Letters within the Lines; excepting [q], whose Stem must be equal in Length to the Minnum Strokes; and [p], which must be but One Half of the Minnum Strokes: and the Compass of each of these Stems must be equal in Compass with the other Letters within the Line; except [h] and [k], which must be as wide again.  
Thirdly, Observe, that the Fullness of each Struck be equal to One Fourth of the Wideness.  
Fourthly, Observe, the White of the small Letters for your Distance, between Letter and Letter, and the double thereof between Word and Word; except Two Circular Letters come together in a Word; and then those Letters must be joined closer by One Half.  
Fifthly, Observe, that your Lines be ruled distant from each other, the space of One Third of an Inch; which will prevent your Stems from falling into each other.  
Sixthly, Observe, that you set all your Letters upright; this being the best way for all English Hands. And by reason this Last thwarts the Opinion of Mr. Cocker, I will inform you what were the Reasons, that induced me thus to contradict him.  
I have observed, That the Hand naturally and freely will tend only that way, that it's most accustomed to; and that is the cause, that when any accustom themselves to write Court, which ignorantly, of late, has been leaned towards the Lefthand, they lean all the other Hands alike; which is no small Prejudice to them: And therefore, upon good Reason, it is my Opinion, That all our English Hands are ●est, when set upright; which will not, in the least, be to their Prejudice, but very much to their Advantage.  Sc. 
Pray, (Sir) How do you judge the Sett-Hand was wrote before Mr. Cocker's Time?  Mr. 
Before Mr. Cocker, our English Hands were all set upright, as it appears by the Manuscripts of Mr. Davy's, written Anno Dom. 1590.  Sc. 
It's strange, Men should be thus forward to vary, unless their Alterations were for the bettering the Hand altered.  Mr. 
I judge, that the Alterations of Hands was intended for the bettering of them; though, in many things, their Design miscarried: And it was impossible, it should be otherwise; for they never prescribed to themselves any certain Principles of Writing, (which would have reduced their Writings to a Certainty, as Standards to examine their Writing by) but invented and altered every Hand, according to their own roving Fancies. And what was newest among them, was deemed Best; as appears by the Words of Mr. Cocker, in his ARTS GLORY.  
And I wonder what Handwriting would have been reduced to, if others, who were as capable of making Alterations as Mr. Cocker, had burdened this Kingdom with as many Copy-Books as he has done? It is to be feared, we should then have been confounded in our Artificial Tongues, as the Babel Builders were in their Natural. Mr. Cocker's Alterations of Hands, I cannot compare to any thing more pat, than School-Boy's turning of Verses, who only respect Variety.  Sc. 
I hope, it is now Time for me to begin to proceed to an Imitation of this Hand, seeing you have been pleased to give me a full Understanding thereof.  Mr. 
You are too short in that, yet; for an Hand is a certain Number of Letters, sufficient for the proper expressing of any Words or Sentences: Now, no Sentence can properly be wrote without one or more Great Letters; therefore, the Capital Letters are absolutely necessary to make a complete and proper Hand. So that a Piece of Writing cannot be said properly to be a Hand; unless it contain the Twenty Four Chracters, Great and Small. But, notwithstanding, we may say, That a Piece of Writing is wrote in such and such an Hand; although the Piece of Writing be not a complete Hand; the Part being put for the Whole.  
Therefore, in the next place, I will inform you of the Capitals used in this Hand: Which being called Capital, it appears from thence, that these Letters must exceed the other in Magnitude; but this Magnitude must not exceed the distance of Lines in Height; nor in Depth, the longest Stems, except it be in the Beginning of a Piece of Writing. Great Letters are only useful for the Beginning of every Sentence, Proper Names, and Remarkable Appellatives; and therefore, I need not give you any other Rules for their Proportions, than what I have already laid down in my Three General Principles; that Form of Capitals being best, that is most Firm, Expeditious and Beautiful: Which I shall give you a Copy of, when I see it convenient for you.  Sc. 
Your Discourse of the Proportions of Letters, puts me in remembrance of a Line I once read in a Book of Mr. Cocker's; Proportion is the Quintescense of Art: And I am as careful to remember these Words of Yours; The Art of Writing is contained in the Documents of meet Proportions.  Mr. 
Truly, Mr. Cocker said well; and he might have done well too, if that he had set down the right Proportions of each Hand: But he was so far from doing this, that he never did, in any of his Public Pieces, give the Proportion of one Letter, unless in his Examples; and those were so various, that he never Engraved Two Pieces of One Hand alike: And therefore, How was it ever possible to gather any true Proportion from him? So that, he which Writes in imitation of Mr. Cocker, is like a Carpenter working without his Rule.  Sc. 
