The Pens Excellency or The Secretary's Delight. Wherein aswell the abuses which are offered unto the worthiness of the Pen, by unworthy Pen men, are truly discovered: as the Dignity of the Art itself by the Antiquity, Excellency & diversity thereof, is briefly demonstrated Together with an insertion of sundry Pieces, or Examples, of all the usual Hands of England: as also an addition of certain methodical observations for Writing, Making of the Pen, Holding the Pen, etc. Written by Martin Billingsley Mr in the Art of Writing Non satis est benè, aliquid facere, nisi etiam fiat venustè. The Greek & Hebrew with other Pieces never yet extant are hereunto by the Author exactly added. Are to be sold by Io: Sudbury & George Humble in Popeshead 〈◊〉 W. Holle sculp. 2 To the most Excellent Prince Charles etc. Most Gracious Prince This humble work of my hands labour, with my heart's love, first devoted to your Highness Gracious Regard, and now (with an Addition) for a publiq good, with your favourable Patronage, put forth into the world: Humbly present to your Princely patience, Beseeching the height of all perfection, so to bless your Highness in all perfections, as may give just cause to the virtuous in all Professions, to admire your Excellence, with all love and service: and make my happiness, under heaven to be a servant to so gracious a Master. Your Highness, in all humbleness Martin Billingsley. The Preface to the READER. IT is an opinion amongst some, not so erroneous as ignorant, That Copy-books of this nature are of no validity. What reason they can allege to strengthen so fond a conceit, I know not; sure it is some private one, they are so loath to produce it. For mine own part, I see no reason why these that are graven should not be as profitable to a Learner, as those that are merely written; so they be exactly performed according to the natural strain of a true Artist; each Letter being cut according to its true proportion, and losing not the life delivered in the Example. Certain I am, there is no man living can write so exactly, but that even in the writing of six lines, he himself shall be conscious to himself of some imperfections: which, by directions to the Graver (being a good Workman and careful) may be easily helped and made perfect for imitation. Howbeit I deny not, but that oftentimes the Graver may wrong the Writer, if he be not very observant in every touch of a Letter: and the amends which he may make him in the well cutting of some one or two Hands, will not countervail the credit which he shall lose by his ill graving and unnatural mishaping of some few Letters in one very Example. For this Book ensuing, I know there are some (through an envious Curiosity, rather than a true judgement) which will herein find many infirmities: yet let me tell them, it is an easier matter to pry into the imperfections of another, than it is to amend their own errors: and he that finds the greatest faults, commonly is the unablest to amend the least; since Art hath no greater enemy than Ignorance. This is my glory, That I have not played the Thief with any man, (though it were in my power to have done it,) But quicquid scripsi, scripsi: whatsoever I have written, I have done it myself: For I would be much ashamed, that any man should think, I had been brought up in a place of such scarcity, and under so bad a Master, or that there were in me such a poverty, that I must needs go a thieving for my skill. I thank God there is nothing in it, which I am not able upon an instant to better. And therefore if any man list to be contentious, let him be contentious; but let him not wrong him in his doings, who is able to do better than himself: I speak of those that think themselves excellent and past compare, who indeed (be their names never so famous) bear about them but the shadow of Art. And howsoever the spirits of such men are so elevated and raised even beyond themselves, that they think basely of every man's doings but their own; though their consciences tell them they are but as empty vessels, which always make the greatest sound. It shall suffice me, that (I) know what they have in them, and how far their skill extendeth; and so rest myself contented, till Time and Truth (the triers of all men's actions) shall distribute to every one according to his desert. In the mean time, as this little Book hath found gracious acceptation at the hands of him to whom it was first privately intended: So I hope it will have the approbation of all such as are well disposed, and bear affection to so excellent, commendable and necessary an Art: assuring them, that had I had my right, I should have given them better content, and greater satisfaction of the pens perfection: As for Carpers and over-curious-ey'd men, I pass not, as knowing myself every way (in the Art I profess) a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed. From my house in Bush-lane near London-stone, Decemb. 22. 