The schoole-masters auxiliaries, to remove the barbarians siege from Athens; advanced under two guides The first, leading by rule and reason to read and write English dexterously. The second, asserting the Latine tongue in prose and verse, to its just inlargement, splendor, and elegancy.

Of Reading.

SPEECH is no Guift of Na∣ture, but an help of Art, which doth require a Method neces∣sary as in other Offices, so in Reading, whether of Print, or Written Bookes: for which purpose this short Treatise is composed, prescribing plain and certain Rules unto the Reader, who must walke by steppes, and not by skips, else may proove lame and disabled for further Pro∣gress. Therefore hee that will read rightly, must learn first the Letters and their Proper∣ties, then proceed unto the nature and con∣stitution of a Syllable; and lastly to distri∣bute Polysyllables to their just parts.

Of Letters.

LEtters are the first Elements of every word needfull to be perfectly known of

Learners in three Properties. First, in the Shape or Figure. Secondly, in their Force or Power. Thirdly, in their severall Names ta∣ken from their severall powers in Pronunci∣ation.

The figure of Letters.

THE Figure of Letters should be made familiar to the Learners, specially the different parts thereof distinguishing each from other, to prevent mistakes: and for that purpose Teachers may accustome Children to some easie resemblances of each Letter, suitable to their Wits. To prescribe therein ought satisfactory unto Schoole-masters, were impossible; yet til better Judgment pro∣vide a better way, such as want a Guide may at first entrance begin with small Romane Letters, according to the Example follow∣ing.

• a the halfe Hart.
• b the new Moon stuck at the bottome of a Stake.
• c the old Moon.
• d the old Moon stuck at the bottome of

• a Stake.
• e the weeping Moon.
• f the Thetchers Rake.
• g the Carriers Pack.
• h the back Chaire.
• i the long Stake halfe in the ground.
• j the little Stake with a Boitles head o∣ver it.
• k the back Chaire and Foot-stoole.
• l the long Stake above ground:
• m the great Rakes head with the teeth downward.
• n the little Rakes head with the teeth downward.
• o The ring, or full Moon.
• p The new Moon at the stakes head.
• q The old Moon at the stakes head.
• r The old Moon with a stake at her back.
• ss The hedghook and linke of a chain.
• t The old Moon spotted on the top.
• v The little Bell turned up.
• w Two Bells both turned up.
• x The cross, or two Bels tyed top to top.
• y The Bell and Rope.
• z The tack.

Thus Learners may take perfect notice of

every letter which of them are like, and by what unlikenesse each letter may be discern∣ed from any other.

The power of Letters.

THe speediest and easiest way to gaine a certaine knowledg of every letters pow∣er in pronunciation will be, to assigne such names for them as will best expresse their sounds, and (as neerly as can be comprehen∣ded in familiar words) the meer pure sounds thereof having no mixture of any other with addition of some pleasing glosse for the lear∣ners better memory, as in the ensuing in∣stances.

• a A The deafe mans answer.
• b B That doth make the honey.
• c CoCuco That doth sing always the same ditty.
• Che ceci The Latin for blind men.
• d D'ee Saith the Master when boyes do a∣miss.
• e E The Kids bleating.
• f Fee The Lawyers reward.
• ...g
  • Gagogu The Ganders call.
  • Gheegegi The Carters charge.
• ...

• ... h Hee That speaketh of a Male.
• j Iay That devoureth the garden fruit.
• i I The best Scholler.
• k Key That doth lock and unlock the doors.
• l Lee That is used to drive Buck-cloths.
• m Mee Whom all should favour.
• n Ney The speech of Horses.
• o O The wonderers language.
• p Pye Both bread and meate.
• ph Phy A note of dislike and loathing.
• qu Qui The latine for which.
• r Ree The drivers words to put Horses from him.
• ss See The office of the eyes.
• sh Shee Whereby we speak of Females.
• t T'ee The word amongst good fellows.
• th The thie That part between hip & knee.
• tio Tio The scene of hypocrites.
• v Vie The common exercise of Game∣sters.
• u U A note of courting Doves.
• w Wee The Schollers.
• wh Why A word requiring reason.
• x Xee That fetcht up knotty flegme.
• y Yee The Teachers.
• z Zee The noise of hot iron in water.

IT were an easie matter with coyning a new figure for every letter, to make their shape as well as sound to be sutable to their names. But such Hieroglyphicks, like new devised Characters, would conduce rather to enthral, then to enlarge knowleledg, being useful for the Learned, not for Learners, for acting pri∣vate Interests, not advancing the publique good. Wherefore it is omitted as devious from that only end aimed at herein, to wit, the inabling of Learners to read with under∣standing those good Authors extant, never hoping to repaire the losse of such a fruitfull Harvest by the gleanings of new fangled fan∣cies.

Children may with their sports be taught their letters, having upon Dice or Cards the Alphabet instead of spots, as a. for Ace, b. for Blanck, c. for Catre, d. for Dewse, or the like invention for such and all the rest.

Otherwise, wealthy men may with small charge, and their childrens great encourage∣ment in learning, procure severall pictures to be exactly drawn, and coloured, with the first letters of their names: as for instance, An∣thus, Bittor, Cocke, Dove, Eagle, Finch,

Goose, Hawke, Iay, Kite, Larke, Martin, Nightingale, Owle, Pye, Quail, Rooke, Snite, Teale, Vultre, Widgeon, Iynx, Yelamber, buzZard, or some other names of any crea∣tures most familiar to the Schollars, and a∣greeable to the purpose, being useful to make Learners more readily remember both the shapes and sounds of letters, but further are not fit for proper names, conducing to spell words thereby, wherein the only expedient must be a recourse unto the Abcedary.

The distribution of the Letters.

TO perfect knowledg in the sound of Let∣ters, it will be necessary to understand that some are Vowells, and that the rest are Consonants.

Of Vowells.

The Vowels, so called, because they sound of themselves, are six, a. e. i. o. u. y. all which are aspirated, having h. before them.

Of Consonants.

Consonants, so named, because having no

sound of their owne, they joyn in sound with vowels, are twenty, b c d f g h i k l m n p q r s t u w x z.

The division of Consonants.

Consonants are considered with reference either formally to the sound, or instrumen∣tally to the Organs that frame the sound, or accidentally to their variation; for some by conjunction with different letters differ in their sounds.

