Exordium. THe Profession of the Pen at this day being so vniuer­sall, and the Professors themselues for the most part so ignorant, and insufficient to vndertake so worthy a function; together with the desire I haue (according to my small talent) to benefit such as are, or would be Practitioners in that commendable Art of FAIRE WRITING; were the onely motiues that induced mee to manifest vnto the view of the world, these few lines heereafter en­suing. Wherein before I enter into discourse concerning the Art it selfe, giue me leaue cursorily to demonstrate the manifold abuses which are of­fered vnto the Pen by a number of lame Pen-men; who as they doe in­trude themselues into the society of Artists, and vsurping the name of Pen-men, seeke detinere Artem in ignorantia: so by their audacious brags and lying promises, they doe shadow and obscure both the excellency of the Pen, and the dignity of those that are indeed true Professors thereof.

But I purpose not to heape vp all the abuses which they may be concei­ued to offer vnto the Pen; for that were to lose my selfe in an endlesse dis­course: I will only poynt at a few which I hold to be the chiefest and doe belong principally to matter of Teaching: And those I finde to be foure.

First, you shall obserue that these Botchers, (for they deserue no better Abuse. 1 title) are for the greatest part of them of no standing, nor euer haue had any ground in the Art, onely haue a certaine confused kinde of writing, voide either of Life, Dexterity, or Art it selfe; and yet notwithstanding they professe, and in their Bills (clapt vpon euery post) promise to per­forme as much as any whosoeuer. For let any man obserue their Ly-bills, (for so I may very well tearme them) and hee shall see how liberall they are in their promises this way, professing to teach any one (not standing vpon the capacity of the pupill) to write a sufficient hand in a month, and some of them doe say, in a fortnight. Yet, if they did but say so it were tollerable, when as they themselues, (I dare bee bold to affirme it) may goe so long to Schoole to learne a little a, aad yet not attaine to the true touch thereof, being fitter for other Mechanicall occupations (wherein some of them, to my knowledge, haue beene brought vp) then for the Profession of this so curious an Art. Whose Writings (if they come to the touchstone of Art, which cannot erre, and to the iudgement of Artists, who seldome are deceiued) will proue lame and schoole-boy-like. And although in some of their doings, there may seeme in the eyes of the igno­rant) [Page] to be a shew of Art: howbeit tantum absunt à perfectione, quantum ab ignauia animi magnitudo, They come as farre short of those that haue the least skill, as they doe of Perfection.

Next, whereas we that are Pen-men hold this as a Maxime in the Art of Abuse. 2 writing, To yeeld a reasod of euery thing we doe, (since plus apud nos vera ratio valet, quam vulgi opinio) why, these ignorant Professors are so rea­sonlesse in all their workes, both of Writing and Teaching, that it is im­possible for those whom they teach, or that imitate their doings, to reape any benefit by them, Reason being a second Schoolemaister to bring a man to knowledge in any Art hee desires to practise. And certainely (ex­perience tells me) that in the matter of teaching, nothing is more auailea­ble to a learner, then the demonstration of Reason. So that heerein ap­peares the second abuse, in that these men, being not able to yeeld a rea­son of that they professe, doe neuerthelesse (Parrat-like) boast of their skill, and in their papers giue out vaunting speeches, as if so be they were the onely fellowes that would (as we say) beare away the bell: whereas if a man take a view of any of their workes or writings, he shall find therein no appearance either of Truth, Reason or Art: but on the contrary, such weake stuffe as he would rather imagine it to be the scratching of a Hen, then the worke of a profest Pen-man.

Thirdly, (because I would bee briefe) by these their large (yet lying Abuse. 3 promises) they blind the eyes of the common sort, who are rather affected [Page] with nonelties and strange deuises, though they appeare in nothing but vaine ostentations, then with the soundnesse of iudgement and exquisite­nesse of skill, wherewith Artists are indued. For is it not a common thing amongst them, as well in their residence about this famous City (which God knowes swarmes with them) as in their curriculer Progresses ouer all places in this kingdome; to carry about them, yea and to set in open view the writings and Tables of other men, and affirme they are their owne? I appeale to none but to my owne experience heerein; howbeit I am per­swaded diuers others (and which I know to) will concurre with me in this truth. And what is this, thinke you, but deceptio visus, a blinding of the world with shewes of what they are not?

Lastly, they doe also hinder the commodity of those that goe as far be­yond Abuse. 4 them in excellency of writing, as the Sunne exceeds the Moone, and that two wayes.

First, by their base and ignominious carriage of themselues in their ac­customary cosening, wherby men take occasion to conceiue so ill of others of the same Profession, that it is almost impossible for any one (do or mean he neuer so well,) to haue entertainment where they haue beene before.

And secondly by the multitude of them, which is so great that a man can go into no corner of this City, but he shal see and heare of a world of squirting Teachers, not one of them almost worthy to carry a Pen-mans Inck-horne after him, much lesse to beare the name of a good Pen-man.

