€ la ss

In 12Numbers, FourdistinctSeries

J.'fTIiim
itiSSSt
f/ / emdCP
F a c s im ile E d itio n by
M O T T M E D IA
F e n t o n , M ic h ig a n
iccordin. 't of Congress, %r 1864, Ivison, Phinney, Blakeman & Co., New Y> i Mott Mi U.S.A.

Principles of Short Letters
Writing is made up o f a combination o f principles.
Principles are the constituent parts o f letters. They
are seven in number. We present in this place the first
three, which in their combinations make up all the
short letters.
These principles should be learned so that the pupil
may be able to designate them by their respective
names and numbers in every letter.
/
The First Principle is a straight line on the main
slant (52°).
The Second Principle is a right curve usually on the
connective slant (30°).
The Third Principle is a left curve usually on the
connective slant.
Analysis. Principles 2, l , 2.
Construction. Begin at the lower left corner
and ascend with the right curve to upper right corner;
unite angularly and descend with straight line to lower
middle; turn short and ascend with right curve to
upper middle. Finish with light dot, one space above
straight line on main slant. Second i finishes in corner.
Width two spaces.
V S 8 3 2 g & S S & S 2 S S & S & & B 9 S g & g 9 9 eS & e& g & S & & S S S S & & S & & 3 2 S S S S S S S eS 3 S S S 3 S S S S S S e8 S S 3 S S a & & & 9 & 3 2 S g &
!___ — - 7-
I— ... j y Analysis: Principles 2, 1, 2, 1, 2.
——!-------- Construction. Form the letter / as just
described; then from its terminating point, or upper
middle, descend with a straight line to lower left
corner; turn short and finish with the right curve at
the upper right corner. Width, three spaces.
Analysis. Principles 2, I, 2, 1, 2, 2.
I ' ^
Construction. Form like u to the comple­
tion o f second lower turn; thence ascend one space
with right curve to within one-half space o f right cor­
ner; make slight dot and finish with a horizontal right
curve at right corner. Width, three spaces.
Dot is midway between second angle and corner;
half space from each point.
I Analysis. Principles 3, 1, 3, 1, 2.
v ' ^ Construction. Beginning at lower left
corner, ascend with left curve to right corner; turn
short and descend with straight line to middle; unite
angularly and ascend with left curve to middle; turn
short and descend with straight line to left corner; turn
short and ascend with right curve, finishing in corner.
Entire width, three spaces.
I Analysis. Principles 3, 1, 3, I, 3, l, 2.
Construction. The tn is formed precisely
like the n with its first half repeated.
Entire width, four spaces.
Analysis. Principles 3, 1, 2 , 2.
iZZl Construction. Form the letter n to the point
where it first returns to base line; here turn short and
finish like w.
Entire width, two spaces. Width from turn to dot,
one-half space. Horizontal right curve, one-half space.
.— s y , Analysis. Principles 3, 2, 3, 2.
v rO '— Construction. Beginning at lower left
corner, ascend with left curve to corner; turn short
and descend with right curve (nearly straight in its
lower halO to middle; unite angularly and ascend with
straight line to a point even with upper turn and one-
third space to its right; unite angularly and descend
with left curve, touching base line two-thirds o f a space
from right corner; turn short and finish with right
curve at upper right corner. Entire width, two spaces.
Distance between turn and angle at top and base alike,
one-third space each.
Analysis. Principles 3, 3, 2, 2.
17zr~ Construction. Beginning at lower left
corner, ascend with left curve to corner; unite angu­
larly and descend with left curve to middle; turn short
and ascend with right curve, meeting first at corner;
unite angularly and finish with horizontal right curve,
terminating at middle. Width o f oval, one-half space.
|y f f / y Analysis. Principles 3, 3, 2, 1, 2.
Construction. Beginning at lower left
corner, ascend with left curve to middle o f second
block; retrace to the point where it crosses the ver­
tical ruled line; then, separating, continue with left
curve to middle o f the first block; turn short and as­
cend with right curve to middle o f second block, and
meeting preceding curves at top, form p oin ted oval \
one-half space in width. Complete like i from its
angular joining at top. Finish in corner.
Entire width, three spaces.
.---------— Analysis. Principles 2, 3, 2.
— Construction. Beginning at lower left
corner, ascend with right curve to corner; turn short
and descend with left curve to middle; turn short and
ascend with right curve to middle.
Entire width two spaces. Width o f loop one-fourth
space. Loop crossing, one-third the height.
 1
N .B . The diagrams heading the several pages are designed to show how the principles and letters are to be adjusted to the ruling,

also to indicate the analysis o f the letters.

