rare and doe sundrie charitable and common workes in the Countrey that all the Generations before them did not so much as once dreame of yea this same GeneratioÌ„ mocked them in the beginning but yet as they saw these Attempts accomplished and the successe proue contrarie unto their incredulous expectation they were faine to hold their peace because of the coÌ„trary sway theÌ„ of the multitude admire the working of these workes which of before they thought impossible to worke It hath seldome bene multitudes or communities sitting in their Gownes together that haue devised the maniest and rarest good works they might well after long solicitation of charitable minded men establish and up-holde them by authoritie and maintainance when they were proponed and found out to their hand but it hath beene private men for the moste parte of whome they haue often times esteemed least who haue beene inventors of all Policie and good workes in a Common-wealth It is true Men can doe no Miracles nor worke Impossibilities now a dayes yet thinges which are impossible with Men are possible with GOD for hee can worke his VVorkes by contraries as by making all things of nothing by bringing Light out of Darknesse Life out of Death and by afflicting his Sainctes that hee may glorifie them and even yet when hee worketh by Men bee chooseth commonlie the weakest Instruments for the greatest VVorkes that his Glorie may so much the more appeare yea further hee suffereth his best Workes oftentimes to haue maniest difficulties to the intent that when they are done and all impediments trodden under foote his glorie may yet bee so much the greater by how much they haue bene impeded Indeede it may bee that this Booke bee not altogether meete for young Schollers at Grammar Schooles yet I hope it will bee profitable for the elder sorte of them for al Students in Vniversities inrespect of their farther yeares knowledge and learning for if personall instruction consisteth in audible information and visible practise so instruction by Booke standeth in legeable information and imitable practise Reade the secundarie cause of the Argument and the first parte of the Narration againe VI. It is excepted against this Booke That it will bee a motiue to abstract a great number of the Youth from Writing or Vulgare Schooles and bee so greatlie prejudiciall to the estate of Vulgar Masters who must needes liue by their Calling that it will both procure hatred unto it selfe and the Author thereof and so foorth I answere It will serue for verie few of their number and so abstract them verie little for now in this Age where one remayneth in the Schooles untill hee bee fourteene yeares olde tenne leaue them before that time and although it were otherwayes they would learne so much sooner by this Booke in the companie and by the advise of a Skilfull Writer than by their owne private paines and so prejudge him nothing of his awonted Due if his Condition be To teach them for so much and not for such a space and few under that age can bee able to make much profite thereby except under the pedagogie of an Instructor Indeede I thinke it better that each one learne to write in some reasonable measure perfectlie before hee beginne eyther Grammar or Philosophie for helping him to effectate his purpose both the sooner and better than after the same but never in the midst except at some vacand houres by this Booke for the reasons contained in the fift secundarie cause of the Argument Likewise such Masters of Grammar Schooles or their under Teachers as doe professe to teach this Booke at certaine dyets to their Schollers may instruct any Childe of reasonable age or knowledge almost as soone by these meanes to bee both a Scholler and a Writer as when hee is put to a Vulgar Master only to learne to Write and therefore one transumpt heereof is not onlie requisite to bee bounde in Volum with the Latine Grammar for each one that learneth the same that hee may learne to spell English by the one as well as Latine by the other but likewise with anie English Booke for Lectors that thereby they may learne to reade both Print and Writ at once beside the knowledge how to Write Moreover this Booke will not onlie ease all cunning Masters of Writing verie much of their travels by making all their severall instructions conformable and agreeable how farre soever they be distant in place and so worke the more effect as is declared in the third secundarie cause of the Argument but I hope one Extract thereof will informe a whole Schoole how to follow their Exemplars and then farre more when each one at the least everie two or three haue one wherewith either to conferre together or to peruse day about and therefore the number of their Schollers will so much the more increase by how much more hereby their paines will be effectuall Consequentlie both this Worke and the worker thereof by the meanes will deserue loue in stead of hatred But if anie of them thinke otherwayes and would haue their hearts desire any wayes satisfied surelie they shall haue a verie sufficient mends providing they will bestow the expenses let them buy all the Extracts of this Booke and either burne them all at once in a faire fire together or else pine them away one after another in kindling of their Tabacco and I shall never quarrell them for their violence VII It is farther excepted against this Booke that not onlie there bee diverse Rules and Sentences therein and chiefelie concerning the seldome uptaking of the Penne somewhat more prolixt and large than neede requireth and therefore the more tedious to reade but likewise some Sentences repeated some parts verie barren and haske too manie similitudes applyed and that the Preambles and Postscripts are litle lesse than all the rest of the Booke and so foorth I answere to the first parte that I doe so of purpose because it behooveth tâ— bee for these two reasons First although the aged may peruse it and profite thereby yet it is chiefelie directed unto the Youth as of weaker judgement at the least neyther so carefull in using of the meanes to conceiue nor yet in practising of anie good conception yea to manie who perhaps haue never beene in a Schooâ—e to learne And secondlie because it is the first Impression and therefore requireth to bee the more ample for if it please GOD to spare mee till this Essay bee censured abroad corrected and reformed I intende to haue the Rules thereof made shorter and published in Verse both for the better getting and keeping thereof in memorie and likewise the remnant in better Prose Language and Method for the which respect I haue now made choyse rather to adventure it foorth somewhat blockish that is with the Paringes thereon than to presume at mine owne hand to pare it too neare at the first for that which appeareth to bee good to one will perhaps seeme
Writing what could they haue left of all their endevours behinde them for was not Wisedome Honoures Learning Riches and such others in the Worlde before them Rare because by all appearance the secrecie and hidde knowledge of all the precepts thereof hath not beene clearelie revealed to the Youth in former Ages yea is scarcelie yet in anie Schoole whatsoever except where this Booke is diligentlie taught And surelie I marvell that so manie Volumes haue beene written on all Subjectes Sciences and Artes except this Subject and Arte in all Nations in all Ages and by all sortes of people shewing perfectlie howe to attaine to the right knowledge and practise thereof as also that even so manie sortes of Exemplare Bookes of fayre writ are printed and extant and yet none haue shewed anie perfect way how to followe them without a guide by writing the complete Arte of Writing it selfe It is true some Writers of some Nations haue written some preceptes howe to follow some of the most usuall formes of Writ amongst themselues but never anie SCOTTISH Man hath left anie preceptes behinde him how to write anie forme eyther usuall in his owne Countrey or else-where Auncient because certaine it is that Literature hath beene from the beginning and not onlie flowrished long before the Deludge or Inundation of Waters amongst the curious Inventors