Page:Theory and Practice of Handwriting.djvu/116

98 Class II. introduces but one new element viz. the initial curve cr as it is called the hook. Again but three letters compose this group one of which,, will offer some difficulty because of its extraordinary length. Why should not English teachers introduce the custom so common on the Continent and begin the at the top of the small letters instead of commencing it so far above them? It would be quite as legible and distinctive.

For our own part we much prefer the short stroke whether from a practical or an educational standpoint. The junctions in this group will principally be at the foot of the stroke and at or near the top, as shown in Fig. 34.

Exercises and Headlines on this and succeeding classes will of course contain abundant practice on all preceding letters and classes.

Class III. including the simple curved letters will require some care, the tapering strokes peculiar to