Their division by the sound.

Consonants with reference to their sounds are mutes, liquids, asperates, or double con∣sonants.

Of Mutes.

The Mutes are eleven, b c d f g k p q t j v. so called, because of themselves they have no sound, neither will any two thereof move before a vowell in English words, nor but seldome after. In Greek words they will move before by couples, as in Bdellium, Cte∣siphon, Ptolomy.

Of Liquids.

The liquids or halfe-vowels are five, l m n r w. whereto some add s and h; so named, be∣cause having clearer sound then mutes, and being liker unto vowells, two or more of them together, or joyned unto mutes, will move with any vowell: as in shrill, strength.

Of Aspirates.

The Aspirates are nine, s h ch gh ph sh wh th and tio, and in Greek words rh.

Of double Consonants.

The double Consonants are two, x and z, either of both having the sound of a mute and liquid, as Axe, sounding like Acse, and Maze like madse; whereto may be add∣ed the former Aspirates, having a double sound.

Division of Consonants by the Organs.

Consonants referring to the Organs,

whereon they sound are gutturalls, palatalss, linguals, dentals, labials.

Of Gutturalls.

Gutturalls sounding from the throate are seven, a e i o u y and w, whereto may be ad∣ded gh wh.

Of Palatalls.

Palatalls sounding on the roof of the mouth are seven, r s x z j consonant, with e and g before e and i vowell, whereto may be added c before h, and c before i, with ano∣ther vowell following.

Of Lingualls.

Linguals sounding on the tongue are four, k q and c g both before a o u.

Of Dentalls.

Dentals sounding on the teeth are foure, d l n t and t h.

Of Labialls.

Labialls sounding on the lips are five, u b f m p; whereto may be added ph.

Division of Consonants by variation of the word.

Few letters in any tongue, whether vowels or consonants, but with reference to the af∣fections of words, are mutable, and so they are found in English, as I, mee, wee, us, thou, thee, you, hee, him, they, them, shee, her, mine, our, thine, your, his, their, foot, feet, staffe, staves, man, men, am, art, is, are, doe, did, have, had, make, made, flee, fled, flown, buy, bought, dare, durst, slay, slew, slaine, helpe, holpe, smite, smote, smitten, sling, slang, slung, and in such other words; yet in other Languages letters are not varied, ei∣ther so many, or so often, as in the Greek and Latine, having severall Declensions and Conjugations, which other tongues do ge∣nerally want, and therefore have fewer mu∣table letters. It is a property of English, that some letters by conjunction amongst

themselves in syllables doe become mutable only in sound or power, not in shape or fi∣gure, which will appear in the following ob∣servations upon the severall letters.

Of the constitution of Syllables.

The premises rightly understood, will easi∣ly inform Learners in the nature of a syllable, being the least part of a word pronounced, with sound so named, as comprising no more but a single note, which may be either any of the six vowels severally, as wee are wont to say (a by it selfe) or a composure of two, or more letters, whether they be all vowels, called homogeneous syllables, as being all of a kind, and called Dipthongs, as carrying a double sound, or else be vowels and consonants joyned together, called hete∣rogeneous syllables, because made of divers kinds of letters, which may be many in the same syllable, as in straights.

Of single syllables.

A I and O are oft found separable, but a∣ny other vowel as well as they will require in many words to be spelled apart, as in a-men, e-quall, i-doll, o-ven, u-surp, y-ron.

Of heterogeneous Syllables.

Syllables made of Vowels, or Dipthongs joyned with Consonants in words of one or many Syllables, beginning with Vowels or Consonants, and these either Mutes, or Li∣quids, severally or joyntly are in particular instanced in the Abcedary, or Primar.

The reason of dividing Syllables.

EVery Syllable that doth not end a word, should end in a Vowell, if no more Con∣sonants follow then will begin a word, ac∣cording to the series of words, beginning with Mutes, and Liquids in the following Abcedary.

When more Consonants follow, the prece∣dent Vowell then will begin a word, those o∣ver and above what will begin a word should be taken with the precedent, and all the rest being initials should be put to the next suc∣ceeding Vowell, as in pur-chas, brasse-panne:

Such Consonants as otherwise would begin a word, being parcels of many words com∣pounded, and commonly the formatives of

words derived, should be severed, as in com∣position, so in derivation, to notifie their re∣spective condition; so not a-brupt, but ab∣rupt, not co-gnize, but cog-nize, not di-suse but dis-use, and pas-ture, not pa-sture, scrip∣ture, not scri-pture, doc-trine, not do-ctrine pleas-ed, not plea-sed, but pla-ced, ra-ging because c. and g. move onely before e. and i•• in that peculiar sound, having different sound when they move after any Vowell.

Observations upon the Letters tending to right Syllabizing.

THough to strengthen Memory by the sound of knowne words, sundry Con∣sonants are moved in the former Names by sundry Vowels, yet were it very expedient i•• framing Syllables to move all Letters uni∣formly, as in the following Abcedary, no onely Vowels, as in the common Alphabet but also Consonants, to wit, as bee, cee dee; so likewise see, gee, hee, &c. all in a distinct sound from any Vowell, thereby making them receptible of the sound of eve∣ry Vowell without confusion in a repeti∣tion of the same sound in spelling, From

which Rule must he excepted, ce, ci, tio, differing them from see; and key, differing it from cee, and jay, differing it from ge, gi, and phy, differing it from fee. And lastly yee, differing it from i. reserving one∣ly unto these the former Names, assigned to expresse their power in Pronunciation, for better notice of distinct Characters, ha∣ving the same common sound.

The Letters j and v have either of them two distinct Figures, one as Vowels, the o∣ther as Consonants, and therewith a distinct sound, the property of distinct Letters. Wherefore if either next before a Vowell, or a Dipthong doth begin a Syllable; as in∣joyn, rejoyn, vail, prevail, or if v after a Vowell, or after I or after r in the same Syl∣lable doth end it, as in cave, knives, calves, carve, then they are Consonants, else both are alwaies Vowels.

The Letter s without change of sounds hath change of Figures; the last, being pro∣perly finall, is designed in that figure to close words with more grace in a lesser, mo∣dell.

