A Practical Exposition of Phonography; Or, Writing by Sound Being a Complete System of Short-Hand

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1848 Excerpt: ...VOICE. Explanation.--The first column contains the letters to be used in printing; the second, for the use of the pen; the third, names by which they are called; and the fourth, words which embrace their sounds. The powers of the letters may be perceived in the above examples, by slowly pronouncing the words and observing the kind of sound expressed in each by the italic letters: The letter h represents that quick breathing which, preceding the simple sound of the word eye, produces high. To obtain the sound of u, pronounce the word up; that sound heard previous to the closing of the lips in the articulation of p, is the one required. For further explanations see page 63. WRITING AND PRINTING REQUIRE DIFFERENT FORMS. It is indispensable that letters should be of two kinds: one for type, and another for the pen. Though it may have been determined that the Roman letters are the best adapted to the use of types, it does not necessarily arise that they may be imitated by the pen with a greater degree of legibility than some other forms. I will state the case briefly and exactly as it is: The first kind, in regard to its legibility, is of great perfection; the other is much less so. A manual imitation of the first must inevitably be grossly imperfect; while in the other it cannot fail of being exactly like the original. For instance, if the word screen be taken from the manuscript of an experienced writer, (some eminent jurist or divine who has been thirty years writing for the press, ) it will appear, as compared with the printed word, thus: Original. Copy, screen. i--v--v--But from the production of an experienced writer of shorthand the same word would compare, thus: Original. Copy. The obscurity of common writing is such that compositors in printing offices a..