Now (Sir) you having given me the Quintessence of the Hand, (as Mr. Cocker calls it) pray, What remains now?  Mr. 
These due Proportions be rightly ranged into Order, that is, into Twenty Four known distinct Characters, both Capital and Small, they make up a Complete Hand, fit for its intended Use. And, as the distinction of Things must be known by some Difference; so it is also absolutely necessary, that the Twenty Four Characters have all their several Forms, that thereby they may be distinctly known.  
Therefore, this leads me, in the next Place, to treat of their Forms; which cannot be so well expressed by the Tongue, as discerned by the Eye, whose proper Objects they are: Therefore, I here present you with a Copy for your Imitation. You must be sure to give your Letters their true Fulls and Smalls, according to your Copy: And for your more facile Performance thereof, observe, That when your Hand and Pen is held according to your Directions, all the Fulls and Smalls will naturally be performed without any Artificial daubing; the Pen's Edge tending naturally to an ascending, or cross-Line; and also the flat to a downright descending Stroke.  
Note, That the Pen naturally falls but once to a right Flat in any Circle or Oval: So that, when you see in an Oval or Circle, a Full answering a Full, you may conclude, That one of those Fulls is Artificial; and that is ever Artificial, that is performed last. All double Strokes, as in the Top of a small [o], are naturally Full.  
Now, I have given you the Knowledge of Writing in General; and also, in this one particular Hand; I shall breathe awhile: Only this I say, Be careful that your Head and Heart attend your Hand.  Sc. 
Sir, Pray, how do you approve of This?  Mr. 
I fear, you have Written too fast, to do well.  Sc. 
I hoped, that you would have commended me for doing so much; for in your Directions, you commend Expeditious Writing.  Mr. 
In my Directions I commend an Expeditious manner of Hand; which must first be obtained by Writing very slow: and when you have attained to the Writing of it well, than it will be made Swift by Practice. But observe these Directions, and you need not fear Writing too fast: That is;  
First, When you begin your Copy, endeavour to get the perfect Knowledge of each Character, before you begin to imitate them: And when you have thus Written your First Line, then before you begin your Second, observe the Faults of each Letter, by comparing them with your Copy; and then do your utmost Endeavour to mend what you observe to be amiss: And prosecute this Course throughout every Copy, and you need not fear, but that you will learn to Write both Well and Fast.  Sc. 
Sir, This is an hard Lesson.  Mr. 
I wonder why? Is there any thing enjoined you, which a Child of Six Years old cannot do?  Sc. 
I have heard some say, That a Child is not capable of learning to Write, until he arrive to Twelve Years of Age.  Mr. 
That's a great Mistake; for I have taught some of Nine, Eight, Seven, yea, Six Years of Age frequently; and to Writ Well, in a small time.  
Now, go your ways, and do as I have told you.  Sc. 
Sir, Pray, how like you This? I doubt not, but that I have Wrote slow enough now; for I have not Written above Four Lines in an Hour.  Mr. 
Now, you have quit yourself well: And, I doubt not, but that by my prescribed Method of examining each Line by your Copy, you have much improved your Judgement. In the next place therefore, for the Exercise thereof, Writ me these Lines out of this Book without a Copy; and thereby I shall also discover how far you understand my Directions.  Sc. 
I was very much pleased with your Commendation of my last, and I should be no less now; which I am sure it must, if your Praise be equal to my Endeavour.  Mr. 
I like your Writing well: But, I perceive, you are very ignorant in the Rules of Orthography.  Sc. 
My Master was very negligent of me, as to this Particular; for he never Exercised me in this Subject: But if you will be pleased also to instruct me in This, I shall think myself very much obliged.  Mr. 
I will do my endeavour, in assisting you herein: But, doubtless, you might have been better instructed in your Grammar-School in Orthography; which is one of the Essential Parts of Grammar, and fittest to be taught there. Orthography, the First Part of Grammar, teaching the Art of Writing, is to be considered,  
I. In the invention, and devising of Letters.  
II. In the right ordering, or placing of these Letters invented.  
The First Part of Orthography, viz. The Forms of Letters, are to be considered in every Hand; which I have already treated on at large, and shall farther handle as I shall see occasion for it, in each particular Hand.  
The Second has these Two Parts, viz. Spelling and Pointing.  
