Page:Theory and Practice of Handwriting.djvu/96

78 of the largest will measure 10 inches by 8 whilst the smallest is 7 by 4, or 80 square inches and 28 sq. in. Some are Square as No. 1, and some oblong, the latter having two kinds, those which are longer horizontally (as No 2), and those which are longer in the Vertical direction as No. 3.

In Germany and Austria, where these and similar points are professionally and exhaustively discussed, a very strong movement has set in opposing shapes Nos. 1 and 2 and approving of style 3. Many critical and clever essays have been written on the question and after careful study of the arguments it is almost impossible to resist the conclusion that the advocates of short lines or narrow Copy Books have the best of it. Correspondence forms one of the most common and largest classes of penmanship (Commercial and Professional). It is found that small, medium and large sized note papers are the most convenient and practically useful sizes and shapes for letter writing. On this ground it is surely expedient to assimilate as far as possible to common usage in our School practice. Indeed most office books such as Day Books, Journals, Ledgers, Cash Books, &c. take the same form and are narrow from left to right, and long from base to top. It is evident therefore that by using Copy Books of an entirely different shape with juveniles an unfair strain is put upon the pupils at a time when they are least able to bear it, and that we are exacting from them a task which is both unnecessary and inexpedient. But again, it is found by medical men, Oculists, that as the writing recedes to the right it becomes injurious to the eyes, and that the only remedy for this danger is to use narrow books, and preserve what will subsequently be described as the middle straight position.

It has been advanced as an argument for the Long-line Copy Books, that there is a not inconsiderable advantage in the