of Sciences and Artes as appeareth by the charitable regarde either of SETH or some other who for the benefite and weale of the posteritie caused write or graue the same on two pillars the one of Tyle to abide fire and the other of Stone against water but likewise not long after the Floode amongst the Aegyptians as is evident both by the Skill of MOSES who beeing trained up in Aegypt that read the Tables of the Law as soone as he sawe them and of the moste parte then of the Israelites who beeing participant of the same education that doubtlesse could haue done the like action And though sufficient warrand could not bee produced for approbation of these Assertions yet naturall Reason cannot bee prejudged nor frustrated of its owne place for what Librall Science or Arte can bee older than Writing since everie Librall Science and Arte behooved to bee written both for helping the memorie of the Author in inventing and of the Studentes in learning howbeit Socrates in his time was of the contrarie opinion so it hath pleased GOD by the meane of Writing not onelie to nourish and traine up all Sciences and Artes in their infancie and minoritie but principallie to defende them so in their full age and majoritie against all assaultes of the ignorant who ever haue beene and yet are professed enemies to Learning that aye when as they destroyed anie worthie worke in one Booke it was found againe in another and hereby also GOD bee praysed was Antiochus disappointed of his malicious and devilish attempt who commaunded to gather together all the Transsumpts of the Sacred BIBLE as he supposed and then caused burne them in a terrible fire And Noblie descended because no Arte hath an Author more noble nor excellent because the Author thereof is infinitelie aboue all Nobilitie and Excellencie for doubtlesse GOD Himselfe who is the Author of all Goodnesse first devised and ordained it as a thing good also of it selfe and that eyther immediatelie as hee marked Kaine with some hieroglyphicall or aenigmaticall letters one or moe by the Sententiall signification whereof hee was perfectlie and notoriouslie knowne to bee a Murtherer or mediatelie by enduing others with the rare gift of Invention as he did manie Artificers eyther at the building of the Arke in the dayes of NOAH or at the building of the Tabernacle in the dayes of MOSES and AARON or else at that incomparable building of the Temple of HIERVSALEM in the dayes of King SALOMON VVhereby it evidentlie appeareth that this Arte hath beene invented by Divine inspiration for doubtlesse as the Heavenlie Scriptures are concluded with this caveat Let no man presume eyther to adde unto them nor diminish from them because they are so absolute complete and perfect that they containe all thinges necessarie unto salvation so it lay never in anie mans power in anie Age eyther to adde or diminish a jote to or from the number of those Letters which it pleased GOD to ordaine as so manie strong Holdes Castles and Yron Coffers wherein to preserue these our happie Evidences and heavenlie Rightes from the violence of all Tyrants and enemies of the Trueth whatsoever and for as few in number as these Letters bee they not onelie over-flowe all the Bookes in the Worlde and containe the Languages of all Nations although indeede fewer of them doe containe some Languages than others but thereby anie that are nowe living may know the minde and disposition of a man who died a thousand yeares agoe so in some sorte haue conference wirh him which is no small Miracle were not custome thereof as of manie other thinges breedeth contempt and misregarde So if all these Reasons bee rightlie weighed and considered who can justlie denie but the ARTE OF FAIRE WRITING ought to bee as well ESTEEMED because it is as HONOVRABLE as well MAINTAINED because it is as NEEDFVLL as well EMBRACED because it is as PROFITABLE as great IN REQVEST because it is as RARE as high IN PLACE because it is as AVNCIENT and as well REGARDED because it is as NOBLIE descended as anie other Arte And thus much concerning the Renowne Necessitie Vtilitie Raritie Antiquitie Authoritie or to reduce all in one the EXCELLENCIE of the ARTE OF FAIRE WRITING For the which principall Causes then as well in the Epistle as here and diverse secundarie which doe follow I haue made choyse to publish this Arte. FIrst because of the measure of Skill I haue from the ALMIGHTIE and considering that I might justlie bee called an unjust Steward of such a Talent if I should choose rather to haue it buried with mee in the Graue after I haue served mine owne use therewith than to publish and distribute the same to the weale of others both in mine owne time and after which I hope in GOD will doe more good â—a anie carefull Scholler in one daye nor possiblie anie Master Writer in three without the helpe of this Booke because a viewe of the whole Arte may bee better seene yea resumed and considered in one day by private and particular reading than understoode in manie dayes by his common and ordinarie instructing and though both were alike possible yet it remayneth impossible to anie Instructor howbeit never so cunning eyther to doe the same in such short space or although hee could to endure with so great paines Whereby it cannot bee valued GOD bee praysed nor enough considered what great good the pluralitie universalitie and conformitie of Bookes multiplied conforme to this Booke will doe abroade hencefoorth if it please Him to make way therunto and that in manie places at one time and after one manner
to infinite numbers as well of Masters as Studentts as farre beyonde and aboue all their disconforme practises of Arte as Right and Vniformitie can bee beyonde Wrong and Disconformitie Secondlie because not onelie Writing is a speciall meane whereby the Youth doe attaine to other Learning in all Seminaries thereof as well Schooles as Vniversities but in liâ—â— manner Letters written are the strong foundations and fundamentall stones whereon that Great VNIVERSITIE or ACADEMIE of all LEARNING standeth the sure Boxes wherein the rich Treasures of all Learning are firmelie inclosed which none can open but those unto whome it pleaseth GOD to lende the Keyes of Interpretation and the costlie Ringes precious pearles and jewels whereout of the bright Diamonds of all Learning doe shine Hence it commeth that a learned man is called a Lettered man and Letters cannot justlie bee called Letters at the least well knowne to bee Letters except they bee rightlie framed and lineallie set neyther yet can that bee done without right information and instruction nor yet right information instruction had but by such as be experimented Thirdlie because there is not such uniformitie kept amongst Masters of Vulgar Schools anent the grounding and trayning up of the Youth in this vertuous and necessarie Exercise as neede doeth require but each one teacheth in some pretended manner of his owne preferring the same to all others though hee cannot defende nor prooue it to bee right by anie relevant reason warrand or perfect rule whereuppon it followeth and occurreth that young writers unsurelie grounded leaving one instruâ—tor and going unto another lose and forget â—he moste parte of all that they first learned which is no marvell because few of their forms of instructions doe agree as sayde is while as in Latine Schooles when a Student goeth from one to another hee needeth neyther ascende nor descende but proceede from that selfe same Rule of Grammar where hee left off which is a thing verie commendable because everie man is not tied to remaine constantlie in one place although hee even haue heritable dwellinges and therefore hee findeth it meetest that his Children bee educated where hee himselfe remayneth The chiefe reason of this uniformitie and universalitie of Latine is because there are constant uniforme and absolute Rules universallie for the same like as there bee for all other Learning except onelie Writing and the disconformitie thereof and defect of Rules for learning of the same are the chiefe causes not onelie that fewe mens writ except those who write the universall ROMANE Character prooue anie more profitable for their