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LET the Pen-knife bee of a span in length; two partes thereof being Haft, and the third part Blade: the haft either square or round, and somewhat decreasing small unto the end, for the slitting up of the clift of the Pen. And let the Blade be made cleanlie sharpe, and so kept (by the meanes of whetting) alwayes for its owne use.
CHoose Raven and Goose Pennes for anie writ upon Paper, and small writ upon Parchment; and Swan or Briszell pennes for great writ upon parchment. Take few of either sort, but such as be somewhat straight of staulke, long and great of pipe, round and hard through out, but chiefelie at the highest part therof next the staulke. And if the Goose pennes haue whole feathers on them, the pen whereof the feather hath a hollownesse on the right side of the staulke, (and some time on the left) al∣most at the head or point of the feather, is on∣lie the best, whether it bee the second or third of the wing: as for the first and fourth Quill, they are seldome found to proue good. But if thou findest none of the former two sorts when thou wo••ldest, or finding anie Raven or Goose pennes whatsoever, not having the foresaid to∣kens or markes, refuse them altogether, except onlie in great necessitie. For what availeth it to make evill pennes, though they may be made never so well, if when they are made they write not well? Alwayes, since pennes cannot bee aye had alike good, I will not discourage anie, but rather informe them in the subsequent Rule how to use the nearest remedie: onlie heere, in stead of these evill second and third pennes, I
advise thee to make choise of the best sort of first pennes, rather than the fourth: that is, such as haue maniest of the fore-named fiue quali∣ties: for albeit they haue all commonlie some that bee bad, as crookednesse, shortnesse, and oftentimes smalnesse, yet naturallie the most part of them haue as manie also that bee good, such as roundnesse, hardnesse, and sometimes greatnesse.
AFter the Quill is made hote amongst the ashes of the fire, and well rubbed (being wet with thy mouth) first with the backe of a Knife, and then with a woollen cloath, let it be fashioned in this manner:
First, let the Knife slent downe the fore part or face of the Quill, (being holden upwardes) which if it bee straight, is knowne onlie by the hollownesse in the midst of that selfe same side of the stalk: or being crooked, is perceived aswel by the crookednes as hollownes. But beware ye cutany more than half thorow, that is, the piece not quite taken off. Thereafter, turne the Quill about, and cut the other halfe on the backe, just forenent the other halfe cut on the fore side: to wit, a shorter slent, which commeth away (with the former) from the Quill, whereby remaineth two sharpe points at the ende.
Secondlie, holding the quill so still, begin the clift rightlie in the midst of the last halfe cut; and riue it quicklie up, but not farre; and that either with the ende of the pen-knife, or with that piece of the quill which yee cut off, (it being holden on the point of the knife) as ye shall finde most convenient.
Thirdlie, turne the quill justly about again, with the face upwards, as it was first, and begin forenent the highest part of the clift, and cut it downe cleanlie on either side, both either pro∣ceeding alike, or one after another, as thou plea∣sest, till it decrease to such a slendernesse, or smalnesse; or continue in such a fulnes, or great∣nesse, as thou wouldest haue thy letters or writ to bee.
Fourthlie, cut downe the mouth evenly, the length whereof not to exceede twise the length of the clift; and let it descende by such diminu∣tion or abatement, as it may desist and leaue off with some height upwardes frō the clift, equal∣lie on either side: the lowest part whereof being aye right forenent the highest part of the clift; to the effect the point or neb of the penne may remaine strong, and so both serue its owne use the better, and endure the longer. And if it be not cleanlie riven, then must thou either pare it lightlie on the backe, essey to slit it somewhat farther up, or else lose it.
And fifthlie, coll or cut the point cleanlie
and evenlie at once, either on the naile of thy thombe, or on the staulke of another penne, and that after three manner of wayes, because all pennes may be considered in three sorts, good, ill, and indifferent.
NOTA. By the way remember, while as thou c••l∣lest the pen, to holde thine eyes so close, that although the cutting spang upwardes, (as it usuallie doeth) it get no entres into anie of them, to impede or hinder thy sight.