Other Letters in English have more sounds then Figures, whereas in the Mother Tongues

each aspirate, as ch ph th in Greek, and the same with gh sh in Hebrew, have every one their peculiar figure yeelding their entire sound.

It is proper to the Latine with modern Au∣tors, that t hath a sibilation sounding like s before i, and another vowel in middle sylla∣bles, having neither s nor x immediately pre∣cedent, as in Caution: not in fustian, commixi∣on: And in English both vowels with t make but one sylable, as in Cretians, pa-tient, moiton, all dissylables wel known in poetical measure.

W. is a letter proper unto English, and be∣fore a vowell moveth only with h and r as in who, wrote; but after vowels moveth with t d k or any liquids, as in spowt, bawd, hawke, brawl, rewm, downe, flower, stewes, and with c in the sound of s, as in sawce.

Q. is a letter proper to the Latine tongue, associated every where with u, else doth sound like k, another letter proper to the English, and both sound like c before a o u, before which vowels g doth keep like sound, but not quite so strongly. Both c and g have always a strong sound in the end of syllables, except e silent doth immediately follow, as in ne-glect; but both moving after vowels

with h are aspirated, as in high, rich, and c with h moving before a vowell, as in chiefe: both c and g moving before e i or y being the finall vowels, are softned, as in clemence, or cle-men-cie, or cle-men-cy, sponge, or spon∣gie, and every where before e or i in any La∣tine word, as in centre, circle, gentle, gi-ant; but in English words g doth commonly sound strongly, as in get, give, and likewise moving with silent h before a vowell, as in ghost, & also c moving with h silent in words borrow'd from the Hebrew and Greek, as Chemosh, Character.

In the beginning of Greek words h after r ••s soundlesse, as in Rhetoricke: And the finall h in Hebrew words is silent, as in Selah, Sarah, so is h in Iohn.

The finall e moveable in all proper names being of other Languages, as Iesse, Phoebe, is alwayes silent, or quiescent in English words, except in, the, where the office of e being si∣lent, is to soften the next precedent letter, as in robe, differing it from rob, and it retaineth the same office in the midst of compounds, or derivatives, as in robe-like, a-merce-ment, in-gage-ment, and so it doth continue silent with a finall s, the common note of pluralls,

or genitives, for, of, as in robes, or in a robes place, for the place of a robe; but that finall e will move in pluralls, between consonants of like sound, to keep either from being soundlesse, as in faces, patches, wages, wedges, roses, rushes, foxes, and such others; so in all Exotick proper names, as Chremes, unles they be forced by custome to an English termina∣tion, as Theb's, Rhod's.

Moreover u will be silent with a finall e af∣ter q and g in words both simple and com∣pounded, as in relique, plague, relique-like, plagues-marke, where u silent doth fortifie g, as also in guest, guide, and such like. Last∣ly, o before a finall n doth after liquids give no sound, as in prison, iron, which are pro∣nounced prisne, irne: Likewise ou is silent af∣ter v consonant, and before a finall r in pri∣mitives or derivatives, as in favour, favoura∣ble, pronounced fav're, favorable: so is e si∣lent before a finall n and r, as in Stev'n, giv'n, ev'n, nev'r, flow're, tabre, massacre, powdre, maugre, capre, flatre, smoothre, and such like. O is silent between ti and us in the same syllable, as in spa-tious.

And any vowell by Crasis or Synaeresis may be silent, or change sound in the impro∣per

dipthongs, as in the following instances.

• A in Aetna, ease, beauty, goat.
• E in view, rheum, George, neutre, friend.
• I in chief, fruit.
• O in Oedipus, feoffe, people, bloud, good, precious.
• U in auncient, guile, humours,
• Y in Iay, key, pronounced like Iea, kea.

The vulgar use in English Schooles to de∣sert uniformity of names, or to keep con∣stantly to one sound of letters, are either way exceeding prejudiciall unto Learners, and therefore do require some good redresse. It is against both rule and reason of the best Grammarians, that y a vowell sounding of it selfe should take thereto a consonant to ex∣presse its sound, being vulgarly called wy. And it is no lesse irregular, that w, a playne consonant, and no vowell should be called double u, a name taken from the figure, not from the form or sound, which should deno∣minate letters: And so it is no lesse incon∣gruous that all consonants have no uniform names beginning with their proper sound, moved by a subsequent vowell; not some by subsequent, as bee, cee, dee, others by prece∣dent

Vowels, as ef el em en es ex ar, and others by precedent and subsequent, as izard; which complication of letters in the name would amaze a learner to find out the pro∣per sound of letters that are so named. It is likewise unreasonable, that h a meer aspirati∣on serving to any vowell, and to many other consonants, no lesse then c should from thi•• last be called ach, if it must have no proper name being due thereto, as having distin•••• shape and sound, it should with more equit•• joyno in the appellative name with s, as ne•••• rest thereto in sound and nature, both being Aspirations; wherefore Sir with us in th•• Saxon tongue, whence English cometh, called Her.

The fore-mentioned letters I. U. C. •• with all the Aspirates, must be allowed dif∣ferent sounds, and therewith names, or el•••• the names and sounds which should be suita∣ble, will by their own unconformities beg•••• mistakes, yet will be read for jet, wary for ve∣ry, mask for mack, rage for rag, and in li•••• sort other words, if as it ought the sound shound be pursued rightly. Now if ••••∣ny should tell John Doe, having sheep ma∣ked

with A. B. that A. is for John, and B. for Doe, neither A. nor B. conferring any sound proper to any letter of his name, it would be thought those sheep were plunde∣red, and so passe for a bitter jeer. And so we are no lesse mocked with names of letters that are impertinent to their sounds. True it is, that such names are at last corrected in the practick part, and custome doth over∣master the first errour against the known sound and common sense: But it would be farr more congruous and successefull, that principles and practice should concurre with us, leaving that property to the French men, who affect a pronunciation of their words quite different from what they are in print or writing.

This did move the Author to propound a new Abcedary, with a Preface, declaring the true reasons of Innovation, being no affect∣edness, which he doth most deeply abominate, much lesse any inclination to disturb the vul∣gar, whom he heartily endeavoureth by much hardship in this enterprise, though seeming never so despicable, to releive by a surer and shorter way of gayning literature: And for evidencing the truth thereof, hee doth

willingly referre himselfe to any impartiall Judgements to determine which way shall seem most reasonable and likeliest to succeed with most proficiency upon a just compari∣son of the principles in rules and practise of either methods, to wit, of the vulgar way formerly accustomed, and of the new form here propounded, desiring first these premo∣nitions to be remembred.

