Page:Hill's manual of social and business forms.djvu/42

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Showing Hands, Paper, and Position of the Feet.

HE desk at which the individual stands when writing, should slightly incline from the front upward. It should so project as to give ample room for the feet beneath, which should be so placed as to be at nearly right angles with each other, the right foot forward, the principal weight of the body resting upon the left. Incline the left side to the desk, resting the body upon the left elbow, as shown in the above engraving, thus leaving the right arm free to use the muscular or whole arm movement, as may be desired.

The desk should be so high as to cause the writer to stand erect, upon which the paper should be placed with the edge parallel with the desk.

Rest the body lightly on the forearm, and the hand upon the two lower fingers, the end of the penholder pointing towards the right shoulder. Practice in the position herewith shown, either with lead pencil or pen, upon waste paper, entirely regardless of the form of letters, until the pen can be held easily and correctly, and writing can be executed rapidly. Strike offhand exercises, and the whole arm capitals, making each letter as perfectly as may be, the practice, however, being with special reference to acquiring the correct position, and freedom of movement.

Steady the paper firmly with the left hand, holding it near the top of the sheet, as shown in the illustration. Beware of soiling the paper with perspiration from the left hand.