CHAP. I. Of the Letters and Characters of the English Tongue.

ORthography is the Art of Writing Right and Spelling Well. This consists in placing the true Letters and proper Cha­racters, appertaining to every word, in their due and rightful order.

The first thing, therefore, to be considered, will be the Cha­racters or Letters.

A Letter is the smallest part of a word that can be written.

In English there are twenty six Letters.

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t v u w x y z.

These following are the several Phaenomena or appearances of Characters amongst us.

The great English Letters.

A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T V X Y Z.

The small English Letters.

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t v u w x y z.

The great Roman Letters.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T V U W X Y Z.

The small Roman Letters.

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t v u w x y z.

The great Italian Letters.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T V Ʋ W X Y Z.

The small Italian Letters.

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t v u w x y z.

CHAP. II. Of Vowels and Diphthongs.

THE Letters are divided into Vowels and Consonants.

The Vowels are a, e, i, o, u and y Greek.

A Vowel maketh a perfect sound of it self, without a Consonant; as a man, e-very, i-dolatry, ô Lord, u-biquity, y-cleped: But this last sort of words are now almost obsolete and out of use.

Two Vowels conjoyned together make a Diphthong, which is either Proper or Improper.

Proper Diphthongs are two Vowels written and sounded toge­ther, being 8 in number: ai, ei, oi au, eu, ou, ee, oo.

But when 2 Vowels meet together, and but one of them is sounded, they are accounted Improper Diphthongs, and commonly reckoned 6, ay, ey, oy, aw, ew, ow.

The Proper ones occur in the beginning and middle of words: as aim, either, oister, author, feud, found, bleed, book.

But when the same sound waits upon the end of a word, then they become Improper Diphthongs; as, pray, prey, imploy, draw, few, plow.

Au, eu, and ou are sounded like aw, ew, ow, and ordinarily appear in the front and middle of words: but sometimes, when the sound is flattish, then the Improper must be used; as, award, ewer, own, or Drawer, Brewer, Flower.

Sometimes 3 Vowels come crowding together, and must be pronounced, as eau in Beauty, ieu in lieu [i. e. Place, a French word] uai in acquaint, uee in Queen. These and the like, are by some stiled Tripthongs, which not being of any considerable use, are not much taken notice of.

CHAP. III. Of Consonants.

COnsonants are Letters, which of themselves can make no sound, without the assistance of a vowel; they are in number 20.

b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, w, x, z.

Amongst these, 8 are Mutes, or dumb Letters, which make no sound of themselves, but require the Letter [e] at the end, to help them out.

b, c, d, g, k, p, q, t.

There are, likewise, 8 which we may term semi-vowels, or half Vowels, because they commence their sound with the vowel [e] and terminate in themselves: viz, j, f, l, m, n, r, s, x.

Five are Liquids, because they lose their force and efficacy: as l, m, n, r, s.

When the strength of the sound of any word resteth upon a Consonant in the beginning, middle, or ending of a word, then the Consonant must be writ double: as addition, common, contract, and the like words, very frequent in the English Tongue.

CHAP. IV. Of the Letters, in order.

TO speak or write exactly, is a work, which requireth much time, and much care and application; wherefore, that you may surmount all difficulties and hardships of Orthography, I judge it expedient to consider the force and propriety of every Letter in the Al [...]habet, by it self.

Many words have certain Letters in them that are not sounded, and others which have not their proper sound; and some lastly, that are indued with the sound of an other, which of necessity must create a mighty impediment to the Candidates of our Tongue, both in pronunciation and spelling.

A is sounded flat before a double Consonant, as all, attract.

Sometimes it loseth its sound, as in Isaac, Aaron, Pharaoh, Balaam.

B is not pronounc'd in Lamb, doubt, thumb, dumb.

C hath two sounds, that of [k] and that of [s.] When it comes before a, o, oo, u it imitates the sound of [k] as Cat, Comb, Cook, Custom: but when it precedes e, i, y or ee, it sounds like [ [...]] as Cell, Cider, Cypress, exceed.

Ch in all words of a purely English stamp, hath a peculiar sound both before and after a Vowel, as change, Cheapside, Checquer, Church, and after a vowel, as reach, preach, much.

But in a word of Hebrew or Greek Origination [ch] emu­lates the sound of [k] as in Chileab, Nebuchadnezzar, Malchus, Lysimachus, Eunuch, Stomach, Architect: except some few words, as Rachel, Cherubim, and where a consonant follows, as Arch-bishop.

C coming betwixt a vowel and [k] is not pronounced, but onely fortifies the sound of [k] as sack, mock, stock.

Also when it is written after s, it has nothing to do with its own peculiar pronunciation in Conscience, Disciple and such as derive from the Latine: it onely makes the [s] somewhat sharper than ordinary.

D is not sounded in Bridge, Priviledge, Pledge and such like; but yet it seems to give a vigour to the pronunciation of them.

E is often written, but not pronounc'd at the end of a word, as vertue, house, fire, frame: but it is otherwise in words of more immediate foreign derivation; as Epitome, Conge, Jesse, Jubile.

When it is plac'd at the end, it serves onely to lengthen the word, and is never pronounced at the end of a word truly English but in these Monosyllables me, he, we, be, and the like: For it hath no sound in a word of 2 Syllables.

E should never come after [ss] at the end of a word; I know it is not seldom written and printed otherwise: yet be­ing taken away from some words, it quite alters the sense, as fire, made, fare; leave out the [e's] and the sense is altogether lost, as fir, mad, far.

In many words [e] gives a softning relish to the sound, and prolongs the tone of them, as price, force, Grace, age, Stage, &c.

When a word ends with a double Consonant it is needless to put [e] after it, as contest, hall, construct, &c. In former times we find, they were so enamour'd with this Letter, that they generally brought up the rear of every word with it that could any ways bear it; and some indifferent Heads either through inadvertency or obstinate ignorance carry on the humour still, which to the understanding readers is sufficiently ridiculous.

F keeps its own natural force in all words and never loseth its sound.

G hath two sounds, one hard, as in Gold, Guide, Ghost, and ano­ther sharp, as in George, General; both which sounds are some­times found in one word, as in suggest, exaggerate. But if a, o, or u follow the later sound, the word must not be written with [G] but with [J] consonant, as James, Joseph, Justice.

It is also silent in many words, as in fl [...]gm, sign, Sovereign, foreign.

[gh] is sounded like [ff] in laugh, cough, enough, without any reason but onely what may be deduced from vulgar cu­stome. Some imagine, it is, because the English cannot gut­tural it nor pronounce any thing through the throat, with whom I so far agree as to think, that most of them take no delight to do so.

In other words it is not at all pronounced; as in might, straight, weight, right.

H the Romans by no means admit to be a Letter, and the Greci­ans reject it, for that they have no Character, but onely a poor point for it. But the English have very kindly bestow'd a Character upon it, so that it is allowed to be a member of the family of Letters in general: But why it should not be so in particular, I shall not stay here to determine, but leave it to another opportunity.

I is rarely pronounced in such words as Christopher, Tho­mas, Rhetorick, Rheum; and at the end of all Hebrew words it is lost, as Shiloah, Sarah, Jeremiah.

I Vowel is not sounded in Parliament, fashion and the like.

J Consonant, which I will take leave to style by the name of [jod] when situated before a Vowel is sounded as g, and must be written different from an [i] vowel, as in just, judge, with a long trole at the bottom.

I add [jod] and [vau] (for so I have presumed to call [v]) to the 24 Letters, as two distinct and separate Letters, [Page] having as great discrimination from [i] and [u] both in form, nature and sound, as any of the other Letters have from one another.

K is never doubled in any English word, but has the addition of C to fortify its pronunciation, as black, Clock; though in words of the Hebrew Idiom and off-spring it may be otherwise, as in Habbakkuk.

K is needless, and may be indifferently left out or put in at the end of all words derived from the Latine, as in these words public, Physic, Arithmetic, and the like.

L is omitted in many words, as half, calf, calm, Salve, Salmon, Faulcon: Yet this happens according to the Gentileness of the mouth that pronounceth it.

L is doubled at the end of all words of one Syllable, as Hall, small, call, fill, kill, unless the Monosyllable have a diphthong, then it terminates with a single [l] as hail, pail, fail.

All words exceeding one Syllable which end in [i] should conclude with a single [l] although many Scholars take little notice of it in writing, as substantial, Cathedral, General, real, continual, immortal, except when the strength of the sound de­pends on the last letter; as rebell, compell, repell, destill, &c.

M is never left out of any word, and is always unchangeable in its sound.

N is not pronounced in solemn, hymn, Autumn, condemn, words of Latin Extraction.

O misseth its sound in many words, as Youth, courage, People, jeopardy.

[oo] is sounded like woo, as in choose, roof, nevertheless it sounds a short [u] in good, blood, stood, hood.

P is not pronounced in Psalm, contempt, sumptuous, symptom, and the like.

Ph hath the sound of [f] in many words, as Philip, Tri­umph, Theophilus.

Q is never written without [u] vowel.

R is no-where superfluous, but is evermore exprest where it is written.

S loseth its sound in Viscount, Island. It is sounded like [z] in many words, as pease, busie, praise, raise, which may be ascri­bed to the vicinity and neighbourhood of the vowels and dihp­thongs, causing the Tongue to dwell the longer on the conso­nant.

