Burroughs Encyclopaedia of Astounding Facts and Useful Information, 1889 | Page 8

use in
expressing sums of money, ordering goods, or the transaction of other
business.
[Illustration: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 $ ¢ # % a/c 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0]

[Illustration: COPIES FOR PRACTICE.]
COPIES FOR PRACTICE
Having proceeded thus far in the study and practice of writing, and
having obtained the proper control of the pen through the movement
exercises, all that is necessary now in order to secure a good
handwriting, is continued and well-directed practice.
[Illustration:
$1100.00 Chicago, Jan. 10./80. Due Henry Harrington, on order,
Eleven Hundred Dollars in Merchandise, value rec'd No. 43. Newton P.
Kelley, Sr.]

* * * * *
[Illustration: Ornamental Penmanship.]
ORNAMENTAL PENMANSHIP
Charming and fascinating are the graceful and harmonious curves
produced, when, wielded by some trained and skillful hand, the pen
becomes an instrument of beauty. As by the power of speech, men may
pass from the common tone of conversation up to the melodious strains
of music, or may soar in flights of oratory into the sublime, until the
multitude is entranced; so the capabilities of the pen are not limited to
the common uses of life, but may take on forms of beauty in elegant
outlines of bird, or landscape, or graceful swan or bounding stag.
Ornamental writing is not a practical art, and has no connection
whatever with the practical business of life. It is in the realm of poetry.
The imagery of graceful outlines must first be seen by a poetic
imagination. While the great masses may acquire a good style of plain,
practical penmanship, few have the necessary conception of mind,
combined with the skill and dexterity of hand to become successful
ornamental penmen.
The ornamental pages which follow are given, not as models for
imitation or practice by the learner, but merely to show the possibilities
of the pen in the hand of a master, and as a fitting closing to this, our
chapter on penmanship.
To any one who may have an artistic quality of mind, and delights in
beautiful lines and harmonious curves, these pages of ornamental
penmanship will serve as models for practice and imitation, and every
attempt at such an exercise as the one on this, or the following pages,
will give greater strength and freedom of movement, and better
command of the pen, so that it will conduce to an easy, flowing and
elegant style of plain business writing, while affording a most pleasant
and profitable employment in the cultivation of the taste.
Various beautiful designs or pictures may be made with the pen, in the

hands of one that possesses the skill of a penman and the eye of an
artist.
[Illustration]
* * * * *
[Illustration: HOW TO WRITE A BUSINESS LETTER.]
HOW TO WRITE A BUSINESS LETTER
Considering the vast amount of business transacted by correspondence
between the parties, Letter Writing seems only second in importance to
bookkeeping. The merchant of the smaller cities or towns, perhaps in
the far west, desires to order articles of merchandise from the wholesale
house in New York or Boston. Possibly a remittance is to be sent. It
may be that an error has occurred and needs correction. Credit is to be
asked, references given, and a multitude of other matters call for
adjustment through correspondence. To write every conceivable variety
and shade of meaning, expressing the proper thought in the most fitting
and appropriate language, is indeed a rare and valuable
accomplishment. And when the proper language takes on the graceful
and businesslike air of the well written letter, with its several parts
harmoniously arranged, it is a combination of brain and skill which can
hardly be overestimated.
[Illustration]
This subject, therefore, naturally divides itself into two parts: The
Mechanical Structure, and the Literature of a Letter. The former of
these being the less difficult will be first considered.
THE STRUCTURE OF A BUSINESS LETTER.
Consists in the arrangement of its several parts, with a view to the most
harmonious effect. Excellent penmanship is very desirable, but not
absolutely essential. The penmanship may indeed be poor, but the
arrangement of the several parts of the letter, the neatness, and finish,

may be such as to give it an attractive appearance, while on the other
hand, the letter may be clothed in the most elegant penmanship, and yet
the construction be such as to stamp its author as a careless and
indifferent person, devoid of precision and order.
No one great thing, but many little things carefully watched, and
attentively practiced, make up the structure and dress of a business
letter, and give it a businesslike air. The penmanship should be a neat,
strong hand, very plain and legible, and devoid of all flourish.
PAPER AND ENVELOPE.
The paper and envelopes used