1618. M. B. The Pens Excellency. Exordium. THe Profession of the Pen at this day being so universal, and the Professors themselves for the most part so ignorant, and insufficient to undertake so worthy a function; together with the desire I have (according to my small talon) to benefit such as are, or would be Practitioners in that commendable Art of FAIR WRITING; were the only motives that induced me to manifest unto the view of the world, these few lines hereafter ensuing. Wherein before I enter into discourse concerning the Art itself, give me leave cursorily to demonstrate the manifold abuses which are offered unto the Pen by a number of lame Penmen; who as they do intrude themselves into the society of Artists, and usurping the name of Penmen, seek detinere Artem in ignorantia: so by their audacious brags and lying promises, they do shadow and obscure both the excellency of the Pen, and the dignity of those that are indeed true Professors thereof. But I purpose not to heap up all the abuses which they may be conceived to offer unto the Pen; for that were to lose myself in an endless discourse: I will only point at a few which I hold to be the chiefest and do belong principally to matter of Teaching: And those I find to be four. First, you shall observe that these Butchers, (for they deserve no better Abuse. 1 title) are for the greatest part of them of no standing, nor ever have had any ground in the Art, only have a certain confused kind of writing, void either of Life, Dexterity, or Art itself; and yet notwithstanding they profess, and in their Bills (clapped upon every post) promise to perform as much as any whosoever. For let any man observe their Lybills, (for so I may very well term them) and he shall see how liberal they are in their promises this way, professing to teach any one (not standing upon the capacity of the pupil) to write a sufficient hand in a month, and some of them do say, in a fortnight. Yet, if they did but say so it were tolerable, when as they themselves, (I dare be bold to affirm it) may go so long to School to learn a little a, and yet not attain to the true touch thereof, being fit for other Mechanical occupations (wherein some of them, to my knowledge, have been brought up) then for the Profession of this so curious an Art. Whose Writings (if they come to the touchstone of Art, which cannot err, and to the judgement of Artists, who seldom are deceived) will prove lame and schoole-boy-like. And although in some of their doings, there may seem in the eyes of the ignorant) to be a show of Art: howbeit tantum absunt à perfectione, quantum ab ignavia animi magnitudo, They come as far short of those that have the least skill, as they do of Perfection. Next, whereas we that are Penmen hold this as a Maxim in the Art of Abuse. 2 writing, To yield a reasod of every thing we do, (since plus apud nos vera ratio valet, quam vulgi opinio) why, these ignorant Professors are so reasonless in all their works, both of Writing and Teaching, that it is impossible for those whom they teach, or that imitate their doings, to reap any benefit by them, Reason being a second Schoolmaster to bring a man to knowledge in any Art he desires to practise. And certainly (experience tells me) that in the matter of teaching, nothing is more available to a learner, than the demonstration of Reason. So that herein appears the second abuse, in that these men, being not able to yield a reason of that they profess, do nevertheless (Parrat-like) boast of their skill, and in their papers give out vaunting speeches, as if so be they were the only fellows that would (as we say) bear away the bell: whereas if a man take a view of any of their works or writings, he shall find therein no appearance either of Truth, Reason or Art: but on the contrary, such weak stuff as he would rather imagine it to be the scratching of a Hen, than the work of a professed Penman. Thirdly, (because I would be brief) by these their large (yet lying Abuse. 3 promises) they blind the eyes of the common sort, who are rather affected with nonelties and strange devices, though they appear in nothing but vain ostentations, then with the soundness of judgement and exquisiteness of skill, wherewith Artists are endued. For is it not a common thing amongst them, as well in their residence about this famous City (which God knows swarms with them) as in their curriculer Progresses over all places in this kingdom; to carry about them, yea and to set in open view the writings and Tables of other men, and affirm they are their own? I appeal to none but to my own experience herein; howbeit I am persuaded divers others (and which I know to) will concur with me in this truth. And what is this, think you, but deceptio visus, a blinding of the world with shows of what they are not? Lastly, they do also hinder the commodity of those that go as far beyond Abuse. 