they form a part, except in the cases marked (d) for detached. When marked (d), the sign is written close by the side or across the preceding letter.

CHAPTER IV.

VOWELS AND CONSONANTS.

WRITING AND OMISSION OF VOWELS.

WHILE most systems of short-hand are constructed on the principle of making as little use as possible of vowels, it is the purpose of this system to make the utmost possible use of them, and it is the only one in which they can be advantageously employed. Often a written vowel line is capable of several contractions, while if the vowel line. were not written, the contractions would be impossible, and it would become necessary to write a line for each contraction which has been expressed by writing the vowel line. In all such cases the vowel should be used, not only because by its use the writing of other lines becomes unnecessary, but because it adds to the legibility of the writing.

If a vowel is necessary to the pronunciation, it should be written whether it can take contractions or not.

If it is the second letter of a word it may be indicated by the position of the preceding letter, which may also be so written as to indicate all the contractions of which the vowel is capable. Thus, for nor is written nr; for nurture, nru; for freedom, frdem; for farmer, framr. Omit the vowel or vowels from a word if legibility be not impaired thereby.

Words containing a single consonant, both beginning and ending with a vowel, should have both vowels written, as assay, obey, etc.

Vowels may usually be omitted with safety when unaccented.

Initial vowels may often be omitted. Diphthongs should usually be written - the learner will find them provided for under the head of Shading, page 101.

Experience in writing and reading is the only guide. on which the stenographer can rely for rules in the omission of vowels. Careful daily practice will finally give an intuitive ability better than rigid laws.

Writing and Omission of Consonants.- Omit all silent and one of doubled consonants, and, in general, any consonant the writing of which would necessitate a difficult outline, and the omission of which will not endanger the legibility-as c, from instruction, obstruction, destruction, protraction, etc.; d, from under, render, etc.; 1, from intelligence, falsely, etc.; n, from transpose, merchandise, identify, etc.; p, from capable, inapt, etc.; r, from describe, surprise, transcript, manuscript, subscribe, etc.; tg, from investigation, etc.

In contracting a word, seize on and write those main elements of it which will on sight suggest it.

CHAPTER V.

ABBREVIATIONS.

THE abbreviations used in most systems of short-hand are arbitrary.

It is desirable that short-hand abbreviations should correspond with those in common use, that the writer may have the advantage of using those already acquired, and that there may be a common bond between short and long-hand.

The following represent most of the abbreviations commonly used in the English language of the present day, and is for all classes a valuable list for daily refer

ence.

Few writers will be able to memorize and use all of them, but frequent reviews will render many of them ready; and each writer of short-hand will find many of these abbreviations apply to the particular class of writing which he is doing. The short-hand writer will soon appreciate the brevity resulting from their use.

The abbreviation is given in both roman letter and short-hand character.

Most abbreviations begin with a capital. Some consist of several capitals with a period after each. The capitalization in this system is so easy that any shorthand writer who chooses can conform to long-hand usage in the use of capitals.