The Hartlib Papers

       {         new --- spee --- teach          }

       {The --- est & --- diest --- ing to write.}

       {         true --- rea --- learn          }

Here is a new secret Invention, ^a whereby the Author onely, ^b can teach ^c any of either sex, ^d who are capable ^e and carefull, ^f to write any one hand, ^g more exactly, orderly, and speedily in six hours, ^h then they could doe by any other after the vulgar way ⁱ in sixtie ^k.

     But since all are not alike capable nor carefull, and so cannot alike speedily learne, ^l (though all may be equally taught) therefore others (whether older or younger) must needs have so much longer time, then the former sort, as they are either deficient, ^m negligent, ⁿ or both ^o.

     And those who cannot write at all, or not well, neither can read, spell, nor know a letter, may attain more by him in one moneth, ^p then they could doe by any other in three ^q.

     Such as would learne either by him, or by any of his (theoricall and practicall) bookes ^r, repare to his House in the City or Country, (where hee usually practiseth and his Wife and Daughters keep borders) or leave a note of direction in his absence,^s may bee informed at the Spectacles, either over against the Royall Exchange, at Westminster-hall gate, or next within Temple Barre.

     By DAVID BROWN. Dwelling now at the Sugar loafe in Gold Smiths Alley without Cripple-gate.

a Or rare Art of Expedition, never yet published in any Nation. b After fifty yeares' experience, with Gods assistance, and his faithfull diligence.   c Upon severall occasions, and in diverse places.

d Of generous disposition, and yeares of discretion.

e Indued with naturall abilities and renewed with needfull qualities to apprehend what's taught.

f To practise carefully and constantly for three weekes space, one houre daily alone, what they learne, besides two appointed houres each of those weekes, with the professour: so that to be capable and carefull is to have a full apprehension and effectuall resolution th'one of what they desire to attain, and the other, in using the meanes to obtain that desire, which are threefold, first, a care to practise, next a care to practise carefully, and last a care to practise constantly, one houre daily as is formerly.

g Any one of the twelve generall (or representative) words without removing the pen, which hee hath composed to containe all letters as they ought to bee joyned; and so by those, he teacheth them the true way how to write all other words, of any one of the new reformed hands (in his universall challenge for the golden pen) which they never learned, or of any old forme of writing, wherein they have not beene rightly nor compleatly taught.

h Of six severall dayes, rather then of one day together except for necessity

i  Used in schooles by learning of disjoyned letters in long time, without either right posture or true order by Art, but only an apish imitation and lineal ruling, even of ordinary things, by rote.

k As many hundreds both in the City and Country can testifie.

l As manyworthy sermons are equally delivered, but unequally received.

m In capacity.

n In industry.

o Or neither so capable to conceive, nor carefull to practise as they.

p One hour only in a day, & as long by their owne private practise when their businesses may be least hindered.

q Though they should spend al the day, neglect all other businesse, & do nothing else.

r Of the newest, best, usuall hands both for matter of instruction and letter of direction.   s Because sometimes he teacheth Gentlemen and Women abroad in the City, and usually in the Summer time when he is called to the Country.