General Remarks. This little work, on Chirography, is comprised in Four Books. Book First is intended for those who are just beginning to write. Book Second is intended for those who have made some progress in writing. The Third and Fourth Books are intended for the higher classes. The copies are designed to be cut out, and used as copy-sheets. Each book is to be filled according to the directions on the cover. The course of lessons in the four books, are such as to conduct the young learner by regular and progressive steps, from the simplest elements, to the more complete part of penmanship; and the style is calculated to lead the pupil into a legible and elegant, as well as expeditious and business-like mode of writing. This work is offered at a price so low, that every child can have it, or, at least, part of it, who is able to purchase a writing book. It may, therefore, be introduced into every school throughout the country. In large schools, it may be well for the writers to be divided into four classes. Let those who use Book First belong to the first division; and let those who use Book Second, belong to the second division, &c. If the first and second divisions were to write in the forenoon, and the third and fourth divisions in the afternoon, it would undoubtedly afford the teacher a better opportunity of giving particular instruction to each scholar. The limits of the work admit only of general directions. It is left with teachers to give any further instructions which may be necessary. Sitting, and Laying the Paper. Sit at a convenient distance, and incline the left side towards the desk, without leaning upon, or even touching it with the body; by which means, the right shoulder will extend further from the desk than the left, and give a natural and true slope to the writing. Let the paper lie parallel with the edge of the desk, and at a small distance to the right of the body. Rest lightly on the left arm, and with the fingers of the left hand, keep the paper firm and smooth, placing them below the line, near the pen. The body should incline a little forward, and the head answer to this inclination, without resting on either shoulder. Keep the elbow of the right arm at a small distance from the side, and let the arm rest lightly upon the desk about half way between the end of the fingers and the elbow. Holding the Pen. The pen should be held loosely, between the end of the thumb and middle finger near the corner of the nail of each; the fore-finger should lie on the top, or back of the pen, and be just as low as the top of the nail of the middle finger: the distance from the middle to the point of the pen, should be at least half an inch. The joints of the thumb should extend outward, and the end be raised about as high as the first joint of the fore-finger. Incline the third and fourth fingers under, towards the hollow of the hand, and rest lightly on the ends of each. The pen should be held with the feather ranging over the right shoulder, so that the teeth of it may have equal pressure on the paper. (See the Hands on the title page.) General Directions. Write one page of each lesson. The number of lessons in this book is thirty-five. (See Plate in the middle of the book.) The copies are to be cut out, and placed before the learner. In the first place, cut out a slip embracing seven lessons. When these are written, cut out three lines more, &c. On the right hand page, cut out a slip embracing the capitals and figures. When these are written, cut out the remaining six lines, and write a page of each word. Lesson I. Write about forty straight marks on a line, and eight lines on a page, leaving two spaces between the lines. The distance from one ruled line to another we will call a space. The marks in the first lesson are drawn three spaces in length. Set them equally distant, and give them all the same slope. The second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh lessons, are drawn three spaces in length. Lesson II. Write one page of this character, joining them together near the top. Set about thirty of them on a line; write eight lines on a page, leaving two spaces between the lines. Lesson III. Write one page of this character, joining them together near the bottom. Set about thirty of them on a line; write eight lines on a page, leaving two spaces between the lines. Lesson IV. Write one page of this character, forming the top and bottom turns alike, and setting about twenty-four of them on a line. All top and bottom turns should be made without lifting the pen from the paper. This character forms the last part of m, n, p, and h, and the first part of y. What character forms the first part of m and n?