The Preambles, and Introduction, to Letters.

A Letter is a simple voyce, meete either to represent, or to bee a part of the literall significa­tion of one or moe written words.

The maine and principall scope of this Speciall part, is the aiming at the Alphabet, like as it will shew it selfe anone, containing all usuall Single and Double Letters, belonging unto the Secretarie Character: but albeit thou haue once all enrol­led together (for the Rules cause of Numera­tion [Page 58] and Division) yet if thou intendest not to teach others, but learne for thine owne use; I haue heere also prepared for thee, an easier and brieffer Rew, comprehending the most usuall and necessarie Letters thereof, and two Verses conforme thereunto, with ten compendious Preceptes, directing howe to followe the same: all collected, and composed together, in forme of Abridgement: which if thou diligentlie haunt, and in anie reasonable measure resemble, although thou knewest no more in writing, (saue some of the most necessarie Rules of Pre­paration) it may suffice to further thee in thine Effaires.

But not to write at all, is both shame, and Skaithe: Shame for two causes: first, because whosoever seeth that thou canst not write, kno­weth thee to bee ignorant of all kinde of Lear­ning: and why? because Writing is the Key or beginning of all Learning: and if thou want the Key or beginning of a thing, howe canst thou haue entrance thereunto, or begin the same? for God hath put farre moe differences (bles­sed bee Hee) betwixt a Man and a Beast, than Reason and Speach. And secondlie, it is shame both to employ a Notar to subscribe for thee, in anie Securitie, and to want that good Token of Education, which perhaps thine Inferiour hath: for wheresoever anie Man of Honest Ranke re­sorteth who cannot write, (chiefelie where hee [Page 59] is not knowne) he is incontinent esteemed ei­ther to bee base borne, or to haue beene basely brought up, in a base or Moore-land Desert, that is, farre from any Citie, where there bee Schooles of Learning, Discipline, Policie, and Civilitie. And skaith, not only in attending & paying a Notar for the former cause, and in ne­glecting thy urgent businesse, through want thereof, chiefely which concerneth Compts, & Messives; but in discovering and revealing both of thy minde and estate, unto these whom thou employest thereanent. And though at that time, they conciliate friendship, and bee sociall with thee; yet it is incident often times, (as there is little soliditie here, in things beneath) that a friende to night, will become an enemie to morrowe, and so publish of thee what hee knoweth: and suppose constancie doe even continue, thou wilt stand in awe both to say and doe before him as thou wouldest; because a great part of thy secrecie lyeth on the tongue of thy Secretarie: and perhaps sleepeth as un­soundly there, as on the Top-Mast of a Ship, in a stormie night. Therefore, if thou be such a one, whether the negligence hath beene in thy Parents, Friends, or in thy selfe, striue thou yet to amende the same, if thine age bee within 40. yeares, whether thou canst reade or not; because the dint thereof now striketh on thee: for, some aboue that age, haue learned to [Page 60] write, that never of before knewe a Letter, (no, not of Print, let bee of Writ,) but such as they had latelie learned of their owne Domestickes, as it is both better, and more commendable, to learne late, nor never; and of Inferiours, rather than want the benefite there­of altogether: but immediatelie after they haue learned somewhat to reade, they haue begun al­so to write, and then in short time haue known how to reade other Mens writ, by the like Let­ters in their owne writ, and so haue proceeded, from one Degree to another, till they both could write and reade, Comptes and Messiues sufficientlie: for oftentimes one that wanteth all, neglecteth all; and those who haue some be­ginning of a thing, seeke to a farther growth thereof: there would bee no Harvest, if there were no Seede-time: and if a Merchand would never use Merchandize hencefoorth untill hee got a great Summe, wherof to make his Stocke, there would bee scarcelie one then, for tenne now. So, how ignorant soever thou bee, if thou canst apprehende thine owne wantes, 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 [Page 62] 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 i [...] 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 [Page 63] 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 [Page 64] 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 [Page] 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, as for Single and Double; yet there be sufficiencie of Rules heere concerning them: [Page 66] and what is pretermitted in the one, is remit­ted to the other: and that not by direction of Precept, but by due consideration, and diligent attention, of the peruser. Thus much concer­ning the Preambles, and introduction to Let­ters, and the absence or retaining of Capitals foorth of thy sight, so long as thou art weake, untill a more convenient time, that thou bee readier for them, as for stronger Foode.

