PREFACE.
mental script letters, will particularly please, presenting, as they do, muc
entirely new, calculated to aid the young sign-painter in doing his work
and correctly.
The artist in lettering on marble finds in this work a chapter presentit
stone inscriptions and epitaphs, giving the modern and best forms of w(
which to perpetuate the memory of the departed. More especially will this I
by the marble- worker as giving him the grammatical wording of the inscri.
abbreviation of words, and their correct punctuation. The grand and cosl
ment, designed to stand for a thousand years, to be gazed upon by multitt
the record that it bears to be read by millions! How important that, in
spicuous place, in such enduring form, the inscription, in grammar, capitalizz
punctuation, should be given absolutely correct. The ornamental scripts,
plain and fancy alphabets, will also admirably serve the wants of marble
This chapter will likewise assist the mourner who is desirous of selecting
priate inscription to mark the last resting place of the departed.
The reader will appreciate the forms herein relating to inscriptions su
use by the engraver, when marking the spoon, the ring, the cane, the w
modest birth-day gift, or the costly wedding present.  The engraver m
especially value these examples, from the fact that they enable the
to select at once the words desired, and the style of lettering in which they
executed; while the forms of punctuation and arrangement of wording will
youngest apprentice at the bench how to execute the same correctly.
The secretary of the public meeting, the presiding officer, every memb
assemblage; in fact, every American citizen that -aspires to discharge the di
freeman, will be aided by the chapter on parliamentary rules, the forms of rc
appropriate for various occasions, petitions to public bodies, etc.
The writer who would express thought more rapidly than can be dor
ordinary method, will discover. in the department devoted to short- 1-
necessary copies and instruction to enable the student to wrte the same with
rapidity and ease.
The chapter assigned to the writing of poetry, and the dictionary ol
will instruct and aid a certain class ;.while the poetic selections will be v
all lovers of poetry, as presenting some of the most beautiful and charming