Burroughs Encyclopaedia of Astounding Facts and Useful Information, 1889 | Page 3

continues to grow black, and becomes a very
bright and durable black, notwithstanding the action of light and heat.
Avoid the use of fancy colored inks, especially the more gaudy, such as
blue, red or green, in writing all documents which you desire to
command attention and respect.
PAPER.
There are almost as many grades of paper to be found in the stationery
stores, as there are of pens. For practicing penmanship, nothing is more
suitable than foolscap, which may be easily sewed into book-form, with
cover of some different color, and thus serves every requirement. The
paper should have a medium surface, neither rough and coarse, or too
fine and glazed. Have a few extra sheets beside the writing book, for
the purpose of practicing the movement exercises and testing the pens.
Be provided at all times with a large-sized blotter, and when writing,
keep this under the hand. Do not attempt to write with a single sheet of
paper on a bare table or desk; there should be many sheets of paper
underneath, in order to make an elastic surface.
STUDY WITH PRACTICE.
Aimless, indifferent, or careless practice, never made a good writer,
and never will. In order to succeed in this, as in other things, there must
be will and determination to succeed, and then persevering and
studious effort. Study the models until their forms are fixed in the
mind.
[Illustration: Study gives form]
No one can execute that which he does not clearly conceive. The artist
must first see the picture on the white canvas, before he can paint it,
and the sculptor must be able to see in the rough and uninviting stone,
the outlines of the beautiful image which he is to carve. In writing, a
clear idea of the formation of the different letters, and their various
proportions, must become familiar by proper study, examination and

analysis. Study precedes practice. It is, of course, not necessary, nor
even well, to undertake the mastery of all the forms in writing, by study,
until some have been executed. It is best that each form should, as it is
taken up, be first measured and analyzed and then practiced at once.
[Illustration: Practice gives grace]
It is the act which crowns the thought. After study, careful and earnest
practice can hardly fail to make a good writer of any one. Some persons
secure a good style of penmanship with less labor than others, and
attain to the elegant, and beautiful formation. But it is only fair to
presume that no greater diversity of talent exists in this direction than in
the study of other things. All do not learn arithmetic or history with like
ease, but no one will assert that all who will, may not learn arithmetic
or history. And so, all who will put forth the proper exertion in study
and practice may learn to write a good business style, while many of
the number will attain to the elegant. The conditions of practice in
writing are, Positions of the Body, Position of the Hand an Pen, and
Movement.

[Illustration: Position of the Body]
POSITION of the BODY.
Sitting squarely fronting the desk, with feet placed firmly on the floor,
and both arms on the desk, is, as a rule, the best position for practice in
writing, or correspondence. The right side, may, however, be placed to
the desk, with the right arm, only, resting thereon, and some persons
prefer this position. Avoid crossing the feet, sitting on the edge of the
chair, or assuming any careless attitude. The body should be erect, but
slightly inclined forward, in order that the eye may follow the pen
closely. This position will never cause curvature of the spine. The body
should never be allowed to settle down into a cramped and unhealthy
position with the face almost on the paper. By thus compressing the
lungs and the digestive organs they are soon injured, and if the stomach
lose its tone, the eyesight is impaired, there is such a close sympathy

between these organs of the body. The practice of writing should be,
and properly is, a healthful exercise, and injurious effects result only
from improper positions of the body, at variance with good writing as
well as good health.
When wearied by sitting and the effort at writing, lay aside paper and
pen, arise from the chair, and take exercise and rest by walking about
the room or in the open air. Then come back refreshed, and vigorous,
for the practice of writing.
In general, the light should fall on the paper from the left side, thus
enabling a writer to clearly see the ruled lines, and render the labor of
writing easier and more rapid. If one writes left-handed, of course He
will sit so as