The number and forme, of the most necessarie and usuall Letters, belonging to the Se­cretarie Character.

THE Letters of the Secretarie Character heere expressed, bee 147. conforme to their varietie of sortes; and but 23. con­forme to their diversitie of Names: counting fiue score to the hundreth, after the Arithmeti­call Calculation: and each sort of Aspiration, or h, as one amongst the rest, for the Rules cause: and though h bee not a Letter in Latine, yet it is one in writing: for if it were not written, how could it bee? Then they bee all different in sortes, but not in names; because there bee aye diverse sortes under one name, as thou mayest perceiue by this their forme of standing upon double square; which is not made here, nor should bee made else where, to keepe Letters justlie in line, or lines evenlie in order: but for [Page 67] the better consideration of the Proportion, Quantitie, and Situation of the Letters them­selues; beeing so framed, measured, and boun­ded, as heere may bee seene, as well by the de­cent Ranke kept of their sortes, as Alphabeticall Order observed of their Names.

VVHich Character I divide three man­ner of wayes: the first I call Varia­tions, or Degressions of Letters; de­claring the severall sortes of Secretarie-hand writ: the second I call Divisions, or Denomina­tions of Letters; declaring their severall sortes by their names: and the third I call Compara­tions, or Descriptions of Letters, for understan­ding the differences thereof, by their manner of proportion, of their proportion by their quan­titie, and of their quantitie by their situation, as they bee bounded upon the two squares; that is, betwixt, aboue, and under them: in so farre as their limitation or circumscription can bee extended.

The Variations, or Degressions, of all the variable or degredibl [...] Letters of this Character, from their originall proportion.

THis Character doeth comprehende two chiefe sortes of Secretarie-hand-writ, Set and Common: Set writ is written two man­ner of wayes, which differ more in quantitie & use, than in qualitie and substance: first, it is written with a great penne, in great prop [...]rtion at the Head clauses, or Sentences, commonlie used in the beginninges, middles, or endinges of Bookes and Evidences: and with a small [Page 69] penne, in small proportion, in the remnant of such Head-clauses or Sentences; and that ey­ther when the matter is great, the person to whome it belongeth, or both.

Likewise, it is of two sortes; the first where­of is a more principall forme of its owne na­ture than the second: because the one by prin­cipalitie is the Roote, and the other by descent the Branch: for the chiefer forme must needes bee aye fayrer and better written than the se­cundarie, and so is more legeable: which there­fore challengeth the first place throughout all the Alphabet: that is to say, the first choyse both of all sortes and names of Letters therein, whether expressed or suppressed, belongeth unto it, and to none other. But as it is a degree better than the other, in respect of the exqui­sitenesse, and exactnesse thereof, being done; so it is a degree worse than the other, in respect of a degree of longer time, which it consumeth by slownesse in doing: yet notwithstanding, Sat ci­tò, si sat benè, a thing well done, may verie well bee esteemed as soone done, excluding anie compt of Time, unlesse it bee all the more pin­ched.

The second sorte then, is a lesse principall forme of its owne nature than the first, but not so slow; eyther whereof hath a relevant reason for probation: lesse principall, (I say) for al­though it haue the first choyse of all the Letters [Page 70] to the great written wordes at the beginnings, or within the bodie of it; yet it hath not the first choyse of all the Letters to the small writ thereof, but of some: seeing the first choyse of Capitals both expressed and understoode, Mi­num Letters, and all others, except two, to wit, the first l and t of the Alphabet, are proper onelie, and therefore reserved to the preceeding forme: and heerein standeth the difference. Not so slowe, (I sayde) because the seconde choyse of Capitals, expressed and understoode, Minum Letters, and such others, that the former sort refuseth, are not so slow, and may therefore bee written in shorter space than the first choise of these Letters: and since so they bee, they per­mit not this forme, which consisteth of them, to bee so slow as the other: for all writ is mightilie made up of Minum Letters.

Againe, it is no indignitie unto this sorte of writ, to suffer these Letters remaine with the former, and that for three respectes: first, be­cause it is the right owner of them, for the rea­son afore mentioned. Secondlie, because this forme vindicateth and obtaineth the use of ma­nie of the remnant Letters unto it selfe, whereof the former sort is composed; and so these Let­ters are constrained to yeelde subjection unto both the formes alike: for reiteration and doing of them often over againe, maketh them so plentifull, and abundant, that they are alwayes [Page 71] equallie present in eyther fort, as neede requi­reth: by reason whereof there is some analogie and concordance betwixt these two formes. And thirdlie, as touching those Letters which it cannot obtaine, (beeing so preciselie kept by the right owner) it hath both as great a com­mendation, and is as well served without them, because it hath speedier Letters for them, than if it had them, because they are so slow.