use than their natiue Language when they resorte to anie forraine Nation but likewise of the scarcitie of those who bee both fine Schollers and fayre Writers and of the raritie of those gifted with Fayre Writing in regarde of the great plentie propined with Learning For if in times past there had beene as conformable and universall Rules for Writing as for other Leâ—ning or yet now for it selfe why might noâ— Learned men haue attained thereunto by theâ— owne private Studies as unto farther Learning Fourthlie both because there bee some oâ— middle age who regrate the want thereof iâ— their youth and some that rew the neglect oâ— the meanes seeing hardlie can the one sort redeeme the time or the other reduce the occasion and for either of them this Booke vvill with the LORDES assistance bee a soveraigne remedie seeing by perusing thereof aâ— an ordinarie meane so manie of either sort as bâ— capable desirous to Learne and intend not tâ— goe or returne to anie Schoole may yet obtaine their intent and that by carefull Reading and studying to performe that which they reade even as well as a meane Scholler beeing diligent may by his owne private travels attaine to a great part both of the knowledge and practise of anie Science or Arte in reading of Learned Mens Workes who haue pathed the way and made it straight and plaine before him Fiftlie because there be sundrie Students in Vniversities and Schooles who wanting the occasion of Learning to write within them resorte in the midst of their course daylie to Vulgar Schooles at certaine houres to bee taught which as it is incommodious both because of â—he libertie and distance of place so it is prejuâ—iciall to the course of their studies since thereâ—y they protract so much precious Time that oftentimes their Skill proveth and commeth too short for their place for what they haue Learned is better than how farre they haue Learned I meane how much they haue profited is better than how farre they haue proceeded Againe in observing of these dyets they must not onlie bee absent when their Condisciâ—les are present and oftentimes most diligent but will neglect the Latine language in familiar conference and louse the raignes of the maternall or Mother tongue yea it may bee added that because they see greater ease in these Schooles than in others where they haue a greater Compt daylie to render manie of them doe contract such a custome of sweerenesse that shortlie they will bee forced to renounce all Learning saue onlie Writing who perchance would both haue beene Cunning men and sufficient Writers if the sight of the entysing objects at these occasions had not interveaned For remedie whereof hencefoorth this present Worke will be sufficient and the more because I intend to haue it published also in Latine whereby they may learne this Arte in the Latine tongue as easilie as anie other or yet in place of anie other Author and neverthelesse proceede in their course of other learning Sixtlie and last because there arise such contentions amongst Fayre Writers through diversitie of opinions of Writ and some times one of common Skill esteeming moste of his owne Writ at the least conceiting altogether of some other which hee thinketh an A-per-se and that none can bee a Competent Iudge in deciding of these Debates for lacke of a Grammar which should containe the whole Rules of Arte whereupon to ground his Sentence which defect proceedeth of the great carelessenesse of all Fayre Writers in all former Ages for it is contrarie to the practique of all such other incidentes and occurrences because in anie question or disputation amongst Schollers concerning anie Science or Arte whatsoever Iudges may not onelie discearne betwixt Right and Wrong but even qualifie their determination by lawfull warrandes and constant Rules except onelie in contentions for writing and yet not that I loue or admitte contention but doe use all meanes to make peace for instance who can justlie say that the Civill Lawes were ordained to make discorde but rather concorde amongst all estates And thus I at the pleasure of GOD being stirred up by due consideration of all the former motiues doe my meane endevour to supplie all defects to reforme all absurdities and that by downe-setting of an infallible patterne or right Touch-stone of Fayre and perfect VVriting and of a soveraigne Remedie or Recipie for wrong and
haue anie disposition to learne the reading of this Booke will with the helpe of God furnish thee Skill to write and diligence will soone bring foorth habite thereof for if it please God to blesse but one graine of Seede it will increase an hundreth folde then despise never a meane beginning if it bee good suppose it bee hard But whether thou make choyse of the great Alphabet which comprehendeth the small or the small alone presume never to learne anie Capitall Letters till thou in some measure be perfect of the Single and Double both by writing of them severallie in Alphabet and joyntlie in writ and that not onelie because they are easier to learne but because all writ standeth more by them than by the Capitals and so the more needfull to bee had for in anie matter eyther written or Printed thou wilst finde aye ten Single and Double Letters at the least for one Capitall Heere may arise a Question Howe can the Capitals bee learned by the ensuing Alphabet seeing it containeth none but the sortes of A To the which I answere They may bee learned thereby for two causes first who will not confesse but any judicious person though he shold never travell out of his Natiue Countrey may sufficienthe understand the Situation and forms of all the Empires and Kingdomes of the Worlde by diligent consideration and often perusing of the Vniversall Carde and yet it containeth not so much as one of the least but is contained it selfe in little rowme Then why may not they farre better consider one thing suppressed by another which is expressed Secondlie it is not mine intention eyther to set downe Patternes of diverse sortes of Characters heere how beit I haue manie prepared nor yet all the Capitals of this same Character but rather holde mee by the Arte it selfe and that for foure respectes First because there bee so manie Printed Bookes both alreadie extant and daylie setting foorth which doe containe all sortes of Characters Capitals and fayre Writ that it were litle more needfull than to carrie water to the Sea if Expences should be bestowed on the Founding Ingraving of Yrons for them or anie others but such as cannot bee wanted nor omitted for the drift of this Discourse requireth onelie the exhibition and demonstration of some for the better consideration and practising of all And therefore and for the reasons immediatelie preceeding I speake in the Variations and Degressions of Letters and other places of this Booke heereafter as plainlie of all Capitals understoode by the 4. onelie which bee exprest as if they were all expressed together in one Catalogue Secondlie because this Booke serveth as a Grammar to all writing and consequentlie to the right following of all the sortes of Exemplares which bee comprehended in such as the aforesaide Bookes and so iâ— of another nature than they bee for it containeth no moe sortes of Letters nor Exemplares than may sufficientlie explaine and prooue the Rules thereof even as DISPVTERS Grammar being a perfect Abridgement of the whole Latine Language since thereby as one of the best all Poesies and other Workes in Latine bee both conceived and followed demonstrateth no moe Exemples nor authorities than may explicate and interprete the Rules thereof for if Grammars did comprehende all the matter of thinges at length wherof they briefelie treate they would cease to be Grammars I meane concerning the use of them and that for too great prolixitie in stead of compendiositie because then each one of them would bee of so hudge a Volume that the understanding of the whole Language and Treatises of the Bookes whereat they aime would bee assoone apprehended by the capacitie of Students as the Grammar it selfe and so then both alike tedious to learne and consider Thirdlie because anie who intende not to instruct others haue