m a rk s p a r a lle l t o ea ch oth er.
F ir s t p rin cip le. WML
W rite th e p r in c ip le s a n d letters, e x c ep tin g r and s,
O b liq u e S traight L in e. C o m m e n c e at th e u p p er ru led lin e a n d k e e p the
within th e w ide s p a c e s a s in th e diagram . C o u n t 1, 2, 3, 4, l, 2, 3, 4, etc.
 A H th e c u r v e s in th is b o o k , con stitu tin g letters o r p a r ts o f letters a n d c o m m e n c in g on th e b a s e line, a r e sin g le a n d o f th e s a m e length.
Right Curve. Left Curve.

S e c o n d P r in c ip le — R igh t C u rv e. Third P r in c ip le — L e ft Cu rve.

C o m m e n c e b oth o f th e s e o n th e lo w e r r u led line O b s er v e ca refu lly th eir f o r m s an d a d ju st them c lo s e ly to th e ruling as in th e diagram . C ou n t 1, 2, / 2, etc.
 3
In th e dia g ra m s f o ll o w i n g stu d y th e a n a lysis o f th e letters.

The figures in th e diagrams indicate th e Principles. Make letters without shade. C o u n t I , 2 , I , dot.
Th e S e c o n d P r in c ip le ( y ) is p r e fi x e d t o th e F irst ( / ) j o in in g it a t the to p a n d then a ffix e d to the s a m e b y a
s h o r t co n n e c tin g cu r v e a t th e b a se. Th is cu r v e w e c a ll th e lo w e r tu rn ; it o c c u p ie s a b o u t o n e -s ix th o f a s p a c e . S e e s e c o n d p a g e o f o u r c o v e r f o r f u l l exp la n a tion .

A A / A,u / A,A / AcA./ A A,'/ A A, A.A, A,A. A,A./

i

A Ac A

1 _ J ________
4
Study the Diagrams and learn how to adjust the letters to the ruling.
’ 1/ 4 / fj /
W idth o f u o n e s p a c e . S eco n d P r in c ip le unites with f i r s t a t to p a s in i, w, and a. M a k e th e turns
in u i un iform , s p a c e s eq u a l , stra ight tin es p a ra llel. C a u tio n : a v o id u n eq u a l s p a cin g , th u s M X •; d ifferen t sla n t, th u s m u . C o u n t f o r u i 1, 2, 3 , 4, l , 2, I , dot.
 5
Analysis o f w.

W rite with a c a r e fu l m ov em en t.
7 C ount f o r iw I , 2 , 1, 2 , 3 , 4, 5, d o t 1, dot.
W id th o f w o n e s p a c e a n d a half. T u rn s in i w alik e. A / v 2 Straight lin es p a r a lle l a n d eq u a lly distant.
F in ish th e w with a s m a ll d o t a n d th e S e c o n d P r in c ip le in h o r iz o n ta l p o s itio n . A v o i d u n lik e turns, thus M U ; a lo o p in w in s te a d o f a d ot, th u s M y .

A u 1 Ayu 7 A
/ /' A At A a / A Va / ■
A,A 7 A, 7~A. /
yf.At A At.T / ■

— —

^ —

1
1

________ i_____ ............. i n _____ !

6
Analysis o f n.

W idth o f n o n e sp a c e . T h ird P r in c ip le ( S ) unites the F irst ( / ) a t to p b y a s h o r t cu rv e c a lle d the

/
u p p er turn. I t again un ites a ngu larly with th e s a m e at E2 3 /2Z b a se. T h e u p p er turn o c c u p ie s s a m e s p a c e a s l o w e r turn.

M a k e stra ig h t lin es in n i p a r a lle l a n d eq u a lly sp a c e d , turns u n iform ly a lik e. Th e a c c u r a c y o f this c o p y m ay b e te s te d b y inverting it. C o u n t f o r n i I , 2, 3, 4 , 1, 2 , I dot.

7 ? u 7
■ u
772
U
/ 7? u 7
7 2 ■ u Y /? U
' 7 72 U 7 t 7 i& Y U
7 7 2 7 /2 yi

H
 7
Analysis o f m .