Ti must be pronounced like [si] always before a vowel, as frui­tion, contrition: but if no vowel follow, then it must be sound [...]d [Page] as it is written. However; if [s] come before [ti] then it is pronounced, as it lieth naturally in the word, as question, com­bustion.

V consonant [or vau] differs very much from [u] vowel, and from [w] and ought to be regarded with a very carefull eye, seeing it is a grand errour to write [u] vowel for [v] conso­nant, as many do in such words, as love, vain, Vulture, va­lue, which look dismally altogether in vowels thus, loue, uain, uulture, &c.

U vowel is omitted in the pronunciation of these words, guard, guest, guide, &c.

W is seldom sounded after [o] or before [r] as shallow, mea­dow, widow, write, wrath, wrangle.

X never begins any word without an [e] before it, except proper names, as Xerxes, Xenophon, Xeno.

Y is put commonly at the end of many words for [ie] although [ie] is the better, and most natural way, which I shall not here dispute, but leave every man to his own judgment or caprice.

Y is never written in the middle of any word that is truly English: but we often-times meet with it in words borrowed from the extraneous and dead Languages, as Apocrypha, Gymno­sophist.

Z is very rarely used in English, because [s] has the same sound in many words.

CHAP. V. Of Capitals.

THE Capital Letters are of great use (though extremely ne­glected) as being proper on many occasions, especially these following.

1. In the beginning of all Writings, Paragraphs and Periods.

2. The first Letter of all Proper Names, Christian and Sirnames, and Titles of all sorts.

3. Names of Arts, Sciences, Dignities, Offices, Trades and Im­ployments.

4. All remarkable Passages and Sentences are usually written in great Capitals, as Rev. 19.19. JESƲS OF NAZARETH.

5. The Personal Pronoun [I] must be always a great Ca­pital.

6. When we write to great and illustrious Personages, and no­minate them either by noun or pronoun, we are to use Capitals, as,

• We will and command you, &c.
• Our will and pleasure is, &c.
• Your Grace's Petitioner, &c.
• Your Lo. commanded me, &c.
• You are to appear before Ʋs, &c.

7. In things Sacred and Divine: we should take care always to write [God] with a great Letter to demonstrate the great aw we have of him, and the great deference and veneration we pay him.

8. And lastly, every Line in Poetry must begin with a great Letter, as in the ensuing verses.

CHAP. VI. Of abbreviations in Capitals and other Letters, &c.

THE Romans used to make two, three, or more Capitals stand each for some notable or customary words, as S. P. Q. R. stood for Senatus Populus-que Romanus, The Senate and People of Rome. After them, we are accustomed to use them several ways: As for marks upon Books, Plate, and Moveables; and for denotations of some eminent and memorable Names and Ti­tles, as J. R. Jacobus Rex, King James; M. R. Maria Regina, Queen Mary; A. C. Archi-Episcopus Cantuariensis, The Arch-Bi­shop of Canterbury; S. A. C. Summus Angliae Cancellarius, The Lord High Chancellour of England, &c. S. S. T. D. Sacro Sanctae Theologiae Doctor; or D. D. Doctor of Divinity; B. D. Batchelor of Divinity; L. L. D. Doctor of Laws; R. S. S. Fellow of the Royal Society; M. A. Master of Arts; V. vide, see; N. B. Nota benè, note well; P. P. Penny Post; ℞ Recipe.

In like manner, the Romans used Capitals for their numeral Letters and Figures, which are still in use amongst most Chri­stian Nations on Houses, Monuments and Books, &c.

Their Characters, powers and significations are as follow.

As thus Letters express Figures, so sometimes we find Figures expressing Letters, as 4^o for Quarto, 8^o for Octavo, 12^mo for Duodecimo, 9 for us, 7^ber for September, 8^ber for October, 9^ber for November, 10^ber for December, X^ian for Christian.

Abbreviations are used in writing for the more con­veniency of writing short, and dispatching business; and they are as follow.

• Ma^tie for Majestie
• Sa. Sacred
• Exc^ll. Excellency
• Gr. Grace
• Hig^ss Highness
• Lo^p Lordship
• La^p Ladiship
• B^p Bishop
• Wo^p Worship
• Wo^ll Worshipful
• S^r Sir
• M^r Master
• Esq; Esquire
• Yeo. Yeoman
• Sch. Scholar
• Qu. Question
• Ans. Answer
• Gen^ll General
• Gov^r Governour
• Gov^t Government
• Hon^ble Honourable
• Illust. Illustrious
• K^t Knight
• L^d Lord
• Capt. Captain
• Coll. Collonel
• Com^r Commissioner
• Adm^l Admiral
• Adm^rs Administrators
• Merch^t for Merchant
• Ex^ers Executors
• C^r Creditor
• D^r Debitor or Doctor
• Obj. Objection
• Sol. Solution
• D^d Delivered
• Re^d Received
• M^rs Mistris
• Liev^t Lievtenant
• L^rs Letters
• obt. obtain
• Aug. August
• Chap. Chapter
• Ver. Verse
• P. Page
• Lin. Line
• Fol. Folio
• Md. Memorandum
• S^t Saint
• P^nts Presents
• Pet^r Petitioner
• p^d paid
• Req^st Request
• Sev^rl Several
• Tre^re Treasure
• Tre^ry Treasury
• Yo^rs Yours
• y^e the
• [Page 13]y^t for that
• w^t what
• y^m them
• & and
• viz. videlicet, to wit
• ꝑ per
• ꝓ pro
• p̄ pre
• q^t containing
• q^rs quarters
• w^ch which
• w^th with
• &c. and so forth.

CHAP. I. Of Spelling and Dividing of Syllables.

AFTER this brief Consideration of the several Letters in the Alphabet, according to their single capacities, I shall now proceed to speak of them (as it were) con­join'd in society, with reference to others, being reduc'd within the compass and dominion of words.

Those who have learnt the Grammar, if they but mind Ortho­graphy, accomplish themselves in one (though not the least) part of learning. And although we find many by a fatal experience to neglect it, and arrive onely to a mediocrity of perfection, and too frequently not that neither, to the reproach of pretenders to Lear­ning, Orthography being an essential part thereof: Yet my follow­ing practical Rules are for the most part design'd for the assistance of those who never had (or have casually neglected) the opportu­nity of Learning.

I give these Rules from my own practice and experience, be­cause I have taught several of both Sexes, who were altogether ig­norant of any Grammar, to spell true English to a very great per­fection, and indeed better than many who have learnt the Gram­mar and other things also.

§ The onely way for Ladies, and such who have not had Gram­mar-erudition, is to observe carefully these following Directions.

1. When you have attain'd to write indifferently well, pry cu­riously into every word you write, and diligently enquire how it is spelt, and written.

[Page 16]2. You must get somebody to reade softly and easily to you ac­cording as you can follow him at first, spelling as well as you can your own way; And when you have done, let some who have skill, reade over what you have written, and correct it: by doing this frequently, you will not fail to attain a considerable perfection in small time.

3. When you can spell pretty well, use your self to read what your Genius most leads you to; and when you read, it is very convenient to keep an Alphabet of all the hard words you find, of whose signification you are ignorant: and for your farther instruc­tion, ask some understanding person, or at your own leasure apply your self to a Dictionary, where you may get the true meaning and signification of any word you shall find.

By this method you will not only learn to spell well, and un­derstand the meaning of all words you meet with, but also to read well; that is, to have a true notion in your mind of what you read: for, it is hardly possible for any man to read well that which he does not understand. He may perform such a thing sometimes, I confess, by chance, and accidentally; but it is granted on all hands, that there is a Language of sound and of posture, as well as of Let­ters and Syllables, and, that

Let some people read, and you can make nothing at all of the matter: Some again of a truly ingenious frame, and nice constitu­tion (for so I must esteem him that reads well) do give such life and motion to the things, that they in a manner inchant the hearers, and make them imbibe, and throughly understand the Sense and meaning.

What makes Plays more taking from the Actor's mouth, than when the same words are read in downright print, proceeds from this Source, because the Poet hath instructed the Player with the most intimate intrigue of his own mind, and (as I may say) with the very heart of his intention. Whereas the print is only the dead Letter, dull and insensible, having nothing but the stock of the Poet's wit to subsist on, and engage the Reader, who, if he hath seen the same Play acted, is oftentimes compell'd to be beholden to his Memory for his pleasure.

In writing you must not divide a Syllable, that is, you are not to write one half, or one Letter of a Syllable in one Line, and the rest in the next: but if your Line will not contain all your word, you must either divide it rightly, or write all your word in the next Line, which is the best way.

When a Consonant is doubled, or when two Consonants come to­gether, they are divided thus: the one to the first Syllable; the other to the last: as Ad-der, dif-fer, sel-dom, Trum-pet.

If a Consonant come between two Vowels, you must join the Consonant to the Vowel following it: as be-came, re-port [x] one­ly excepted, which is evermore annexed to the Vowel going be­fore: as Ox-en, ex-er-cise.

If a word consist of two words, and the first part of the com­position had the silent [e] in the simple word, it retaineth it in the compound, and is joined to the Consonant before it: as where-of, where-in, where-by, safe-guard.

If two or three Consonants which can begin words, come be­twixt two Vowels, they must not be parted, but must even strike in with the Vowel following: as con-strain, con-struct.