4 them in excellency of writing, as the Sun exceeds the Moon, and that two ways. First, by their base and ignominious carriage of themselves in their accustomary cozening, whereby men take occasion to conceive so ill of others of the same Profession, that it is almost impossible for any one (do or mean he never so well,) to have entertainment where they have been before. And secondly by the multitude of them, which is so great that a man can go into no corner of this City, but he shall see and hear of a world of squirting Teachers, not one of them almost worthy to carry a Penmans' Inkhorn after him, much less to bear the name of a good Penman. divers other abuses there are which these men offer unto the excellency of the Pen and Penmen: But lest I should seem prolix in so slight an argument, I will here leave them to the censure of the skilful, and to those that to their cost have made trial of them. Forasmuch as my intent is not so much to detect the folly of those unworthy Professors (which is palpable enough to every one) as to entreat of the Art itself, reducing all that I intend to speak in commendation thereof, unto these three heads▪ 1 To the Antiquity thereof. 2 To the Excellency 3 To the Diversity Part. 1 First, for the Antiquity of it. Some affirm that the use of this Art was found out in the very infancy of the world: and that Enoch the seventh joseph. lib. 1 de Antiquit. from Adam had skill therein: For josephus credibly reports, that one of the Prophecies which Enoch wrote on pillars of stone, remained even in his time; or at least some ruin thereof. But others do ascribe those pillars to Seth who lived before Enoch. Howsoever, if it were but as ancient as the Law, it carries with it age enough. As for the Art of Prin●ing, which came up but yesterday (in comparison) and is now in much request, that can no way blemish the Art of Writing, forasmuch as Writing is the Precedent by which Printing is effected, and therefore the more worthy. For as we say in Arithmetic, Out of the greater the lesser is deducted: So that, that whence the deduction is made, is greater than the deduction itself. I shall not need to argue much upon the Antiquity of this Art, in regard of the universal knowledge thereof. What worthy and notable acts were heretofore done by any, either Divine, Moral, Legal or Martial, but were reserved to afterages by the means of Writing? And I wonder how we should ever have attained to any kind of learning, had we not had the scrolls of our learned forefathers to peruse and look into as also the holy Scriptures, In quibus sunt omnes thesaurt sapientiae ac scientiae reconditi? The next thing to be entreated of, is the Excellency of the Art of Writing, Part. 2 which doth evidently appear in these two things: 1 Desiderio. First, in the earnest desire that all men for the most part have to attain unto it: for those things which are rare and delectable, are sought for and pursued of all men, that's a rule in Nature: Now the Art of Writing is a most excellent and delectable Art, and therefore of all men much desired. 2 Necessitate Secondly, the Excellency appears in the Necessity thereof: for it is necessary for all (you know) to write; and those that cannot, find what a multitude of inconveniences do come upon them for the want of it. And herein (by the way) suffer me not to give connivence to that ungrounded An Answer to a common Objection. opinion of many, who affirm Writing to be altogether unnecessary for women. If by it any foul businesses are contracted, and thereby much hurt effected; Is this to be laid upon the Art itself? Or is not rather the ill disposition of those to be charged herewith, who make it the instrument, whereby they bring to pass evil actions? For not the use but the abuse of a thing is it which makes it odious. If it were otherwise, why then foul imputations may be laid upon the best virtues, which of themselves are immaculate. To be brief, the Art of Writing is so excellent, and of such necessary use, that none ought to be without some knowledge therein, since the excellency of no Art without it can be made known or manifested. And if any Art be commendable in a woman, (I speak not of their ordinary works wrought with the needle, wherein they excel) it is this of Writing; whereby they, commonly having not the best memories (especially concerning matters of moment) may commit many worthy and excellent things to Writing, which may occasionally minister unto them matter of much solace. Hereby also, the secrets that are and aught to be, between Man and Wife, Friend and Friend etc. in either of their absences may be confined to their own privacy, which (amongst other things) is not the meanest dignity. Lastly, the practice of this Art is so necessary for women, and consequently so excellent, that no woman surviving her husband, and who hath an estate left her, aught to be without the use thereof, at least in some reasonable manner: For thereby she comes to a certainty of her estate, without trusting to the reports of such as are usually employed to look into the same: whereas otherwise for want of it, she is subject to the manifold deceits now used in the world, and by that means plungeth herself into a multitude of inconveniences. Wherefore their opinion who would bar women from the use of this excellent faculty of Writing, is utterly lame, and cannot by force of argument be maintained. And although the Excellency of this Art (to speak of the curiosity thereof) be somewhat shadowed by the dullness of some Mechanical spirits, who seldom have skill in any thing out of their own element, that think Writing to be only