ALIA. As for that olde Rule, DEXTRA PARS PENNAE, LEVIOR BREVIOR DEBET ES∣SE; I reverence the good intention of the Author thereof, in that behalfe, but finde no necessitie in the ob∣servation: because naturallie while as the penne is holden to write with, it lieth somewhat over to the right side: by which meanes that side weareth both thinne & short enough of it selfe, though it bee not so made nor mended: and therefore the foresaid precept can haue no force, be∣cause it hath no repugnance.
A good Pen, I say, is hard or strong, which if thou wouldst either make or mende, let it aye haue so long a clift or passage thorow the same as may easilie vent or deliver the Inke, and be made small on either side, to the intent it may both write cleanly, and mend often, without further ryuing up, because it is strong of it selfe: And, notwithstanding of the smalnesse thereof; it will not only write great in respect of the long reache of the clift (and so going further in bredth) by sadde thrusting or laying to, but
likewise small thorow light thrusting or laying to: & therefore, & because of the readie passage of Inke thorow a long clift, and so the pen indu∣ring to write the more cleanly, as likewise ser∣ving and suffering to bee oft mended with little travell, and without further riving up, and consequentlie so much the longer unspent, it is a good sort of Pen.
An evill pen, is that which is souple or weake, which when thou makest, or mendest, must haue a short slit, and bee suffered to remaine great on both sides, because it is weake; and in regarde thereof hath neither strength to reach farre in bredth, nor suffer to bee sadde laide to the paper: and therefore, and because of the evil deliverie of the Inke from a short clift, which can neither bee mended, unlesse it bee riven farther up, and by meanes thereof so much the more of the pen wasted, nor yet endure to write cleanlie, it is an naughtie sort of pen.
And as for the indifferent sort of pennes, which are neither too hard, nor too soft, but equall, let an indifferent mediocritie be kept be∣twixt the length and shortnesse of their cliftes, as also betwixt the greatnesse and sinalnesse of either side thereof, and that both when thou makest and mendest them.
Or, in few wordes, lea••ne and obserue this one les∣son for all the three sortes of pennes: Trie whether the pipe of whatsoever penne bee hard, soft, or indifferent;
and then the neb thereof upon the nayle of thy thombe, b••t sparinglie: if it bee hard, and the slit not yeelding so farre as it ought, then riue the same a little farther up, and make it somewhat longer, unlesse it clieue foule▪ if it bee soft, and haue too long a clift, that is, not correspon∣dent to the strength thereof, but aboue the same, it re∣quireth to bee corrected, and made somewhat shorter: and if it bee indifferent, let either the clift thereof bee kept, or made so equall, and with such discretion as thou (by the exercise of thine hand) shalt finde most req••i∣site.
HOlde the mouth of the penne inwardlie, just forenent the palme of thine hand; to the effect the broad side may come down in casting of all letters, and the narrow side slent up, lest they bee small where they should bee great, and great where they should be small. But if thou bee inclined to suffer the penne somewhat to decline, or lie aside, let the mouth thereof touch that joint of the middle finger, wherewith it is holden, that the declination thereof may bee towardes the left hand. As also, for the more comlinesse of small and com∣passed partes of letters, it is requisite oftentimes even to turne the left side, or edge of the penne directlie about, where the mouth was of before; but not to turn the right side of the pen contra∣ry
wise about; that is, to hold the mouth thereof directlie forenent the left hand, and the backe thereof to touch the middle finger of the right hand, but remaine alwayes in its owne station, except in so farre as it will turne it selfe by occa∣sion and course of the former turninges.
Let the penne bee holden betwixt the utter point of thy thombe, high, and the inner side of thy middle finger, (not aboue, nor yet touching the naile thereof, but a little before the same) low, and hee bound or holden close to both, with the inner part of thy formost finger in the midst: but let it not bee so short holden that either the naile of thy middle finger cover the mouth thereof, or yet touch the paper.
Let the penne neither bee over softlie hol∣den, nor too fast griped, but in a reasonable mea∣sure betwixt both; because in so doing thine hand will be able both to write best & most, or endure longest to write wel without wearying.