These are the Consonants which begin words.

bl, br, cl, ch, cr, dr, dw, fl, fr, gl, gn, gr, kl, kn, kr, ph, pl, pr, sc, sh, sk, sl, sm, sn, sp, sq, st, sw, th, tr, tw, wh, wr.

Sometimes there are three Consonants together at the com­mencement of words, and these are chr, phr, scr, shr, spr, str; thr.

CHAP. II. Of Monosyllables.

SPelling well is the dividing words into Syllables, and allotting to each Syllable its due and proper Letters, as vi-o-lence, vi-li-fy.

Most words in the English Tongue are spelt according to the sound: but it is best to adhere to the rules of true spelling.

For your better conveniency and more happy procedure in this kind, I have carefully collected and methodically digested the grea­test part of those words which have any difficulty in them of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and some of more Syllables, whereby you may see how they are spelt, and from whence you may draw such general deductions and observations, as may extend to the right understan­ding and spelling any word you meet withal.

• A
  • Acre
  • act
  • ancle
  • angle
  • awl.
• B
  • Bath
  • badge
  • breadth
  • brought
  • bought
  • bough
  • branch.
• C
  • Christ
  • church
  • cleanse
  • caught
  • check
  • cloath
  • cough.
• D
  • Dawn
  • dearth
  • drudge
  • draught
  • dough
  • drought
  • dumb
  • dwarf.
• E
  • Earn
  • enough
  • eight
  • ews
  • eyes.
• F
  • Fault
  • filth
  • flight
  • fraught
  • friend
  • fringe
  • fright.
• G
  • God
  • glad
  • ghost
  • grief
  • growth
  • grudge
  • guest
  • guide.
• H
  • Health
  • hatch
  • hearth
  • height
  • hymns.
• J
  • Judge
  • joint
  • juice.
• K
  • Knight
  • knives
  • knots.
• L
  • League
  • laugh
  • length
  • light.
• M
  • Month
  • might
  • mouth
  • mulct
  • myrrh.
• N
  • Naught
  • neigh
  • nigh
  • night
  • nought.
• O
  • Ought
  • oar
  • oaths
  • oaks.
• P
  • Plight
  • plunge
  • plague
  • pierce
  • psalms.
• [Page 19]
  Q
  • Quake
  • quench
  • quacks
  • quick.
• R
  • Reign
  • reins
  • right
  • rough.
• S
  • Schism
  • scourge
  • scour
  • search
  • school
  • shrine
  • shoo
  • should
  • slight
  • sleight
  • sigh
  • sign
  • strength.
• T
  • Taught
  • through
  • tongue
  • twelve
  • twelfth
  • though
  • thought
  • troughs
  • twins.
• V
  • View
  • vaunt
  • vow
  • vail
  • voice.
• U
  • Urge
  • Use
• W
  • Wealth
  • weight
  • weave
  • world
  • wrought
  • write
  • wound
  • wrath
  • wreath
  • wrung
  • wooll
  • woo
  • woe
  • whore.
• Y
  • Young
  • youth
  • yaucht
  • year
  • yawn.
• Z
  • Zeal
  • Zone.

CHAP. III. An Alphabet of words of two Syllables.

• Ab-ject
• af-flict
• an-guish
• as-swage
• ab-jure
• ac-quaint
• ac-count
• af-fright
• as-sault
• aug-ment
• ac-cept.

• Bap-tism
• birth-right
• bless-ing
• blas-pheme
• be-lieve
• back-bite
• ban-quet
• blame-less.

• [Page 20]Coun-cil
• coun-sel
• charg-ing
• crea-ture
• chal-lenge
• cym-bals
• chan-ging
• case-ment
• cau-sey
• con-duct
• com-pact
• con-duit.

• Da-mage
• de-scribe
• dis-charge
• dis-solve
• dis-patch
• dis-tinct
• di-vorce
• doc-trine
• dam-ned
• dis-ciples
• dis-charge
• daugh-ter.

• E-nough
• eye-brow
• ex-cept
• ex-change
• earth-quake
• e-schew
• ex-tinct
• e-vil.

• Friend-ship
• feign-eth
• frus-trate
• fa-mine
• fe-male
• fierce-ness
• flou-rish
• four-teenth
• fro-zen.

• Gal-lant
• grum-ble
• grudg-ing
• griev-eth
• guard-eth
• gal-lows
• glut-ton
• gos-pel.

• Hai-nous
• high-ness
• hence-forth
• hus-band
• hys-sop
• he-rauld
• he-brew
• hire-ling
• ho-nour.

• Je-sus
• jus-tice
• judg-ing
• jay-lor
• jour-ney
• jea-lous

• I-mage
• in-crease
• itch-ing.

• King-dom
• kins-man
• know-ledge
• knight-hood

• Lan-guish
• laugh-ter
• lec-ture
• light-ning
• lov-ing
• lan-t [...]rns
• lat-ter
• laugh-ing
• lea-thern
• leo-pard
• lodg-ings.

• Man-kind
• maid-en
• mar-tyr
• mis-chief
• mort-gage
• mer-chant
• mur-ther
• migh-ty
• moist-ure

• Neigh-bour
• naugh-ty
• nei-ther
• neg-lect
• nor-thern
• nour-ish.

• Off-spring
• ob-ject
• ob-scure
• op-press
• or-chard
• ob-tain
• o-racle.

• Pru-dence
• par-lour
• pave-ment
• par-tridge
• pen-knife
• peo-ple
• pe-rish
• pil-grim
• pic-ture
• priest-hood
• preach-er
• purg-ing.

• Quak-er
• quar-rel
• quick-en.

• Re-venge
• re-joice
• re-proach
• re-scue
• re-ceive
• reck-on
• re-straint
• ru-mours.

• Sab bath
• scourg-ing
• scrip-ture
• sack-cloath
• safe-guard
• sa-lute
• scan-dal
• scor-ner
• ship-wrack
• slaugh-ter.

• Trans-gress
• trans-late
• trea-sure
• threa-ten
• to-ken
• tres-pass
• tri-umph
• tri-bute
• twi-light.

• Vain-ly
• val-ley
• va-pour
• ves-sel
• vine-yard.

• U-nite
• un-just
• use-ful.

• Writ-ing
• wa-ges
• [Page]wed-lock
• weigh-ing
• whi-ther
• work-man
• writ-ten.

• Yeo-man
• yel-low
• yiel-ding.

• Zea-lous.

CHAP. IV. Paradigm's of Words of three Syllables.

• Ac-com-plish
• ac-know-ledge
• ac-cep-tance
• ac-cor-ding
• ac-quaint-ance
• ad-vo-cate
• af-flict-ed
• af-ter-ward
• an-swer-ed
• as-sur-ance.

• Back-bit-ers
• bap-tiz-ing
• bar-bar-ous
• be-guil-ed
• be-liev-ers
• blas-phem-er
• bless-ed-ness
• bar-ren-ness.

• Cham-pi-on
• chan-cel-lor
• ce-le-brate
• chas-tis-eth
• cheer-ful-ness
• chro-ni-cles
• chris-ti-ans
• cir-cum-spect
• com-mon-wealth
• che-ru-bims
• car-bun-cles
• care-ful-ness
• con-quer-ours.

• Di-vorce-ment
• de-creas-ed
• de-ci-ded
• de-fam-ing
• de-scrib-ed
• de-sir-ous
• dis-tri-bute
• drow-si-ness
• de-trac-tor.

• En-large-ment
• en-dea-vours
• es-pous-als
• en-croach-ing
• en-cour-age
• en-graft-ed
• es-ti-mate
• e-qual-ly
• ec-sta-cy.

• [Page]Faint-heart-ed
• for-ward-ness
• frank-in-cense
• fil-thi-ness
• fa-vour-able
• fur-ni-ture
• for-bid-den.

• Gain-say-er
• gar-ri-son
• gor-ge-ous
• go-ver-nors
• griev-ous-ness.

• Hand-ker-chief
• haugh-ti-ness
• he-re-sies
• hus-band-ry
• hy-po-crite.

• Jea-lou-sy
• Jeo-par-dy.

• Im-pla-cable
• Im-put-eth
• In-fam-ous.

• Kens-ing-town
• kins-wo-man
• kind-heart-ed.

• Liev-ten-ant
• li-ber-tines
• lan-guish-ed
• lov-li-ness.

• Mi-ni-ster
• mes-si-as
• ma-jes-ty
• me-di-cine
• me-di-tate
• ma-gis-trate
• main-ten-ance
• mis-chiev-ous.

• Nigh-tin-gale
• nou-rish-ing
• ne-glect-ing
• ne-gli-gent.

• Ob-serv-ed
• off-scour-ing
• of-ten-times
• o-ver-charge
• op-press-ing
• out-land-ish.

• Pa-tri-arch
• pa-ti-ence
• per-ceiv-est
• per-swa-ding
• pleas-ant-ness
• per-ju-ry.

• Ques-ti-ons
• quan-ti-ty
• que-ru-lous
• qui-et-ness
• quar-rel-som.

• Re-mem-ber
• re-ceiv-ed
• re-deem-er
• re-main-der
• re-proach-ed
• re-pro-bate.

• Sa-cri-fice
• Sa-cri-ledge
• school-mas-ter
• se-pa-rate
• se-pul-chre
• soul-di-er.

• Thank-ful-ness
• ta-ber-nacle
• ten-der-ness
• tes-ti-fie
• tri-umph-ing.