Surelie, because there is a right time of all things, I must (with licence) amplifie this point, by declaring the decay of these two preceeding formes of fayre Writ, im­mediatelie described, and what Skaithe fayre Writers haue thereby, although I should seeme somewhat to di­gresse: [...]ayre Writing was woont to bee no lesse needfull than well maintained, and fayre Writers had in due re­garde and estimation: but now, partlie in respect of the late invention of PRINTING, and partlie in re­spect of the desolation of sumptuous WRITING, the most part choose rather to content themselues with the incongruitie, or irregularitie of Common or Cur­rent writ, because it is both cheape and hastilie done; than to bestow a little more, and attend somewhat longer upon the elegantnesse or singularitie of SET WRIT. And so this is a Brazen Time for the small n [...]mber of expert Writers, by whome it pleaseth GOD even to keepe (as it were) some spunke of life in fayre Writing, that it extinguish not altogether: and a Golden Time for those who haue sure Offices, and Servants who haue anie current forme to write for them: for though they [Page 72] themselues doe nothing but subscriue, their Clients, 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 Ch [...]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 pe [...]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 [Page 73] 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 shal [...] 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 of [...]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? [Page 74] 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 [Page 75] 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 [Page 76] 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 [Page 77] 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 writtē: 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 [Page 78] 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.

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 [Page 80] 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 [Page 81] 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 [...]ust needes speake of them all according to their names and order, and not any more, by [Page 82] 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 plainely enough divided in the Latine Grammar. Only heere, for knowing of them by their propor­tion, I will distinguish the vowell sorts of i, and u, from the consonant sortes thereof, in this manner; to wit, the 1, 2, and 5 sortes of i, be vowels: the 3 sort of j, is a consonant: the 4 sort of ii, is a double vowel, or two conjuct vowels: and the 5 ji, is both a consonant and a vowel, conjoyned in one. Likewise the 1, 2, 3, and 5 single sorts of u, be vowels: & the first uu, is 2 vowels conjoyned: and the 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 sortes of v, be con­sonantes; whereof 5 be single, and 6 double.

The which single and double sortes of let­ters, before specified, bee first compared, or de­scribed conjunctlie, (for the Rules cause) and then the double sortes severallie: both follo­wing immediatelie in order.

The Comparations, or Descriptions, of Single and Double Letters conjunctlie, demonstrating and making each one equall with another of the owne kinde: and that by describing how many haue bodies, heads, and tayles; and how manie want them.

FIrst, of this Character there bee 115 Letters, which haue bodies, or just middles, filling the rowme all completelie alike, up and downe, betwixt the 2 scores: that is, neither going aboue, nor comming under them: and these bee, all the

Except the bodie of the first k, which is ir­regulare, because it goeth somewhat aboue the high score.