SInce all letters, for the most part, ought to haue a greatnesse, a smalnesse, and a mixture; that is, partlie great, and partlie small; let the penne be sadlie laid to the paper as it commeth downe in all letters, that the stroake which it maketh may bee great; and let it goe lightlie, or touch the paper favourablie, as it slenteth up in
all letters, that the stroake which it maketh may bee small; (yet it may bee tollerated when the descending part of anie letter slenteth to the left hand, not onelie to suffer the penne to goe lightlie, that the stroake may bee small, but like∣wise to make the neather point of straight tai∣led letters small; both because they are most seemelie so to bee, and naturallie while as the penne is a lifting, or in taking up, at the finishing of that part of such letters, it arrogateth some li∣bertie so to doe) and keepe such an indifferent middes, either of increasing, great, or decrea∣sing, small, as is requisite in the mixed part, which occurreth most often in the compassing or turning partes of letters.
And howbeit neither all the downe-com∣minges of the penne can bee altogether great, all the up-goinges altogether small, (even be∣sides these two sortes excepted) nor all tur∣ninges altogether mixed, yet heerein as thou strivest to obserue, thy writ will bee so much the more comelie, and legeable. But there bee some who delight to shew their skill in the ex∣quisite smalnesse of downe-comming, and com∣passed partes of letters; which I thinke is nei∣ther naturall to doe, nor yet pertinent to bee done; because each one of these three letters, (and) so casten, is not onelie un∣easier to write than if it were all great where it should bee; but appeareth (a little distant from
the eye) like this consonant () in respect of the utter smalnesse thereof, where it ought not to bee. Indeede in beautifying, garnishing, or decoring of letters (besides up-goinges and slent downe-comminges to the left hand) con∣ditionallie that the proportion thereof bee not the worse, but the better, I commende there, that which I discommend heere, as there bee right reasons, times, and places of all things.
ALbeit a Penne bee a small thing of it selfe, yet what thing is employed in greater Ef∣faires? and oftentimes the want thereof a needfull times, either of matters penning, or subscribing of matters penned, hath caused ma∣nie so to regrate, that they would afterwarde•• gladlie haue given the price of a thousand for the like precious time, but haue beene refused. Therefore since time by-past no wayes can bee recalled, yea, verie hardlie redeemed, bee carefull to use rightlie the time present, by learning with thy writing to make, and to prevent the time to come by fore-sight, in using alwayes to keepe: because both the most part which can make, write aye best with their owne forme of pennes; and those who keepe them, haue them readiest. Otherwise, if thou wilt not thus study to serue thine owne use, thou wilt bee forced to
borrow, and oft times bee disappointed, either altogether, at least of pennes meete for thee, and so then be constrained to write with anie penne howsoever made or mended to thee by ano∣ther, or else, will thou, nill thou, to want often times, and that perchance when thou hast most adoe.
AS often as thou art to write either with a new or olde made penne which is become dry, forget not to wette the point, and the most part of the mouth thereof well within, before thou dippe it in the Inke, lest it hardlie receiue the same: or if it receiue, it vent not cleanlie thorow, but fall out so in blobbes at the point that it blotte thy writ. And as often as thou takest Inke, let the penne bee dipped aye at the farthest side of the Inke-horne, to the effect the Linnē or Cotton within the same may come in, or bee betwixt it and the Horne, that the point thereof incurre no danger. And im∣mediatelie thereafter not onelie shake the super∣plus of the Inke out of the penne, into the Inke-horne againe, rather than else where: but dight away the Haires, & thicke Inke from the point thereof, (if anie bee) before thou write.
Againe, when it shall happen thee to irke, rest, or doe ought els which hindereth thee anie
wayes in performance of the action, and as yet not minded to desist, it is more seemelie (for that short time) to place the penne on thy right eare, than either to put it in thy mouth, or yet to suffer it to remaine in the Inke-horne, & that for preventing & intercepting of the occasions fol∣lowing on these childish enormities: Because many childrē making their countenance by the first thereof, take occasion with their teeth both to enseeble and shorten the staulke of the pen, without the which the pipe becōmeth unable to doe its owne part, since it can bee no better holden anie way than with its owne staulke. And by occasion of the second absurd••tie, the penne becommeth so weake & feeble, through long standing amongst the Inke, that it will write no more good writ, till it dry againe at length, and bee mended of new.
And last, when the action is concluded, re∣member to clean••e the Inke foorth of the pen, that it may write the more cleanlie at the next occasion. (I adde heere the word [remember] because commonlie all meanes are more regar∣ded in the beginning of anie action, than in the ende, when the use of them is expired.) Indeed after the penne is wel dried, if thou use to mend it aye before thou begin, it will be both harder, and rine so much the more cleanlie, by how lit∣tle it hath beene dight.