• Vain-glo-ry
• va-ni-ties
• ven-ge-ance
• vic-tu-als.

• [Page]Up-right-ly
• un-will-ing
• un-wor-thy
• up-per-most
• ut-ter-ance.

• Wan-ton-ness
• wick-ed-ness
• wil-der-ness
• wit-ting-ly.

• Xe-no-phon.

• Yoke-fel-low
• Yes ter-day.

• Zo-di-ack
• Zea-lous-ly.

CHAP. V. Examples of Words of four Syllables.

• Ac-com-plish-ment
• a-bo-lish-ed
• ac-know-ledg-ed
• af-fec-ti-on
• ap-pre-hend-ing
• ac-cord-ing-ly
• al-to-ge-ther.

• Bar-bar-ous-ness
• blas-phem-ous-ly
• burnt-sa-cri-fice
• blood-guil-ti-ness.

• Cir-cum-cis-ing
• con-cu-pis-cence
• con-sci-en-ces
• col-lec-ti-on.

• [Page]Di-mi-nish-ed
• de-ceit-ful-ness
• dis-ap-point-eth
• de-scrip-ti-on
• dis-pos-sess-ed.

• E-van-ge-list
• e-sta-blish-ed
• en-dea-voured.

• For-get-ful-ness
• foun-da-ti-on
• fa-mi-li-ars.

• Ge-ner-ous-ly
• gor-ge-ous-ly.

• Hy-po-cri-sy
• hu-mi-li-ty
• hu-mour-som-ness.

• Ig-no-mi-ny
• in-du-stri-ous
• i-ma-gin-eth
• i-ni-qui-ty.

• Lov-ing-kind-ness
• Li-ber-al-ly.

• Ma-le-fac-tors
• mar-vel-lous-ly
• mag-ni-fi-cence.

• Not-with-stand-ing
• ne-ces-sa-ry
• ne-cro-man-cy.

• O-ver-throw-ing
• op-pres-si-on.

• Pre-sump-ti-on
• per-ad-ven-ture
• per-se-cut-er.

• Ques-ti-on-ing
• [...]

• Re-bel-li-on
• re-proach-ful-ly
• righ-te-ous-ness
• re-demp-ti-on.

• Sump-tu-ous-ly
• sa-cri-fi-cer
• sanc-tu-ar-ies.

• Tem-pes-tu-ous
• trans-gres-si-on.

• Va-li-ant-ly
• ver-tu-ous-ly

• Un-mer-ci-ful
• un-cor-rupt-ed
• un-be-liev-ers.

• Wel-be-lov-ed
• won-der-ful-ly.

CHAP. VI. Words of five Syllables.

• Al-le-go-ri-cal
• ad-mo-ni-ti-on
• a-po-the-ca-ry.

• Be-ne-dic-ti-on.

• Cir-cum-spec-ti-on
• con-sum-ma-ti-on
• con-fe-de-ra-cy
• con-tri-bu-ti-on.

• Dis-o-be-di-ence
• de-li-be-rate-ly.

• Ex-tor-ti-on-er
• ex-e-cra-ti-on
• ex-hor-ta-ti-on.

• Fer-ment-a-ti-on.

• Gu-ber-na-ti-on
• ge-ne-a-lo-gy.

• Har-mo-ni-ous-ly
• hy-po-cri-ti-cal.

• Ju-ris-dic-ti-on.

• In-cor-rup-ti-ble
• in-sur-rec-ti-on.

• La-bo-ri-ous-ness
• la-sci-vi-ous-ness.

• Ma-li-ci-ous-ness
• mis-con-struc-ti-on.

• Non-con-for-mi-ty.

• Oc-cu-pa-ti-on
• op-por-tu-ni-ty
• o-ver-sha-dow-ed.

• Pre-sump-tu-ous-ly
• pre-me-di-tat-ed.

• Re-sur-rec-ti-on
• re-sti-tu-ti-on

• Su-per-scrip-ti-on
• suf-fi-ci-en-cy
• su-per-sti-ti-on.

• Trans-mi-gra-ti-on
• tri-bu-la-ti-on.

• Vic-to-ri-ous-ly
• vi-si-ta-ti-on.

• Un-righ-te-ous-ness
• un-ac-cu-stom-ed.

• Whi-ther-so-e-ver.

CHAP. VII. A Collection of Words of six and seven Syllables.

• Ad-mi-ni-stra-ti-on
• af-fec-ti-o-nate-ly.

• Be-a-ti-fi-ca-ti-on.

• Con-fec-ti-on-ar-ies
• Cir-cum-lo-cu-ti-on.

• Dis-si-mu-la-ti-on
• De-nun-ci-a-ti-on.

• Ex-a-mi-na-ti-on
• ex-com-mu-ni-ca-ti-on
• E-le-e-mo-si-na-ry.

• Fruc-ti-fi-ca-ti-on.

• Glo-ri-fi-ca-ti-on

• Hu-mi-li-a-ti-on.

• Im-mu-ta-bi-li-ty
• In-ter-pre-ta-ti-on.

• Mul-ti-pli-ca-ti-on.

• Pu-ri-fi-ca-ti-on.

• Re-ge-ne-ra-ti-on.

• Sanc-ti-fi-ca-ti-on.

• Vi-li-fi-ca-ti-on.

These words are sufficient for any Learner, abundance of words discourage more than they instruct; for if a Youth can once spell these, he may spell any: those of riper understanding and years need only read these words over; but it is very convenient for Youth to be carefully instructed to know them all.

CHAP. VIII. Of Sentences.

ALL learned men in the several ages of humane race have highly approved of short Sentences, or expressing a Thought in few words.

Those which are of a long Ciceronian strain do not yet either want their excellencies or Admirers: but which of the two best deserves the Lawrel, doth not belong to my purpose to dispute.

However, this is undoubtedly true of them both, that whether you are to write either the one or the other, it is your best way to begin the Line at every full stop, or end of a sentence. This di­rection indeed, if it were in all cases observed, would take up too much room, and swell Books to a great Volume: and therefore a great Letter hath been appointed to begin each Sentence. But in writing any business, where we have room enough, I may recom­mend it not only as necessary, but beautiful for the Readers atten­tion and delight.

Some men have that admirable dexterity of epitomizing things, and couching such a world of excellent sense in a few happy expressions, that the Readers not only admire them, but are rapt into an ec­stacy in the contemplation. Examp. Gr.

It is a madness in Youth, either not to endeavour good Advice, or not to believe till their peril comes upon them, and makes them see it to their shame.

Errours by mistakes should not be too rigorously censured; but wilful Errours should not be spared.

Pray often, because thou sinest always: Repent quickly, lest thou die suddenly.

He is a happy man, that hath all things he desires: but he who does not desire, the things he hath not, is happier.

Mistrust no man without some cause; neither be credu­lous without proof, &c.

Hear no ill of a Friend, nor speak any of an Enemy; Believe not all you hear, nor speak all you believe, &c.

CHAP. IX. Of Points or Stops used in Sentences.

IN writing and reading of all Sentences and Writings, the Points and Stops are to be judiciously observed; otherwise we certain­ly shipwrack the Sense by sailing without these Guides. Upon which account I have here set down not only the Stops and Pauses, but also all Marks and Characters used for the better understanding of what we write or read.

1. A Comma (,) is the least, but most frequently used of all, taking very little breath, as being almost every-where employed: As,

These filthy Dreamers defile the Flesh, despise Dominion, and speak evil of Dignities, Jude v. 8.

[Page 30]2. A Semi-colon (;) hath somewhat a greater stress than a Comma laid upon it, both as to the sense, and to the pause: As,

Their throat is an open Sepulchre; with their tongues they use de­ceit; the poison of Asps is under their lips, Psalm.

3. A Colon is used when there is full sense exprest, but yet the Sentence is not quite spent: As,

Submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the KING, as Supream, 1 Pet. 2.13.

4. A Period, or Punctum (.) concludes the whole Sentence: As,

Honour all men. Love the Brotherhood. Fear GOD. Honour the KING, 1 Pet. 2.17.

These four are truly intire Sentences of themselves, and are ac­cordingly written with Periods: but any man considering the de­pendence they have one upon another, may write them and such like with Colons, except the last, which must of necessity be concluded with a full point.

5. A Note of Interrogation (?) is always plac'd after a Ques­tion: As,

What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there in Cir­cumcision? &c. Rom. 3.1.

6. A mark of Admiration (!) must not be forgotten, when men lift up their hands or voices by way of wonder or exclamation: As,

Oh Death! where is thy Sting? Oh Grave! where is thy Vic­tory? 1 Cor. 15.55.

CHAP. X. Of Superfluous Letters, &c.

THere is a further perfection in Spelling, which I shall not much dwell upon, as not being so material to my design: but be­cause it is worthy of observation to the curious I shall touch it a little;

And that is leaving out many superfluous letters, which may be omitted in several words, and the sound and sense not lost: but to throw out all Letters, that are not pronounced (as some desire) would quite mar the sense: for by the same rule we leave out [ugh] in though, we ought to leave it out in bought, dough, bough, thought, cough, &c.

It's true we may leave out [ugh] in though, and the like when the sound will be good without it; but when the sound and signi­fication is lost by such omissions it is not tolerable.

Some of late leave out [k] in Musick, Arithmetick, Rheto­rick, Logick, heroick and the like, which is allowable, these be­ing immediately derived from the Latine, which have no k, tho' the original Greek hath.