a hand-labour, and so they can write to keep a dirty shop-book, they care for no more; never esteeming the commendable manner of fair and orderly Writing, which ought in all business to be observed, as well in keeping of Books for Merchants and others, as in all kind of Engrosments, appertaining to the Law, &c: Yet notwithstanding the splendour & grace of writing shines most excellently in the scrolls of skilful Artists, as in the writing of some may appear to them that have insight. And what should I say of the Excellency of this Art? Is it not one of the hands by which not only this, but all other commonwealths are upholden? The key which opens a passage to the descrying and finding out of innumerable treasures? The handmaid to memory? The Register and Recorder of all Arts? And the very mouth whereby a man familiarly conferreth with his friend, though the distance of thousands of miles be betwixt them? Infinite other things might be spoken concerning the Excellency of this Art of Writing; and where I fail in the setting forth thereof, assist me with your manifold imaginations. The third and last thing to be discussed of in commendation of this Art, Part. 3 is the Diversity thereof. I mean the divers kinds of hands which are now used among us. For although they all go under the name of writing; yet they are to be distinguished according to the diversity of them. Howbeit my purpose is not to clog my discourse with an enumeration of every idle hand that may be written: for that were absurd, and out of the element of a Penman. I will only entreat of those which are the principal; and wherein the most Art, the greatest curiosity, and the rarest dexterity of the Artist is to be manifested: and they are these which follow, viz. 1 Secretary. 2 Bastard-Secretary, or Text. 3 Roman. 4 Italian. 5 Court. 6 Chancery. Of each of which I will briefly speak somewhat, only by way of distinction, in regard I would not willingly weary the Reader with superfluous circumstances, or detain him long from That which followeth. 1 Secretary. For the first, viz: the Secretary, which is so termed (as I conceive) partly because it is the Secretaries common hand; and partly also, because it is the only usual hand of England, for dispatching of all manner of bunes●es for the most part, whatsoever. I might add hereunto the super-excellency of this hand, in respect of any other hand; for that the very denomination thereof, imports some things in it that are not easily to be found out, And true it is, that whosoever doth practise it (according to the true nature of it) shall perceive Secretarius à secretis. therein many secret and subtle passages of the hand, which few, but those that have been well grounded therein by a true Artist, are able to comprehend: but I affect brevity. To speak of the kinds of Secretary, is (in these days) no easy matter: for some have devised many, and those so strange and disguised; that there is hardly any true strain of a right Secretary in them. For mine own part, I make distinction betwixt the Sett, Facile, and Fast hands, of which three I shall (God willing) by and by propose some few examples. 2 Bastard secretary The next is Bastard-Secretary, and so named by the best, because it is gotten of the Secretary, as those that have any skill may perceive. This is a Hand not so usual as the former; yet of great validity, and for divers purposes exceeding graceful; as for Engrossements, Epitaphs for Tombs, Titles of Books, and many other uses, which would be too tedious for me here to recite. 3 Roman. The third is Roman, which hath his denomination from the place where (it seems) it was first written, viz: Rome. A hand of great account, and of much use in this Realm, especially in the Universities: and it is conceived to be the easiest hand that is written with Pen, and to be taught in the shortest time: Therefore it is usually taught to women, for as much as they (having not the patience to take any great pains, besides fantastical and humoursome) must be taught that which they may instantly learn? otherwise they are uncertain of their proceed, because their minds are (upon light occasion) easily drawn from the first resolution. 4 Italian. The fourth is Italian, a hand in nature not much different from Roman, but in manner and form, of much incongruity thereunto. This is a hand which of late is grown very usual, and is much affected by divers: for indeed, it is a most excellent and curious hand, and to be written with singular command of hand; else it will appear but very ragged and vile; and if the Pen be taken off in conjunction of the letters, it is neither approvable, nor Pen▪ manlike, but mere botching which is detestable. 5 Court. The fist is Court hand; so called, for that it is of great use in those two famous Courts of the King's Bench and Common Pleas. It is a hand somewhat difficult to write well, and he that continually writes it, may haply come to perfection in that; but for other hands (if he could write never so many) let him never look to write any of them well: for it is able to mar them all. I am not reasonless in this opinion, but able (unto any that please) to produce the cause. 