W idth tw o sp a c e s . U p p er turns s a m e as in n . T h ird P r in c ip le un ites with f i r s t a t b a se. C u rv e lin es s a m e in length. A v o id

u n lik e turns, s lo p e a n d sp a cin g . T h e aim , in th is c o u r s e o f p r a c tic e , s h o u ld b e to m a k e ea ch s u c c e s s iv e w o rd a n d lin e b e a r d istin ctly th e sta m p o f im p rov em en t. C o u n t l , 2 , 3, 4, 5, 6, I.
8
Analysis o f x.

T h ink a n d write. C o u n t 1, 2, I , C ro ss.

M a k e th e turns e x a c tly a lik e b oth at to p a n d b a se, a n d as s h o r t a s p o s s ib le with con tin u o u s m otion .

C r o s s u p w a rd with a stra ig h t line through m id d le o f F ir s t P r in c ip le on s a m e s la n t with th e c u r v e lin es. S e e that th e u p p er a n d lo w e r turns a re s h o r t an d alike.

'/ /A 1 2 y ffty V / f t '//fty A ftA ftV Jf t f t

y A ft f t / V / f t 'AftV /A "'/A
/ft ftft

______ S__________
 9
Analysis o f v.

/V ^ 4^ / /
PP/'cM f r o m turn to d o t h a l f a sp a c e . — . _ j ____ !______ _____ t/ftper and /owar turns alik e.

D o t a n d fin is h s a m e a s in w . B e c a r e fu l n o t t o m a k e th e o p e n in g t o o w ide a t th e to p , thus A S : th e s id e s u n eq u a l in height, thus /* - . C o u n t I , 2, 3, d o t 1.

V 7“
4 b a a A '9> . t j b V /A 9 1 7 A rA F V A ,A //s A
T A A A 9/s
f
10
Analysis o f o.

W idth o n e -th ir d o f th e length. O p p o s ite s id es eq u a lly W i i>yyi

V Y — /. A c u r v e d a n d c lo s e d a t the top . C a u tio n : a v o id m akin g th e letter

t o o rounding, th u s & ; a n d lea v in g it o p e n a t th e to p , th u s CT . C o r r e c t r e p resen ta tio n o f f o r m s in v o lv es c o r r e c t p e r c e p tio n o f th em ; th e r efo r e , th in k w hen y o u w rite. C o u n t I, 2, 3.

 II
Analysis o f a.

W idth o f a o n e sp a c e . Slant th e o v a l s a m e as S eco n d zd. P r in c ip le in w . C u rv e th e left s id e f u l l e r than th e right.

R ight cu r v e in au u nited with stra ight lin e at to p throughout. In stra ight lin es p r e s e r v e u niform ity o f sla n t an d spacin g, a n d a v o id lea vin g th e a open a t th e top . C o u n t fo r au 2 , 1 , 2 , 1, 2, 2 , 4 , 1 .
12
Analysis o f e.

W idth o n e -th ir d o f sp a ce. L o o p tw o th ird s o f length.

L e ft cu r v e s a m e a s in o a n d c . Turn s h o r t a s p o s s ib le a t to p a n d b a s e w ith ou t stop p in g . A v o i d t o o f u l l a cu r v e o n th e left, w hich m a k e s t o o w id e a lo o p , th u s £ . . C o u n t I , 2, I.

/ £ / / / X “ 7 '<A\ AA A /A / A
J a ? 'a A A A A
 13
A n a ly s is o f c.
■i
W idth h a l f a sp a c e . O v a l turn at to p o c c u p ie s on e -th ir d
o f s p a c e f r o m u p p er line. L o o p tw o -th ird s th e heigh t s a m e a s e . T u rn s a b o v e a n d b e lo w sh ort. C a u tio n : a v o id m a k in g th e to p t o o large, thus & . C o u n t I , 2 , 3, 4, I.
14
A n a ly s is o f r.
/.3 rt
W idth h a l f a sp a c e . C a rry S e c o n d P r in c ip le o n e-fo u rth o f a s p a c e a b o v e u p p er line. M a k e a s m a ll d ot, a n d j o in

th is with a slig h tly c u r v e d s h o u ld e r to th e F irst P rin cip le. L o w e r turn a s in i. A v o i d m a k in g a l o o p at to p , thus A ; th e letter t o o n a rrow , thus /£ , . C ount l, 2, 2, I.
 IS
Analysis o f s.

