DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES.

VERY Copy on Plates Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 should be written with care by all students desirous of improving their penmanship. Ladies can, if they wish, terminate with the finer hand, while gentlemen will end with the bolder penmanship.

Plate I.

Copy I is a free, off-hand exercise, calculated to give freedon and ease in writing. Observe to make an angle, top and bottom. A sufficient amount of practice on this copy, with pen or pencil, will break up all stiffness in the writing. Copy 2 is the contraction of copy No. 1 into the letter m, giving a free, open, bold,

business hand.

Copy 3 is composed of words of greater length, which should be written, if possible, by the student, from the beginning to the end of the word, without removing the pen from the paper until the word is finished. The words are composed principally of the letter m, which should be written with much care.

Copies 4 and 5 are the small letters of the alphabet. Carefully observe the shades, and the uniformity in slope of letters.

Copy 6 exhibits the figures, which are twice the height of small letters. The 7 and 8, in script, extend one-half their length below the line.

Copies 7 and 8 are the capital letters of the alphabet, which are of the same height as the small letter. There is usually but one shade in a letter. Observe the directions, given elsewhere, for the making of capitals, and guard against the probable faults, as there expressed. Study also, carefully, the principles of curves,

proportion and shades, as applied in the making of capital letters.

The remainder of copies on Plates 1 and 2 should be written with the greatest care, "Perseverance" being the motto. Do not leave these copies until they are thoroughly mastered.

Plate III.

This plate is composed of copies similar to the others, the same principles being applicable in the making of the letters. As will be seen, this is a much more delicate hand, and is especially adapted to fine epistolary writing.

Plate IV.

Plate IV illustrates the form of writing a letter of introduction, and may be copied by the student as a specimen business letter.

Plate V.

This plate exhibits the off-hand capitals, which should be made purely with the arm movement, the hand resting lightly on the two lower fingers. Practice, at first, in making them with a lead-pencil on waste paper, will be found quite beneficial.

Plate VI.

The copies of Round Hand on this plate should be written with especial care, being the style suitable for headings, etc. Observe in the small letters that each is round, and every down mark shaded. The alphabet of German Text on this page will be found useful for ornamental work.

Plate VII.

Plate VII exhibits a variety of pen work, containing both fine and bold penmanship, and will be found a superior copy in which the student can display a knowledge of penmanship and flourishing.

Plate VIII.

Plate VIII is an original off-hand specimen of flourishing, the curves, proportion and shades in which should be carefully observed. (See view of holding pen in flourishing, page 27.)