For the First, Observe the difference in the Sound of each Letter, that thereby you may know what Letters are to be wrote, to make up a distinct Sound in any one Syllable: For in every Syllable that is pronounced as it's wrote, every Letter is sounded in that Syllable in which it ought to be wrote. And when you can spell a Word of one Syllable, it will be no difficult Matter to spell Words of many, if you know how to divide them: Which that you may do, observe, That every Syllable in a Word has a different Sound; as this word [fol-low-ing], which cannot be spoken without giving it Three several Sounds, and every Sound makes a Syllable: The First is [fol], which Sound or Syllable cannot be wrote with any other Letters, than [fol]: and so of the Second and Third.  
In the next Place, observe, That no Syllable can be sounded, or wrote without a Vowel, [a, e, i, o, u, or y]: [u] is sometimes a Vowel, and sometimes a Consonant. It's ever a Consonant, when it comes before a Vowel in the same Syllable. Sometimes Two Vowels are sounded in one Syllable; and then they are called Dipthongs; which are Five in number [ae, oe, au, ei, eu]: The two former are both pronounced like [e].  
Observe to pronounce every Word rightly; for there is nothing a greater Enemy to Spelling, than false Pronounciation, being settled by Discourse. There are many Syllables of one Sound, that must be diversely wrote; which are to be known by the Radix of the Words, or Supines of their Verbs. There are also some Words, that are not pronounced as they are wrote; and some that are pronounced alike, but wrote diversely: And therefore, it's best for you to make an Observation of these Words, when you meet with them.  
Writ the First Letter in a Sentence, all Proper Names, as the Names of Heathenish Gods and Goddesses, Men, Women, Rivers, Months, Winds, Cities, Countries, and Islands, remarkable Appellatives, and I per se, with great Letters.  
Words pronounced long, must have an [e] in the end: But [e] must not follow [g] in the end of a Word, unless [g] be sounded like [j] Consonant: [s] is never written after [x]. So much of Spelling.  
Secondly, In Pointing you are to observe, That there are Fifteen distinct and proper Points.  
The First, A Comma [,] used at the End of every Sentence.  
The Second, A Semi-Colon [;] used properly betwixt the Comma and Colon, as the Sense admits; it being a Mean between them.  
The Third, A Colon [:] used properly betwixt the Comma and Colon, as the Sense admits; it being a Mea● between them.  
The Fourth, A Period [.] used at the end of a Perfect Sentence.  
The Fifth, A Parenthesis [()] used when one Sentence is put within another; which yet may be left out, and the Sense not destroyed.  
The Sixth, A Note of Interrogation [?] used when a● Question is asked.  
The Seventh, A Note of Exclamation [!] used when we express any thing with Wonder.  
The Eighth, A Subunio [=] used, 1. When Two whole Words are united. 2. When one part of the Word is wrote at the End of the Line, and the other at the Beginning of the next.  
The Ninth, A Dialysis [..] used when a Dipthong is parted into Two Syllables.  
The Tenth, An Induction [] used to bring in a Word interlined.  
The Eleventh, An Apostrophe ['] used when a Letter is cast out.  
The Twelfth, A Note of Quotation ["] used in the Margin, when we quote a Sentence out of an Author.  
The Thirteenth, An Acute-tone ['] used to distinguish doubtful Quantities.  
The Fourteenth, A Grave-tone ['] used to distinguish Adverbs from other Words.  
The Fifteenth, A Circumflex-tone [] used over, 1. Ablaives' Cases of the First; 2. Genitive Cases of the Fourth Declension. 3. Words syncopated, and contracted.  
Now, prepare yourself for the Writing of the most Firm, Expeditious, and Beautiful Hand of all yet invented for Cur●ry Business.  Sc. 
I suppose, this is the Hand mentioned amongst your Five Best, being best for Book-Entries and Epistles.  Mr. 
This is the same; and it deserves to wear the Lavel, before all Hands of the same Use, whether they be French, or Italian: And for the Reasons following, this I am the more confident to assert. Our English Hands having received a public Assault by A-la-mode-Secretary to the French Formulae, I thought it might be no dishonourable Adventure, to maintain the Honour of our English Hands: And ●hereupon, knowing our Secretary Hands to be Counterbuff, 〈◊〉 undertook therewith to engage A-la-mode; drawing my Secretary-Band upon Three Hills, Firm, Expeditious, and Beautiful: And having thus ordered them, I sent to A-lanode, to prepare for Battle. Whereupon, in some space of Time, I received his utmost Force: Which being Answered with a greater Strength than he was able to resist, in the next place, he sounds an unwilling Retreat.  Sc. 
I understand, you contended only for the Honour of our English Secretary-Hand.  Mr. 
I took the Advantage, with Sertorius, who by the Hairs of his Horse-Tail, hath proved to be very important; that beginning with a Part, it is no matter of difficulty to overcome the Whole. And I doubt not, but if all our English Hands were Written according to the Rules herein delivered, they would excel all Foreign Hands whatever.  Sc. 
I wonder how Foreign Hands have got such Esteem amongst us of England?  Mr. 
