The new invention, intituled, calligraphia: or, the arte of faire writing vvherein is comprehended the whole necessarie rules thereof; by which anie who is capable and carefull to learne, may without the helpe of any other teacher, under God, both bee informed concerning the right writing of the most usuall characters in the world; and perfectly instructed how to write one of the most frequent in Europe, called the secretarie. ... By His Majesties scribe, Master David Browne.

THE ARGVMENT, COMPREHENDING THE PREROGATIVES OF FAIRE WRITING.

ALthough this Subject may seeme base, not being great matters, but BARE LET∣TERS, yet it is worthie of great promotion, both be∣cause it maintaineth al other Subjects, as shall bee decla∣red (GOD willing) heereafter, and that the right performance of the action thereof, called WRI∣TING, is an Arte as Honourable, Needefull, Profitable, Rare, Auncient, Noblie descended, and consequentlie as Excellent as anie other, which I prooue by forcible Reasons.

It is Honourable, for two of the most chief, the one grounded upon the rare practises of the most blessed, great, and rare PATRON, be∣cause it not onelie pleased Him to honour it, in writing of the Tables of the Lawe with His owne Sacred Hand, (spoken so for our capaci∣tie:) But His Blessed Sonne, our onelie Sa∣viour,

bowed Himselfe in the Temple of Hie∣rusalem, and wrote on the ground. The other Reason, taken from the practises of Man: for is there anie King or Monarch in the World, who applieth not himselfe to learne this Arte, al∣though he should neglect and forgoe all others?

Needfull, for other two Reasons: the first, Tending to our Eternall happinesse: for it was inevitable and necessarie that the Worde of the LORD should bee written, that it might en∣dure for ever: And though the use both of Writing, and of all that is written will expire at the Day of Iudgement, yet the same verie Worde which now is written will endure eter∣nallie; because it is eternall, as both Hee is Eter∣nall from whome it proceedeth as the Author, and Hee who is not onlie the Subject thereof, but the verie WORD it selfe: Who by it will pronounce the Sentences both of Absolution and condemnation at that Great Day: and ra∣there ere Hee suffer one jot or Letter thereof to be voyde or remaine unaccomplished, Heaven and Earth will passe away. And the second rea∣son, tending to the weale of our temporall estate, because without the use of Writing, and Letters written, no Estate in the World could stand: seeing it not onlie keepeth constant me∣morie of Promises, Rightes, and Dueties, be∣twixt man and man, from Generation to Gene∣ration; but likewise goeth in Ambassage from

Nation to Nation in all effaires, expressing mens Mindes whose persons bee absent, as if they were present. Indeede, without the use of Printing, the Estates of the Worlde might stand, like as they did more than 5400. yeares, for it is not aboue 200. yeares yet since it began to flowrish: and so there is not so great necessitie in the use of Printing, as of Writing; for Wri∣ting must needes be, or else there could be litle Civile order; but each one circumvene and spoyle his Neighbour without remedie of Iu∣stice.

Profitable, for two respectes also: first, be∣cause universallie as manie liue by the practise thereof, in good estate, as by the practise of anie other Arte: and next, because Printing could scarcelie ever haue beene, if Writing had not beene first: for Printing was not onelie first de∣vised by the occasion of sweirnesse in writing, and in-holding of maintenance to Writers; but likewise the first patterne of printing Chara∣cters, was made conforme to written Letters: yea, Printing could scarcelie yet continue, if it were not up-holden, and maintained by Wri∣ting: for what Booke was ever, or can bee yet, so well and easilie printed, as that which was, and is first written; whereby it is certaine, that Printing is as inferiour, as it is posterior unto Writing, and that for three causes: first, because upon everie occasion the mindes of men may

bee farre better signified unto others in sheduls, and their promises performed, or at least, ur∣ged to performe, in securities, by the meane of Writing, than of Printing; seeing the one ser∣veth in doing, preserving, and multiplying of anie thing while it is in doing: and the other, but to preserue and multiplie extractes of a thing alreadie done. Secondlie, because Wri∣ting is practised by manie, not onelie because it is necessarie to all, but both because it is easie of it selfe, and the meanes thereof easilie carried; whereas Printing is onelie practised by fewe, since it is neyther needfull for everie one, easie to practise, nor the meanes wherewith easie to transporte, yea, though even made in the moste rare and compendious manner. And thirdlie, were not by occasion of the worthie exercise of VVriting, (as I haue sayde) howe could there ever haue beene anie such preservation of Lear∣ning by Printing? anie such manifestation thereof, by multiplying of Bookes printed? and by consequent, ever anie such immortalitie, and universalitie of fame purchased eyther through Learning, or valiant deedes by mortall men, as now there bee, of some renowned, in all Ages past? for a mortall fame, that is, an unwritten fame, may well surviue him unto whom it be∣longeth, and continue the next generation af∣ter, but is rarelie found in the second, except of some rare person: so then, if the famous remēbe∣rance

of renowned men had aye died when themselues died, through defect of Writing, what could they haue left of all their endevours behinde them? for was not Wisedome, Ho∣noures, Learning, Riches, and such others, in the Worlde before them?