The superfluous and silent [u] may very well be left out in ho­nour, favour, &c. for the pronunciation is the same without it ho­nor, favor, labor, and the sound and signification are both preser­ved.

But why some are for such a thorow-reformation, as to omit [p] in tempt, contempt, sumptuous, symptom, and the like, I know not, since the very strength of the sound rests on [p.]

Neither can I be perswaded to leave [e] out at the end of bridge, pledge, acknowledge, because the final [e] gives [g] its sharp sound: for by the same reason we may leave out the [e] in oblige, huge, language, refuge, &c. which would make [g] have its hard sound and quite alter the sense.

I could wish it were possible to make a general Rule in the English, and leave out all superfluous Letters that are not in the pronunciation sounded; for then [gh] might take its leave of many words: But first to satisfie the curious, we must find some way to distinguish the sound of some words pronounced alike, but written severally; as in the words following, so much imputed by stran­gers to the imperfection of the English Language, viz.

These words, likewise, are written differently, but pronounced almost alike, white, weight, wait, witt, wett. This shews the impossibility of a general Rule, so much desired. These and the like, make strangers a little uneasy; but to please strangers and make our Language familiar to their palat, we must not con­found our selves, as some would have done, come, some, and the like written thus, don, com, som, because strangers think they are pronounced do-ne, co-me, so-me. By this means we must bring all other words, which more trouble them, to their humour. There are few strangers that can pronounce these words, forbid­den, hidden, third, thought, truth, sloath, &c. so there needs no such care for strangers, who can never attain to any perfection in English by Book: the onely way is by an able Teacher or by con­versation amongst English people which I judge the best way.

Words derived from the Latine must retain their natural Let­ters to shew their derivation, as contemn, condemn, resign, reign, flegm, which come from the Latine words, contemno, condemno, resigno, regno, flegma, &c.

Some words the English pronounce contrary to the true Ortho­graphy, without any other reason (as I said before) but because they pronounce nothing through the throat, and these are laugh, cough, rough, &c. which by custome are thus alter'd, laff, coff, roff, which strangers also stickle at. For conveniency we pronounce also sigh as with th, &c.

CHAP. XI. Of Words, Spelt, or Sounded Alike, but of Different Significations.

MAny words in the English Tongue are spelt alike, and have divers significations: and some again have various intenti­ons and are pronounced almost alike, which gives trouble to young Learners.

To prevent which, and to encourage the Learner, I have col­lected the hardest of these words in an Alphabetical order as fol­lows,

• ABator, an Intruder
• Abater, one that lessens
• Abettor, an Assister
• Account, Esteem
• Account, of Merchants
• Advice, Counsel
• Advise, to give Counsel
• Altar, for Sacrifice
• Alter, or Change
• Accidents, Chances
• Accidence, for Children
• Air, Element
• Heir, of an Estate
• Appeal, to a higher Judge
• A peal, of Ringing
• A pail, for Water
• A peel, for an Oven
• A Peer, or Noble-man
• A Pier, for Ships
• Appear, before one
• A pear, fruit
• Aunt, a Father's Sister
• Ant, an Emmet
• Augur, a Wise man
• Augure, to bore with
• Attract, to draw
• A Tract, or Discourse
• A Track, or Path
• Attribute, given, or appropriate
• A Tribute, paid to a Prince
• Assent, to consent
• A scent, or smell
• Ascent, or going up
• Sent, an errand

• Batcheler, or single man
• Batchelor of Arts
• Ball, to play with
• Bale, or pack of Cards or Silk
• Ball, a Company of Dancers
• Bawl, or cry out
• Baal, false God
• Bark as a Dog
• Bark of a Tree
• Bark, or Barque, a little Vessel
• Bear, a Beast
• Bear, or suffer
• Bare, naked
• Bier, a Corps
• Beer, to drink
• Babble, talk Idlely
• Baubles, trifles
• Babel, confusion
• Bow, to shoot
• Bow, or bend
• Bough of a Tree
• Boar, a Beast
• Bore a hole
• Buy with money
• By, the Preposition
• Buoy of a Ship
• Boy, or Child
• By the Bie
• Blew as the wind
• Blue Colour
• Brute or Beast
• Bruit, or Rumor
• Bread to eat
• Breed, ingender
• Bred, taught
• Brede of Silk or Worsted
• Bowl, a Cup
• [Page]Boul, to play
• Breath, wind
• Breathe, to blow softly
• Beray, defile
• Bewray, or disclose.

• Cavalier, a Souldier
• Caviller, Wrangler
• Council of the King
• Counsel, advice
• Councellor, privy Councellor
• Counseller at Law
• Crew as a Cock
• Crue, a Company
• Censer, for Insence
• Censor, a Roman Officer
• Censure, or blame
• Cymbal, an Instrument
• Symbol, a mark
• Cittern for Musick
• Citron, fruit
• Canon of the Church
• Cannon, a Gunn
• Cannion of breeches
• Carret, a Root
• Carract of Gold, whereof 18 make a Drachm.

• Dame, or Mother
• Damm, or bank
• Damn, condemn
• Deer, Buck or Doe
• Dear, or costly
• Dear, most affectionate
• Desert, forsake
• Disert after meat
• Desart, a Wilderness
• Decent, orderly
• Descent, going down
• Descent of an Estate
• Dissent, disagree
• Duke, a Title of Honor
• Duck, a Bird
• Demure, sober, mild
• Demurr, doubt or delay
• Dew on the Grass
• Due, owing
• Doe, Female-Deer
• Do, or act
• Dough, to make bread

• Eminent, famous
• Imminent, at hand
• Exercise or labor
• Exorcise, to Conjure
• Earnest, Serious
• Earnest, on a Bargain.

• Flie, to make haste
• Fly, as a Bird
• Flie, an Insect
• Flea, or flegh
• Fowl, Birds
• Foul, unclean
• Flower in a Garden
• Flour of wheat
• Floor of a house
• Fair, beautiful
• Fare, entertainment
• Friese, course Cloath
• Freez, congeal
• Fawn, or young Deer
• Faun, or flatter
• Form, or shape
• Fourm, to sit on
• Feign, falsify
• Fain, desire.

• [Page]Guilt, offence
• Gilt with Gold.

• Heir to an Estate
• Air, or wind
• Hair of the Head
• Hare, a Beast
• Heart of any thing
• Hart, a great Deer
• Head, or principal part
• Heed, mind
• Hoop of a Vessel
• Whoop or hollow
• Hue, or Colour
• Hue and Cry
• Hew, or Cut
• Hugh, a name.

• Insight, skill
• Incite, stir-up
• Ingenious, witty
• Ingenuous, free, well-natur'd.

• Joynter, a Tool.
• Joynture, a portion.

• Kennel for Doggs
• Channel, water passage.

• Latine, a Language
• Lattin, Tinn
• Loose, or untie
• Lose, or neglect
• Least, smallest
• Lest, a word of caution
• Lettuce, an Herb
• Letice, a name
• Lattice, Cross barrs
• Leamons, Concubins
• Limons, fruit
• Luster, a desirer
• Lustre, shining.

• Manor, House
• Manure, to Till Ground
• Manner, fashion
• Mowe, Hay
• Mow of Corn
• Mortar, to build with
• Morter, to bruise
• Morning, Sun-rising
• Mourning, Lamenting
• Mussle, a Shell-fish
• Muscles of a Man
• Martial, warlike
• Marshal, an Office
• Mean, between two
• Mien, visage
• Mean, poor
• Mold, Earth
• Mould, or frame.

• Nice, a Town
• Niece, or Brother's Daughter
• Nice, or dainty
• Note, or mark
• Not at all.

• [Page]O, Exclamation!
• Ow, a debt
• Oh, alas
• Oar, or Gold dust
• Or this, or that
• Oar, to Row
• Our, or ours
• Hour of the day
• One thing
• On, or upon
• Ordure, filth
• Order, or Commission
• Off, or far away, out of
• Of, concerning
• Only, so much
• Onely, singular.

• Pallet, to ly on
• Palat, or tast
• Pause, or stopp
• Paws, or Feet
• Person, or body
• Parson, or Priest
• Precedent, forgoing
• President or Example
• Power or Authority
• Pour out
• Pail, for water
• Peal, of Ringing
• Pale, ill-coloured
• Pall, or Herse
• Prophet, or foreteller
• Profit, gain
• Plane, a Field
• Plain, smooth
• Plan, or Model.

• Quarry of Stones
• Quarrel of Glass
• Quack, or pretender
• Quake, to shake.

• Right, or Just
• Rite, or Custom
• Wright, a Trade
• Write with a pen
• Reed, or Cane
• Read a Book
• Red Colour
• Retch out or stretch
• Reach or fetch
• Rome, a famous City
• Rome, or wander
• Room, or Chamber
• Reign as a King
• Rein of a Bridle
• Row of Trees
• Roe, or Deer
• Row a Boat.

• Sun, that shines
• Son of a Father
• Soon, quickly
• Swound, or faint away
• Sound, whole
• Sealing of Letters
• Ceiling of a House
• Stares, or looks earnestly
• Stairs of a House
• Some, or part
• Sum of money
• Streight, even
• Strait, or narrow
• Straight, by and by
• Statue, or Image
• Statute, or Law
• Suit at Law
• [Page]Sute of Cloathes
• Sex, kind
• Sects, factions
• Seller of Goods
• Cellar for Wine
• Smock, a shift
• Smoak of fire.