They have been esteemed amongst them that have valued Writing only for Variety: But they never took amongst the Judicious; as appears by our Records, which are Written in no Hands but our English.  Sc. 
Are the Records wrote in no Hands, but some of those Five aforementioned? Then surely, it must needs be very prejudicial both to Law and Justice, to alter them.  Mr. 
Records would become illegible, if their Characters were not maintained by Practice: And if so, you cannot but conclude those to be Wise Writing-Masters, who will tell you, That the Secretary-Hand will be unknown in a few Years.  Sc. 
Wise Masters! If they understand no better the Writing of Hands, than they do of their Use.  Mr. 
I shall now, in the next place, proceed to give you the Proportions of this Hand; which being intended only for a Cursory Hand, or for Business of the least Duration, it cannot, without difficulty, be wrote too small; the several Forms of Letters, in this Hand, receiving their several Differences by the Flat of the Pen. And there is also a great Conveniency in this Hand, it bearing the same Form of Letters with the Ingrossing-Hand: So that, he who can write the One, may quickly write the Other. And besides this, the Running-Hand begets a great freeness and readiness in those Letters, in which it is composed: Therefore the Ingrossing-Hand must needs be bettered by the Conformity it holds with this Hand.  
In giving you the Proportions of this Hand, I shall prosecute my former Method:  
First, Observe, That the Height and Breadth of the Letters of this Hand, are best when they are made One Eighth of a Grain.  
Secondly, That the Length of each Stem be longer by One Half, than the Letters within the Lines.  
Thirdly, That the Wideness of each Stem be equal in Wideness to the Letters within the Lines; except [h] and [k], whose Stems are best when they are double to the Wideness of the other Stems: And that the Stems below the Line, be double in Length to the Minims.  
Fourthly, That each Struck be equal in Fullness, to One Fourth of the Wideness of each Letter.  
Fifthly, Observe the White of the small Letters, for your distance between Letter and Letter; and the double thereof, between Word and Word; except as is before excepted.  
Sixthly, Observe, to rule your Lines distant from each other, One Sixth of an Inch: And this is sufficient, I having already proved what Capitals are best, in my Discourse of the Last.  Sc. 
You have been short in your Directions, methinks, for your last Hand.  Mr. 
They are the better in being brief, if they be complete and full. And that you may be satisfied, that there is not any thing wanting to prove each Letter in this Hand; observe, That Form and Proportion are all that may be considered in an Hand. For the Forms of Letters, you may call to mind the Rules delivered in General for all Hands: And there you may plainly prove, what Forms of Letters is best. And for the Proportion of any Letter, you have here a most plain Theorem.  
Now, I shall proceed to give you the Proportions of our English Text. But, first, consider the Use of the Hand, which I have already proved in the Precedent Discourse; and than you will be more capable of judging of the following Proportions.  
First then, observe, That the Height and Breadth of the Letters, within the Lines, be One Half of a Grain.  
Secondly, That the Length of each Stem be equal to the Letters within the Lines.  
Thirdly, That the Compass, or Breadth of each Stem, be equal to its Length.  
Fourthly, That the Fullness of each Struck be equal to One Fourth of the Breadth of each Letter.  
Fifthly, Observe the White of the small Letters within the Line, for your distance between each Letter; except Two Circular Strokes come together, which must be joined close; and the double thereof, between Word and Word.  
Now I shall proceed to the Court-Hand; which will admit of Two several, yet most useful Proportions.  Sc. 
How, Sir? Two several Proportions of One Hand, and both in the Superlative Degree? According to your former Rules, this cannot be.  Mr. 
Scholar, You are mistaken: Therefore, call to mind what I have said. I imagine, you ground this your confident Assertion, upon these Words; Two Superlatives cannot accord with several Operations in one and the same Effect. But better consider of the Words, and then tell me, Whether or not Two several Proportions of One Hand, for Two several Uses, may not all be best in their single Use?  Sc. 
Pray (Sir) pardon my Confidence, and inform me with the several Uses of this Hand.  Mr. 
Court-Hand is used in the Exemplifying of Fines: And also, as Text is used in our English-Ingrossing-Hand; so is the Exemplifying-Court used in the Small. The Small Court is either used for the Engrossing of Records, or as a Cursory Hand, for the Entering of Precedents, for Writs, Declarations, Pleas, etc. or any Cursory Business of the Courts wherein it is used.  Sc. 
If the Small Court be firm and large enough for Ingrossments, what need is there of the Exemplifying Hand?  Mr. 