6 Chancery. The last is Chancery, which every man knows to be written no where but in the High Court of Chancery, and in other Offices which have reference thereunto. I am of opinion, that this hand being well written, is far more graceful than the Court, and equally difficult. It hath a kind of mixture of the Court and Bastard-Secretary in it, which any man of judgement may easily perceive. There are two kinds hereof, the Sett and Fast; the difference between them is not little, as they that are Clerks well know. Thus much, or rather thus little, I thought good to deliver, touching the Antiquity, Excellency, and Diversity of the Art of Writing. Now here shall follow certain pecces and Examples of the six several heads before mentioned; wherein I have endeavoured to fit myself with extraordinary matter for copies; holding it an absurd thing in a good Penman to make choice of such fustian stuff, as many do, only to set out their Copies, and make the writing to seem graceful to the eye. Also I have laboured to be so perspicuous in the nature of every hand, as that the meanest may imitate me, and reap some benefit by me. 5 8 9 10 11 14 15 18 22 23 24 26 27 28 Thus from the gate or entrance, I have brought you into the house; where you have seen sundry ornaments and pieces of Art: and now (if you be not weary) go with me into one room more, and there take a view of the implements and tools, with which you must work, if you mean to prove a Penman; and learn how you are to use and handle them. But before we enter, step aside with me, and I will give you notice of certain observations, which are necessary to be known of every one that will practise this Art. Observations for writing. EVery one that intends either to be a Teacher of others, or a Practitioner for himself; aught to know that in the Art of Letters, or Writing, three things are to be observed, viz. 1 Ratio. 2 Modus. 3 Species. Generally. The former whereof, which is Reason, hath reference to the understanding, and doth most of all concern the speculative part of Writing. The two latter, viz. the manner and shape (which of every letter throughout the Alphabet is to be observed) doth consist in the carriage of the hand; and these are the practic parts of Writing. Particularly. 1 Ratio. First, the Reason of every letter must be found out; as why such a letter being made thus and thus, seems more graceful than being made so and so. Likewise, as for every letter, and the least touch with the Pen, a reason must be given: So it is in the conjunction, knitting or joining together of the letters; Why the Pen must here be taken off, and why there not taken off? why the nature of this letter will admit the taking off of the Pen; and why the nature of that letter doth require the contrary. These things must be resolved to the learner, by Reason; else how shall he understand to write well? 2 Modus. Next, the manner of making every letter must be known too. For if a Scholar be taught to frame his letters after an ill, corrupt and contrary way: It cannot be that he should ever write well. And although perchance some do write sufficient and serviceable hands, that never were taught the true way of framing their Characters: Yet notwithstanding what they do, they (as we say) do by rote, not understanding, or conceiving how they writ. For I dare undertake, that such as have not been rightly grounded herein, are never able to know or judge of the goodness or badness of a letter. Therefore it were to be wished, that men would refrain from these Butchers that spoil so many & bring up such a multitude of Scribblers, not fit for any man's employment: and that they would (not standing upon the pay, as many ignorant persons do) put their youth to such as are able to teach, and are known to be good Penmen. 3 Species. Lastly, as the reason and the manner of every Letter is to be observed: so the shape (which giveth life and spirit to writing) must be known also: for therein the very substance of Writing consisteth. Herein a man ought to be very wary and circumspect, concerning the carriage of his Pen: that is, that he do not press upon that part of the letter which requires a favourable touch; nor be sparing in that part which requires the contrary: for in either the spirit of the letter is dulled and made blockish, so that the shape cannot then be good. It shall not be amiss for the diligent Practitioner, more specially to observe these few brief Rules concerning Writing, viz. 1 FIrst, to size his Writing, that is, to make the depth and fullness proportionable. 2 Then to observe the whites, for that's a main matter. 3 Lastly, to keep an equal distance, as well between letter and letter, as between word and word. These three being the chiefest things wherein the grace of writing consisteth. In the next place I hold it necessary to set down certain rules for the making and holding of the Pen, with other things thereunto appertaining. Observations or rules for the making of the Pen. AFter you have gotten you a good Penknife well edged and smoothed upon a hoane, and good second quills, either of Goose or Raven, scraped with the back of your knife, begin to make your Pen thus: 1 First, holding your quill the right side upwards, cut off about the third part of it flat along to the end. 2 And turning it on the back side, cut off the very end of it asloape; which being done, it will be forked. 