The rules of right and ready spelling.

1. ALl letters joyning in one sound should passe under one name, agree∣able to that sound, as in Dipthongs, and quee tio, with all aspirate consonants instanced in the examples following, and ca co cu ceci, ga go gu ge gi, having no certain sound, but as moved by certain vowels, should for a cer∣tainty be moved constantly therewith. Lear∣ners also should observe the difference be∣tween cee or gee fortified, moving after vow∣els, and ce or ge mollified before e i or y in the end of words, or in any place of Latine words.

2. The letters h o u and e should be notifi∣ed when they are silent as a just account

when their sound is missing: And so should a silent vowell in any improper Dipthong be likewise specified where one vowel only soun∣deth by Synaeresis, or the succeeding sound, when the sounds of both vowels are changed by Crasis. Therefore in pursuance of the pro∣per sound of every letter, being the peculiar use or end thereof, take this particular theme as a pattern for all others.

Good Physitians ought to quit vitious hu∣mours with what speed they can, striving next to ingender wholsome blood: And the chief care in Christian Schools should be zealously to eject errours from childrens lives and judgment, then to endeavour quick pro∣gresse in vertue and knowledg meet for inge∣nuity.

The practicke way of spelling.

Gee double o (for long u) dee (good) phy yee phy see i si tia nee see tians (Physitians) ou (for o long) ghee tee (ought) tee o (to) quee l double tee (e silent) (quitte) vee i vi tiou (o being silent) see tious (vitious) hee, u hu mee ou (for o long) ree see mours (hu∣mours) wee i thee (with) whee a tee (what)

see pee double e (for shrill e) dee (speed) thee ey (they) ca nee (can) see tee ree i vee striv i nee gee ing (striving) nee e xee tee (next) tee o (to) i nee in ge nee gen dee e ree der (ingender) whee o lee (e silent) whole see o mee (e silent) some (wholsome) bee lee ou (for u long) dee (blood) A nee dee (And) thee e (the) chee ie (for e shrill) fee (chief) cee a ree (e silent) (care) i nee (in) cee (he silent) ree i chri see tee i sti a nee an (Christian) see cee (hee silent) double o (for u long) e silent) see (Schooles) shee ou (for u long) lee dee (should) bee double e (for shrill e) be) zee ea (for e long) zea lee ou see lous lee yee ly (zea∣lously) tee o (to) e (by it self) jee e cee tee ject (eject) e ree er ree ou (for o long) ree see rours (errours) fee ree o mee (from) chee i lee dee child ree e nee see rens (childrens) lee i vee (e silent) see (lives) a nee dee (and) jee u dee ge (silent) judge mee e nee tee ment (judg∣ment) thee e nee (then) tee o (to) e nee en dee ea (for e long) dea vee ou (for o long) ree vour (endeavour) or dee ea vee (ou silent) ree dea∣v'r (endeav'r) quee i cee key (quick) pee ree o pro gee ree e see gres (progres) i nee (in) vee e ree ver tee u e silent tue (vertue) a nee dee (and) kee nee o wee know lee e dee ge (silent)

ledge (knowledg) mee double c tee (meet) fee o ree (for) i nee (in) ge (by it selfe) nee u nu i (by it selfe) tee yee ty (ingenuity.)

Thus a just account is given of every letter in the right sound thereof: and when the same is silent, or doth vary from the proper sound, which the vulgar Alphabet cannot perform, wanting convenient principles, whence the common people versed onely thereunto ever failed in Orthography; for when they write their own affaires, after much racking of their wits, it were easier to uncipher characters, then to read their rid∣dles

Therefore being quitted by these or the like helps from the thralldome of the former evill grounded custome, though at the first use the strangenes of a new method may seem irksome, yet learners in short time will find therein both ease and pleasure, joyned with much profit, to their no lesse contentment, then amazement, that they were freed no sooner.

Directions to teach and learn with profit.

1. Of Prayer.

TEachers before and after Schoole-em∣ployments, both in the Morning and Af∣ternoon, should make humble addresses to the Father of lights, the Author of Wisdome and all good things in a set form of devotion appointed by grave judgement of godly Ma∣gistrates, as fittest for publique use, which should be common and familiar to all the company, that God may blesse their labours, without which no good successe can be ex∣pected.

2. Of Catechisme.

Masters likewise ought once or twice in e∣very week to design a set time for catechising of their Schollers in authorized formes; for by such instructions they will better under∣stand what grace they want, and more hear∣tily petition for it, and more seriously endea∣vour to exercise it in their daily practise.

Of attendance in School-time.

It is necessary that Masters be constantly present with their company to keep Learners to their several tasks, else improvident youth will be disperately carelesse to improve their time.

4. Of short Lessons.

Learners will be much encouraged by small and easie lessons, whereas greater tasks might soon amaze them.

5. Of slow and sure progresse.

He that will teach with speed and good successe, must not suffer Schollers to proceed untill they are perfect in that which they have in hand: as for instance, none can read with reason, or understandingly, that cannot syllabize rightly, or be made a perfect speller, except he doth first know the affections of letters for the constitution of a syllable, or understand their affections, without know∣ledg of their certaine sounds, or be free from errour in any of the premisses, being not well

skilled in the distinct figure of every letter, each degree being subservient one to another in the due progresse made therein.

6. Of entring beginners carefully.

A small errour at first entrance will soone get ground, and hardly be discontinued, which should adde to the Masters care, that each beginner be first entred by himselfe, or by such as he may trust, and in his presence, untill the Novice is well acquainted with the properties of all letters and monosyllables, and enabled by the Laws thereof to divide the polysyllables to their just parts, according to the rules prescribed in that behalf.

7. Of putting syllabizers to set forms.

Schollars that can syllabize rightly, will be made therein more ready, if they be ranged into forms by couples, or rather by three or foure in company; that while one doth spell the Lesson, the rest giving good heed thereto, some may learn thereby to do the like: And others that have better skill may reform mi∣stakes of him that is the Reader, untill all of

them by turnes have spelled, and read their Lesson: And in conclusion, they may equally divide the Lesson into severall parts, for eve∣ry couple whereof, each one in his turn rea∣ding word by word in his Book, the others part may require his Partner to spel the same accordingly without book: And the Reader that heedeth the same by Book, may reform all errours of the speller, swarving thence; which being used with care and diligence for a while, will for ever after make right spell∣ing habitual to the company.