W idth h a l f a sp a ce, S e c o n d P rin cip le

o n e -fo u r th o f a s p a c e a b o v e u p p er tine. D o w n w a r d line \A z fa i/ J d iv erg es f r o m to p o f S e c o n d P r in c ip le , and, a fter th e turn,
term in a tes in a d o t o n e -fo u r th o f a s p a c e a b o v e to w e r line. C a u tio n : a v o id l o o p a t to p , thus ^ S e c o n d P r in c ip le s h o u ld n o t lean t o o f a r to th e right, t h u s ^ f . C o u n t l , 2 , 3 , d o t 1.
16

W rite w o rd s w ith ou t lifting th e p e n . O b s e r v e th e in clin a tion o f th e left s id e o f a ,

th e height o f r a n d its p e c u lia r sh ou ld er. P u p ils s h o u ld f o r m th e h a b it o f criticisin g th eir o w n w riting. C o u n t f o r a ir 2, l , 2, l , 2, l , 2, 5, I , dot.

 17

P a s s with a sin g le cu r v e lin e d irectly u n d er

th e d o t in th e s , an d s o c o n n e c t it with th e e as in th e c o p y , n o t thus . M a k e a ll th e letters h e r e , a s else w h e r e, v ery light. C o u n t l , 2, 2, d o t 1, 2, I , 2, I.
18

S tu d y ca refu lly e v e r y p a r i o f e v e r y letter— e v e r y P r in c ip le en g a g ed in its p r o d u c tio n . C o u n t 1, 2, 3, 4, I , 2 , I.

y //y y U /y u y u y y m //Au y //U y

u yy y //u y
 19

M a k e to p o f c s m a ll a n d T h ird P r in c ip le slig h tly cu rved . Th e d o t o f i s h o u ld b e s m a ll a n d n ea tly m ade. S ec u r e c o r r e c tn e s s o f fo r m , height, sla n t a n d spacin g. C o u n t l , 2, 1, 2 , 3 , 4, l , 2 , I.

—
f /
u a t^ i #
/ &/ y & /
w , tf,

-----
*

—
•- - - - - -

l_ _ _ _l ... nE zn
20

M a k e th e turns u n iform in x a n d v ,
c r o s s x with an u p w a rd m ov em en t. M a k e v o n e - h a l f s p a c e . Study ca refu lly h er e , a s else w h e r e, e v e r y p a r t o f e v e r y letter. C o u n t f o r x l , 2 , 1, c r o s s ; f o r v l , 2 , 3, d o t 1.
 21

O b s e r v e h o w th e o a n d w a r e c o n n e c te d b y S e c o n d P r in c ip le

in h o r iz o n ta l p o s itio n . C l o s e o a t to p . S traight lin es a n d d o t in w s h o u ld alw a ys tou ch u p p er line, n o ! thus /U / -. C o u n t I , 2, 3, I , 2 , 3 , 4, 5 , d o t 1.

22

S ee that th e c u r v e d lin es in u a r e p a r a lle l a n d o f th e s a m e length. O b s e r v e th e heigh t a n d w idth o f th e s , a n d the f o r m a n d p o s itio n o f th e d ot. C o u n t 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2 , 3, d o t I.

 23

O b s e r v e p a rticu la rly h o w a n d w h ere the c u r v e a n d stra ight lin es unite;

a ls o th e e q u a l s p a c e s b etw een stra igh t lin es w hen c o n n e c te d b y sin g le cu rv es. W rite this c o p y s o that it w ill b e a r th e te st o f in v ersion . C o u n t I, 2 , 3, 4, l , 2, l dot.
24

H e r e n o te e s p e cia lly th e turns, sla n t a n d sp a cin g . M a k e th is p a g e th e b e s t in th e b o o k . Th e la st e ffo r t s h o u ld a lw a y s s h o w d e c id ed im p ro v em en t o n a ll th e f o r m e r .