store of Exemples in this selfe same Booke containing also diverse Capitals which Exemples may serve for Exemplares both of Capitals and Writ and therefore if they rightlie peruse these Exemples and the Abridgement of this Arte following hereafter they will neede no Exemplare-Booke at all But as for those who desire to bee better grounded they must proceede more formally in using of the meanes that is first striue to understand the former part of this Booke before they come to these Exemples next endevour to conceiue them and the Rules whereof they arise severallie when they come thereunto and in the third rowme employ some faire writer to extract all the Exemples of this Booke on a sheete of cleane paper and make one Exemplar of them al to resemble for it has these rules which other Copies want And though it be not all of one Matter because the sentences thereof are diverse yet it is so much the better for resemblance of the Letters whereof it is composed because it is so much the worse both to bee gotten and kept in memorie for while as a student learneth to write it is the Letter and not the Matter to follow but having or being learned it is the Matter and not so much the Letter whereunto hee must haue regarde And fourthlie for shortnesse and avoyding of prolixitie for if all the Capitals which belong unto the Secretarie were insert heere in such manner as I first intended it would make the Alphabet so great and seeme so difficult that it would affray at the least hinder manie at the first sight from esseying thereof who had not some reasonable beginning before Hee is not a wise Instructor or eyther hath little to instruct or desireth fewe to profite by that which he hath who showeth foorth the whole secrecie and curiositie of his Skill unto his Disciples at the first thinking then to teach them the same but by little and little as they are in anie measure perfect in one thing to demonstrate and adde thereunto another and so foorth daylie as it were to beguile them by drawing and leading them aye farther and farther on till they eyther learne all or the moste necessarie Documents and Experiments which hee hath to teach It is true Capitall Letters are more difficill to imitate than the Single and Double but having first learned the Single and Double the Capitals then become easie to resemble It would bee verie hard to cause a Rudimenter make a Right Theame or Latine Verse but having learned the Rudimentes and proceeded orderlie thorowe all the Grammar Theame yea Verse if hee haue the Poeticall Veine will become as easie then to make as Litera was of before to decline So there bee manie thinges which seeme unto Gazers verie admirable and wonderfull thorow appearance of curiositie beeing completed which if they had seen eyther in the beginning or in the midst of the doing or before the accomplishing they would haue beene so farre from admiring the same that they could haue holpen and beene partakers of the action therof themselues And though there cannot nor needeth not bee such Rules prescribed for Capitall Letters
with all employmentes appertaining to such Places as they possesse are so astricted and thirled unto them that they can neyther passe by over nor thorow anie other way Wherefore the ignorant and base-minded sort of these Writers beeing so puffed up with such Prerogatiues and Prefermentes beyonde their Brethren deride and scorne anie thing of the sublimitie of the Arte howbeit they could no wayes liue so gorgeouslie nor maintaine anie such Traines as they doe without it whereas if a fayre Writer who hath no sure office could doe never so well himselfe eyther in writing or employments therunto belonging if hee will not lay aside all his doing and eyther teach Châ—ldren to doe or bee a Slaue unto such as these his Gift will avayle him little And while as hee imbraceth and maketh choyse of the first and employeth his Skill and diligence thereanent if hee will not make each one as peâ—fect as himselfe at the least the hardest of engine stiffest and heaviest handed to conceiue and profite as well as the most pregnant witted souplest and cleanliest handed these who bestow least as these who bee most thankefull and liberall and those who bee urged to learned with correction as those who doe willinglie with pleasure and delight the fault is altogether imputed unto him and no wayes unto them and so hee is eyther reputed as infamous or else not woorthie of his Place In like manner if they learne young and not continue to bee kept in right use where or with whome they learned and so become worse the fault is also layde upon their Teacher though against conscience they dissimulatelie speake one thing and thinke another whosoever so doeth for they know well that no Man and farre lesse a Childe can keepe anie thing in memorie but that which hee useth yea I say farther though a Student even passe his Course in all the Liberall Sciences if afterwardes hee exercise not his Studies his Clergie will evanish like the Snow before the Sunne and yet shalâ— hee or anie that belong unto him blame his Teachers if so bee that they did their duetie unto him the time hee was with them Moreover manie Parentes so loue their Children but with the wrong loue which Salomon ofâ—en forbiddeth that they will not belieue they haue anie faults except they bee notorious and incase they belieue they cannot suffer to heare thereof and if accidentlie they doe heare they so mislike their Childrens Instructor if hee affirme the same as a lawfull excuse perhaps of their hard successe that doe what hee can or use what Apologie hee please it will bee hard for him ever to obtaine their favour againe and it were little matter if they made not all their Friendes and Associates of the same minde by their scandalous and sinistrous information Wherefore all that hee hath taught to others or can doe himselfe is set to little availe because both come within the compasse of his estimation and his estimation dependeth not so much on his owne doing neyther as on Childrens progresse in learning yea oftentimes on their bare testimonie without anie warrand and what is eyther more inconstant or foolish than a Childes report But what regarde if it were not often times better believed than the verie Sacred Scripture it selfe and their Childish desire not more yeelded unto Common or facile Writ hath not onelie all the remnant unchosen Letters of the Alphabet properlie belonging unto it but both borroweth oftentimes the first choyse of all Capitals from the first sort of Set hand and arrogateth the second choyse of Minum Letters from the second and that by right of place and consequentlie by option of choosing whereupon ariseth a controversie betwixt the saide second forme of Set hand and this present forme which anone it behooveth mee to discusse because the decision thereof it submitted and referred unto me in stead of a more competent Iudge and I haue both accepted the same in and upon mee and under-taken to pronounce definitiue sentence therein with all possible diligence but first as it becommeth all Earthlie Iudges I will heare both the Parties The principall sort challengeth and taketh the second choyse of Minum letters unto it selfe because it hath ever bene in use of them by indoubted right acclaimed by station of second place and option of second choosing And the common sort alledgeth that albeit those letters would seeme to pertaine unto the other sort by the same pretended and dissembled right of place and choosing yet they ought not because this sorte hath beene cloathed with possession thereof these manie yeares past memorie of man and therefore cannot of equitie bee frustrated now of that ancient right except there had beene renunciation or disposition made thereof and anie of these Titles produced for instructing Nowe for remooving of these Questions and Debates I repell and refute the last alleadgeance because the proponer thereof is not able to prooue the Antiquitie of possession mentioned therein and although it might bee prooved it were no just cause to take away inheritable Right and therefore I descearne that these debatable Letters belong to the principall sort because it