The learner must, by this time, have discovered, that some words may be spelled and written as well without vowels as with, and that other and more simple signs may be used to represent consonants, which are in fact the bone and muscle of most words. A little further reflection will convince him, that in the pronunciation of the English, or any other language, but few simple sounds are so clearly uttered as to strike the ear distinctly and audibly; otherwise the limited number of twenty-six letters could never be made to represent intelligibly the precise tenor of a discourse, in the manner now practiced by various civilized nations throughout the world.

If, then, through the medium of a few simple sounds and a few corresponding signs, millions of intelligent beings do daily impart and receive, with the most satisfactory accuracy, the current of thoughts passing in each others minds, it is an evidence that there subsists between the faculties necessary to this transmission of thought, (whether orally or by visible signs) a more intimate connexion than has been hitherto imagined. Hence, by stripping our common spelling and writing of their redundancies merely, and supplying some trifling defects, the great desideratum of recording much in little time and space, may be approximated, and brought to a level with the humblest capacities.

Having made these remarks respecting the erroneous idea, that spelling is necessarily the study of an age, and that short-hand is only another name for literary necromancy and endless mystery, the reader is prepared to appreciate more fully the simplicity and beauty of

the system, as it shall be gradually unfolded to him; and particularly when his own senses shall prove to him, the truth of this position, that short-hand is only common writing stripped of its superfluities and reduced to its true principles.

It is next recommended that each individual commence writing from the contents of the stenographic plates, in their order. He should without looking at the plates, write each word distinctly, according to his best judgment, and afterwards compare it closely with the same word as seen on the plate. If the word consist of more than one syllable, let it be pronounced as already directed, in order that the ear may determine upon the prominent sounds into which it most naturally resolves itself this is far better, than that the eye should be required to determine, from the visible components of the word on paper, which are the most appropriate letters to represent it in short-hand. First, the ear is the only infallible guide in spelling, which, like the philosopher's stone, is capable of bringing instantly to a desired standard, every thing to which it is applied:-second, the ear can decide with much greater despatch, and frequently before the eye could be brought to bear upon the object, were short-hand only employed in copying that which is already on paper, which is by no means its most important use:and third, it is important, that the attention of the eye be directed to a critical supervision over the regular and orderly formation of the stenographic letters, which are to represent the sounds upon which the ear is required to decide. In this mutual co-operation of

the senses, there is a very striking illustration of the goodness of divine wisdom, in fitting us for the accomplishment of every desirable object. For after some practice, there is brought about an almost inseparable connexion between sounds falling on the ear, and the visible signs by which we have learned to represent them on paper; the one, almost necessarily and instantaneously suggesting, the other, as the finger-touches upon the keys of an organ or piano call forth their respective sounds. With a simple invertion of order, the analogy between these examples is beautiful and complete, and affords an ample field for philosophic admiration; but my prescribed limits forbid further comment at this time, upon a subject not strictly essential to my present, object. I cannot, however, neglect to add, that sometimes, when I have listened for hours together, to the eloquence of a distinguished speaker, enjoying every word and sentiment as fully as if I had looked him constantly in the eye, his entire language has passed in at the ear, and out at the fingers' ends, in characters as legible as if written in common hand by the speaker himself, being on my own part, at the time, almost unconscious of any particular effort or inconvenience.

It is not pretended that this degree of facility can be acquired without much practice, but that it has been, is a proof that it can be acquired. By copying simply the contents of the several plates in my system, the writing will become quite familiar and easy; and though at first, it may require an intense effort of all the faculties, to record the entire language of a fluent speaker,

B

still, a continuation of the same, or similar exercises, will narrow down the labours of the mind, and leave it open to the investigation of the passing subject, to as great an extent, at least, as when engaged in the common method.

I am aware that on this point divers opinions are entertained, and that some have, no doubt honestly, considered the practice of short-hand rather injurious than beneficial, from the circumstance of its being, as they suppose, too mechanical. The same objections may be urged with much more propriety against the practice of our common writing; but no one presumes, upon a charge so groundless, to condemn this useful art.

The objections here alluded to, have generally been raised by those who have devoted but little time and attention to the subject, and who certainly could never have understood any thing of the philosophical principles, upon which, as a science and art, stenography is now taught and practiced.

Believing that sufficient has been said in my introduction, and the number preceding the present, to silence all doubts upon this point, I shall at present offer no additional arguments of my own, but will in a future number adduce the views of some learned individuals who have honoured the subject with their most decided approbation. Among these may be enumerated Locke, Johnson, Beattie, Nicholson, Mavor, Mollineux, and many others of high eminence.

I have already adverted to the perplexities of common spelling, and suggested a remedy, so far as it is necessary to my present purpose. I have likewise