Burroughs Encyclopaedia of Astounding Facts and Useful Information, 1889 | Page 6

object of which is to obtain control of the pen and train the muscles. Circular motion, as in the capital O, reversed as in the capital W, vertical movement as in f, long s and capital J, and the lateral motion as in small letters, must each be practiced in order to be able to move the pen in any direction, up, down, or sidewise.
The simplest exercise in movement. Try to follow around in the same line as nearly as possible. Do not shade.
[Illustration: O O 8]
The same exercise, only with ovals drawn out and and slight shade added to each down stroke.
[Illustration: (coils)]
Sides of ovals should be even, forming as nearly a straight line as possible. Reverse the movement as in third form.
[Illustration: (coils)]
The following three exercises embrace the essential elements in capital letters, and should at first be made large for purposes of movement:
Capital O, down strokes parallel.
[Illustration: O Q O Q O O Q O Q O]
Capital stem. Down stroke a compound curve. Shade low. Finish with a dash.
[Illustration: d d d d d d d d d]
Capital loop. Curves parallel. First curve highest.
[Illustration: O O O O (double overlapping loops)]
Having succeeded to some extent with these exercises, the learner may next undertake the vertical movement. In order to obtain the lateral movement, which enables one to write long words without lifting the pen, and move easily and gracefully across the page, exercises like the following should be practiced:
Down strokes straight. Even and resting on line.
[Illustration: uuuuuuuuuuu]
In all movement exercises the third and fourth fingers should slide on the paper, and the finger movement should be carefully avoided. The different movements having been practiced, they may now be combined in various forms.
[Illustration: u u u u u n n n n n]
Lateral and rolling movement combined. Vertical movement and rolling movement combined.
[Illustration: t t t]
Do not shade the circles. Lines should be parallel.
Movement exercises may be multiplied almost indefinitely by studying the forms used in writing and their combinations. Repeating many of the small letters, such as m, u, e, r, s, a, d, h and c, also capitals D, J, P, etc., forms an excellent exercise for the learner.
PRINCIPLES IN WRITING.
In order to enable the learner to examine, analyze and criticise his writing, the following principles are given as his standards of measurements and form. By combining them in various ways the essential part of all letters in the alphabet may be formed.
[Illustration: (eight common strokes)]
The principles must be first carefully studied, and separated into the primary lines which compose them and the form of each principle well understood. The student may then form a scale like the one following, by dividing the distance between the blue lines on the paper into four equal spaces, with a lightly ruled line. The letters of the small alphabet should then be placed in the scale and the [Transcriber's Note: The original text reads 'hight'] height of each letter fixed in the mind.
[Illustration: (lowercase cursive alphabet)]
Notice that the contracted letters, or those which occupy only one space, as a, m, n, o, s, v, w and e, and that part of d, g, h, q and y, found in the first space, are all well rounded and developed. These letters and parts of letters, found in the first space, form the essential part of all writing, and therefore deserve especial care. Also notice that the loop letters, above the line, such as b, f, h, k and l, extend two and one-half spaces above the blue line, while the loop below the line, such as g, f, j, q, y and z, extend one and one-half spaces below the blue line, thus two and one-half and one and one-half making the four spaces of the scale, and the upper loops on one line will just meet the lower loops of the line above, but never conflict, to the destruction of neat body writing. Notice the type of the printer. The extensions above the shorter letters are quite insignificant, and are only used to save the letter from resembling some other letter of the alphabet. They never conflict, and how legible they are.
[Illustration: The Types. A Resemblance. An Absurdity.]
Besides, to make long loops, requires more time, and more power with the pen, while shorter loops are in every way easier to acquire, quicker, and better. Telegraph operators, some of whom are among our best business penmen, make all extended letters very short, while accountants, and business men, favor the style of short loops, well developed letters, and small capitals.
Apply the principles. Observe regularity. Muscular movement.
[Illustration: (v and u strokes)]
Down strokes straight. Up strokes curved.
[Illustration: (n and m strokes)]
Principle No. 1. Well formed loop.
[Illustration: (e and c strokes)]
These exercises should be practiced with the muscular movement, until they can be made