hath undoubted Right thereunto by vertue of second place and second choosing but because the Common sort becommeth indigent or destitute of Minum letters by occasion of this Decreet which I could not eschew but behoved to pronounce according to Iustice I will not utterlie discourage nor damnifie it but haue a charitable respect thereunto and the rather because it is more prompt and needfull in common businesse than the principall sorte it selfe as all common meanes bee rather than speciall meanes Therefore wite ye mee to haue assigned and disponed by these presentes assigne and dispone the like sorte of Minum letters to the sayde desolate forme and that by doubling of such Letters in the Alphabet as haue no constant difference from those which were latelie questionable Likewise with expresse advise and consent of eyther sorte I ordaine that they shall bee both served alike with all that sorte of Minum letters as well debated as added and that there shall bee mutuall and reciprocall proportion of borrowing and lending affinitie peace and amitie betwixt these formes continuallie heereafter so long as there shall bee anie extract of this Booke extant wherein this their submission and ordinance of peace is thus registrated And on the other side I ordaine that these sortes of Minum letters giue equall obedience to both the sortes of Writ and serue them indifferentlie and that by reiterating of themselues so often as need shall require or occasion offer though it were in one Page yea in one line since they themselues were doubled or the number of them added for that effect and none other sorte added with them nor put for them Which Common Writ is also written two manner of wayes neither different in substance quantitie nor qualitie but onelie in speedinesse First it keepeth an indifferent mids that is neyther
too speedie nor to slow which is the best way in respect of the legeablenesse of it selfe beeing written but worst in regarde of its unreadinesse and slownesse to write Secondlie it is currentlie written and therefore is somewhat worse in respect of the uncomlinesse and raggednesse when it is done seeing it is but composed of all the abjectes or derivatiue letters of the Alphabet which bee farre descended and derived from their originall proportion which originall is the whole Letters of the second sorte of Set hand but yet it is so much the better by how much it is more easie in doing and therefore it is chosen and singled out as a forme most needfull in hastie businesses And whereas it may bee thought that sundrie of the Current letters belonging hereunto be too slowlie or wel writteÌ„ that is not so Current-like as neede or haste doeth require I doe so of set purpose because no Man needeth to be directed by Preceptes nor shewed by Exemples to write or forme letters evill that is after a wrong manner but rather both aye to be directed and shewed how to write well howsoever the most part bee desirous both to learne themselues and to bee expeded in their effaires by others with the easiest and speediest sorte of Writ And therefore though I present in the Alphabet the Patterne of Current letters somewhat nearer the right shape than they commonlie use to bee found in Current writ yet eyther the inclination of the doer expedition of the adoes or both will pervert and corrupt them so that they will bee both soone enough and farre enough yea too farre different therefrom uncommanded because all commandementes bee rather contrarie than agreeable unto Mans disposition as it is farre more difficile to rowle a Channon Bullet up to the toppe of a Mountaine than from thence unto the foote thereof Last Common writ is found likewise to be of two sortes the one called Open Minum and the other Close both written either indifferent that is neyther too speedie nor too slow or Current at the will and option of the Writer but the last thereof is best Current because it is more speedie in urgent effaires than the first And though it bee impossible to make the speedier sortes eyther so legeable or comelie as the rest yet each one of them ought to bee respected for its peculiar propertie to wit celeritie because neyther time nor place will serue aye to write alike well nor yet would it bee necessarie though continuall occasion might bee had of both these circumstances NOTA. There is also another Minum Letter contrarie unto this to wit open aboue like the third single u in the Alphabet and close under but it is neyther so seemlie nor speedie as the former The Divisions or Denominations of all the Letters of the Alphabet declaring the severall sorts thereof by their names THe Letters of this Character are divided two manner of wayes some thereof bee Capitals and some not the Capitall letters bee of two sortes the one called Beginning Capitals because they are commonlie used at the beginning of Bookes and Evidences whereof in this Alphabet there is but one to wit the first Capitall A placed heere not for it selfe absolutelie but in name and behalfe of all beginning Capitals of the whole remnant Letters of the Alphabet as also in place of whatsoever plaine or curious sort of beginning Capitals can justlie belong unto this Character And although I haue spent yea rather mispent much precious time not onelie upon olde Capitall letters both curiouslie made and filled up with Portraites and all sortes of small Draughtes but upon painting and inventing of new Capitall Letters diverse formes of curious Writ and Comparthementes likewise in writing of Testificates with Golde Silver diverse coloures of Inke and sortes of Writ and both of Great Evidences and Small belonging unto Clerkeship and Notarie with one fayre and legeable Hand as also in writing oftentimes both of Compts of great Revenewes and of extraordinarie small and compact writ to the great prejudice now of my sight as in containing of the LORDES PRAYER at length in lesse boundes than the scale of an Hairing and manie other such needelesse curiosities yet notwithstanding to my simple judgement plaine Capitals swiftlie done and ordinarie or easie writing and drawing bee as much more commendable as they are more readie than all these even as sutes of gorgeous apparell imbrodered passemented and decored be oftentimes so much uncomelier than fine plaine cloathing as they are costlier But indeede either in rare employments at ordinarie times or in ordinarie employments at extraordinarie occasions any that haue inclination and correspondent gifts to exercise themselues thereanent shall haue my consent yet not absolutelie but conditionallie that they protract not so much time as I haue done in so doing though they haue never so much alloted unto them for that effect for I know by dolefull experience I meane by neglecting of better exercises and other learning that those conceates are oftentimes more deceiueable than profitable and doubtlesse the travels thereof would bee infinite were not the doers are finite and for a finite person to enterpryse anie infinite labour except the praysing of GOD and turmoyle himselfe therewith excessiuelie and tediouslie and then for little use is as testifieth the most wise mightie and experimented King that ever was except our gracious Saviour nothing else but vanitie and vexation of spirite The other sort of Capitall letters are called middle Capitals because they are frequentlie written within lines of writ alreadie begun and that at the beginning of sentences and proper names which be ofter different from the former sort in quantitie and situation than in qualitie and proportion whereof in this Alphabet there be 3. to wit the remnant Capitall sorts of A which bee not placed heere for themselues onely but both as so manie Attourneyes for the whole middle Capitals of all the remnant letters of the Alphabet and for all plaine and curious sorts of middle Capitals of whatsoever proportion which can anywise pertaine unto this Character These which bee not Capitals are called Single and Double letters which stand in order immediatelie after the Capitals throughout all the Alphabet to the ende being 143. who list to number them Of the which there bee 121. Single letters easie to bee knowne and 22. Double to wit The 4. c in the Alphabet for hencefoorth I â—ust needes speake of them all according to their names and order and not any more by demonstration of their forme but directing by other letters to the Alphabet where they are 5. 6. 8. 9. e 4. f 4. 5. i 4. l 4. m 4. n 4. o 4. p 5. s 4. t and all the 7. sorts of w. As for the dividing of letters in vowels and consonants and the subdividing thereof I insist not therein because these divisions doe belong more to the nature of letters than to their proportion and therefore they are