First, (as I have said before) It's convenient in supplying the Use of the Text-Hand: Secondly, Deeds that are wholly Exemplified, are generally very short, and of great and weighty Concerns; and the Clerk's Fees also great: Therefore, that they may appear the larger, and more graceful, they are Exemplified. If a Fine were wrote in a small Court-Hand, it would look more like a Writ, than a Deed.  
Now, prepare yourself for the best Proportions of the Exemplifying Court-Hand.  
First, Observe, That the Letters within the Lines are best, when Written One Fourth of an Inch in Length.  
Secondly, That the Whites of each of these Letters, be equal in Breadth to the Minnum Strokes, or One Sixth of a Fourth of an Inch; except [c] and [t], and those Parts of Letters, that bear the Form of [c] and [t]; which are best when they are Two Thirds of the Fourth of an Inch in Wideness; and the [e] Seven Eighths of the Fourth of an Inch.  
Thirdly, That the Length of the tallest Stems, viz. of [b, h, k, l, and w] be One Fourth of an Inch; and the Stems of [d, f, and the long s,] Three Fourths of the Fourth of an Inch: And the Stems of [a, c, s, and t] One Half of the Fourth of an Inch. Notes of Abbreviation, and [i] in the end of a Word, equal in Height to the tallest Stems, or One Fourth of an Inch.  
Fourthly, That all the Stems below the Line, be equal in Length to the tallest Stems above Line, or One Fourth of an Inch; except the Stem of [h], which is best Three Fourth's of the Fourth of an Inch.  
Fifthly, That the Wideness of all the Stems, both above and below the Lines, be Three Fourths of the Fourth of an Inch; except the Stems of [d, f, g, and s,] which are best One Half of the Fourth of an Inch.  
Sixthly, Observe the White of the Minims, for your distance between Letter and Letter; except they follow [a, b, c, h, k, w, x, y], or come before, or follow [e, y, o, s]; and then they must be joined close: And the Space, or Wideness of the [n], for your distance between Word and Word.  
Seventhly, Observe for your distance of Lines, Three Fourths of an Inch.  
And now I have given you the Proportions of the Exemplifying-Hand: I will, in the next place, give you the Proportions of the Small Court; fittest, and best for Records; which, in its several Proportions, is the same with the Exemplifying-Hand: Only, this must be wrote by a Lesser Scale.  
And, if wrote true, they will answer each other, as Face answers Face in Two Glasses of different Magnitudes: Therefore, I shall only give you the Height of the Letters within the Lines; which are best One Sixth of the Third of an Inch; and leave you to proportion each Letter, upon this Basis: Only observe, That whereas in the Exemplifying Court-Hand, the Breadth of the Minnum Strokes are but One Sixth part of their Height; but in This they must be One Fourth. And thus much for Court-Hand.  Sc. 
You spoke of a Cursory Court-Hand a little before.  Mr. 
Well remembered. To make a Quick, Expeditious, or Cursory Hand, Two things are absolutely necessary:  
1. A right Form of Letters, viz. A Form agreeing to the Rules of Expedition, so far as the Characters both in Shape and Use will admit.  
2. A frequent Use, or Custom in the Writing of the same.  
Court-Hand may be made far more Expeditious, than it's commonly wrote, (and yet vary but a very small matter from the Original; and not, in the least, the more illegible or infirm) by avoiding some Cuts prejudicial to the making of Letters: And also, these Cuts being many, and the most difficult Parts of Letters, they must retard the Motion of the Hand. This will plainly appear, when you have Written a few Lines by this Copy of the Twenty Four Letters; wherein the Pen must not be taken off, in the performing any Letter, except in the making of an [x].  Sc. 
I judge this last Form of Letters better for Use, than the Other.  Mr. 
It's better for common Business than the Other, because it's far more Expeditious; but for Business of extraordinary Concern, the Sett-Court is best, it being the most Beautiful: Besides, it's very convenient, that the Sett-Court be very well understood, before an Imitation of the more Cursory Hand; for the more like the Cursory Hand is to the Sett, the better: For though the Letters may be altered to a Cursory Form; yet, notwithstanding, the Form of each Letter must be, in a great measure, like the Original; otherwise it cannot be Court.  Sc. 
Pray (Sir) then, What will you call That, that is one part Court, and the other Secretary?  Mr. 
What will you call that Person, that's both Man and Woman?  Sc. 
Those are called Hermaphrodites; and pass for Men or Women, as the Sex prevaileth.  Mr. 
So you may call these Miscellanies, Court or Secretary, as the Form prevaileth.  
Now, I shall proceed to the Chancery-Hand, the last of the Five  Best, for the Writing of any Clerklike Business whatsoever; whose Proportions are as followeth:  
First, The Letters within Line must be One Fifth of the Third of an Inch in Height.  
Secondly, The Wideness of these Letters must be equal to their Height.  