Diuers other abuses there are which these men offer vnto the excellency of the Pen and Pen-men: But lest I should seem prolixe in so slight an argu­ment, I will here leaue them to the censure of the skilfull, and to those that to their cost haue made tryall of them. Forasmuch as my intent is not so much to detect the follie of those vnworthy Professors (which is palpable enough to euery one) as to entreat of the Art it selfe, reducing all that I en­tend to speake in commendation thereof, vnto these three heads▪

• 1 To the Antiquitie
  • thereof.
• 2 To the Excellencie
• 3 To the Diuersitie

Part. 1 First, for the Antiquitie of it. Some affirme that the vse of this Art was found out in the very infancie of the world: and that Enoch the seauenth Ioseph. lib. 1 de Antiquit. from Adam had skill therein: For Iosephus credibly reports, that one of the Prophecies which Enoch wrote on pillers of stone, remained euen in his time; or at least some ruine thereof. But others doe ascribe those pillars to Seth who liued before Enoch. Howsoeuer, if it were but as ancient as the Law, it carries with it age enough.

As for the Art of Prin [...]ing, which came vp but yesterday (in comparison) and is now in much request, that can no way blemish the Art of Writing, forasmuch as Writing is the President by which Printing is effected, and therefore the more worthy. For as wee say in Arithmeticke, Out of the [Page] greater the lesser is deducted: So that, that whence the deduction is made, is greater then the deduction it selfe.

I shall not neede to argue much vpon the Antiquitie of this Art, in re­gard of the vniuersall knowledge thereof. What worthy and notable acts were heretofore done by any, either Diuine, Morall, Legall or Martiall, but were reserued to after-ages by the meanes of Writing? And I wonder how we should euer haue attained to any kind of learning, had we not had the scrolls of our learned fore-fathers to peruse and looke into as also the holy Scriptures, In quibus sunt omnes thesaurt sapientiae ac scientiae reconditi?

The next thing to be entreated of, is the Excellency of the Art of Writing, Part. 2 which doth euidently appeare in these two things:

1 Desiderio. First, in the earnest desire that all men for the most part haue to attaine vnto it: for those things which are rare and delectable, are sought for and pursued of all men, that's a rule in Nature: Now the Art of Writing is a most excellent and delectable Art, and therefore of all men much desired.

2 Necessitate Secondly, the Excellency appeares in the Necessitie thereof: for it is necessary for all (you know) to write; and those that cannot, finde what a multitude of inconueniences doe come vpon them for the want of it. And herein (by the way) suffer me not to giue conniuence to that vngrounded An Answer to a common Obiection. opinion of many, who affirme Writing to bee altogether vnnecessary for women. If by it any foule businesses are contracted, and thereby much hurt effected; Is this to be laid vpon the Art it selfe? Or is not rather the ill [Page] disposition of those to be charged herewith, who make it the instrument, whereby they bring to passe euill actions? For not the vse but the abuse of a thing is it which makes it odious. If it were otherwise, why then foule imputations may be laid vpon the best vertues, which of themselues are immaculate.

To bee briefe, the Art of Writing is so excellent, and of such necessary vse, that none ought to be without some knowledge therein, since the ex­cellency of no Art without it can be made knowne or manifested. And if any Art be commendable in a woman, (I speake not of their ordinary workes wrought with the needle, wherein they excell) it is this of Writing; whereby they, commonly hauing not the best memories (especially con­cerning matters of moment) may commit many worthy and excellent things to Writing, which may occasionally minister vnto them matter of much solace.

Hereby also, the secrets that are and ought to be, betweene Man and Wife, Friend and Friend &c. in either of their absences may bee confined to their owne priuacy, which (amongst other things) is not the meanest dignity.

Lastly, the practise of this Art is so necessary for women, and consequent­ly so excellent, that no woman suruiuing her husband, and who hath an estate left her, ought to be without the vse thereof, at least in some reaso­nable manner: For thereby shee comes to a certainty of her estate, with­out [Page] trusting to the reports of such as are vsually imployed to looke into the same: whereas otherwise for want of it, she is subiect to the manifold deceits now vsed in the world, and by that meanes plungeth her selfe into a multitude of inconueniences.

Wherefore their opinion who would barre women from the vse of this excellent facultie of Writing, is vtterly lame, and cannot by force of argu­ment be maintained.

And although the Excellencie of this Art (to speake of the curiositie thereof) be somewhat shadowed by the dulnesse of some Mechanicall spi­rits, who seldome haue skill in any thing out of their owne element, that thinke Writing to be onely a hand-labour, and so they can write to keepe a dirty shop-booke, they care for no more; neuer esteeming the commenda­ble manner of faire and orderly Writing, which ought in all businesse to be obserued, as well in keeping of Bookes for Merchants and others, as in all kinde of Engrosments, appertaining to the Law, &c: Yet notwithstanding the splendor & grace of writing shines most excellently in the scrols of skil­full Artists, as in the writing of some may appeare to thē that haue insight.