8. Of Schollars communicating knowledg.

Schollars that have attayned the true rea∣son of reading rightly will be much perfected therein by reducing received precepts to fre∣quent practise, which is done to the best ad∣vantage when such do teach their fellowes; for as the more ingenious are thereby more exercised, so the duller sort are more capable of instruction from them, having among themselves an easier method in a proportion neer their own capacity, by a more familiar discourse, fuller of freedome for ingenuity

to expresse it selfe where there is no disgrace for mistakes, no feare of offence, much lesse any amazement, as oft as it hapneth in rendring to hasty Masters, besides that Schol∣lers made super-visors of their fellows, are far more studious and considerate in teach∣ing others, then when they learn themselves, expecting more credite or disgrace as guides, then guided: And in such Schollers exercise, Masters, who have forgotten that they were children, may by fresh experience finde what will suite with childrens wits, and apply all industry thereunto.

9. Of emulation bred in Schollers.

It will much excite the wit of Learners to nourish in them a conceit of excellency, and set each at strife with other who shall be most eminent, and upon fit occasions to foment such good ambition.

10. Of retributions.

Proficients should be encouraged with a∣ny lawful contentments, specially such as are serviceable to their own and others further

progress, as by notifying to them, that all the credit, profit, and pleasure that befall them, are attendants on ingenuity: and con∣trariwise loiterers should be discountenanced by abridgment of their delights, adding there∣to some disgrace and penance, as by sticking at their girdle a rod, or by branding their hands with ferules, so making them exempla∣ry to their company, untill they do repair their former negligence by more care and industry.

11. Of time to be spent at Schoole.

Schollers should not ordinarily be kept unto their Books above four hours together, or lesse then two: an abatement hurteth lesse then an excesse therein; for that doth onely delay proficiency, this doth dull the Learn∣ers, and quite discourage them.

12. Of Schollers recreations.

Recreations should not be granted in School-time, but as the reward of former, or bribe of future diligence; and the

sports allowed should be by speciall thoise proportioned to advance ingenuity as wel as to refresh the Body, and therefore free from uncivility unto men, and much rather from dishonour unto God.

13. Of correcting evill manners.

Common faults of ordinary conversation should be corrected by Parents, or other Friends at home where they are committed, not brought to Schoole for punishment, which would more endeer that place to Lear∣ners, where the Masters presence doth acquit them of such crimes: But otherwise to make Schooles houses of correction, will make Schollers no lesse impatient of good litera∣ture, then of the severity annext thereto.

14. Of removing Truants.

Masters after friendly exhortations unto vertue, and implacable dislike declared unto vices, to prevent contagion in the company, should remove the unreclaimable, continu∣ing either in prophaneness against the known principles of piety, or contumaciousnesse a∣gainst

the rules of government, the maine support of humane society, specially when either is defended with a flourish of excogi∣tate sophistry, a plain evidence of impeni∣tency capitall in childhood, by a maxime in the Law, that malice doth comprehend a man-hood.

The Abcedary, Or Primar Teaching.

The Figure, power, and names of letters with their affections for framing SYLLABLES.

• a A
• b Bee
• c Cee ca co cu
• c Ce Ci.
• ch Chee.
• d D'ee
• e E.
• f Fee.
• g Gee ga go gu
• g Ge Gi
• gh Ghee
• h Hee

Vowels b. e. a. e. i. o. u. y.

Consonants 27.

11. Mutes, b c d f g k p q t j r

7. Liquids, l m n r s w h.

2. Double consonants, x z

7 Aspirates, ch gh ph sh wh th tio.

9 Mutable in sound, c g h j p •• t u w.

Quiescent vowels are some∣times e o u, or any vowel

• ...

• ...

• a. A.
• b. Bee.
• c
• Cee. ca.
• co. cu.
• ce. ci.
• ch. Chee.
• d. Dee.
• e. E.
• f. Fee.
• g
• Gee. ga:
• go gu.
• ge gi.
• gh. Ghee.
• h. Hee.
• j. Jay.
• i. I.
• k. Key.
• l. Lee.
• m. Mee.
• n. Nee.
• o. O.
• p. Pee.
• ph. Phy.
• qu. Quee.
• r. Ree.
• s. s. See.
• sh. Shee.
• t. Tee.
• th. Thee.
• tio. Tio.
• v. Vee.
• u. U.
• w. Wee.
• wh. Whee.
• x. Xee.
• y. Yee.
• z. Zee.

Six Vowells, a. e. i. o. u. y. twenty seven Consonants, whereof eleven Mutes, b. c. d. f. g. k. p. q. t. j. v. and seven Liquids, l. m. n. r. s. w. h. and two double Consonants, x. z. and seven Aspi∣rates, ch. gh. ph. sh. wh. th. tio. likewise nine thereof be mutable in sound, c. g. h. i. p. s. t. u. w. and five Quiescents, g. be∣fore m. and n. with h. e. o. u. or any Vow∣ell in improper Dipthongs, eighteen proper Dipthongs, ai. au. ay. ei. eu. ey. ia. ie. io. oi. ou. oy ua: ue. ui. ya. ye. yo.

Eighteen improper Dipthongs, A. long aa. au. E. long, ae. oe. ea. ay. ey. E. shrill, ee. eo. J. long, ie. ei. O. long, eo. oa. ou. V. long, eu. ou. oo. ui.

Five Homogeneous Syllables, aye. eye. yea, yee, you.

