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cypher as a figure) may be fairly said to be so environed, as to be in Jail.[1]
They may now advance to 6, that has d for its first consonant, which being formed in this manner, ∂, is only a 6 reversed; but as must be combined, it will make the word Dove; and by noting that the upper part of the 6 or 2, is like the wing of a bird, extended in flight, they can easily make it into the wing of a Dove.
7 is formed like a gibbet, on which they might humourously threaten to place their Cook, if he should ever spoil their dinner.
8 being curvilinear, may be said to be bent like a Bow.
9 is like a p reversed. An f may also be formed like a p. Further, they may observe, that if they extended the perpendicular line of q, a little longer, it will have some resemblance of a pipe; the line resembling the tube, and the upper part being like the bowl; in using a pipe we usually Puff with it.
S and x belong to the cypher, it being round, resembles a grinding stone; which in motion, always gives a hissing noise, they may therefore easily recollect the hissing letters s and x. By introducing vowels, they will also make the word sex; and as they are the last in the series, they can easily observe that the last, or the greatest ambition of a gentleman should be to protect the fair Sex.
A very little practice will make these combinations. perfectly familiar, and they will be found of the greatest importance in almost every department of knowledge.
This tabular arrangement of the figures and consonants is not an arbitrary one; nor are the consonants solely selected
- ↑ Jail was formerly, and is yet frequently spelled with a J, It cannot be confounded with G in Gaol, as it is already used in Magi.