(Continued front front panel.)
— Analysis. Principles 2, 1, 2, 3, 2.
~ Construction. Beginning at lower left
corner, ascend with right curve to corner; unite
angularly and descend with straight line to base. Turn
short and make final curve as in i.
Entire width, two spaces.
- A - 7— A nalysis. Principles 2, 3, 2, 1, 2.
— Construction. Begin on base line and
ascend with right curve on connective slant one and
a quarter spaces; make a light dot and descend with
slight left curve nearly vertical; unite in short turn with
straight line and descend on main slant to base; turn
short and make final curve as in i. Entire width, two
spaces. Width at shoulder, one-quarter space.
Analysis. Principles 2, 3, 2, 2.
Construction. Beginning on base line
ascend with right curve on connective slant one and
a quarter spaces; unite angularly and descend with
slight left curve one-third space, and merging into a
full right curve continue to base; turn short to the left,
move upward, and touching first curve one-quarter
space above base, make a light dot; thence retracing
to base, make final curve as in i. Distance between
first and second curve at widest point, one-half space.
H OLDING THE PENCIL
Take the pencil between the first and second fingers
and the thumb, observing: 1 ) that the pencil crosses
the second finger on the corner o f the nail, 2 ) that
it crosses the forefinger forward o f the knuckle, 3)
that the end o f the thumb touches the holder opposite
the lower joint o f the forefinger, 4) that the top o f
the pencil points towards the right shoulder, 5) that
the wrist is above the paper, and the hand resting light­
ly on the nails o f the third and fourth fingers, 6 ) that
the point o f the pencil comes squarely to the paper.
S S a S S S S S S S S S S S S S 8 S 8 S S S S S S S i ^ IS S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S ^ S S ^ S S ^ S S S S S S ^ S S S S S S S S ^ e S S ^ S e S S ^ S S S S S S S S S i
BOOK ONE
FIG U R E S
G E N E R A L RULES
Heights. The figures are one and one-half spaces
in height, except the 6 , which extends two spaces above
base line, and 7 and 9, which commence one and one-
half spaces above and terminate one-half space below
base line.
Widths. Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 , 7, 8 , and 9 are about
the same width, one space measured horizontally
through their widest part. The 0 is one-half space in
width, measured at right angles to slant.
_______ ________________ / _________
77~ r j r) tO / A ^
Figure 1 is simply a straight line on main
slant, one and one-half spaces in height.
Analysis. Principles 2, 3, 2, 3, 2.
.• Begin at full height o f figure and finish one-
fourth space above base line. Large loop
is one-half length o f figure.
Analysis. Principles 2, 3, 2, 2, 3.
— Begin at full height o f figure, and finish
— one-half space above base line. Loop at
top, one-fourth length o f figure.
Analysis. Principles 2, 3, 2.
, ■ Begin right curve one and one-fourth spaces
__from and descend to within one-fourth
space o f the base line. Here join angularly
with left curve in horizontal position and let the second
left curve, which is bne and one-half spaces long, cross
it at middle.
Analysis. Principles 2, 2, 3, I.
7 - Begin at full height o f figure and finish like
_cl 3. Small loop and base oval same as in 3.
Length o f straight line, two-thirds space.
Analysis. Principles 3, 2, 3.
Begin two spaces above and finish at base
line. Height o f oval, one space.
Analysis. Principles 1, 3 , 2 , 1.
Begin one and one-half spaces above and ]
_ finish one-half space below base line.
Length, two spaces. Make straight lines on i
main slant.
Analysis. Principles 2, 3, 2, 3.
Begin one space above base and ascend with ]
right curve one-half space; turn leftward ]
2
and descend with left and right curve to l
base; again turn leftward and complete with right
curve extending to full height o f figure. Width o f loop,
one-half space.
Analysis. Principles 3 , 2 , 1 .
sy Begin one and one-half spaces above and
finish one-half space below base line. The
“ p oin ted oval is the same as in a , d , g, and ]
q, and reaches to within one-half space o f base line.
Length, two spaces. Make straight line on main slant.
— 2C Analysis. Principles 3, 2.
ty Form like small o without connecting lines.
POSITION FOR WRITING
The position for writing should be a convenient one,
allowing the easy action o f the writing arm and hand.
The student should learn to sit easily upright, and keep i]
the shoulders square.
Right handers: Sit directly facing the desk, near to
it, without leaning against it, with the feet level on
the floor, and with the forearms resting lightly on the
desk at right angles to each other. Let the right arm
rest lightly on the muscle forward o f the elbow. Keep
the wrist above the paper, and rest the hand lightly
on the nails o f the third and fourth figures, which
should touch the paper directly under the palm. Adjust
the copybook so that the right arm will be at right
angles to the lines on which you write.
Left handers: Arrange the arm positions and the
slant o f the copybook so that the left arm will be at
right angles to the lines on which you write.