Heterogeneous Syllables of Consonants and Vowells.

ab. eb. ib. ob. ub. ba. be. bi. bo. bu. by. ac. ec. ic. oc. uc. ca. co. cu. ce. ci. cy. cha. che. chi. cho. chu. chy. ag. eg. ig og. ug. augh, eigh, ough, ja, je, jo, ju, av, ev, iv, ov, va, ve, vi, vo, vu, vy. aph, eph, iph, oph, uph. pha, phe, phi, pho, phu, phy. ash, esh, ish, osh, ush. sha, she, shi, sho, shu. qua, que, qui, quo. ath, eth ith, oth, uth. tha, the, thi, tho, thu, thy. tia. tie, tij, tio, tiu. wha, whe, whi, who, why. barne, best, bitch, both, buckles, campe, centre, circle, coble, curst, chyts, dazle, fence, gigs, giv'n, gotte, gulph, gathre, geld, gentle, hight, john, kysse, lust, maze, nev'r, pith, phil∣tre, quote, rogues, reliques, sawce, shelfe,

tithes, tongues, thirst, po-tion, vultre, wart, whelpe Xe••-Xes, yorke, Zuph.

Syllables of Consonants and proper Dipthongs. Gain-full, laugh-ter, pay-able, feig-ned, beu-ty, ney-ing, Gra-tian, pa-tient, mo-tion, vi-tious, joi-full, howse-wife, toyle∣some, per-suade, banquet, lan-guish, yately, yelping, yo-ked.

Syllables of Consonants with improper Dipthongs. Aa-ron aun-tient, Ae-gipt, Phoe-bus, plea-sant, of-pray, mo∣ney, feoste-ment, theev-ish, peopl-ed, neigh-bour, chief∣est, yeo-man, geor-gicks, roaring, humour, unthought, guilfull, roach-es, fav-rable, neu-ter, spatious, bloudy, good-nes, fruit-full.

Syllables of Mutes and Liquids before Vowells or Dip∣thongs. Bdel-li-um, black, bread, chrisme, cloistre, Cnei∣us, crawle, Cte-nes, draught, dwell, fleagme, fringe, ghost, glaunce, py••gmeys, gnash, grudge, guest, knight, Mne-ster, phrase, plague, Pnyx, pris'n, psalmes, pti∣san, rhewme, Sceptre, Schoole, sclandre, scruple, shields, shrove, skaines, sleights, smoothre, snafle, speake-spleen, sprinkle, squibs, stople, strugle, switch, through, thwarte, Tmo-lus, troubles, twice, wharfe, wreathes.

GOod Physitians ought to quit vitious humours with what speed they can, striving next to ingender wholesome bloud: And the chiefe care in Christian Schooles should be zealously to eject errours from Childrens lives and judgment, then to end eavour quick progresse in vertue and knowledge, meet for ingenuity.

OUr father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, thy Kingdome come, thy will be done, in Earth as it is in Heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our Trespasses, as we forgive them that trespasse against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evill, for thine is the Kingdome, the Power, and the Glory, for ever, and ever, Amen.

Of Mutes and Liquids, with either of them.

Blaines, bread, cheese, chrisme, cloistre, Cnei-us, crawle, Cte-sias, drench, flegme, freeze, glut, gnash, grief, grig, knight, mne-ster, phrase, pledge, pneu-ma-tick, prince, psalm, pti-san, quit, rhewm, sceptre, school, sclaun∣dre, shield, shrouds, skains, sleights, smoo∣thre, snuffle, spouse, springs, square, stewes, stroaks, swim, the, thrush, thwart, Theo-po∣le-mus, Tmo-lus, troubles, twyn, wharfe, wreathes.

Of Polysyllables.

Ab-ra-ham, Bel-te-shaz-zar, Cle-o-phas, Dy-o-ny-si-us, E-le-a-zar, For-tu-na-tus, Ga-ma-li-el, Ha-ba-cuc, Is-ra-el, Ke-ren-hap-puck, Le-mu-el, Ma-la-chi-as, Na-than, O-ba-di-as, Phi-ne-as, Quar-tus, Re-chab, Sam-son, Ti-mo-thie, U-ri-as, Wen-ces-laus, Xan-thus, Yo-lan-da, Ze-lo-tes, Hal-le-lu-jah.

Copies, or Presidents.

1. i u n m c e o x r s t z v w a q g j p y l b d h k f ff s ss sh.

2. ambm amdm emsm gmhm jmim kmlm mmnm ompm quirm smstm vmum wmxm ymzm, &c.

3. Expect thy selfe surprized here in toyles, Being quit of them, take heed of worser foyls.

4. A. B. D. P. R. C. G. X. O. Q. S. E. Z. L. I. T. F. H. K. M. N. U. V. W. Y.

5. A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z.

6. Who is content with his afflicting fate,

Doth place therein his bliss, though not till late Intirely reap't, Ropasts suffice him now, Hard crusts at worke, when he doth leave the plow; Being well assur'd of endless feast and Ease; That maketh hardship the mean while to please. A stocke, or Stoicke he's not without sense Of suffering, his support is Continence,

Grounded on faith, that matter must take form From passive pow'r, freed from destructive storme: Loe he delights in durance, not as blisse, Nor end, but meanes, which nev'r thereof do misse. Know then that Vertues Quintessence, whose Zeal, Yea Xanthicke venome, turns to healthy meale.

The rules of Art in writing.

1. SUch as will learn to write with good proficiency, ought as a necessary ground or principle thereof, have a perfect skill in Reading: And being so farr prepared, they should make it their first care to marke well their Copies, observing therein the shape of every letter in the likenesse and un∣likenesse of each to others; for which purpose both sorts of letters, small and capitall are ranged for the Learners easier apprehension, in such an order as they have most affinity a∣mong themselves, the leading Characters in either Alphabet shewing the way how the

rest that follow may be performed with the best advantage.

2. Learners should likewise know the terms of Art in writing: as for instance, they should know the threads, as,- which do be∣gin and end all letters, joyning each to other in every word, and therefore should be made as small as Pen can draw them, to be thereby distinguished from the main part of any let∣ter, the down-right strokes, as i u n m called Minims; the waved stroaks, as r s t v w a z: the rounds, as c e o x: the stems or pillars, as b d l h k: the reversed or sloape, as j p y g q: the full length, as f s: the tra∣verse or crosse thread, as in t and f: Last, the parallels of foure sorts, that is to say, the meane sort, all contained in a double line, as a c e i m n o r s t u v w x z, the over-lines, as b d h k l: the under∣lines, as g j p q y: the over and under∣lines, as f s.

3. It should be further understood, that the breadth or fulnesse of every stroake (the thread excepted) ought to be made equall in all letters of the same sort, whether small or Capitall, proportionable to the rest of the same ranke; for to make some

stroaks thicker, and others thinner, ei∣ther in the same letters, or others of the same sort, doth argue too much impetuousnesse.