IF thou canst not follow curious letters ab∣ruptlie by rule of eye, or hast not a perfect hand draught, essey first with a dry penne, made without a clift, for that effect, in stead (or for lacke) of Char-coale, Blacke-lead, &c. and thereafter goe over the same againe with a wri∣ting penne, hauing Inke therein: and what er∣rours of the first drawing thou leavest uncove∣red in the second, fayle not to deleate and rubbe away on both the sides of the paper, when as the letters are dry, and that with a cleane tooth, or piece of other bone, made smooth for that or the like use.
TAKE, of Scottish measure, a choppin of Ale woort, being colde and well set∣led, and a pynt of raine or standing water, and put in a leaden or earthen vessell of correspondent quantitie alike wide up and downe, with halfe a pounde of fresh galles grosly brayed, and stirre them about amongst the liquor, the space of two dayes thrise each day, & one quarter houre each time; and that with a small or thin peice tymber, made broad at the neather ende for that use. Then straine
the gall water throgh a draught cloath into such another vessell covered aboue, together with ••. ounces of Coppresse or Romane Vitriole, one ounce of cleare Gumme Arabicke, and halfe an ounce of Alme, if it shall happen to sinke: thereafter stirre all about, the space of a quarter of an houre, and then it will bee sufficient.
Moreover, remember to fill up the first vessell againe with halfe of the former quan∣tities or measures of galles, woort, and raine water; and stirre the same about thrise each weeke till the foresaid Inke bee spent: like as thou mayst supplie aye the same with some aug∣mentation so long as the colour of the gall wa∣ter remaineth Browne. Whatsoever thing is written herewith, may bee dryed with sand or gray paper, if the haste of thine affaires may not suffer it to dry of the owne accord.
FOr writing any heretable right, or whatso∣ever thing either of great importance, long endurance, or to men of great account, the most perfect blacke, and lustring Inke, is most excellent and requisite; which if thou wouldest learne to make, either for thine owne use, or to pleasure thy friend, use & employ these meanes following:
Take Vessels of the former quantitie and
substance, and put the preceeding measures of materials and liquor therein; but either white wine or May dew in stead of the raine water, & the gall water to stande the space of 20. dayes: at the expiring whereof, thou must adde to this composition these ingredients; to wit, an ounce weight (at the least) of the fume of Rozet, otherwise called Lampe blacke, halfe an ounce of the Pulver of an Hartes horne, being burnt and beaten, or the like measure of the rootes of white Lillies dryed and in like manner made in Pulver: all these requiring to bee mixed with Gumme Arabicke water, before they bee put amongst the rest. Likewise (if thou please) thou mayest ad thus much further, an ounce of white Sugar candie, or common Sugar, the white of two Egges casten, & a Pomegranate or Sithron skinne being dryed and beaten; and then let all stand the space of ten dayes before thou write therewith, either in a shaddowie and colde place, or against the Sunne as thou thinkest best: if thou make choyse of the first, anie of the former sort of vessels will bee suffi∣cient, but if of the next, a Glasse is most meete.
Remember to stirre about this Inke, the saide 10. dayes space, as oft dayly as of before; and so oft thereafter as thou takest thereof: but before thou write with the same, straine it thorow a linnen cloath, being either knit about
the mouth of the vessell, or spredde aboue the mouth of the Inke-horne; and that for retaining and holding backe the groundes or thicke Inke, because it is profitable in the vessell amongst the rest, but both unprofitable and noysome in the Inke-horne: in the one, because most sub∣stance remaineth in thicke Inke, and therefore it is the best mixture for thin Inke: and in the other, since it is thicke, it will not passe cleanly thorow the Pen; but both readily blot whatso∣ever thing is written therewith, & hinder thee in finishing of the action.
And if the same either grow whoare, or ex∣haust so through long standing, and seldome troubling, that it cannot serue thy use; or yet when the thin Inke is altogether spent, supplie the remnant with a mutchken of vineger, and raine water, by equall proportions; halfe an ounce of bay salt, or either more or lesse of these, as the quantitie of thy composition re∣quireth: stirring all about once each weeke at the least.