but beeing utterlie demolished and then re-edified both better and in a better forme it will at length obtaine the first at the least bee most in use and in greatest request and so the best VVorke whether it bee the first or last will winne the greatest commendation howe manie soever bee to presume for the same as the farthest caster of the double Cannon hath more popular prayse in presence of manie Contenders and Spectators than of few for when one essayeth his Strength and Skill and neyther having an equall to match him nor a token set up before him demonstrating some farre cast or throw of another the moste hee can doe at that time is eyther to surmatch himselfe in striving to cause everie cast freethe another or to set up some signe farre or neare to essay at another time without purchasing of anie present applause Indeede there are some common Preceptes of this Arte both universall and oft written by divers VVriters which so farre as I haue seene found right I re-iterate and confirme heere as few olde buildinges bee altogether so ruinous but either some Stones or Timber thereof may serue to helpe the newe and on the contrarie such Preceptes as bee otherwayes or agree not with this Character as it is now practised I reject altogether as more unfit for anie use than the verie Redde or off-scouringes of olde Buildinges for the one cannot doe so much as helpe to defende the Arte whereof it would appeare to bee a parte but the other although it cannot bee steadable to the walles of newe worke yet it may suffice to fill up a parte of the Rampart thereof and so ayde the same with some kinde of Fence So eyther these Preceptes haue beene wrong from the beginning or else the use of them is changed thorow long continuance of time wherein everie thing changeth except the Blessed Creator of all thinges as the moste exquisite humane Invention of olde is mightilie both metamorphosed and augmented now by some cunning Translator not that the Author thereof hath beene inferiour to him in Skill as wee must charitablie judge for the Author thereof had no Patterne at all to followe and therefore so long as his foundation standeth hee is worthie to haue place at the least his VVorke if his Name bee supprest whereas the Translator and augmenter catcheth sometimes a three-folde advantage first by inspection of the foundation layde by the foundator next by inspection of newer Editions made thereof at the least of the practises of Generations or Times betwixt the Author and him and thirdlie by the practise of the translator and augmenters owne time and that perhapes in a farre later age But these precepts immediatelie before mentioned are so few unnecessarie difficill and confused that few can bee able to practise them aright without the belpe of an instructor and although each one easilie might they coulde attaine thereby to no perfection in Faire Writing without much farther instruction and so the most complete necessarie plaine methodicall and consequentlie the best Worke out of all question will bee thought the rarest Worke and at the highest rate what Worke or whose Worke so ever it be only if GOD be the principall efficient or true Author thereof IV. It is objected by some that this Arte being published will apparentlie make such a conformitie of Writ everie where that it will bee hard to discearne one Manu-script from another and so make the Subscriptions of Evidences doubtfull I answere that is a verie naked Assertion for two causes first although it could be possible that all the Writers hencefoorth who are to bee in the World might be taught in one Schoole by onâ— Instructor and with constant Rules alike yet such would be the naturall disparitie of each ones particulare forme of doing from another that as each one differeth in Phisiognomie or face which is not one of the least of GODS miraculous Workes so also in Chirographie or forme of Letter howsoever the contrarie would appeare at the first view as manie people not well acquainted haue mistaken others oftentimes at the first thorow appearance or similitude of gesture yet with narrower marking and viver attention haue so found it otherwayes that they haue excused themselues of that their errour Indeede there hath bene some evill inclined ones who haue studied to use or rather abuse their skill in affectating counter fetting of some particular mans forme of Writ and yet could not write well anie pleasant forme rather than to hold them with a generall solide Character but it is farre easier for a faire Scribener to follow one of the most curious universall formes that is nowe used than anie particular mans ragged forme though they were both alike lawfull wheâ—eby it is evident that the writing of diverse generall formes of writ is one thing and the following of particular mens writ is another and whosoever holdeth the contrarie opinion doeth greatlie erre I confesse how manie so ever that bee well mynded doe write one matter with one forme of Letter may all agree in the substance thereof though they differ in the manner of the doing even as a whole Classe of Theologues teaching one Text or six severall Authors writing one subject in farre distant places at one time may all agree in effect though they differ in Method and yet not know one of another And last it is not altogether the Subscription of Evidences that verifieth the trueth of the matter thereof but in like manner the Seale of the Subscriber and Testification of the Witnesses which were present at the Subscribing and so though it were granted that all mens Writ might bee conforme as is unpossible ever since the confusion of Languages at the desolation of the Tower of Babell there bee diverse Lawes established almost universallie Glorie bee to GOD not onelie to keepe everie man in his Right but likewise to punish condignlie those who doe wrong V. It is alleadged by sundrie That it is impossible that the Arte contained in this Booke can bee so good as personall or veâ—ball instruction foorth of the mouth of a Professor and therefore the single or bare use of the the same cannot bee verie profitable for the Youth and such like alleadgeances I answere If anie thing that is thought impossible to bee done ever come to passe it is both the more regarded and admired when it commeth so I hope contrarie to their hope that the like shall befall it for an ordinarie and commoâ— thing hath but a light and bare applause although the evenâ— even prooue good Who thinketh it anie cunning to draw Water out of a Fountaine where it aboundeth to worke anie common labour on drye land or beare weightie burthens after the ordinarie manner by manie and strong means But there bee some few private men who haue found out wayes to convoy Water to a drye Citie worke under the Sea transport great Stones and Timber by fewe and weake meanes but verie