4 The fulnesse of every stroak in all the smaller letters, should be a just third part of the length of meane letters, and their length an even halfe length of the over, or under-line letters: But the over and under-line let∣ters should have thrice the length of mean.

5. The distance between word and word in every line should be the breadth of three down-right strokes called Minims, and be∣tween letter and letter in every word the breadth of one such stroke; in which space the thread should joyne the end of every let∣ter to the beginning of the next that doth successively follow throughout the whole word: such composures of letters keeping a just proportion of the severall parallels in fulnesse compasse, light and length, are call∣ed equidistances, adding a meet decency to all writings, necessary to be aimed at industri∣ously, and attayned to by Learners: But an ignorance of the Premises will disable both Masters readily to informe, and Schollars rightly to understand which way to draw the letters, where and why the same being made

may be allowed, or where and how they fail.

6. Teachers at first entrance of their Schollers should draw before them a dry pen upon the letters in the Copy, and then give the pen unto the Learners, and make them do the same, and tell them when they doe a∣misse; and if need require, guide their hand, and not give them over untill they doe it rightly, being a necessary helpe to a further progresse.

7. Pit Instruments being provided; that is to say, a viall of shining Inke, good Pens, a smooth Rule, and flat for steadinesse, a little Compass, a keen soft-edged Knife, and strong smooth Paper folded for short lines, in the first Copy-book four leaves to a sheet, and five or six sheets to a Book. Then Lear∣ners should be taught with their Compasse to prick their Paper-books at three lengths of Minims between prick and prick, and after∣wards to take the Rule and draw a double line upon every prick with the Compasse points, or a forked quill made distant a Min∣ims length, where all empty spaces between such double lines will be two Minims length, for the over and under-line letters just height and depth to keep them from encroaching

either upon the others places: Or the Paper-book may be ruled in a speedier way with a piece of Iron or Ivory made comb-wise, with short and sharp teeth, fitted to draw lines e∣qually distant at a Minims length each from another; wherein every four lines, the first will bound the height of the over-line letters, and the fourth will bound the depth of un∣derline letters, and the two middle lines will bound both height and depth of mean let∣ters: Likewise the three first lines wil bound both height and depth of Capitals, sorting therein with over-line letters: And each several bound being made familiar in writing, by ruled lines after frequent use thereof, will grow customary and habituall without ru∣ling.

8. After preparation as aforesaid, the Scholler sitting at some distance from Deske or Table whereon his Book is layd, with an upright body toward the light, should take his pen (dipt in Inke so full as none may drop from it) between the two fore-fingers of his right hand set out at length, & the thumb meeting the foremost finger on the other side of the pen, having the back upward, and the cut side leaning close under the naile up∣on

the top of the middle finger, having the two lesser closed together, leaving under it for a certaine stay to give a quick impulsion, with all advantage to the Pen, being held gently and stedily, not griped hard, being a let to speed, which doth give the lustre and life to writing.

9. Then the Learner should set out his pen, hand, and arme wel setled to the elbow, kept close unto his body, straight towards his Paper-book, having thereon a blotting piece, both to keep clean his Book, and to assay therein all difficult letters before he doth write them in his Book for good: And withall he should lay his left hand fingers, two over and two under the writing place, or keep the point of a Knife in that hand, close under the line that he doth write upon, either of both helps being needful to keep the paper-book smooth and steady in the writing place. In which posture he should begin with Minims, both as the easiest Cha∣racters, and as the principles to all other letters, which will be a competent exercise for some dayes employment.

10. If any Novice prove so dull, that hee doth not understand how to frame his letters

by the former rules, specially when he com∣eth to some difficult strokes in the over and under-line letters, it will be requisite that the Teacher with a leaden pen doth draw be∣fore him such hard letters, giving him good notice at every turn, and afterwards require him in the same manner to draw his writing Pen, being full of Inke, upon those letters; for after such experiments a Learner can hardly mistake right draughts: And such at∣tempts of diligence will be most necessary in the first draughts of Capitall letters, whereof in their due place.

11. Young Writers must not be suffered at the first entrance to scribble, or follow their owne fancy, or frame letters in any o∣ther way then according to their Copie, and the directions of their Teacher, or to pro∣ceed faster then they can make good profici∣ency, or to begin the transcribing of any letter in fewer draughts then a whole line, or more, as need requireth, and so to continue in their progresse untill they can attain a true and perfect stroke in all the Alphabet, according to the first Copy or President.

12. When Learners are well skilled in the draughts of the smaller letters, it will be ex∣pedient, before they enter upon the Capitall, to teach them upon fresh memory how to joyne the same together, first by couples with m after every letter in proportion of so many words, as in the second Copy; and when that is performed regularly, to proceed unto the third succeeding president: both which will require much time to gain therein perfe∣ction; for Learners should endeavour there∣in exact performance of all circumstances re∣quired in the third and fourth, and fifth pre∣cedent Rules.

13. After a good habite gotten in compo∣sing handsomely all the letters in severall words, Learners may conveniently assay to form the Capitall or great letters, as it is pre∣scribed in the tenth rule, and in the fourth and fifth copies: But that worke being the Master-piece, should be done piece-meale to gaine therein the mastery, being the knotti∣est parcell in all the taske: and when that is well accomplished, Learners will only want a constant exercise of transcribing the sixth and last Copie, to make the due joyning of small and great letters alike habituall,

which is never performed dexterously, untill the Writer can finish any word with a light and nimble pul, before he taketh off the pen, the only way to make smooth cleer letters, which slow pen-men will never attaine unto with their oft correcting, the Art becoming thereby tedious to such Dullards, which to swift Pen-men is delightful in dispatch of bu∣sinesse with speed and ease, the Authors chief end in these directions.