Finallie, whatsoever thing is written here∣with, may be dryed either at the fire a farre off, with tighers of Brasse, Copper, Tinne, or white Yron, being shorne very small, kept cleanly, and casten thereon; or else of the owne accord: (as thou pleasest, or as time straiteth thee) for it being thus composed, will be so clammie, that whatsoever thing cleaveth thereunto when
it is wet, hardlie ever severeth therefrom when it is dry.
And last, if thou wouldst haue any great let∣ters or small writ written heerewith to luster, or glister, in greater measure than the substance of the Inke it selfe doeth affoorde, then take a pin∣cell made of a Cons taile, and dippe amongst gum Arabicke water, being dissolved thick, and lay over the same therewith, after they are well dryed of themselues.
VVHether thou bee an ordinarie writer that livest thereby, or one that usest it as a speciall helpe in thine effaires, haue such plentie of Inke alwayes with thee as thine Inke-horne may easily containe: lest either when it is scarce, thou ding backe the point of the Pen, by thrusting it to the Horne, Linnen, or Cotton within the same; or else when it is deficient, thou ryue the clift thereof farder up, by preassing to seek it where it is not to be had: and so thou wilt be both hindered and angred when thou hast most adoe, as also ashamed be∣fore whom thou so doest; and that not onlie for lacke of Inke, but in like manner thorow often mending and changing of the pen in the mid∣dest of thy writ.
Further, if thou neither be in haste, nor can haue plentie of Inke at that instant; take foorth that which thou hast rather with a worne pen, & lay upon the side of the Inke-hornes mouth, that thou mayest take thereof as neede requi∣reth; than to spill or spoyle the pen wherewith thou writest, through default afore said.
WHosoever thou be that art subject to write much and often, choose thy Pennar and Ink-horne of such quantitie, as that the one may containe plentie of pennes, and the other store of Inke: neither yet be ashamed to haue them of such a common and easie forme, as they may be alwayes sepera∣ted, and yet kept together with a durable string, wherewith they must bee hung alwayes at thy Girdle (either before or behind as thou pleasest) wheresoever thou resortest, and not hid in thy Pocket. But there be some so inclined to civilitie, (or rather to the loue of their own reputation) that although they haue purchased large meanes by the meane of writing, and daylie addeth there unto, beside the defraying of all charges otherwise; yet are ashamed in the verie middest of their profession to honour the Calling that farre, (which hath both honoured and preferred them so much) as to carrie those
necessaries in the most frequent manner, with∣out the which, or the like, they could not put it in practise, and so want all which thereby they obtaine: whereas manie others which per∣haps deserue more, and receiue lesse, may bee easilie knowne by these tokens of what profes∣sion they be; which is a thing verie seemly, yea, and agreeable to the custome observed as well by sundrie Artists, as Artificers of other Artes and vocations, who think it no disparagement. Againe, not onelie the Pennars, or Penne-cases of the sortes that bee carried in private manner, doe holde few pennes, and those verie short; but both the naturall heate of the body maketh the colour of the Inke, kept in these Ink-horns, soone to fade, after it is dispersed in writ; and suddenlie to exhaust, and bee dried up in the Inke-horne; or at least become so thicke, that it will stoppe its owne passage through the clift of the Penne. As also aye before thou begin to write, they require to bee taken sundrie, in so manie pieces, that it is harde either to keepe them so long as thou writest; or after thou hast written, to get them conveaned, and set toge∣ther againe.
Haue no Inke-horne, but that which may bee closeli•• stopped as thou carriest it; left the Inke over-flow, and pollute thine Apparell, whereof if the colour differ from the colour of the Inke, it will bee harde to finde remedie for
reparing of the fault, except the more timelie regard bee had thereunto, before the penetra∣tion and drinking in thereof in that wrong sub∣ject. That sort of Inke-horne, which (besides the stopper) is all of one piece, alike abroade, both aboue, to receiue the penne easilie, with∣out doing harme thereunto; and under to stand on, is the best to bee chosen: but none of those which are high or long, whether consisting of one piece or moe, because in taking Inke foorth thereof, the penne not onelie spilleth often times on their bottome, because the deepenesse thereof is uncertaine: but also even in the en∣trie, since it is too narrow. And that which is yet worse, a great part of the pipe thereof will bee so defiled with Inke, (by reason of the said deepnesse) that it will reedilie blotte thy fin∣gers, and so cause thy fingers to blotte the pa∣per. Last, while as thou perusest these neces∣saries, let them either hing still on thy Belt, if then thou hast not much to write, and that the Inke abound not: or else stand on the writing table, beside thine hand which writeth, because it is nearest and readiest there: lest otherwise, if either at the left hand, or yet directlie before thee, some of the Inke fall out of the penne by the way, in transporting thereof over thy writ, and so likewise disgrace it.
