cal order. The Principles are arranged in these cuts in convenient order for explanation, and as they should be practiced by the learner.

Of course teachers will not fail to instruct their pupils as to the proper use to be made of capitals in writing poetry, sentences in prose, proper names, etc. An indiscriminate use of capitals is a fault quite too common, and surpassed only by their omission from places where they properly belong.

6th Principle - Direct Ovat.

Q o O O O O O O

Plate VIII. embraces the capital 0, sometimes called the Direct Oval. It may be denominated the Sixth Principle, or the first move. ment in forming the capitals. To form this principle, the pen moves downward on its left and upward on its right side. The relative length of the capitals and their parts as compared with each other and with the small o, and the short letters generally, may be determined by means of the scale upon the left end of the plate.

This principle, as will be observed in the diagram, is curved equally upon its left and right sides, its width being two-thirds its length. Either the first or last curve may be shaded. The arrow in the oval directs attention to the equal curvature of its sides, and the one above to the slant or elevation of the principle, which is 52°. The second capital O is about one-half the length of the first one, and indicates the size of the principle as found in the finish of the letters in Plate IX.

O o

Plate IX

The first line in the capital C may be either a single concave curve or a compound curved line, as suits the taste of the writer. The letter is looped to its middle and terminated with a capital 0, which is half the length of the letter. The common error of making the letter too pointed at the bottom should be avoided.

The first part of capital H is the small y'standing upon the ruled line; it should not extend upward more than two-thirds the length of the letter. The right half of the H is the capital C. The loops in

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The capital E is formed entirely of the Sixth Principle, or 0. By the diagram it will be seen that the upper part of the letter is onehalf the length of the lower part, and that the small loop connecting the two ovals is to the left of the dotted line through the centre of the two ovals, describing the slant of the letter. If this loop be extended too far to the right, the lower oval will be thrown out of position, flattened upon its left side and made too pointed at its base. The right half of X is the capital C divested of its initial curve. The stem of the D is about two-thirds the length of the larger oval and connected to it by a small loop upon the ruled line nearly in a horizontal position. The base of the smaller oval extends downward to the top of the first space in the scale and is nearly three-fourths the length of the letter. The finish of the capital M is the same as in the X.

The SEVENTH PRINCIPLE, in Plate x., is sometimes called the reversed or looped oval. The top of the second oval occupies a lower position on the scale than the first one, as indicated by the figure 2, and the line extending outward to the right from the top of the oval. In forming the first curved line the pen should move upward and gradually to the left of the starting point, instead of to the right, as beginners usually do. The teacher should illustrate the manner of making these curves and looping one to the other. When this principle is applied to M, N and Z, the second downward stroke is straight about two-thirds of its length, and slanted 52°. The dotted line indicates the gradation of the four upper turns in the letter M.

The Z is formed of the SEVENTH PRINCIPLE above the line, and the loop of this principle below the line. The "tie" which joins the

loop to the principle should stand upon the ruled line and slant the same as the the two larger loops. Either style of shading can be employed.

The Seventh Principle is modified only in the lower half of the finishing stroke, when it is applied in forming Q, W, X, by being brought toward a horizontal position upon a slant of about 45°.

The loop at the bottom of should be parallel with the ruled line. A line drawn on a slant of about 45°, should cut both the upper and lower loops through the centre. The Q and the figure 2 are made alike in form. If the shaded stroke in the first W be slanted 45°, and the next downward stroke at an angle of 55°, a wide base will be formed, giving to the letter a graceful appearance. The line which joins these two strokes should not lean to the right farther than 46°, otherwise the letter will present a toppling appearance. The left half of X and W may be formed alike, then the parts of the X will join at their middle, forming the capital stem curve between the two oval principles.

The termination of the Seventh Principle, in Plate XII. bends slightly to the right, the standard stroke being shaded neatly and slanted 52°. The long s joined to the principle on the right, forms a practical and beautiful Y. The loop of the s may extend the length of the principle above the ruled line, and even one space higher. The base of the seventh principle in the second style of Y, stands one space, or the length of small o, above the rule or line of writing. This letter is finished with the capital stem, Eighth Principle. The third style of Y is sometimes convenient for use; it is finished like

-

the small q. The finishing dot in V and the last down stroke in U may extend three spaces above the ruled line, or three-fourths the length of the letters.

The CAPITAL STEM (which, for convenience, may be called the EIGHTH PRINCIPLE) is a double curve made upon the proper slant of letters. It is usually made with a downward motion, and has equal curvature above and below the middle. It has two terminations, the dot or bulb, and the oval. The oval termination induces freer motion of the hand and arm, and imparts to the learner a more rapid and finished style of writing. When the stem is shaded, it should be mostly below the middle, done smoothly and on the regular

curve.

This principle results from a combination of parts of the sixth and seventh principles, the parts involved being marked with short dashes across the curves. The dotted lines show the termination of one principle and the beginning of another. Careful study of this simple diagram will aid the teacher in explaining the capitals and in correcting erroneous forms.

It forms a prominent part of the letters in Plates XIV., XV. and xvi.

The A is in part defined by its finishing tie or loop about the height of small o above the ruled line. The N also combines the capital stem and the oblique downward stroke, with a convex curve terminated about half the height of the letter above the ruled line. A dot may be added or omitted in finishing the N, according to the taste of the writer. To the terminating curve in N is added the principal part of C in forming M. The T and F may be made alike, except

acter.

the short stroke on the right of the stem which gives the F its charThe loop of the I is formed of the curves in the seventh prinple. Make the loop small and nearly round, and draw the stem through its centre. The loop of the I and J should be at least the length of small o above the ruled line. The only reliable distinction between the I and J is in the J extending about one-half its length below the line of writing. As the capital I is a representative letter, every person should aim to give it a form of which he will not be ashamed. In correspondence this capital is, probably, more frequently used than any other one. In forming the style of T presented in this plate, the upper part of the stem and the curved cap above it should be nearly parallel to each other.

H. K. GS. SLS.

The style of H given in Plate xv. may be finished the same as the capital A. The capitals H and K begin with an upward concave curve, connecting with the capital stem at its top. The small tie or loop in the finish of K should connect with the stem a little above the middle, and point upward and to the left. The O looped about onehalf its width and extending downward nearly three-fourths the length of the letter, forms the upper and left part of G. The capital stem in this letter should extend upward one-half the length of the O part, the finishing dot or line terminating inside and near the lower part of the O, as in the plate. Other styles of this letter may be given;

this one will be profitable for practice.

The capital S and I combine the upward concave-curved line with the shaded stem. They are looped one-half their length, and shaded below the loop. The capital stem may be curved more in these two letters than in any others. Let the concave curved line be carried sufficiently upright, and the stem shaded upon the lower curve and on the proper slant. The abrupt curve in the stem of these letters will be observed in the writing of rapid penmen. Shading can be omitted at first, if preferred.

Diagrams intended to illustrate the position of the different curves,