Thirdly, The Stems of the Letters must be equal in Length, to the Letters within the Line; except the Stems of [a, s, and t], which must be lower by One Half than the other Stems.  
Fourthly, The Wideness of these Stems must be equal to their Height.  
Fifthly, The Fullness of each Stroke must be equal to One Third of the Height of the Letters within Line.  
Sixthly, The White of the Letters, or One Third of their Breadth, must be your distance between Letter and Letter; and the double thereof, between Word and Word: Except Two compass Letters come together in one Word, than they must be joined close.  
Seventhly, The Distance of Lines must be Three Fifths of the Third of an Inch.  
Your Desires of Writing Well, and my Endeavours to fulfil the same, being now accomplished; there remains nothing of my Profession, that may be any way serviceable.  Sc. 
I have received a Letter from my Father; wherein is signified his Infinite Thanks, for your more deserving Favours: And I am thereby informed, That he has provided a Lawyer for my Master. And I doubt not, but that you will advise me, how to demean myself so, as that I may not only please my Master; but also, may most advantage myself in his Service.  Mr. 
I'll tell you what pleased my Master; and, I doubt not, but that will please Yours.  
First then, Observe to write all Business in a good Character, clean and true.  
Secondly Observe to dispatch your Business in due Time; and to have every thing in readiness, when he calls for it.  Sc. 
Truly (Sir) this is not long in wording: But many times, a short Demand requires a long Performance.  Mr. 
Many times, a long Payment is made by a good Forecast; which I advise you, to be ready at: In order to which, take these following Directions:  
First, Be sure to Write always up to the Character you have learned; and then, move your Pen as quick as you can. This Course being observed, Practice will not only make you Writ Quick, but Well also.  
Secondly, Observe to keep your Study clean and neat; and let every thing therein be laid in its proper Place.  
Thirdly, Be careful to Write true; avoiding thereby the razing out, and interlining of Words; which is very disgraceful, and may be of ill Consequence, if it happen in any material Part of a Deed. But if it unluckily so happen, that, either by your Master's Amendment of what you are to Transcribe, or by your Negligence, you are forced to alter any Word after it's written; if on Parchment, then, after it's perfectly dry, scratch out the Word with the Point of your Penknife; being careful therein to scratch away as little of the Parchment as you can, for fear of scratching through, or making it so thin, that it will not bear Ink: Then smooth it with your Pummis-Stone. And if you interline any Word, or Sentence, be careful to place rightly your Point of Induction. Writ no material Word too nigh the Edge of your Paper, that being the soon prejudiced either by fretting, or tearing. When you have any Business of your Master's, be careful to employ every moment of your Time therein: And be sure to admit of no Recreation, till your Hands be freed of Business.  
This Course being followed through the whole Progress of your Clerkship; I doubt not, but that you will please your Master, and bring Honour to yourself.  Sc. 
Sir, I thank you; and I'll do my Endeavour, to prosecute your Directions. Pray, Sir, be pleased also to give me some Directions, how to employ my spare Minutes.  Mr. 
Procure you Two Precedent Books; the One a Folio, the Other a Quarto: Page them both, and Margin them with Red Ink. At the End of your Books, Rule Ten or Twelve Leaves down the Middle on both sides, with Red Ink, for your Table; which make Alphabetically: And in these Books, enter your Precedents: In the Folio, enter your Precedents for Conveyancing; and in the Other, your Precedents for Pleading. And be sure to let nothing that's new to you, pass your Hands without a Copy. And if it chance, that, through the haste of Business, you have not an Opportunity to take a Copy, unless you become Master of the Morning an Hour or two sooner than you were wont; let neither Drowsiness, nor Sloth, be any Impediment. And you will also do well, to spend a good part of your leisure Hours in reading some profitable Books of the Law: And when you Read, endeavour to apprehend the Reason of Things; otherwise you will never be able to apply what you Read to your Practice. Sat when you Writ; but Stand when you Read.  
I shall now take my Leave, in hopes of your diligent Practice of those Things I have been so free in disclosing; which will free you from the Disgrace, that most justly attends those that cast off all the Business they can possible; and what they are forced to do, is performed in an impapatient and slovenly Hurry: And when their Five, or more (thus ill employed) Years are expired, with the loss of, it may be, an Hundred Pound, they set up for themselves, with no more Knowledge, than what will just serve the turn to promote an Action: And all the rest of the Proceeding, they leave to the secret Management of another; for which, it is to be feared, the Client pays very dear.   