And what should I say of the Excellency of this Art? Is it not one of the hands by which not only this, but al other common-wealths are vpholden? The key which opens a passage to the descrying and finding out of innu­merable treasures? The handmaid to memory? The Register and Recorder of all Arts? And the very mouth whereby a man familiarly conferreth with [Page] his friend, though the distance of thousands of miles be betwixt them?

Infinite other things might be spoken concerning the Excellency of this Art of Writing; and where I faile in the setting forth thereof, assist me with your manifold imaginations.

The third and last thing to be discussed of in commendation of this Art, Part. 3 is the Diuersitie thereof. I meane the diuers kindes of hands which are now vsed among vs. For although they all goe vnder the name of writing; yet they are to be distinguished according to the diuersitie of them. Howbeit my purpose is not to clog my discourse with an enumeration of euery idle hand that may be written: for that were absurd, and out of the element of a Pen-man. I will only entreat of those which are the principall; and wher­in the most Art, the greatest curiositie, and the rarest dexteritie of the Ar­tist is to be manifested: and they are these which follow, viz.

• 1 Secretary.
• 2 Bastard-Secretary, or Text.
• 3 Roman.
• 4 Italian.
• 5 Court.
• 6 Chancery.

Of each of which I will briefly speake somewhat, onely by way of di­stinction, [Page] in regard I would not willingly weary the Reader with super­fluous circumstances, or detaine him long from That which followeth.

1 Secretary. For the first, viz: the Secretary, which is so tearmed (as I conceiue) partly because it is the Secretaries common hand; and partly also, because it is the onely vsuall hand of England, for dispatching of all manner of bu­nes [...]es for the most part, whatsoeuer.

I might adde hereunto the super-excellency of this hand, in respect of any other hand; for that the very denomination thereof, imports some things in it that are not easily to be found out, And true it is, that who­soeuer doth practise it (according to the true nature of it) shall perceiue Secretarius à secretis. therein many secret and subtill passages of the hand, which few, but those that haue beene well grounded therein by a true Artist, are able to com­prehend: but I affect breuity.

To speake of the kindes of Secretary, is (in these dayes) no easie matter: for some haue deuised many, and those so strange and disguised; that there is hardly any true straine of a right Secretary in them. For mine owne part, I make distinction betwixt the Sett, Facill, and Fast hands, of which three I shall (God willing) by and by propose some few examples.

2 Bastard se­cretary The next is Bastard-Secretary, and so named by the best, because it is gotten of the Secretary, as those that haue any skill may perceiue. This is a Hand not so vsuall as the former; yet of great validity, and for diuers purposes exceeding gracefull; as for Engrossements, Epitaphs for Tombes, [Page] Titles of Bookes, and many other vses, which would bee too tedious for me heere to recite.

3 Roman. The third is Roman, which hath his denomination from the place where (it seemes) it was first written, viz: Rome. A hand of great account, and of much vse in this Realme, especially in the Vniuersities: and it is conceiued to be the easiest hand that is written with Pen, and to be taught in the shortest time: Therefore it is vsually taught to women, for as much as they (hauing not the patience to take any great paines, besides phan­tasticall and humorsome) must be taught that which they may instantly learne? otherwise they are vncertaine of their proceedings, because their mindes are (vpon light occasion) easily drawne from the first resolution.

4 Italian. The fourth is Italian, a hand in nature not much different from Roman, but in manner and forme, of much incongruity thereunto. This is a hand which of late is growne very vsuall, and is much affected by diuers: for in­deed, it is a most excellent and curious hand, and to bee written with sin­gular command of hand; else it will appeare but very ragged and vile; and if the Pen be taken off in coniunction of the letters, it is neither ap­proueable, nor Pen▪man-like, but meere botching which is detestable.

5 Court. The fist is Court hand; so called, for that it is of great vse in those two famous Courts of the Kings Bench and Common Pleas. It is a hand some­what difficult to write well, and hee that continually writes it, may hap­ly come to perfection in that; but for other hands (if hee could write ne­uer [Page] so many) let him neuer looke to write any of them well: for it is able to marre them all. I am not reasonlesse in this opinion, but able (vnto any that please) to produce the cause.

6 Chancery. The last is Chancery, which euery man knowes to be written no where but in the High Court of Chancery, and in other Offices which haue refe­rence thereunto. I am of opinion, that this hand being well written, is far more gracefull then the Court, and equally difficult. It hath a kinde of mixture of the Court and Bastard-Secretary in it, which any man of iudge­ment may easily perceiue.

There are two kindes hereof, the Sett and Fast; the difference between them is not little, as they that are Clerks well know.

Thus much, or rather thus little, I thought good to deliuer, touching the Antiquitie, Excellencie, and Diuersitie of the Art of Writing.

Now here shall follow certaine pecces and Examples of the sixe seueral heads before mentioned; wherein I haue endeauored to fit my selfe with extraordinary matter for coppies; holding it an absurd thing in a good Pen-man to make choice of such fustian stuffe, as many doe, onely to set out their Coppies, and make the writing to seeme gracefull to the eye. Also I haue laboured to be so perspicuous in the nature of euery hand, as that the meanest may imitate me, and reape some benefit by me.