Copy No. 3 shows (see Plate I) the m, in words, and illustrates the distinction that should be made between the several letters, to make writing plain. See "Description of the Plates."
Legibility.
Legibility is of the greatest importance in penmanship; and care should be observed to make each letter very distinctly what it is designed to be. While practicing with a view to improvement, the student should beware of writing too fast. The copies are very simple, and are easily imitated by the student who may give the subject earnest attention and care.
Proportion of Small Letters.
The following diagrams represent the relative proportion of the capital and small letters. As will be seen in the diagram for the finer hand, there are eight lines, containing seven spaces. In the middle space are made the contracted letters which occupy one space, excepting ? and s, which are a little higher. The t, d and p are each of the same height; p and q extend the same distance below the line. The loop letters are all of the same length above and below the line, the loop being two thirds the length of the letter. Capitals are of the same height as the loop letters above the line.
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Elements of Small Letters.
By examination of the small letters of the alphabet, it is seen that they can be resolved into a few fundamental elements (or principles, as they are called by many teachers), being five in number, as follows:
The 1st principle, ?, is found in the following letters, viz: last of?,?, completely in the? in the?, with the lower part omitted; last of the?, first of the? and?; completely in the?; completely in the? and the last of?.
The 2nd principle,?, forms the first of and upper part of of?,? and upper part of? .
The 3rd principle,?, forms the lower part of?, the lower part of?, last of?,? and? and first of?,?,? and?.
The 4th principle,? forms the first part of?, left of?, lower part of?, left of?, lower part of?, upper part of?, the whole of?, upper part of? and right of?.
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