HAue ever a sheete of cleane Paper rightlie folded in thy little Booke, called VADE MECVM, or more, as need requireth, kept in better maner, that is, either unfolded, or in fewer foldings: lest otherwayes no lesse skaithe happen vnto thee, than by the want of pennes in thine urgent bu∣sinesse: (as is forewarned in the owne place) for although Inke may bee hastilie made, and after diverse wayes in time of neede, yet pennes are not alwayes so to bee had, (even where they use sometime to bee in greatest plentie) nor everie where to make, though thou coul∣dest never so well: and paper farrelesse, which is not onlie more rare to be had, but more diffi∣cill to make, albeit thou haue aboundance of the matter whereof it is made.
When thou art to write on the paper which thou shalt happen to haue, let it lie square on that part of the Table before thee, where thou sittest or standest, and bee remooved at so ma∣nie times, or by so manie degrees, foorthwith from thee, as lines doe increase in number in-with to thee.
Let both those who haue made little pro∣gresse in learning to write, and those who haue little leasure to learne, or both as one, make
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choyse of the Page, or Leafe, (of ordinarie paper) in quarto, made in the long line volume: because the one sort (if they would profit) must needs write slowlie, till they amend sufficiently: and so great Pages would both suddle in time of the writing, and bee tedious (for them) to write: and the other, may not write much at ones, for lacke of time, as sayde is. But accor∣dinglie as skill groweth with the first, oppor∣tunitie with the last, and dexteritie with both, it will bee more fitte time to choose greater vo∣lumes.
And if thou wouldest know particularlie how to make that forme of booke, take a Paste-boord equall in quantitie with one of the sheets of Paper whereon thou art to write, and folde it together justlie in the middest foure∣folde, pressing downe all upon each other; that the lirkes or folding parts thereof may appeare the more viuelie for the uses following: there∣after extende it againe in length and bredth, as before it was folded, the broade side lying al∣wayes justlie to thee (that is, square on the Table before thee, as thou sittest or standest) then folde and few therein, eight sheetes of cleanlie & wel bearing paper, after this manner. First, folde 6. thereof in the long volume in quarto, for thine owne writing; and few them justlie on the lirke going thorow the broad side next unto thee, (as is immediatlie afore speci∣fied)
and next, folde the remnante two in the short volume in quarto, for thy Exemplares; and few one thereof upon the lirke towards or forenent the right hand, & the other upon the lirke towards or forenent the left hand: and so the middle lirke (that is, the lirke justlie be∣twixt both) will be reserved; which require••h to bee cut foorth, the bredth of an intch, from the one ende to the other: and although these two bee thus divided, yet both being conjoy∣ned with the third, will appeare as it were three Bookes bound all in one. By vertue of which division, and conjunction, all the Exemplares will both indure longer, and bee kept clean••r, than otherwayes: and that not only by in-laying of one, or of all the Exemplares of the one side, when thou writest by anie of the other: but likewise, when thou discoverest and perusest anie of either side, all the rest, both of that same side, and the other, may bee obscured and reser∣ved. Moreover, cut the outmost Lease of the Paper whereon thou writest, halfe out on either side; to the effect one of them may lie in-over, and cover the page of the one side of all the Booke, while as thou writest on any page of the other: whether it bee the page alreadie written, or the page next following to write.
