The memory, then, while it should not be overbur dened with unnecessary verbiage, should never be re leased from that habitual exertion on which its own pre servation and usefulness depend ; the great secret of preserving and improving the memory consists in giv ing it a sufficient quantity of the right kind of aliment, affording due time for its digestion, and no more re laxation than is absolutely necessary to its health and vigour.
The person who can write rapidly does not conse quently substitute writing for memory, but employs it as an assistant ; and every person when committing words to paper for his future use and improvement, should endeavour to fix in memory, at least the lead ing features of the subject, depending on short-hand, only for that which memory cannot recall.
When the memory is thus properly exercised, it cannot fail to be improved ; and the mind, being re leased from the unnecessary encumbrance of words, will find more time to grow and expand, by reflecting, or comparing and analyzing the ideas which words may have infused ; for the memory should be rather the repository of ideas than of words, which are the mere vehicles of thought, and always at hand.
Although the following system is in itself complete, so far as intended for correspondence and general use; yet, for the gratification of those who wish to make other abridgements, and particularly those of the learn ed professions, who think proper to engraft upon the established system certain technical or other abbrevi ations, adapted to their own respective professions, the following hints may be useful.
The lawyer orjudge may, with much propriety, even if writing short-hand, substitute in place of certain words which occur very frequently, the initial corn mon hand letter, as P, for plaintiff, D. for defendant, W. for witness, C. for court, T. for testimony, V. for verdict, J. for judgment, Scc.
The physician may, with like propriety, use P. for patient, pulse, or perspiration-, F. for fever, I. for in flammation, R. for respiration, Sze.
The clergyman may find it convenient to use H. for heart, or 'heaven, S. for sinner or salvation, R. for redemption or resurrection, J. for judgment, C. for conscience, condemnation, Stc.
Young gentlemen who attend lectures on chemistry, anatomy, or other subjects, may save much labour and time, by using the initials of certain technical terms, which occur frequently in the course of their study.
horizontal right line, be drawn from left to right, till it strike the lower edge of the circle, and be joined to the lower quadrant, on the right of the perpendicular, the character ious is produced.
These characters have a fourfold application.
1. To represent, individually, a few common words.
2. The most frequent prefixes.
S. The most frequent terminations.
4. The alphabetic letters, for which they have been substituted.
This diagram exhibits at once, all the 674 characters employed in this system ; they are 20 in number, and of four Pr distinct species, viz.
1. The right line.
2. The semicircle.
3. The circle and line combined.
4. The quarter circle and line combined.
1. The horizontal diameter is used for the letter s; the perpendicular diameter for q the oblique diameter, drawn downwards on an angle of 45°, to the left, is d; the same line running upwards is r; the oblique diameter drawn downwards on an angle of 45° to the right, is f, or v, either, as may be required.
2. If a circle be divided horizontally, into two semi circles, the upper one is k, or q; the lower one, n: if divided perpendicularly, the left semicircle is ch, and the right g, or j.
3. If any of the right lines above described be joined to a small circle, and project as a tangent, the circle and line together form a stenographic letter of the third class, as seen upon the third limb of the tree, viz.—If it project from the top of the circle, to the right, horizontally, the circle and right line together constitute the letter m. If the same figure be turned, so that the tangent project downward, perpendicularly, from the right side, it will represent the letter p—if obliquely to the left, downward, on an angle of it is h—if obliquely to the right, downward, on the same angle, it is b; if obliquely to the right, upward, it is I; or, if the upper segment of a larger circle be joined to the whole circle, in the form of a curved tangent, projecting to the rigla, the letter w is produced.