3 Then, holding it still on the back, make a little cut in the very midst of the quill. 4 When you have done so, take the end of your knife if it have a pegg, or else another quill, and make a slit up suddenly, even in the cut you gave before. 5 Which being done turn your quill on the right side again, and begin to cut a little thought above the slit, on that side which is next your left hand, and so continue cutting by degrees, till you think you have sufficiently cut that side. A Caveat. But herein you must be very wary you cut not off too much of the slit; for than your pen will be too hard, and if you leave too much also, it will be over soft. 6 Then even against the place you began to cut the first side, cut the Note that if your quill (as many have) have teeth, you are to pair it on the back thinly, to take them away other likewise, till you have made them both of an equal thinness: and then trying it by lifting up the slit upon the nail of your thumb, you shall see whether it be too soft or too hard: if either, bring it to a mean by adding more slit to it, if you see it be too hard; or by taking some away, if you perceive it to be too soft. Lastly, herein lies the difficulty, viz. in the nibbing of the Pen: wherein I observe this rule, that placing it on the nail of my thumb, or middle finger, Observe that this nibbing of the Pen must be done at once though it seem two several cuts, otherwise it will not write currently. I hold my knife somewhat sloping, and cut the end of the nibbe, not quite off, but before my knife come off, I turn him downright and so cut the nibbe clean away, on both sides alike; contrary to that old vulgar rule, Dextra pars pennae, etc. Now if my pen be to write full, I cut off so much the more of the nibbe; if small, so much the less. Observations for the holding of the Pen. 1 HOld your Pen between your thumb, your forefinger, and your middle-finger: viz. with the top of your thumb, the bottom or lower part of your forefinger, and the top or upper part of your middle finger. 2 And let your other two fingers join to the rest a little thought within them; suffering none of your fingers with which you hold the Pen, to touch paper: for that is the proper office of the fourth and little fingers, by which the strength of the others is maintained. 3 Lastly, for the right usage of the Pen, when you can hold it; you shall observe, that it ought to be held directly upon the full: for that is most proper, being that the nibbe of the Pen must be cut even, otherwise it is subject to spatter. Howbeit, I deny not, but in the fetching of any compass, it must be held a little inclining to the left side: for so the Pen will give full where it should, and small also where it is required. A Caveat. Note, that the Pen must be held very gently in the hand, without gripping, because of two inconveniences which come thereby. 1 The one is, that the command of hand (which otherwise by the easy holding thereof is to be attained) is hereby utterly lost. 2 The other is, that by this griping, or hard holding of the Pen, a man is kept from a speedy dispatch of that he goes about to write: both which are main enemies to clerk-like writing. M. B. his private opinion concerning Pen-manship. 1 FIrst, it is a most absurd and hateful quality, to use any manner of botching in the Art of Writing; yea, though it be in a letter of the greatest uncertainty. 2 Again, I am of opinion, that although in the writing of some Hands, (as of the Set Secretary and some other) it be now and then tolerable to take off the Pen in conjunction of the letters, for the more formal writing thereof: yet that in the Facile, but especially in the Fast Secretary, it is so injurious to the perfection of clerk-like writing, that I cannot free him that useth it, from the imputation of a mere Butcher. 3 The like opinion do I retain of those, who must write everything that is to be performed in any reasonable fashion, and with credit, with or by a line: for therein they show themselves rather Carpenters than Writers, and cannot (in the judgement of Artists) be rightly termed good Penmen. 4 Also (in my judgement) he cannot be reputed a good Penman that is not able upon an instant, with any Pen, Ink, or Paper, and in the presence of whomsoever, to manifest some skill: Being that the rare & absolute quality of the Pen, consisteth not in the painting, pricking forth, and tedious writing of six lines privately in a man's Study, with the best implements: but a sweet command of hand, and a certain conceived presumption. 5 Lastly, to use any strange, borrowed, or enforced tricks and knots, in or about writing, other then with the celerity of the hand are to be performed, is rather to set an inglorious gloss upon a simple piece of work, then to give a comely lustre to a perfect pattern; they being as unnatural to Writing as a surfeit is to a temperate man's body. FINIS.