And 28 want bodies, or just middles, where­by to know, and prooue, the lineall justnesse or equalitie of anie of themselues, or other letters, both before and behinde them▪ as they occurre in anie worde; to wit, all the 7 sortes of f, the 5, 6, 7, 8 h, 3 and 5 i, all 5 l, and 6 long s, the 5, 6 t, 6 and 7 y: because they fill not up the rowme betwixt the 2 scores, for lacke of Be­ginning and Finishing partes, to come eyther justlie alonges upon them, or crosse-wayes be­twixt them, or yet close inwardes on anie of them: and that for accomplishment of a bodie to e [...]erie one of themselues, as each one of the rest hath, (saue such as bee altogether bodies, that i [...], wanting heads and tayles:) accom­plishment (I say) because each one of them hath some beginning of a bodie alreadie, howbeit but a plaine stalke, as the second and last sortes of long s: and much more are bodies begun in these which haue uncompleted, or unclosed workes on one of the squares, joyned some­times to their fore-side and sometimes to their backe-side: which I will endevour to make cleare, by distinguishing of them particularlie, and that after 4 manner of wayes: first, some of them [...]ue onel [...]e one parte comming justlie endlonges upon one of the scores, (meaning, so [Page 85] farre as the boundes of each one of them rea­cheth, and these bee 12, to wit, the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 f: 2, 3, 4, l: 5, 6, t: 6 and 7 y. Second­lie, [...]o [...]e ha [...]e slenting partes, upon one of the sq [...]ares, and sometimes upon both: but not clo­sing, or concluding constantlie, upon anie of them, as these 9. the 6 f, 5, 6, 7, 8 h, 3 i, 1, 5 l, and 4 long s. Thirdlie, some haue no parte at all upon anie of the squares, but beginning partes, or plaine even-downe stalkes, comming crosse-wayes thorow them, as these 6, the 7 f, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 long s. And fourthlie, there is onlie one in question, which partlie hath, and partlie wanteth a bodie, which is the 5 ji: for when the latter parte thereof is severed from the former parte, (as it useth oft to bee) the lat­ter part remaineth onelie a complete bodie; be­cause it filleth up the rowme j [...]st betwixt the two scores, and goeth not over: but the for [...]er parte, neyther when it is conjoyned with the latter parte, nor separated therefrom, can bee esteemed eyther to bee a bodie of it selfe, or to haue one: for albeit it haue the beginning of a bodie on the high square, yet it hath neyther progresse endlonges, nor conclusion on the low square, but commeth crosse-wayes under the same. Likewise, by this narrow Calculation, these 4, the 1, 2, 3, 4, h, cannot well bee sayde to haue complete bod [...]es, beca [...]se they ha [...]e neyther progresse nor conclusion on the lowe [Page 86] square: and therefore, it had not bene amisse, but a matter indifferent, though they had beene counted amongst the number of these which want bodies, as well as the 5 i.

Secondlie, 49 haue heads, or high partes, going aboue the high score, but not all alike high, to wit, all the

And 94 want heads, which bee, all the

But of these there bee 16, wherof so much as is aboue the high square of each one, is estee­med as a pendicle to the former sorte, which haue heads: because it beeing so fashioned, and situated, the same is not unlike thereunto: and these bee, the 4 a: 3, 4, c: 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, e: 5, 6, 7, 8, b: 3, 4, q: 4, and 8, r: for there is some­what of each one of them aboue the high square: and yet the same cannot justlie bee cal­led an head, nor anie constant parte or parcell of a letter: but some of them bee long and small downe-comminges, slenting towardes the left hand; which may bee called Introductions to the beginninges, or off-comminges, of these letters whereunto they appertaine, or wherein they be used; though done in the casting there­of, with one, and the same stroke: as such partes of these 5 letters, the 4 a: 3, 4 c: 3 and 4 q. Some bee short, and must needes cloze narrow­lie in the casting: as such partes of these 6, the 7, 8, 9 e: 5, 7, and 8 b. And some bee indiffe­rent, and unconstant: indifferent, eyther short or long, as thou pleasest: and unconstant, eyther made or left unmade, as thou thinkest expe­dient: which may bee named Conclusions, at the finishing of these letters, wherein they bee used; though done in the casting, with one, and [Page 88] the same travell: as such partes of these 5, the 4, 10 e: 6 h: 4 and 8 r.

And thirdlie, 48 haue tayles, feete, or low partes, comming beneath the lowe square, al­though not all alike low: and these bee, all the