A TABLE OF Abbreviations.  
SInce the Marks for Abbreviations cannot rightly be made by the Printer, you are to observe, That those Letters placed after the Full-Points, must be written a little higher, than the other part of the Words: As, in the writing the Word Accepimus, there the s must be written above the m, and a little forwarder in the Line. And over the other Abbreviations, make a little Dash with your Pen: But if the Abbreviation be in the end of a Word, then turn your Dash of Abbreviation from the ending of the last Letter.  

A.  
ACcepim. s accepimus  
Aia anima  
Auctem Authoritatem  
Als aliis  
A. o Anno  
Arlorum Articulorum  
Adio Administratio  
Archini Archidiaconi  
Archi Archangeli  
Attach attachiatus  
Attorn Attornatum  
Ald alias dictus  
Assign assignatis  
Angl Angliae  
Assias assisas  
Al alia  
Are Armiger   

B.  
Bacc Bacchalaurius  
Bre breve  
Be Beat  
Ballia Balliva  
Barr Barronettus  
b by'r   

C.  
Cathi Cathedrali  
Canoice Canonice  
Com Comitatus  
Con. ri Consistorii  
Can. cis Cancellariis  
Capcoe captione  
Cuckoe cum  
Con. ria contraria  
c' cer  
Caa causa  
Con. m Conjunctim  
Con. a contra  
Clico Clerico  
Cois communis  
Cer. o certificatorio  
Cry crimine  
Cio citatio  
Cribus criminibus  
Captlo Capitulo  
Canss causis  
Cur Curia  
Cogn cognovit  
Cons consuetudinem  
Coron coronam  
Ca Catalla   

D.  
Dioc Diocesia  
Dia Divina  
Dco dicto  
Diu. m divisim  
Defunct defunctus  
Dni Domini  
Dilco dilecto  
Depto deputato  
Dic dicit  
Dimid dimidium  
Dampn damnum  
Debm debitum  
Def defendens  
Dirci directi  
Dign dignitatem  
Delibacoem deliberationem   

E.  
Eccliae Ecclesiae  
Effcm effectum  
Epus Episcopus  
Eor eorum  
Exit exhibitus  
ee esse  
Excoicaco Excommunicatie  
Exhibico exhibitio  
Epale Episcopale   

F.  
Fco facto  
Fidelr fideliter  
Firmr firmiter  
Frm fratrem  
Fuer fuerit  
Flo falso  
Felon felonia  
Franc Franciae  
Fac Facias   

G.  
Gra Gratia  
Grnalem generalem  
Gaol gaolam  
Gen generosus   

H.  
Hita habita  
Humoi hujusmodi  
Het habet  
Hoys homines  
Hens habens  
Hend habendum  
Huit habuit  
Hibniae Hiberniae   

I  
Informacoe informatione  
Ibm ibidem  
Igr igitur  
Instrum. tu instrumentum  
Ipo ipso  
Jurisnis jurisdictionis  
Jux juxta  
Illi. mi illustrissimi  
Inven. ry Inventory  
Jur Juratores  
Justice Justitiariis  
Ill illa  
Io ideo  
Injur injuriam  
Intellco intellecto  
Inspco inspecto  
Inperpm inperpetuum  
Indict' indictatus  
Irrotlat irrotulatum   

L.  
Lras literas  
Lia lientia  
Littime Legitines  
Lilo Libello  
Leglis Legalis  
Libe Libere  
Lco Lecto  
Libtat' Libertatem   

M.  
Mie mininte  
Mronia Matrimonia  
Mr Magister  
Ma. ti Majestati  
Millnio Millesimo  
More modo  
Magri Magistri  
Mil Miles  
Mia Misericordia   

N.  
Nra nostra  
Noie nomine  
Norio Notario.  
Necc. ria necessaria  
Narr Narratio   

O.  
Oem omnem  
Oibus omnibus  
Offilis Officialis  
Octogmo Octogessimo  
Oiodas omnimodas  
Obl Obligatio  
Occone occcasione  
Omit omittas   

P.  
Paroch Parochia  
P'r pre  
P. rdcus praedictus  
Personalr personaliter  
Ptate potestate  
Prove Patron  
Permioe permissione  
Pntes praesentes  
Pubce publice  
Pr pater  
Paroli Parochiali  
Pr. cures procuratores  
Possonem possessionem  
P'pue praecipue  
Popli populi  
Pr. onus Patronus  
Priam Patriam  
Plito placito  
Pertin pertinentiis  
Produc producit  
P. t post  
Propr propria  
P. rfat' praefatus  
Pet petit  
Periclo periculo  
Proclam Proclamationem  
Praec praeceptum  
Pros Prosecutor.   