although thine owne Writ merite Commendation yet take none to thy selfe but persevere in well-doing till others giue thee the same and when thou hast gotten it accept not thereof as a thing belonging unto thy selfe but unto GOD whose Instrument and Steward thou art in that Respect for thou neyther hast nor canst haue anie thing but that which thou receivest neyther yet when thou hast received this amongst the rest must thou keepe it unto thy selfe but let the whole prayse of the gift redound to the giver thereof for as standing water which hath no passage to the great Ocean soone putrifieth and as men casten into the bottome of the sault Sea and Fishes on the face of the drie Land soone die so doeth all prayse due to the Creator which is kept or stopped by any creature and why it is no wonder indeede because it is out of its owne right Element O LORD since Thou hast thought it requisite This to complete conjoyne Thy Blessing now And it avow to come of Thy Spirite Beeing so meete a Patterne to follow To Thee O LORD For the which and all Thy Mercies great With one accorde Bee rendred Prayse of everie estate FINIS THE PRINTER TO THE READER AND BVYER of this Booke IT may bee Gentle Reader that you thinke the Price of this Booke too much for so little a Volume yet if you will consider the Causes wherefore it must bee so you will allow thereof the better which bee foure First because hee who selleth it intendeth God willing to bee râ—adie and present or one in his name whensoever it shall please you to inquire for the same for it is better to sell in such sort as hee who selleth may liue and keepe the Town nor at so low a rate as he must leaue the same and disappoint you when you aske for such a one as is not to bee found Secondlie if you reade this Booke orderlie and diligentlie from the beginning unto this place I hope you will not finde it deare neyther but within the value Thirdlie though it were otherwise it may not bee solde anie cheaper at this first Impression because there is but a few Printed for an essay upon an haste and by guesse as it were partly since it is the Authors first Travels and partly in respect of the tedious writing of so manie Characters and much Writ upon each Booke after the Imprinting of the matter thereof And fourthlie because the Author maintayneth two or three daylie to fill up and write in all the foresayd Exemplare Letters and Words in everie Extract which it no small travell and charges in comparison of tbose Bookes which haue nothing in them but such as is set downe and printed all at ones with one travell But indeed within few yeares God willing when this Impression is solde and newe Types bought to supplie the travels nowe made with the Penne and the Booke reformed and Printed the secondâ— time then it may perhaps hee solde at a farre lower rate though much better of it selfe to the which time I entreate you to haue patience and bee content with it as it is and not only dispence with any apparent Dearth thereof now but also excuse any fault you finde eyther in the Author in downe-setting and correcting or in Mee in the Imprinting and thâ—n I hope wee shall please you better both in Travels and Price Thus in the meane time and for ever I wish you to fare-well Imprinted at Sanct-Andrewes By Edvvard Raban Printer to the Vniversitie there And are to be solde in EDINBVRGH by Iohn Burdon at his Shoppe beside the Trone on the South side of the Streete For sixe Shillinges Sterling the piece
maketh it to mount aboue Nature as Water by Conduites or other Engines is sometimes forced to ascende upwardes contrarie its nature And sinallie didst thou ever see anie Man who neglected Learning when as hee might haue had it but rued the same when bee could not get it And though such a one haue innumerable penitent Condisciples laureated with him in Classe yet both his and their repentance in that point prooveth often times too late because when the Time is too farre expired it no wayes can bee redeemed O then if Childhood bee a pleasant Spring and Youth-hood a braue Sommer and yet manie thinke Learning then as heavie a Crosse as occurreth unto them eyther in the Harvest of their ripe Age or in the Winter of their olde Age. If thou were to liue another life besides this which is wearing to an ende and die another death besides that which thou must needes suffer heere questionlesse thou wouldest bee verie wise and warie the second time and both doe manie thinges which thou leftest undone and leaue manie thinges undone which thou diddest the first time But because thou hast but one life to spende heere and all thinges depending on thy diligence and behaviour in time of the spending thereof thou shouldest take holde on the short time which thou hast now while as thy Glasse runneth and that by striving to learne rather by seeing than by esseying I meane by exemple like a wise Man rather than by Experience like a Foole For Experience is tearmed the Schoole-Master of Fooles And last if thou bee anie wayes capable and diligent it hath pleased GOD by the Mouth and Witinges of one who was a learned Man to giue thee this generall comfort in all Learning whatsoever Nil tam difficile est quod non solertia vincat That is There is nothing so difficile but diligence may over-come the same Yea though it were to transforme Ignorance into Science or banish Ignorance foorth and bring Science in Endevour therefore to bee diligent and despare not of thy giftes though they bee never so meane for although the whole Cornes in a Countrey cannot bee gotten shorne with Kempers yet each one according to his habilitie getteth his owne parte well enough cutted downe I returne now to the chiefe degree of Perfection because it is moste necessarie and pertinent and doe remit the rest to thine owne capacitie and diligence as thou ascendest unto them which beeing then in perusing of this Booke after the two severall wayes afore specified is thus prescribed Before thou beginne to practise thou must for thine own weale though perhaps thou apprehende it not at the first even take some delight to reade and consider the same twise over or eyther more or lesse as thou findest thine Engine apt and prompt to receiue the Instructions therein without doubting because that is the onelie way howe to atâ—aine to the right understanding of the Arte For Exercise maketh the Minde better to conceiue the same by reading and then Practise maketh the Hand readier to performe that conception by Writing But if thou preferre or giue Practise the first place that is suffer it to goe before Knowledge it will be so much labour in vaine I meane chiefelie in perusing of this Booke seeing no right Practise can bee without good Knowledge no good Knowledge without right Instruction no right Instruction but eyther from Aboue or of such as GOD hath gifted to informe and instruct Belowe for it is hard for anie Man to teach another rightlie to doe anie rare worke which hee himselfe cannot perfectlie doe first or to tell the right Tokens of an obscure Way wherein hee never walked and so right Instruction maketh good Knowledge good Knowledge maketh right Practise and good Knowledge and right Practise together including Reason goeth nearest to Perfection of anie thing and the last of these cannot bee rightlie done without the helpe of the first no more than the Hand can rightlie prosequute anie other Action without the ayde of the Minde for as the Minde first imagineth anie thing before the Hand execute the same so the Hand cannot rightlie doe except the Mâ—nde first direct The Eyes beeing set as Spectators obeying the one and helping the other And when thou art thus prepared for Practise and art to beginne the same striue to followe the severall Directions contayned in these eight diets following I. When eyther thou enterest to learne or having somewhat learned before let the whole Single and Double Letters bee casten with double square both in Alphabet by the space of three dayes and in lines of writ two dayes which must needes bee justlie drawne after this Patterne of the like distance or eyther farther or nearer as shall bee requisite for the quantitie of their proportion II. Two dayes to want the halfe of the high square after this manner but endevouring to doe as if thou hadst it III. Two dayes to want al the high square except a little entresse thereof at the beginning and that for imprinting in thy memorie which of two thou wantest as thus IV. Three dayes to want the high score altogether and to write on the low score but still be mindfull that it is the high square which is absent because manie oftentimes mistake single square and that sometimes by making the bodies of letters halfe aboue halfe under the same it beeing in the middest and sometimes under the lowe square and so nothing aboue saue heads of letters as if it were the high square indeede and not that which it is V. Other three dayes with halfe single square VI. Three dayes yet with a piece single square both to show