Rare, because by all appearance the secrecie and hidde knowledge of all the precepts there∣of, hath not beene clearelie revealed to the Youth in former Ages, yea, is scarcelie yet, in anie Schoole whatsoever, except where this Booke is diligentlie taught. And surelie I mar∣vell that so manie Volumes haue beene written on all Subjectes, Sciences, and Artes, (except this Subject and Arte) in all Nations, in all Ages, and by all sortes of people, shewing per∣fectlie howe to attaine to the right knowledge and practise thereof; as also, that even so manie sortes of Exemplare Bookes of fayre writ, are printed, and extant, and yet none haue shewed anie perfect way how to followe them without a guide, by writing the complete Arte of Wri∣ting it selfe! It is true, some Writers, of some Nations, haue written some preceptes, howe to follow some of the most usuall formes of Writ amongst themselues; but never anie SCOTTISH Man hath left anie preceptes behinde him, how to write anie forme, eyther usuall in his owne Countrey, or else-where.

Auncient, because certaine it is, that Litera∣ture hath beene from the beginning, and not onlie flowrished long before the Deludge or In∣undation of Waters, amongst the curious In∣ventors of Sciences and Artes, as appeareth by the charitable regarde either of SETH, or some other, who for the benefite and weale of the posteritie, caused write or graue the same on two pillars, the one of Tyle, to abide fire, and the other of Stone, against water: but likewise, not long after the Floode, amongst the Aegyp∣tians, as is evident, both by the Skill of MO∣SES, who beeing trained up in Aegypt, that read the Tables of the Law, as soone as he sawe them, and of the moste parte then of the Israe∣lites, who beeing participant of the same educa∣tion, that doubtlesse could haue done the like action. And though sufficient warrand could not bee produced, for approbation of these As∣sertions, yet naturall Reason cannot bee prejud∣ged, nor frustrated of its owne place: for what Librall Science or Arte can bee older than Wri∣ting, since everie Librall Science and Arte be∣hooved to bee written, both for helping the memorie of the Author in inventing, and of the Studentes in learning: (howbeit Socrates in his time, was of the contrarie opinion) so it hath pleased GOD, by the meane of Writing not onelie to nourish and traine up, all Sciences and Artes in their infancie and minoritie, but

principallie to defende them so in their full age and majoritie, against all assaultes of the igno∣rant, who ever haue beene, and yet are, profes∣sed enemies to Learning, that aye when as they destroyed anie worthie worke in one Booke, it was found againe in another: and hereby also, GOD bee praysed, was Antiochus disappointed of his malicious and devilish attempt, who commaunded to gather together all the Trans∣sumpts of the Sacred BIBLE, (as he supposed) and then caused burne them in a terrible fire.

And Noblie descended, because no Arte hath an Author more noble nor excellent, because the Author thereof is infinitelie aboue all No∣bilitie and Excellencie: for doubtlesse GOD Himselfe, who is the Author of all Goodnesse, first devised and ordained it, as a thing good al∣so of it selfe; and that eyther immediatelie as hee marked Kaine, with some hieroglyphicall or aenigmaticall letters, one or moe; by the Senten∣tiall signification whereof, hee was perfectlie and notoriouslie knowne to bee a Murtherer: or mediatelie by enduing others with the rare gift of Invention, as he did manie Artificers, eyther at the building of the Arke, in the dayes of NOAH, or at the building of the Tabernacle, in the dayes of MOSES and AARON, or else at that incomparable building of the Temple of HIERVSALEM, in the dayes of King SA∣LOMON. VVhereby it evidentlie appea∣reth,

that this Arte hath beene invented by Di∣vine inspiration; for doubtlesse as the Heaven∣lie Scriptures are concluded with this caveat, Let no man presume eyther to adde unto them, nor dimi∣nish from them, because they are so absolute, com∣plete, and perfect, that they containe all thinges necessarie unto salvation: so it lay never in anie mans power in anie Age, eyther to adde or di∣minish a jote, to or from the number of those Letters which it pleased GOD to ordaine, as so manie strong Holdes, Castles, and Yron Cof∣fers, wherein to preserue these our happie Evi∣dences, and heavenlie Rightes, from the vio∣lence of all Tyrants, and enemies of the Trueth whatsoever: and for as few in number as these Letters bee, they not onelie over-flowe all the Bookes in the Worlde, and containe the Lan∣guages of all Nations, (although indeede fewer of them doe containe some Languages, than others) but thereby anie that are nowe living, may know the minde, and disposition of a man, who died a thousand yeares agoe, & so in some sorte haue conference wirh him: which is no small Miracle, were not custome thereof (as of manie other thinges) breedeth contempt, and misregarde!