• Than, in Comparison
• Then, at that time
• The man or thing
• Thee, or thy self
• Trade, or calling
• Tread under foot
• Tred as Birds
• There in that place
• Their belonging to them
• To, or towards
• Toe of the foot
• Tow, a Rope
• Too, also
• Two in number
• Tenor in Music
• Tennor, or form.

• Vain, Idle
• Vein of blood
• Vial, a little Glass
• Viol, or Violin.

• Wast-thou
• Waste, or spend
• Waste, Emply
• Waist, ones midle
• Weight of Goods
• Wait, attend
• Wight, a man
• Whether of the two
• Whither do you go
• Week 7 dayes
• Wick of a Candle
• Walk in the fields
• Wake, or awake from sleep
• Weak, not strong.

These are the chiefest and most material words which are sounded alike and spelt differently, and ought to be carefully re­garded.

It is very convenient, that Youth be instructed to know these words from careful Tutors, who may set them a task to write over, and give a good Account of as many of them at a time as they are capable of: By which method and the other Rules in this Book prescrib'd, I have taught young Persons of both Sexes to spell En­glish very well who knew nothing of Grammar.

CHAP. I. Of Letters in General.

THE excellency and usefulness of Letters are so universally known and acknowledged by persons of all conditions and degrees, that an Essay in praise of them were as ridiculous as impertinent. All the world knows, how great their power is in the management of humane affairs both public and private: No man of sense can be ignorant what influ­ence they have in the secrets of every particular State, how fre­quently Plots and Conspiracies are discovered by them, and that they are the best Fountains out of which an History can be drawn. 'Tis sufficiently known, that by them not onely Trade and Com­merce are maintain'd in any one Teritory but Traffic is maintain'd and upheld through the whole habitable Earth; and in conclusion, all people agree, that they are the life and soul of Amity and Love, and that Communication by Letters doth almost contribute as much to the preservation of civil Society amongst men, as the sa­cred obligation of an Oath.

Wherefore, I shall not dwell upon these Topicks, it being my Design only ro propose some plain instructions for the right wri­ting, sealing and directing of ordinary missive Letters, and if my [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] Rules sometimes reach persons of a higher Sphere, I intend them rather for Ornament and speculation than for use and Practice.

First, it is a great grace to Letters, to be clearly and punctually written without blotts or confusion.

But it is sufficient for men of Business to write Legibly and pretty free from Blotts, altho' it is very necessary for young Gentlemen, Ladies and Youth in General to write Letters as well as ever they can; for it looks like Idleness or dis-respect in them not to write their best.

All Letters and Petitions to Superiours must be written fair and well, since the very writing gives a high recommendation to them.

The main Grace thereof consists in spelling well, which hath been the design of the two former parts of this Book: nothing is more ridiculous, than Letters ill spelt, it arguing a mighty defect of Education: whereas on the contrary, to see a Letter from a Lady, or one who does not pretend to great Learning, well spelt, doth add a huge lustre to their breeding, and is much prais'd and admired.

This, tho' it be very necessary to good Education, and be esteem­ed no small part thereof, yet is generally too much neglected: but it is certainly a great Error in mens judgments; for a man that can spell well, is thought a Scholar, tho' he have but little Learn­ing, and Scholars who spell ill (as some do) are thought Ignorant.

As it is not safe to speak, so it is much more dangerous to committ any secret to paper, whether it concern the State, your Friend or your Self: for, according to the Poet,

Letters may be miscarried; or they may be brought against you as a Witness, and in Law they are commonly accounted the best witnesses.

Promises in Letters are bonds, and therefore it is prudence to write nothing in a Letter, but what you needs must: how common is it to say, I have such a mans Letter, can he deny his own hand?

CHAP. II. Of Superscriptions, and Appellations in Letters.

YOU are to consider first, to whom you write, so that you may pay respect proper to the person, and give every man his due Title: and therefore you must take especial care first of the Superscription, which is two-fold.

The first lyeth within your Letter, and consists in beginning it aright, that is, Appellations proper to persons of all Ranks and Or­ders amongst men. The second I shall consider in its due place and time.

For your better Instruction I will here set down some examples, how to begin Letters to persons of all Characters and Conditions, by which you may see, what Respect and Deference is due to them. But when you write to persons you know very well, or dare use familiarity with, you need not confine your self to any Rules.

Amongst familiars and equals it is common to use no super­scriptions at the beginning but fall presently to the business in hand, putting your Epithet or Title in a Parenthesis thus:

Tho' it shows a profound respect to use Superscriptions especially to Superiours, yet I leave every one to his inclinations: it is suffi­cient here to tell what is most proper on such occasions.

• [Page 46]To the King: Sir (alias) May it please Yo^r Majesty: or, Sacred Sir: or, Dread Sovereign.
• To the Queen: Madam, or, May it please Yo^r Ma^tie,
• To the Princess: Madam, or, May it please Yo^r Roy­al Highness.
• To a Duke: My Lord, or, May it please Yo^r Gr.
• To a Dutchess: Madam, or, May it please Yo^r Grace,
• To a Marquess: My Lord, or, May it please Yo^r Lordship.
• To a Marquess's Lady: Madam, or, May it please Yo^r La^p,
• To an Earl: My Lord (aliàs) Right Hon^le.
• To his Lady: Madam, or, Right Hon^le.
• To a Viscount: My Lord, or, Right Hon^le.
• To his Lady: Madam, or, Right Hon^le.
• To a Baron: My Lord, or, May it please Yo^r Lo^p,
• To a Baroness: Madam, or, May it please Yo^r La^p,
• To all Ladies, and Gentlewomen indifferently: Madam,
• To a Baronet: Sir, aliàs, Right Worshipful,
• To a Knight: Sir, or, Right Worshipful,
• To an Esquire: Sir, May it please Yo^r Worship,
• To any Gentleman: Sir, or, Much Honoured,

¶ At the end of your Letter, Repeat the same again towards the left hand, thus:

My Lord,

Yo^r Graces most, &c.

Tho' (as I said before) amongst equals and familiars you may use your discretion without Ceremony, (which is inconsistent with common Affairs) yet it is convenient to give Superiours rather too much than too little Respect.

The several Degrees of the English Nobility are also differenced and Distinguished one from another by their Titles and Ensigns of Honour.

• A Duke hath the Title of Grace, and, when he is writt-to, may be stil'd, Most High, Potent and Noble Prince.
• A Marquess: Most Noble and Potent Lord.
• An Earl the same.
• A Viscount, Right Potent and Noble Lord.
• A Baron, Right Noble Lord.

When you write to a Person of Quality, you are to leave a great distance between the Superscription or first line and the second line or beginning of your Letter: for, the greater distance you leave the greater respect you show; as you may see by the Examples of Letters, which I shall have occasion to show in the last Chapter of this brief Treatise.

When you write to your familiars, near Relations or those you are very intimate with, great and lofty Complements are not so well taken, which seem to proceed rather from Affectation than a man's natural Address: so that the best way is to use your own fa­miliar and usual Expressions.

As the Title of Sir, or Master is generally given to all Gentlemen or others (tho' sometimes mean Persons) so the Title of Madam or Mistress is universally bestow'd upon all Gentlewomen and others (provided they be not of very Low and base Condition:) such is the frank and Bountiful courtesy of England above other Nations to the Female Sex.

The Title of Lady is not only attributed to all the Nobility, but likewise to others of lower Rank, that come under the notion of Gentlewomen, (who upon that Account are much in Arrears to the English Civility and respect for them) both in writing and speaking, altho' in Law it is not allowed.

To those A-kin to us it is usual to ascribe their degree of kind­red: as Dear Father, or Mother, Honoured Ʋncle, or Aunt, Lo­ving Brother, or Sister, or Cousin: or in what other Epithets you please to express your affection.

This is indeed the common practice of England, but it would be interpreted great arrogancy or dis-respect in all other the most polite and civiliz'd Nations: for no man ought to mention ano­ther's relation to him, but when it must be acknowledged an honour to the person address'd to.

When Persons, who are of near kindred write one to another, the Person of greater Quality may express the degree of kindred in the beginning, but it better becomes those of a meaner Cha­racter to do it at the latter end.

And if your Condition be not conformable, it is wisdom to con­ceal any pretence to great men, or to the rich; it being only pro­per for them to own you; and if you truely deserve, they will. In men who are necessitated to live below their birth, it is great discretion to wave pretensions to great things.

'Tis generally observ'd, that true Gentlemen are silent on such occasions; none but base and mean-born pretenders to Gentility impose their Extravagant Brags on Company, and for their ridi­culous vanity are still less esteem'd.

CHAP. III. Of Proems, or Introductions to Letters.

IN the beginning it is customary and handsome to make some pre­amble or Introduction, which may usher in the main subject-matter: and when this is done, your greatest trouble is past; for, then your thoughts, which were before bounded up by themselves, run fluently, like an Exuberant River, that has found a new pas­sage for its waters,

I shall here for your farther direction set down Forms to begin Letters withal, used amongst all degrees, which you may make use of at your pleasure: and, though you are not confin'd to my words, yet you may by reading these, be enabled to express your mind something better according to your own particular fancy.

The best of Secretaries sometimes use this way of beginning, though they never tie themselves up to Prescriptions or Rules: but it is very convenient, that those of meaner quality should use such especially to Superiours.

