O enable the individual to write with ease, and to do the right thing in the right place in many of the important positions in life, is the object of this book.

There have been many excellent works heretofore given to the world treating on Penmanship, that admirably served their purpose in their specialty; but the student when done with their study, though proficient in chirography, was yet ignorant of how to use the same in the transaction of business. Good books in abundance have been published on Grammar, Letter-writing, Composition, and various Business Forms, but, though proficient in a knowledge of their contents, the student, often left with a miserable Penmanship, shrinks from making use of this knowledge, because of the disagreeable labor attendant upon a cramped and detestable handwriting.

The result sought to be accomplished in this book is to combine both a knowledge of penmanship and its application in the written forms which are in most general use. Added to these are the chapters on collection of debts, parliamentary rules, etiquette and other departments of action, which are calculated to teach how to do in many of the important social and business relations of life.

The Teacher of Penmanship will find its pages replete with information pertaining to the art of writing. As a treatise on Penmanship, it is more profusely illustrated than any work of the kind now before the public; and though condensed, it is yet sufficiently explicit in detail, and in the consideration of principles, to make the analysis of letters thoroughly understood by the student. The programme of exercises for a course of writing lessons, together with suggestions relating to the organization and management of the writing class, will be welcomed by young teachers, whose penmanship is sufficiently good to enable them to teach the art, but who fail of success through lack of knowledge of the course to be pursued in order to interest and entertain the class after it has assembled.

The Teacher of the public or private school will find abundant use for a manual of this kind in the school-room. The subject of letter-writing — an art almost universally neglected — should be a matter of daily exercise in the recitation-room. The correct form of writing the superscription, the complimentary address, the division into paragraphs, the complimentary closing, the signature, and folding of the

VI PREFACE.

letter; the letters of introduction, of recommendation, excuse, sympathy, and business — all these practical epistolary forms, such as enter into the every-day transactions of life, should be thoroughly taught in our schools.

The gathering of news for the press, the rules and typographical marks for proofreading, the illustrations of printing types, visiting and business cards, notes of invitation, etc— all these exercises and more, can be introduced with great benefit to pupils. In short, nearly every chapter of this Manual, much of which has never been published before in any form, can be used to supply practical lessons in the schoolroom.

In the business walks of life, a work of this kind has long been required. In penmanship, use of capital letters, punctuation, letter-writing; the forms of notes, bills, orders, receipts, checks, drafts, bills of exchange, articles of agreement, bonds, mortgages, deeds, leases, and wills; in selecting the kind of type in which to print the hand-bill or card; the marking letters; the law of the different States concerning the limitation of actions, rates of interest, usury, and amount of property exempt from forced sale and execution,—all this and much more contained herein, will be of especial service for reference in the transaction of business.

By the lady, much will be found in a Manual of this kind that will particularly serve her in the writing of her social forms. As a text-book and self-instructor in writing, it admirably serves to give her that delicate and beautiful penmanship which pleases the eye as does fine music the ear. The rules of composition, writing for the press, the letter-writing, the marriage anniversaries, the notes of invitation to the cotton, paper, leather, wooden, tin, silk and other weddings; the fancy alphabets for needle-work; the selections for the album, lists of common Christian names, and synonyms, abbreviations, foreign words and phrases, the rules for writing poetry and the laws of etiquette—all these will meet her especial favor.

The mistress of the household will find here the form of the testimonial suitable to be given the servant upon his or her departure to seek a situation elsewhere. The mother will find the written excuse to the teacher for the non-attendance of her child at school; the servant, the form of letter when applying for a situation; and the bashful, blushing maiden, the cautious, carefully worded letter, that will aid her in giving expression to the hitherto closely guarded secrets of the heart.

The sign-painter has daily use for a reference book of this kind, arranged and adapted, as it is, to the comprehension and wants of the knights of the pencil and brush, with the rules of punctuation, prepared for his especial use, and abundant examples of signs, so as to enable him not only to paint the letters and words beautifully, but to punctuate the same correctly. In this department is given a large number of plain and fancy alphabets, while the book throughout contains beautiful emblems and different kinds of lettering. The fine specimens of penmanship and pen-flourishing, including round-hand writing, old English, German-text, and orna

PREFACE. VU

mental script letters, will particularly please, presenting, as they do, much that is entirely new, calculated to aid the young sign-painter in doing his work elegantly and correctly.

The artist in lettering on marble finds in this work a chapter presenting tombstone inscriptions and epitaphs, giving the modern and best forms of wording by which to perpetuate the memory of the departed. More especially will this be valued by the marble-worker as giving him the grammatical wording of the inscription, the abbreviation of words, and their correct punctuation. The grand and costly monument, designed to stand for a thousand years, to be gazed upon by multitudes, and the record that it bears to be read by millions! How important that, in this conspicuous place, in such enduring form, the inscription, in grammar, capitalization, and punctuation, should be given absolutely correct. The ornamental scripts, with the plain and fancy alphabets, will also admirably serve the wants of marble - workers. This chapter will likewise assist the mourner who is desirous of selecting an appropriate inscription to mark the last resting place of the departed.

The reader will appreciate the forms herein relating to inscriptions suitable for use by the engraver, when marking the spoon, the ring, the cane, the watch, the modest birth-day gift, or the costly wedding present. The engraver will more especially value these examples, from the fact that they enable the customer to select at once the words desired, and the style of lettering in which they shall be executed; while the forms of punctuation and arrangement of wording will teach the youngest apprentice at the bench how to execute the same correctly.

The secretary of the public meeting, the presiding officer, every member of the assemblage; in fact, every American citizen that aspires to discharge the duties of a freeman, will be aided by the chapter on parliamentary rules, the forms of resolutions appropriate for various occasions, petitions to public bodies, etc

The individual who would appear at ease in general society, who would do the right thing at the right time, be self-possessed and free from embarrassment, will appreciate the chapter on etiquette. More especially will this be valued because of its beautiful and instructive illustrations.

The chapter assigned to the writing of poetry, and the dictionary of rhymes, will instruct and aid a certain class; while the poetic selections will be valued by all lovers of poetry, as presenting some of the most beautiful and charming poems in existence

In short, the varied character of this work appeals alike to the wants of the old and young of all classes. Realizing this, the book is launched on the sea of literature with the confident belief that it is demanded, and that it will accomplish its mission of usefulness.