14. Writers should add to their former knowledg a competent skill, to make and a∣mend their Pens, which is sooner learned by the guidance of a well skilled Teacher, then by Book-rules, be they never so exact; yet to supply defects, Learners may use the In∣structions following, to wit, taking Goose quils, the strongest and roundest that they can choose, let them first scrape cleane a quill, and rub it smooth, then cut slope-wise the fore-part thereof two inches long; next fork the back part at end. Afterwards, gi∣ving it with their knife a short straight cleft in the midst of the fork, let them slit the cleft with another quill an inch deep, straight and smooth, without snarling: And lastly, let them them cut the quill first on the side next

to the thumb, then upon the fingers side, af∣ter the form of the pens wherewith they wrote before; so cutting smooth the nib, being left twice as long as the slit upon the naile of their left hands thumb, and enlarge∣ing the slope of the fore-part, if it be not well neer an inch long, to avoid blurring. The work is done by rule and reason; which if tryal approve for good, it will not need cor∣rection: Else if the pen will not make clean strokes, and there is no haire therein, the fault is in a snarling and ragged slit, or in the unevennesse of the nib, which must be amended by a smoother and cleerer slit, and an evener nib: otherwise if the pen doth write too full, the slit must be made shorter, or the nib smaller, or happily both: And contrariwise, if the pen prove over-hard, the slit is too short, or the nib too sharp, and is to be reformed accordingly. Last, as the skilfull Swimmers do convert to another use the Bladders, formerly good helps, but since grown hinderances to their exercise: So may quick and ready Pen-men do with rule and compasse, when without them all their lines and strokes prove irregular.

15. It will much perfect the learners hand,

and withall improve their skill and dexterity for inditing any affairs if they practise daily to transcribe some usefull matter from prin∣ted or writen Books, conducing to their em∣ployments; for such exercise will habituate them, as in Orthography and sensible ex∣pression of what they write, so in reading and understanding with ease and readinesse the writings of other men: Whereas by neg∣lect of this practick part, good Pen men have proved so silly Clerks, that they durst not professe their skill, for fear of betraying their ignorance, and by long disuse grew quite disabled in that Art. It is commonly found in Writing Schools that Learners are never taught to read their Copies, much lesse what themselves do write: It is not so much regar∣ded there how falsly copies are transcribed, so as the same he but fairly imitated, amounting often to just nothing: which is here adverti∣sed, in hope that so great an over-sight will be look't unto, and a better provision made for more proficiency, being the Authors hearty wish, free from all intention of asper∣sing any with disgrace.

16. Lastly, to make Learners compleat Pen-men, they should know where and when

to use all kinds of letters both great and small in every word, and how to put a proper point, or due stop to every sentence.

The places of Capitall letters.

Great letters take place as followeth: A capitall letter should begin the first word in every period, as Our father which art in Hea∣ven. 2. The first letter is capitall in proper names, as Augustus Caesar. 3. The first letters in words derived from proper names, as Au∣gustan, Caesarean. 4. The first letter in ap∣pellative names, as King, Queen, Lord, Ma∣ster, &c. 5. The first letter in any word of singularity, as Law, Gospell, Vertue, Vice, Grammar, Logicke. 6. The first letter in e∣very verse or meeter, as

War through our Saviours grace. May from us slide, That truth may bide, And shine in every place.

The places of small letters.

Small letters will take any place in words

excepting, 1. The places designed for capi∣tall letters specified in the former Rule. 2. That the short waved s doth always take the last place in words, whereas s of the full length doth serve for the first, or middle let∣ters; both which places the short s joyned with the stems, will take in the Roman, but specially in the Italian Characters, as in least, skill. 3. That the waved v doth ever begin the word, be it either vowell or consonant, as in vp, void, but it hath no other place to stand for a vowel, whereas the Minim u may be used indifferently for a vowell or conso∣nant in any place besides the first. 4. That the waved r is mostly used with o, being fi∣nall, as in honour, or with any letter in words contracted, as in Sir, your, Mr. 5. The e of two small rounds will fit best at last, as in the.

Of points or stops.

Points direct to the true meaning of words, being all in number 11. to wit, 7. primary and usuall, whereof four be simple, Comma, Semicolon, Colon, Period: and three mixt, ha∣ving besides their owne commonly a period implied therwith, Interrogation, Exclamation,

Parenthesis: which seven are pauses, or stops for sentences; and four secondary points of lesser use, serving only for words, not sen∣tences, Apostrophus, Diaeresis, Hyphen, Ec∣thlipsis.

Of the foure simple Points.

Comma is the shortest pause of most imper∣fect sense in a simple axiome, or sentence, marked thus,

Semicolon is the next shortest stop of im∣perfect sense, commonly in a compound axi∣ome, marked thus;

Colon is a point of perfect sense, but not of perfect sentence constantly in a compound axiome, marked thus:

Period is the longest pause of perfect sense and sentence, marked thus.

Of all which take this following instance: A Samaritan passed by, where the wounded lay; and when he saw him, he had pitty upon him: And he bound up his wounds, and brought him to an Inne, and tooke care of him.

Of the three mixt points.

Exclamation is a long pause mostly of a simple axiome, imperfect for most part in

sense and sentence, marked thus!

Interrogation is a short pause commonly of a compound axiome; perfect in sense, but not in sentence, marked thus? An instance of both: O generation of vipers! who taught you to flee from the wrath to come? bring forth fruit meet for repentance.

Parenthesis, called by some parathesis, both having the same use, is a short pause, mostly of a simple axiome, having a perfect sense, not sentence, inserted to a precedent axiome, where it may be spared without detriment of sense or structure, being used for explanati∣on of the former, and marked thus () as for instance, Iudaes (not Iscariot) asked a que∣stion. All the AEgyptians (both Horses and Chariots) pursued the Israelites. The Cap∣taine without violence (for he feared the peo∣ple) put the prisoners in ward.

Of the foure points for words.

Apostrophus is a note of a dipthong, or vow∣ell cut off in the same, or divers words, as in favored for favoured, learned st for learnedest; lovd, giv'n, nev'r, it's nothing, for it is no∣thing; is't for is it; th' Author, for the Au∣thor;

And sometimes a liquid is cut off, as Pth house, for in the house; usually s doth stand for of, a signe of genitives, as the sheep's head, for head of the sheep.

Diaeresis is a note of two vowels parted, as in Lais, Bagoas, Diers.

Hyphen doth notifie a continuation of the same word, being a compound, or derivative, as rats-bane, harm-lesse, lame-nesse.

Ecthlipsis doth notifie an abatement in the beginning, or end of verses:

—Repasts suffice him now, Hard crusts at worke, when he doth leave the plow; Being well aessur'd of endless feasts—

FINIS.