• YOU have oblig'd me so much, that I am wholly at your command, and therefore, &c.
• There is nothing in my power, but you may very freely com­mand, which is but the least of my duty; seeing, &c.
• I cannot think of your goodness without admiration, seeing I am so far below your notice, &c.
• I do acknowledge it is my duty to receive your commands with chearfulness, and, &c.
• Your merits have rendred your condition so considerable, that you are the comfort and refuge of your Friends: wherefore, &c.
• I esteem my self most happy in your correspondency, for di­stance of place and length of time shall never alter me, &c.
• Your absence is very grievous to me; so that either return quickly, or write oftner, &c.
• If it were as easie to convince, as to accuse, men would be in a much better state, and, &c.
• If you expect thanks suteable to your favours, I beseech you teach me in what manner to return them, &c.
• The news of your good Fortune was no small joy to me.
• If wishes would do, you may easily conjecture what I would do.
• Having the opportunity of this Bearer, I could not omit to tell you, that, &c.
• Yours I r [...]eived Yesterday of the 13th instant, wherein you are pleased to acquaint me, that, &c.
• All the News here in Town at present, is that, &c.
• Your friendship is so necessary to me, that all my other happi­ness would be imperfect without it, &c.
• Yours I received with great satisfaction, and I return you ma­ny thanks for, &c.
• [Page 50]The obligations you daily lay upon me, do very much surprize me, because I cannot find any occasion to express my Gratitude.
• I received your kind Token by your good Friend J. R. for which I return you my humble thanks.
• If you expect Complements from me, you may chance to be disappointed; for I am a professed Enemy to them, being a gen­tile way of telling a Ly.
• Though you are out of my reach, yet you are not out of my remembrance: for, &c.
• I esteem my self very fortunate, because I retain your good opinion, and, &c.
• The same observance that a Father may claim from a Child, your kindness hath oblig'd me to, &c.
• If you think me unworthy of an answer, pray send me my own Letter back again.
• My last to you was of the 14th of December last, but having re­ceived no Answer, &c.
• I presume my last came safe to your hands, and therefore, &c.
• Since you have provok'd me, I must make bold to tell you, that Friends and Acquaintance wou'd not know what to do with themselves, if it were not for this blessed Art of Writing, &c.
• I no sooner received yours, but, &c.
• If I had not a great esteem of your Sincerity, I could hardly digest what I am told, &c.
• Were I as able as I am willing, words should soon be turn'd into actions.
• It is gratitude to receive a good turn civilly, to retain it in mind, and acknowledge it, but most of all to endeavour to re­quite it: and therefore, &c.
• You need not request, but command me, since by obliging you I content my self.
• If Letters were as swift as wishes, You may assure your self, that, &c.
• You need not complement at this rate: for your favour and correspondence is sufficient reward for my small endeavours.
• I need not be put in mind of your Affairs: Your generous Actions will never be blotted out of my memory, nor, &c.
• I hereby send you my due and humble thanks for all your kindnesses, but especially for, &c.
• According to the advice you sent me in your last, I, &c.
• Life is a load without Friendship, and therefore, &c.
• By this I see, that honour and preferment are rather the re­wards of Flattery and Interest than of Vertue.
• [Page 51]You have given such demonstrations of your goodness, that it would be ingrateful to question it.
• Complements will not pass among those who can discern re­semblance from reality: upon which account, &c.
• Since I had the honour of your Acquaintance, I have fre­quently received testimonies of your Love, and particularly, &c.
• The Court now affords little news, but, &c.
• Gratitude is the poor mans vertue; and seeing I cannot be li­beral, I will endeavour not to be unmindful of, &c.
• Your favours to me are so far above my merits, that they sur­pass my gratitude.
• According to my promise and that portion of obedience I ow your Commands, I here renew my protestations (after having rendred you many thanks for your last, and for the good news therein) that I will certainly, &c.
• Next under God, I look upon you to be my best Friend upon Earth: I have found it so, and I will evermore own it.
• You have been ready on all occasions to oblige me, and there­fore, &c.

Having once begun your Epistle with these or such like Expres­sions, you may proceed according to your occasions, for that which is once well begun, is half ended:

CHAP. IV. Of the main Subject, and of the Conclusions of Letters

AFTER you have begun your Letters with some such Expres­sion as I have mention'd in the last Chapter, according to the quality of the person, or your own discretion, you may proceed and declare your mind in your own natural terms, using short periods.

Shun vain Repetitions and Cramp words; the easiest and plaines [...] style being most usual and commendable, as it is the style of al [...] [Page 52] Languages and Conversation: Wherefore let it be furnish'd and compacted with the best, choicest and most familiar words, nei­ther going before, or coming after the use of the age you live in, nor consisting of either antiquated or such new upstart words, as our Pamphlets and Novels daily introduce.

Avoid all obscurity in expressing your self in such terms, as men shall rather admire than understand. Choice Sentences and wittie Expressions being the best, fitted to the humour and capacity of the Person you write unto. You are to consider, what will be regar­ded with best attention, and next what will leave the sweetest re­lish and impression in the mind.

Brevitie is a great grace to Letters: you are therefore to exa­mine your self, and study to express your mind in the most signi­ficant English words you can think of, and convenient for the pre­sent business in hand.

This you may do by avoiding Idle Complements, Prefaces and Protestations, keeping close to the matter before you without vain circuits of figures, digressions, conjunctions and flourishes of preten­ded Rhetoric.

If you write to your Superiour, you are bound to consider in him these things; first, your interest in him, secondly, his capa­city, (for all men are not alike gifted) thirdly, his leasure. You are oblig'd to the greater brevity, as his place is of greater concern, or care: For long and tedious Letters are very troublesome to Rea­ders.

And since practice and use in a thing brings perfection, there­fore to be ready and perfect you must write often.

Lastly, when you have said all you have to say, conclude your Letter with some short asseveration of your affections in the follow­ing, or the like words, not using always the same words, as ma­ny do.