where lines should begin and how farre distant to make them VII Without squares altogether the space of sixe dayes And VIII Let thy writ grow to such a reasonable speede the space of other sixe dayes beeing a Moneth or thirtie dayes in the whole as thou mayest keepe everie letter thereof of such proportion quantitie and situation as thou hast learned the dayes preceeding Thus much of the Transition leading the nearest and directest way to Perfection THE ABRIDGEMENT OR BREVIARIE OF THE Arte of Fayre VVriting The Prologue IT is the precise and right Tearme now wherat I should performe my Promise in drawing of this Worke to a Brevitie and that by making an Abridgement therof Surelie it doeth neyther agree with my disposition nor intention to repeate anie thing yet if I applie not mine Instruction thorow out all the Booke and especiallie in this place as well to the capacitie of those who can write nothing at all as of others who esteeme themselues perfect enough alreadie they will comprize all the rest to little valour For intercepting of the which light esteemation I will heere through GODS Grace accomplish that which I promised to doe that thereby the one sort may be sufficiently informed instructed and the other confirmed and their Skill augmented For I am perswaded that whosoever readeth this
Booke will not finde it altogether so barren of good matter though indeede the subject be so esteemed by some but it doeth containe many things which thou never read in anie other Booke nor never heard taught of any other maÌ„ so scarcely ever knew of before or else it were but a sober invention If I then as Gods dispensator in this behalfe haue set on two Tables such varietie of Dishes that there lacketh nothing but appetite to receiue them and these whom I haue invited will neither take that which I carâ—e and offer unto them on the great Table in the Hall nor this litle Table in the Chamber nor yet choose and take unto themselues such dainties off both as bee meetest for them it is no pittie though they want altogether So immediatelie is insinuated and set down first two lines of writ and ten compendious Precepts collected foorth of both the Generall and Speciall parts of this Booke for thy memories cause directed thereupon and next a briefe Alphabet of Current single and double letters extracted foorth of the great Alphabet after the which followeth the Conjugations and Formations of all the letters thereof shewing so may as be both conjoyned and framed together of one fashion though of diverse names and beginneth and proceedeth after one manner first ranked together and then each one with its owne rule by it selfe declaring the true progresse of the penne therein and that for the use of all learners but chiefely of those who would faine learne one forme of writ suddenlie leaving all others unto those who may spare longer time and take greater paines I know some of those who can write somewhat alreadie will thinke it an indignitie to begin againe at the casting of letters I meane severallie by order of Alphabet even as if the action or practise of all writ which ever they haue written or will write consisted not in the casting and framing of letters it is never shame to doe well that is anie thing that may tende to a good use and as I said once before farre better late nor never for many that can even cast Letters well cannot cast them the right way and each one that can cast them the right way cannot cast them after a comely manner I meane to beginne follow foorth and accomplish each one both formallie and decentlie from the first part thereof to the midst and from the midst to the last and if so be farre lesse are they able to obserue and performe the remnant injunctions whereof this Arte requireth observance and performance And to shun and reject the burthen of the which it may bee that some of them alledge there be moe things prescribed than need requireth but to my judgement there is not an ydle Precept in all this Booke indeede because they cannot be all of a like weight the greatest sort hath the greatest necessitie in the observation for when anie Arte is either taught or written it ought to bee taught and written largelie and no necessarie thing purposelie omitted because in the learning and practising thereof there wil bee enough yea too much neglected that ought to be respected And so when all is done that can be done there resteth enough to doe though at the first there bee no wilfull negligence let instructors therefore striue to know and practise all which be anie wayes needefull and expedient and Studentes followe onely so maniethings as be most needefull and most expedient And albeit manie letters yea even of one sort bee oftentimes casten after divers wayes which doeth proceede of the disconformitie of instructing which hath bene in times past yet all men with unitie of minde will confesse that there is no way so good as the rightest way and the way heere taught and demonstrated I proue to be the rightest let others try or essey as they please because letters being made conforme to it not onlie getteth the rightest proportion casteth and joyneth best but to cast and conjoyne are speediest and being casten and conjoyned are most comelie and legeable and so consequentlie the matter contained in them so much the more intelligible A PEDAGOGICALL ADMONITION OF THAT WISE and learned Clerke William Lillte unto his Disciples SCalpellum Calami Atramentum Charta Libelli Sint semper Studiis Arma parata tuis The use of this Copie IN the Letters onelie and not in the matter of these two lines of Writ as in all others such like are ten Observations to bee marked the Limiting of Capitals the Dimitting of Square the Speedinesse requisite in Writing the Fashioning Measuring Bounding and Conjoyning of Single and Double Letters the distance betwixt Letters Wordes and Lines the difference of Letters and compactnesse requisite in all Writ TEN COMPENDIOVS PRECEPTES Directing hovv to match the COPIE afore-written LIMITATION OF CAPITALS PLace all Beginning Capitals within aboue and under the double square and all middle Capitals within and aboue DIMISSION OF SQVARE STriue to frame and set all the Letters now as justlie without double square as when thou hadst it EXPEDITION LEarne speedilie but write slowlie till thou canst match the Copie PROPORTION KEepe the same equall middles of Letters in Writ which thou learnest heereby in Alphabet QVANTITIE MAke the Bodie Head and Tayle of each Letter equall with another of its owne sort in length breadth and widenesse SITVATION SET all the Bodies of Letters betwixt the scores Heads aboue and Tayles under CONIVNCTION ENdevour to conjoyne the most part of all Letters within Wordes by seldome lifting of the penne DISTANCE LEt almost all Letters within words Words within lines and Lines within Pages bee equall distant each one of its owne kinde from another DIFFERENCE EVerie Letter must differ somewhat from another in fashion and haue some greatnesse and smalnesse but compassed Letters indifferencie COMPREHENSION COmprehende thy Writ in little boundes and that rather of Letters within wordes than of Wordes with wordes or Lines with lines except of necessitie The Epilogue or Closing up of the Patterne and Precepts IMADE Choyse of the former two Verses whereon these Preceptes haue resulted as a Patterne to follow for the letters which it containeâ—h and a Precept to obserue for the matter comprehended therein becaâ—se each one of them tendeth to the well of the subject I haue in hand and that câ—iefelie for the use of those who would faine goe the nearest way to learne A Patterne to follow I say for two causes first becaâ—se it maketh mention of such comelie Armour as is requisite for Schollers alwayes to caâ—rie when they march in that Conflict betwixt Science and Ignorance which they thinke a Battell indeede though it bee the moste peaceable time that manie of them will ever haue in the worlde againe Next because it serveth in steade of an Exemplare of Practise to bee resembled heere that while as they write thereby it may keepe them in memorie to prepare such thinges as without the which they can hardlie resemble it