Q.  
Qd quod  
Quatus quatenus  
Q. o quo  
Quolt quolibet  
Quer querens   

R.  
Rcor Rector.  
Rone ratione  
Rhdus Reverendus  
Reverendmo Reverendissimo  
Regr Register  
Rs Regis  
Rondend Respondendum  
Retoru retornatum  
Rotlorum rotulorum   

S.  
Saltm salutem  
Spualibus spiritualibus  
Sacrm Sacramentum  
Scdm secundum  
Sexcen. more Sexcentessimo  
Spicats specificatis  
Spialitr specialiter  
Soleizari solemnizari  
Scaecii scaccarii  
Successss. successoribus  
Sci Sancti  
Scrut scrutinio  
Sum summonitus  
Sequen sequentem  
Scilt Scilicet  
Sile simile  
Spec specificatim  
Seiam seseinam  
Scoc Scotiae  
Surrey Surrogatus  
Sabti Sabbathi   

T.  
Testam. to Testamento  
Tota totam  
Titlum titulum  
Tnsgr transgressio  
Tenta Tenementa  
T teste  
Tli tali  
Tm tam  
Tles tales  
Tmio termino   

V  
Vrae Vestrae  
Vbilet ubilibet  
Vic Vicarius  
Venlis venerabilis  
Val Valentiam  
Vic Vicecomes  
Visn Visenenetto  
Vill villa  
Vx Vxor.   

W.  
Westm Westmonasterium   

X.  
Xpo Christo  
Xaru Decimarum   

Anthus Antonius  
Aug. tus Augustus  
Barthus Bartholomeus  
Clens Clemens  
Edrus Edwardus  
Edmus Edmundus  
Francus Franciscus  
Galfrus Galfridus  
Hencus Henricus  
Humfrus Humfridus  
Herbtus Herbertus  
Johes Johannes  
Luicus Ludovicus  
Michis Michaelis  
Matthus Mattheus  
Nichus Nicholaus  
Phus Philippus  
Ricus Richardus  
Robtus Robertus  
Radus Radulphus  
Randus Randulphus  
Rogus Rogerus  
Theophus Theophilus  
Willus Gulielmus  
Xpian Christian  
Xpopher Christopher  
Zathas Zacharias   
FINIS.   

Books Printed for, and Sold by Luke Meredith, at the King's Head in St. Paul's Churchyard.  
RHetoricae Libri Duo: Quorum Prior de Tropis & Figuris, Posterior de Voce & Gestu praecipit. In usum Scholarum postremo recogniti, infinitisque paeni mendis expurgati. Autore Carolo Butlero, Magd. Artium Magistro.  
The Songs of Moses and Deborah paraphrased; with Poems on several Occasions. Never before Published. To which is added, A Pindaric on Mr. L'Estrange.  
A Dialogue between a Pastor and his Parishioner, touching the Lord's Supper.  
Two Treatises: The First, Concerning Reproaching and Censure●. The Second, An Answer to Mr. Serjeant's Sure-Footing. To which are annexed, Three, Sexmons Preached upon several Occasions; and very useful for these Times. By the late Learned and Reverend William Falkner, D. D.  
An Introduction to the Old English History, comprehended in Three several Tracts: The First, An Answer to Mr. Petyt's Rights of the Commons Asserted; and to a Book, Entitled, Jani Anglorum Facies Nova: The Second Edition very much enlarged. The Second, An Answer to a Book, Entitled, Argumentum Antinormanicum; much upon the same Subject: Never before Published. The Third, The Exact History of the Succession of the Crown of England: The Second Edition, also very much enlarged. Together, with an Appendix, containing several Records, and a Series of Great Councils and Parliaments, Before and After the Conquest, unto the End of the Reign of Henry the Third. And a Glossary, expounding many Words, used frequently in our Ancient Records, Laws, and Historians. Published for the Vindication of Truth, and the Assistance of such as desire with Satisfaction to read, and truly understand the Ancient English Historians, and other Pieces of Antiquity. By Robert Brady, Doctor in Physic.