• IF I shall prove so fortunate, as to be remembred by you, it will be a great obligation upon Your, &c.
• This great kindness shall never be forgotten by, &c.
• Such great favours as I have received can never be forgotten but with ingratitude by, &c.
• You have conferr'd such obligations undeservedly upon me; that, since they can never be requited, they shall never be for­gotten by, &c.
• [Page 53]There is nothing I desire more than to be continued Yours, &c.
• There is nothing I value more than your favour, so that I hope nothing can perswade you that I am not Your, &c.
• That God would bless you with all earthly blessings, and give you contentment here and hereafter, shall be the constant prayers of, &c.
• When I think on your favours, and my deserts, I cannot but admire your goodness, and shall on all occasions continue Your, &c.
• You have so much obliged me, that upon all occasions I must acknowledge my self Your, &c.
• In the mean time, remember, that I am Your, &c.
• I shall sooner forget my own name, than the obligation to be Your, &c.
• There is nothing more pleasing to me than to have an oppor­tunity to shew how much I am, &c.
• I humbly beg, that you would be pleas'd to own me to be Your, &c.
• I must repay all your kindness with the uncurrent Coin of thanks, being all the Treasure of Your, &c.
• Your favours have so much surpriz'd me, that I want words to express, how much I am Your, &c.
• I am so far below your notice, that I admire your goodness the more in bestowing your favours so liberally on a person, who was oblig'd to be Your, &c.
• Your favours are so far beyond my merits, that they are alto­gether above my gratitude: it lies onely in my power to con­tinue Your, &c.
• In doing this, you will confer an obligation beyond expression upon Your, &c.
• And this I desire may be registred amongst the rest of the ob­ligations of Your, &c.
• It is my ambition to be continued Your, &c.
• I know nothing more at present, but that I am, &c.
• I esteem my self fortunate in having this opportunity to shew, that I am Your, &c.
• If this can pleasure you, you shall upon all occasions be sup­plied by Your, &c.
• It is honour enough for me to be continued Your, &c.
• Your Countenance is no small encouragement to Your, &c.
• I am very proud of your acquaintance; and if you will ho­nour me with the continuance thereof, you will oblige Your, &c.
• [Page 54]I hope you will pardon my failings, your goodness being as great as my desire to continue Your, &c.
• I assure you, no man living can be more, than I am Your, &c.
• Whatever happens, I am resolv'd to continue Your, &c.
• I cannot either be melancholy or miserable, so long as you are pleas'd to continue me in quality of Your, &c.
• I wish I could be so fortunate, as to tell you face to face how much I am Your, &c.
• Pray pardon my tedious Expressions, since I cannot refrain to repeat the many obligations you have put upon Your, &c.
• I shall be ready upon all occasions to discharge that duty, which your kindness requires from Your, &c.
• If you will grant this my humble request, it will be a great ob­ligation upon Your, &c.
• I wish I had any suitable occasion to demonstrate how much I am Your, &c.
• I hope you will accept of this imperfect acknowledgment, till I am able to give a perfect testimony, that I am, &c.
• There are many more able, but none more willing than, &c.
• If I had power equivalent to my will, there should be no man more serviceable than, &c.
• I so much honour you, that it is impossible you should want perfect happiness, were it in the power of Your, &c.
• I wish it were in my power to make my Actions demonstrate, how much I am, &c.
• Were my Actions as easie to me as words, I should soon con­vince you that I am Your, &c.
• If in my imployment I could be any ways serviceable to you, it is my interest to be Your, &c.
• The great obligations I have from you have engag'd me to live and die Your, &c.
• My living depends altogether on my liberty, and so for both I am oblig'd to be Your, &c.
• This with my humble service is all from, &c.
• Live pleasantly, banish melancholy, and remember Your, &c.
• Humbly begging the continuance of your kindness, I rest Your, &c.
• Pray remember me kindly to all friends; and when you can spare time, bestow a thought committed to a small piece of paper upon Your, &c.
• This with my kind respects to you and your worthy Lady, and my service where it is due, is all from Your, &c.
• [Page]So may all health and happiness attend you, according to the wishes of Your, &c.
• Believe it, Sir, any Commands from you shall be welcome to, &c.
• When any thing of moment or importance fals out, I hope you will think upon, &c.
• Fare well, kind Sir, the continuance of your correspondence in pure love and friendship will be very acceptable to Your, &c.
• That you may have a prosperous Journey, and a happy return, shall be the constant prayers of Your, &c.
• Many things are changeable, but I am still Your, &c.
• If you think any thing can alter my affection, you are much mistaken in Your, &c.
• I shall ever count my self happy, so long as you are pleased to continue me Your, &c.
• You need not put me in mind of your affairs here, since I am resolved to make no difference between your interest, and that of Your, &c.
• In this I shall not implore your belief, desiring to let you see by effects rather than words, that I am without complement Your, &c.
• You may have more powerfull and considerable Servants, but none more than my self Your, &c.
• Keep your Complements for Strangers, and remember to use more familiarity with Your, &c.
• I do not question your power or your will, which makes me believe you will comply with this occasion to oblige Your, &c.
• If I had as often occasions to serve you, as I have to write, my Actions should declare, that I am, &c.
• Return your answer quickly, if you love the quiet of, &c.
• If I thought my absence could occasion your disqui [...], or my presence were necessary to your service, you should see by my speedy return, how much I am, &c.
• The unwelcome news of your sickness is the greatest grief could happen to, &c.
• In doing so, you will confer an obligation beyond expression upon, &c.
• Your countenance is no small encouragement to Your, &c.
• If Idle Reports can disgust you, it shall never alter Your, &c.
• It lies not in the power of either foes or flattery, to alter my resolution to be Your, &c.
• If you doubt of the truth of my Inclinations to serve you, your Commands will make the best proof that I am Your, &c.
• [Page]I can never think of your favours, but it renews the remem­brance of my engagements to be Your, &c.
• There is nothing I hate more than ingratitude; yet I am con­tent to be called ingrateful when I shall cease to be Your, &c.
• I shall never prove so ungrateful as not to confess my self Your, &c.
• When the world speaks worst of me, it is some comfort to my Conscience that I find not my self so vicious as to forget what obligations I have to be Your, &c.
• I beg your acceptance of this testimony of my gratitude and my earnest desires to deserve the name of Your, &c.
• Though there is a deficiency in my expressions, yet there is none in my inclinations to be Your, &c.
• I take it as a great favour that you employ me in any thing that may conduce to your contentment, because I am very ambitious to be Your, &c.
• That God would send you a happy Journey, and a safe return, shall be the constant prayers of Your, &c.
• Since nothing else will serve you, I kiss your hands, and sub­scribe my self yours as you deserve, &c.
• I will conclude at present, but never cease to be Your, &c.
• I humbly desire the help of your prayers for the prosperity of Your, &c.
• When you pray, I hope you will always remember Your, &c.
• And I hope the God of Heaven will prosper the endeavours of, &c.
• You may freely command whatsoever lies in the power of Your, &c.
• In which hopes I rest Your, &c.
• I am fully convinc'd of your love by its good effects towards Your, &c.
• I would do a thousand times more for your sake if it were in the power of Your, &c.
• This I can assure you of, and likewise that I am Your, &c.
• I have often told you by word of mouth that I love you, yet my Pen shall once more assure you that I am Your, &c.
• Your desires have always been lookt upon by me as commands, which shall be ever valued by Your, &c.
• We both shall be much oblig'd to you, he as your Petitioner, and I as Your, &c.
• God Almighty preserve all good Christians from such things, especially your self, and Your, &c.
• [Page]God preserve his Majesty, and the Royal Family, The Church, your friends and mine; this is the daily prayers of Your, &c.
• All this shall be asserted by Your, &c.
• You shall find me upon all opportunities Your, &c.
• All these are but the least part of the duty of Your, &c.

Then you are to subscribe your Letters with this or the like tender of your Service.

SIR, Your most humble and obedient Servant J. C.

This must always be done according to the quality, condition, or relation of the Person to whom you write: but herein you may use your own discretion, giving every man his due.

CHAP. V. Of dating, folding and sealing of Letters.

WHEN you have thus concluded your Letter, read it all over, and what hath either escap'd your mind or pen correct prudently.

Then date your Letter at the end towards the left hand when you write to your Superiour; otherwise you may date it at the top: but fancy may take more place herein than judgment.

It is a Custom amongst Persons of quality to leave no mar­gent: which though it be a custom, for which no convincing Reason can be assign'd, yet seeing they use it, it is not amiss to use it to them.

But in Letters of Business a broad margent is very proper, be­cause things may be omitted, and the Person to whom you write, may mark every passage, the better to answer.

In folding or making up Letters, many affect odd fantasti­cal forms, troublesome to themselves, and Readers, being fre­quently torn in the opening; wherefore I would recommend the plainest and the easiest way, which amongst all Secretaries, and men of parts, is the Custom.

Next you come to sealing, which is either with Wax, or Wa­fers, The first is esteem'd most respectful, though the later is [Page] tolerable, Wafers being ready on all occasions without farther trouble.

To seal with Wax, and make a good and clear Impression, having lighted your Wax, drop on the Paper enough to fill the Seal, then stir it about with the stick of Wax untill the black, or smoak of the Candle be gon. Then clap on the Seal with a sudden jerk, holding it without moving till the Wax be cold, and you shall be sure to have the full and clear Impression of your Seal to great perfection.

CHAP. VI. Of External Superscriptions or Directions.

THE other Superscription or direction is on the Back of your Letter, which must be writ very legible, and must contain the name and title of him to whom you write, with the exact place of his residence.

As I said before it is improper to express any degree of kin­dred on the back of a Letter; it concerns not the Bearer what alliance or relation is between the Writer and Receiver, no more than the superfluous Addition of haste and speed, con­tributes swiftness to the Post-boys Horse.

For your better information I shall here subjoin Superscrip­tions or Directions to Persons of all Ranks and Degrees, as First,

• To the King: (alias) To the King's most Excellent Maj­or, To the Sacred Majesty of James the Second.
• To the Queen: To the Queen's most Excellent Majestie.
• To the Prince: alias, To his Royal Highness.
• To the Princess: To her R. H.
• To his Grace the Lord A. B. of Cant.
• To his Grace the Lord A. B. of York.
• You may add, To the Most Reverend Father in God: if you please.
• [Page 59]To the Right Reverend Father in God, The Lord Bishop of L.
• All Bishops are so stiled.
• All the Inferiour Clergy: To the Reverend Dr. A. B. with the Title of his Preferment, or Dignity.
• To his Grace the D. of N.
• To the Right Honourable the Marq. of, &c. or Lord M.
• To the Right Honourable the Earl of M.
• To the Right Honourable the Lord Viscount of, &c.
• To the Right Honourable the Lord, &c.
• All Sons of the Nobility are Honourable, and ought to be addrest to with great Respect.
• To the Right Honourable Sir John W. Knight and Ba­ronet.
• To the Right Worshipful Sir T. M.
• To Sir J. L. These.
• Every Privy Councellour is Right Honourable.
• To his Excellency L. E. of F. Captain General of his Majestie's Forces.
• Lord Lievtenant of Ireland: His Excellency.
• Ambassadours: Excellency.
• To the Honourable Collonel W.
• To the Worshipful T. M. Esq;
• To Mr. J. F. These.
• To the Right Honourable J. J. Lord Mayor of the City of London.
• To the Right Worshipful, &c. Sheriff of L.
• All those that have been Lord Mayors of London are Honourable.
• To the Worshipful Alderman A. &c.
• All men who have been Mayors of Towns, Masters of Companies or Corporations by the King's Charter or Commission, are afterwards Esquires.

It is usual when we write to Persons of quality to put a cover on the Letter: that is a piece of clean paper put about it and seal'd, which is a token of great respect.

When you write to any Superiour, it ought to be done with very great respect and honour; here too much is better than too little. It is not every one that knows what is justly due to all degrees amongst men.

CHAP. VII. Examples of Letters.

FOrasmuch as Precepts without Examples are generally to little purpose, I think it fitting here to add a small Packet of Let­ters, which may be a kind of Rule of direction as to the intire composition and frame of Letters. And first,

¶ Every Subject has a distinct sort of style and Character, as may be seen by these three Letters: The first is in a pompous and high way, most becoming the Souldier. The second is concise and short in its diction: saying no more than what is purely for bargain and interest. The third is a passionate and uncertain way of expressing the mind, like the fond souls of Lovers, which bear much resemblance to the Sea, from whence Love is said to have sprung.

Those that are arrived to any improvement by frequent wri­ting of Letters, will easily see these various differences, and will take care to accommodate themselves accordingly, especially when they have once come to some moderate knowledge in business and conversation; but for the younger and unexperi­enc'd I shall add a few examples more.