On Short-hand. Writing, eee 
inseruerit. Etsi subtilis theoretica thermometri ‘correctionis 
determinatio non prorsus congruit cum Mayer hujus rei trac- 
tandez ratione: tamen, si eam recipissent astronomi, maximam 
partem evitassent errorum, quos gignet refractio, aeris densitati 
in observatoris loco aut reft agendl facultati tota proportioaalis 
posita.”” 
It now remains that I thank you, sir, for your attention ‘to 8 st 
communications, and that I express my regret you were trouble 
with the short letter in your last Number: but I was not then’ 
aware that a public man, upon a public question, would descend 
to personal abuse, even if he found himself without good argu- 
ments to urge in his defence. 
I am, sir, &e. 
Jan. 7, 1822. JAMES Ivory. 
IV. On Short-hand Writing. By Huwry Uprneton, Esq. 
To Dr. Tilloch. 
Blair's Hill, Cork, Noy. 5, 1821. 
Dear Sir, — Give me leave to occupy your attention for a 
short time, upon a subject which, although in itself not a branch 
of philosophy or literature, must, if successfully cultivated, be 
acknowledged as a valuable acquisition by every one who is ‘de- 
sirous of occasionally taking down the heads of a discourse, or 
who devotes a considerable portion of his life either to the tran- 
seribing of the works of others, or to original composition. 
You will very easily perceive, sir, by this prefatory observation, 
that I should willingly realize, as far as in my power, the sug- 
gestion of Mr. Locke, by putting every gentleman in possession 
of the most expeditious method of short-writing compatible with 
perspicuity and ordinary muscular execution. This is most cer- 
tainly my irtention ; and if I should be so fortunate as to enable 
the literary part of my countrymen to save, in the course of every 
day, even one or two hours which must otherwise be devoted to 
manual drudgery, I shall feel myself most amply recompensed. 
The prominent objection of the most intelligent persons with 
whom I have conversed, to the cultivation of short-hand as 
generally practised, is in my opinion extremely rational. They 
insist that even years are necessary to execute with sufficient ease 
the various crabbed angles, aud consequent difficult combina- 
tions dependent upon the four different positions, left, right, 
perpendicular and horizontal, as thus 7 \ | —: and that until 
an absolutely automatical command of these be obtained, even 
the intellectual Note-taker or Reporter who uses short- hand is 
very 
aT SS 
pame: 