So if all these Reasons bee rightlie weighed and considered, who can justlie denie, but the ARTE OF FAIRE WRITING ought to bee as well ESTEEMED, because it is as HONOV∣RABLE;

as well MAINTAINED, because it is as NEEDFVLL; as well EMBRACED, because it is as PROFITABLE; as great IN REQVEST, because it is as RARE; as high IN PLACE, be∣cause it is as AVNCIENT; and as well REGAR∣DED, because it is as NOBLIE descended as anie other Arte? And thus much concerning the Renowne, Necessitie, Vtilitie, Raritie, Anti∣quitie, Authoritie; or, to reduce all in one, the EXCELLENCIE of the ARTE OF FAIRE WRITING.

For the which principall Causes then, (as well in the Epistle as here) and diverse secundarie, which doe fol∣low, I haue made choyse to publish this Arte.

FIrst, because of the measure of Skill I haue from the ALMIGHTIE, and considering that I might justlie bee called an unjust Steward of such a Talent, if I should choose rather to haue it buried with mee in the Graue, after I

haue served mine owne use therewith, than to publish and distribute the same to the weale of others, both in mine owne time, and after: which (I hope in GOD) will doe more good ••a anie carefull Scholler in one daye, nor pos∣siblie anie Master Writer in three, without the helpe of this Booke: because a viewe of the whole Arte may bee better seene, yea, resumed and considered in one day, by private and parti∣cular reading, than understoode in manie dayes, by his common and ordinarie instructing: and though both were alike possible, yet it remay∣neth impossible to anie Instructor, howbeit ne∣ver so cunning, eyther to doe the same in such short space, or, although hee could, to endure with so great paines. Whereby it cannot bee valued, (GOD bee praysed) nor enough consi∣dered, what great good the pluralitie, universa∣litie, and conformitie of Bookes, multiplied conforme to this Booke, will doe abroade hencefoorth, (if it please Him to make way therunto) and that in manie places at one time, and after one manner, to infinite numbers, as well of Masters as Studentts, as farre beyonde and aboue all their disconforme practises of Arte, as Right and Vniformitie can bee be∣yonde Wrong, and Disconformitie.

Secondlie, because not onelie Writing is a speciall meane whereby the Youth doe attaine to other Learning, in all Seminaries thereof,

as well Schooles as Vniversities, but in li•••• manner Letters written, are the strong founda∣tions, and fundamentall stones, whereon that Great VNIVERSITIE or ACADEMIE of all LEARNING standeth, the sure Boxes, wherein the rich Treasures of all Learning are firmelie inclosed, (which none can open but those unto whome it pleaseth GOD to lende the Keyes of Interpretation) and the costlie Ringes, precious pearles and jewels, whereout of the bright Dia∣monds of all Learning doe shine: Hence it com∣meth, that a learned man, is called a Lettered man; and Letters cannot justlie bee called Let∣ters, at the least well knowne to bee Letters, except they bee rightlie framed, and lineallie set; neyther yet can that bee done, without right information and instruction; nor yet right in∣formation & instruction had, but by such as be experimented.

Thirdlie, because there is not such unifor∣mitie kept amongst Masters of Vulgar Schools anent the grounding and trayning up of the Youth, in this vertuous and necessarie Exercise, as neede doeth require; but each one teacheth in some pretended manner of his owne, pre∣ferring the same to all others, though hee can∣not defende, nor prooue it to bee right, by anie relevant reason, warrand, or perfect rule: where∣uppon it followeth, and occurreth, that young writers, unsurelie grounded, leaving one instru∣••tor,

and going unto another, lose and forget ••he moste parte of all that they first learned; which is no marvell, because few of their forms of instructions doe agree, as sayde is: while as in Latine Schooles, when a Student goeth from one to another, hee needeth neyther ascende nor descende, but proceede from that selfe same Rule of Grammar, where hee left off; which is a thing verie commendable: because everie man is not tied to remaine constantlie in one place, although hee even haue heritable dwellinges; and therefore hee findeth it meetest, that his Children bee educated where hee himselfe re∣mayneth. The chiefe reason of this uniformi∣tie and universalitie of Latine, is, because there are constant, uniforme, and absolute Rules uni∣versallie for the same, like as there bee for all other Learning, except onelie Writing: and the disconformitie thereof, and defect of Rules for learning of the same, are the chiefe causes, not onelie that fewe mens writ, (except those who write the universall ROMANE Character) prooue anie more profitable for their use, than their natiue Language, when they resorte to anie forraine Nation; but likewise of the scarci∣tie of those who bee both fine Schollers, and fayre Writers, and of the raritie of those gifted with Fayre Writing, in regarde of the great plentie propined with Learning: For if in times past, there had beene as conformable and uni∣versall

Rules for Writing, as for other Le••¦ning, or yet now for it selfe; why might no•• Learned men haue attained thereunto by the•• owne private Studies, as unto farther Lear∣ning?

