astonishing degree as the young aspirants for caligraphic fame write with a Consciousness of Power that carries them on to certain victory but that is entirely absent when writing in the sloping style. The outcome of such a stimulus is as surprising to the scholars themselves as it is gratifying to their teachers.
A few photographed specimens of such work by pupils from 8 to 15 years of age, and having had from one to three years instruction in elementary and secondary schools, are here reproduced (see Figs. 15 to 22). It will be observed that the same wonderful uniformity, and imitation are exhibited by the youngest and the oldest alike, and also that the parallelism throughout is equally perfect, the vertical being maintained without the slightest deviation therefrom being apparent.
Reviewing the respective points in our argument we have found it demonstrated that Upright Penmanship is far more easily Read, Taught, Acquired, and Written; that it can be rapidly traced; that it is far superior in all Hygienic principles; and that in all the essential qualities which distinguish the best style or System of Handwriting it is undoubtedly superior to the Slanting method and to all forms of oblique caligraphy.
So far then, as to the direction of the writing that shall be taught, it is undeniably proved and unanimously conceded that it must be Upright and not slanting or oblique.
The advantages of Vertical Writing may be conveniently tabulated in the following form which we think covers most of the ground in the discussion. They are classified under four general heads.
(A.) Hygienic
1. The Chest: Requiring an erect posture and therefore no compression of the Chest-walls.
2. The Eyes: Exercising both eyes equally, entailing a minimum of effort thus avoiding both weak and short sight.
3. The Hand: No Writers' Cramp from twisted wrist as in Sloping Writing.