And 95 want tayles: and these bee, all the

But of these there bee 21, whereof so much as is under the low square of each one, is esteo­med [Page 89] as a pendicle to the former sort which haue tailes; because that part of each one is not unlike thereunto, when the letter is so shapen and bounded: and these letters be, the 3 b, 5 c, 4 d, 7, 8, 9, e, 1, 2, 3, h, 2 i, 4 k, 3, 5, l, 2, 3, m, 2 n, 2 r, 2, 8, single u, 4, and 7 dowble w: for there bee somewhat of each one of them under the low score, and yet the same cannot justlie bee called a tayle, nor any constant part of a letter; but some of them are long and small upgoings, slenting to the right hand, which may bee also named Introductions to the off-cōming, or ca­sting of such letters; both when they are casten of the like length as they bee in the same letters severallie in Alphabet, and at the beginninges of words, when these letters whereunto they appertaine occurre before other letters: which are rather made accidentlie and voluntarilie, for garnishing or decoring of writ, than con­stantlie or of necessitie to be portions of letters. (I meane so much thereof as be under the low sco) I [...] like manner, they serue as Bridges or passages of the Pen betwixt letters, both for greater speedinesse in writing, and more seeme­lie conjoyning of letters written; and that when they are casten short, that is, limited be­twixt the 2 scores onlie: as within wordes, and chiefely in these 31, the 3 b, 5 c, 7 e, 2 i, 4 k, 5 l, 2 m, 2 n, 2 r, 8 single u. 4, and 7 dowble w. Some be changeable conclusions of letters, since they [Page 90] are sometimes freely made, and sometimes pur­posely left unmade, at the finishing of letters; and these be used in two letters, the 4d, and 3l. Some be changeable, and subject to vicissitude, in respect of their occurrance, & unchangeable in regard of their fashion: by their occurrance, sometimes themselues, and sometimes other Diphthongs for them, will happen to be writ­ten in such wordes as require them: and by their fashion, when the Diphthongs wherein they bee used are composed of the 7 e, they keepe this shape onlie; and these Diphthongs be two, the 8, and 9 e. And last, the like partes of these 4, the 1, 2, 3, h, and 3 m; of the which, the 1, and 3, haue small downe-commings slen­ting to the left hand, wherewith they bee con­cluded under the low square, for the viver per­ceiving and better descearning of each one of them from anie of the sortes of b: for other­wise there would bee little difference; how so­ever manie, who holde themselues Skilfull Writers, use the same: which I thinke more pertinent in the Romane sortes of such letters, than in these of this Character. To come to the second, so much thereof as is under the low square, both slenteth downe to the left hand, and compasseth up to the right hand. And the fourth, hath a compassed stroke, so much wher­of as is under the low square, may eyther bee [Page 91] made, or left unmade, (at the beginning) as best pleaseth thee.

The Comparations, or Descriptions, of Double Let­ters severallie: shewing how they are made Double, and united.

SOme Double Letters of the former Alpha­bet bee separable, and some unseparable: the separable bee 16 in number; to wit, the 4 c, 5, 6, 8, 9 e, 4 f, 4, 5 i, 4 l, 4 m, 4 n, 4 o, 4 p, 5 long s, 4 t, and the 1 double uu: and the inseparable, be 6; to wit, the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 double w. The separable are likewise of 2 sortes: some whereof are natural, or plaine; and other some artificiall, or curious: (artificiall, I say, in respect of their names or sound, as the same is pronounced in syllabica­tion: for according to their externall fashion, they are more naturallie, at the least more close­lie doubled, and conjoyned, than the other sort.) Naturall, or pla [...]ne, because they are dou­bled, and united, with letters of one name, in the most common and easie manner: and arti­ficiall, or curious, since they are composed of letters having 2 names, after a rare, compact, and obscure manner; notwithstanding their pronunciation bee of one at length. These that bee naturallie double, are 13, to wit, the 4 c, 4 f, 4, 5 i, 4 l, 4 m, 4 n, 4 o, 4 p, 5 s, [Page 92] 4 t, and the 1 uu. And these which bee ar­tificiallie double bee 4. the 5, 6, 8 and 9 e; the composition whereof consiste [...]h most constant­lie of these 2 sortes of one letter, the 2 and 7 e: the first whereof beeing composed with the 2 a (as ae, according to the fashion of the 5 e in the Alphabet) hath nothing changed in the composition, but the two letters united, the last part of the first, and the first part of the last, beeing set aboue others. Next, with the 2 o, as oe; and that by joyning of them like­wise together. The last of the two sortes of e, is also componed with the seconde a, and that two wayes (as, beholde the 8 and 9 e in the Alphabet) each one whereof, signifying no lesse in Current Writ, than the former sorte of Diphthong 5 e, doeth in Set and Common: yet the letter a, is not exprest in anie of them, but understood in both for speeds cause; and these two sorts of conclusions, (l [...]ke tailes) which they haue, are put in place of the a; for making some difference betwixt them, and the other sortes: to wit, the remnant sorts of vowell e: for they beeing thus formed, are much spee­dier to write; because each one of them is casten with one stroke, than being composed at length with the a, since then there must needes bee two.

And thus farre concerning the Variations, or Degressions; Divisions, or Denominations; [Page 93] and Comparations, or Descriptions, of all the Letters comprehended in the former Alpha­bet: which serveth both for a Table Characte­ricall, by representing of the diversitie of most usuall Characters; and Syllabicall, by sounding of the Syllables comprehended in the names, or varietie of Letters.