Fourthlie, both because there bee some o•• middle age, who regrate the want thereof i•• their youth, and some that rew the neglect o•• the meanes; seeing hardlie can the one sort re∣deeme the time, or the other reduce the occa∣sion: and for either of them this Booke vvill (with the LORDES assistance) bee a sove∣raigne remedie; seeing by perusing thereof a•• an ordinarie meane, so manie of either sort as b•• capable, desirous to Learne, and intend not t•• goe or returne to anie Schoole, may yet obtaine their intent: and that by carefull Reading, and studying to performe that which they reade; even as well as a meane Scholler beeing dili∣gent, may by his owne private travels, attaine to a great part both of the knowledge and pra∣ctise of anie Science or Arte, in reading of Lear∣ned Mens Workes, who haue pathed the way, and made it straight and plaine before him.

Fiftlie, because there be sundrie Students in Vniversities and Schooles, who wanting the occasion of Learning to write within them, re∣sorte in the midst of their course daylie to Vul∣gar Schooles at certaine houres to bee taught: which, as it is incommodious, both because of

••he libertie and distance of place; so it is preju∣••iciall to the course of their studies, since there∣••y they protract so much precious Time, that oftentimes their Skill proveth and commeth too short for their place: for what they haue Learned, is better than how farre they haue Learned; I meane, how much they haue profi∣ted, is better than how farre they haue procee∣ded. Againe, in observing of these dyets, they must not onlie bee absent when their Condisci∣••les are present, and oftentimes most diligent, but will neglect the Latine language in familiar conference, and louse the raignes of the mater∣nall or Mother tongue; yea it may bee added that because they see greater ease in these Schooles, than in others where they haue a greater Compt daylie to render, manie of them doe contract such a custome of sweerenesse, that shortlie they will bee forced to renounce all Learning, saue onlie Writing, who per∣chance would both haue beene Cunning men, and sufficient Writers, if the sight of the enty∣sing objects at these occasions had not intervea∣ned. For remedie whereof hencefoorth, this present Worke will be sufficient; and the more, because I intend to haue it published also in La∣tine, whereby they may learne this Arte in the Latine tongue, as easilie as anie other, or yet in place of anie other Author, and neverthelesse proceede in their course of other learning.

Sixtlie, and last, because there arise such contentions amongst Fayre Writers, through diversitie of opinions of Writ; and some times one of common Skill, esteeming moste of his owne Writ, at the least, conceiting altogether of some other, which hee thinketh an A-per-se: and that none can bee a Competent Iudge, in deci∣ding of these Debates, for lacke of a Grammar which should containe the whole Rules of Arte whereupon to ground his Sentence: which de∣fect proceedeth of the great carelessenesse of all Fayre Writers, in all former Ages: for it is contrarie to the practique of all such other in∣cidentes and occurrences: because in anie que∣stion, or disputation, amongst Schollers, concer∣ning anie Science or Arte whatsoever, Iudges may not onelie discearne betwixt Right and Wrong, but even qualifie their determination by lawfull warrandes, and constant Rules, ex∣cept onelie in contentions for writing: and yet not that I loue, or admitte contention, but doe use all meanes to make peace: for instance, who can justlie say, that the Civill Lawes were or∣dained to make discorde, but rather concorde amongst all estates?

And thus I, (at the pleasure of GOD) being stirred up, by due consideration of all the for∣mer motiues, doe my meane endevour to sup∣plie all defects, & to reforme all absurdities, and

that by downe-setting of an infallible patterne or right Touch-stone, of Fayre and perfect VVriting, and of a soveraigne Remedie, or Re∣cipie, for wrong and incorrect writing, both in one following heereafter: whereby hencefoorth all right writing may not onelie bee knowne, and accordinglie framed; all wrong writing viuelie discearned, and altogether eschewed, and all erroures, which seeme indifferent, exactlie corrected: but likewise all contentions for whatsoever VVriting so decided, as that the decision may, by Rule of right Reason, be warranted: and the worke where∣in anie fault shall happen to be, eyther perfectlie rene∣wed, or fullie re∣jected.