Touching the forme of the Copies to bee thus heereunto appended, employ anie cun∣ning Master Writer to write foure Examplares▪
either of Secretarie or Romane Hand, (as best agreeth with thy businesse and inclination) and two Alphabets conforme thereunto, the equall halfe whereof on each side of the Booke, filling the uppermost side of everie Leafe, both to∣wardes the right hand and the left, saving the the uppermost Leaues: to wit, the utter Leafe of each side of the Booke, saving the uppermost pages of the two uppermost Leaues, (to wit, the utter Leafe of each side of the Examplare part of the Booke: which, if thou please, may bee reserved to containe thy name or subscrip∣tion, and that in Secretarie Hand upon the one, and Romane on the other.
And last, let one of the foure Examplares be great, another greater; one small, another smal∣ler: single and double Letters in one page to∣gether, and Capitals in another page by them∣selues. And remember to cause all the Copies upon the right side of the Booke serue it selfe, through out all, to wit, the first or left side of each Leafe, all the Examplares of the left side content it selfe also with the Copies thereon, that is, to serue the last, or right side of everie Leafe: and seldome borrow one from another, because both haue alike: whereby they will lie directlie forenent thy Face, on whatsoever side thou writest.
When thou intendest to write anie thing of great valour, and hast large time to doe the
same, let the paper be cleansed from all haires and motes, that may either hinder the course of the pen, stay it to write cleanlie, or any wayes cause maculation; & that with Stanch graine: which if thou wouldest learne to make and use, I remitte thee to these few Rules that bee made in English Verse, at the forefront of that print Exemplar booke set foorth by Thomas Trippe, & of other books, by other Writers.
Likewise there be wayes how to take blottes of Inke foorth of paper or parchment; how to boile Inke, and make diverse kinds, and colours thereof; yea, (which is more) to dissolue Golde, and Silver; and to doe sundrie other things concerning curious and secret Writing, Geometrie, Drawing, and Painting: wherein I will not insist, because they are fullie declared in diverse Authors; whereof manie bee more obscure, and tedious to practise, than either needfull, or profitable being practised.
But it is more expedient than needful that ei∣ther Stanchgrain, or such others as these before mentioned, bee used in all writs concerning all matters, nor yet are they needful for every Wri∣ter: for each Practisioner cannot, (nor needeth not) be a perfect Artist; neither is it requisite, that each one that be perfect, take such paines in doing of every common thing, as at some extraordinarie and rare occasion, when he in∣tendeth either to honour his Countrey, those
who employ him, or for some particular re∣spects to demonstrate his owne cunning by the exquisitnesse and excellencie of faire Writ.
LEt the Paper haue dowble square, that is, two scores for euerie line of letters or writ, the first 5. dayes when thou beginnest to learn; whether thou bee to builde on an olde founda∣tion, or to cast downe the same, and begin the Alphabet of new. Which time being expired, let the square evanish by litle and litle the space of 13. dayes, or yet some moe or fewer as thou enrichest in knowledge and practise: for this part of the rule cannot be strictlie observed by all alike, but must of necessitie haue some larger bounds for some than for others; because all be not of one age to conceiue, and those that bee, cannot conceiue all alike soone; & though they coulde, they cannot with their heart practise that conception alike well.
If thou cāst not draw the just meethe of writ lines abruptlie with the point of a Knife, take helpe of Square and Compasse, & fill a sheet of Paper with pefect black scores, all alike distant, of such number as may easilie bee contained on the cleane paper whereupon thou art to write▪ and each one of such length as thou wouldest
haue the lines, and of such bredth as thou woul∣dest haue the bodies of letters to bee: to the in∣tent that the writing paper being cleanlie and thinne, and the squared paper layde under the same, the scores may appeare therethorow, and so make the lines both to goe directly foorth to the ende, and bee of equall distance. Or thou mayest eyther square the writing paper softlie, with the two points of the Compasse, both the scores with one travell, so narrow or wide as the proportion of the letters requireth; or with a knife, being thicke edged at the point, or else with a small piece of blacke lead, as thou shalt thinke expedient. (As for a penne with a clift, because it hath no such strength as the Com∣passe, it cannot bee so meete for squaring: for incontinent it will slitte further up in the selfe, and so make the scores to bee further and further distant.) If thou makest choyse of the last of these meanes proponed, and wouldest haue the scores that bee made therewith to eva∣nish, that both the writ may the more viuelie appeare, and thine owne ignorance the lesse; then rubbe them softlie with a piece of Wheate bread, after that the writ is wel dried of its own accorde.