The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-01-11 00:00:00

Nth Vablicationo.

Just published, in boards, Bvo., with four Lithographic
• Plates, Price 2s. 6d.,

A COMPLETE AND PRACTICAL SYSTEM OF
lA. SHORT-HAND. By T. C. -FosTEn, Professional
Short-Hand Writer, and Reporter for the LIVERPOOL
STANDARD.

London : WHITTAKER. and Co. Liverpool: STANDARD
Office, and MARPLus. Manchester : SOWLER, end all
Booksellers.

OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.

"This system of Short-hand will be found one of the most
complete that has ever been issued from the press—indeed,
we may say the most complete. Utility and simplicity are
the main objects which the author bas kept in .view. A per-
fect mastery of the instructions which Mr. Foster has given,
will enable any one to take down, verbatim, the words of the
most rapid speaker. Nor is this the only advantage which
will accrue from an acquaintance with this system. the facility
with which the notes may be afterwards read is a consideration
of very great importance. The alphabetical characters have
the recommendation 'of extreme simplicity. The signs for
combinations ()netters, and the arbitraries, or marks for
words, will be found highly conducive to expedition in writ-
ing. In this department the author has been eminently suc-
cessful. To Ladies and Gentlemen who may wish to master
the useful art of stenography, we can cordially recommend
this work, by which a student of ordinary ability, especially
if a quick writer, may be enabled in a very short time to take
down literal reports of sermons and speeches. We may add,
that the professional short-hand writer may also derive much
instruction from this compendium.—Liverpool Standard.
"This is an exceedingly clever, instructive, and well-
written production. Generally speaking, works on steno-
graphy are not sufficiently entertaining and attractive to ob-
tain numerous readers; but we will do Mr. Foster the justice
to say, that he has thrown much that is highly interesting
in his " plain instructions," and has very happily blended the
entertaining with the useful. Our author's principal object
appears to be to instruct the uninitiated ; but we think his
work will prove valuable in many respects even to those
whose profession it is to practise the art. Of course his sys-
tem must, in a great measure, partake of those previously
in existence, but as regards the distinctness and decision of
his vowel characters, it is superior to any we have seen. His
examples and illustrations are alsoexceedingly good, and the
y,iritius lessons are given with a plainness and perspicuity
which must greatly facilitate the learner's progress. In short,
to all who are anxious to obtain a speedy and accurate know-
ledge of the art of stenography, we earnestly recommend
the work."—Manchester Courier.

" We are of opinion that the last essay on stenography
must almost of necessity be the best, and that the person most
qualified to treat of it is a practical reporter. Mr. Foster's
enthusiastic admiration of the art, has, we think, led him a
little too far; but it by no means detracts from the value of.
information derived from his own personal observation and
experience as a reporter, which is now offered to the public
in a cheap and accessible form."—Liveri»ol Mercury.
" We can with confidence pronounce Mr. Foster's system
a good one. Constant. practice is absolutely necessary for
any one who wishes to be a first-rate short-hand writer, either
ou this or on any other system ; but we believe that a
thoroughly practised writer of short-hand. would find it easier
to follow a rapid speaker with this than with any other system.
It also possesses the very great advantage of being easily
readable when written."-Liverpool Times.
From a hasty glance through the pages, we pronounce it
excellent."—Lancashire Herald.
" Mr. Foster we know has bad much practical experience
in the art, and it is practical experience alone that can
enable an individual to form a correct judgment of any par-
ticular system. Mr. Foster has, it appears, tried three seve-
ral systems, and has fixed upon that which he deems the best.
On this he has made such improvements as, in the course
of his practice, seemed best calculated to secure facility.
With his judgment matured by constant consideration of
the subject, he tells us that the system which he has now
presented to the public possesses many advantages over
those most in use, with which he is acquainted.— Liverpool

" We thick its alphabetical characters are extremely sim-
ple, and that the signs for pluralities of letters, and the ar-
bitraries,which are more peculiarly the author's own improve-
ments, are highly conducive to expedition, without inducing
:my corresponding difficulty in deciphering. While Mr. Fos-
ter's arbitraries and double and triple consonants are more
numerous than those of other systems that we have met with.
they seem all well adapted for practice, and if so, they cannot
but he regarded as a material aid to the shorthand writer."
Liverpool Courier.
"Mr. Foster, in this little work, has given to the world the
result of his own practical experience as a short-hand writer.
In the two great requisites of short-hand writing—expedition
and an easy facility in deciphering the characters when writ-
ten—the present system is superior we conceive, to most of
the popular works on the same subject. Persons wishing to
give the requisite application to the study of short-hand, will
find in Mr. Foster's manual everything they require. The
practicability of the system is best tested by Mr. Foster's re
putation as an accomplished stenographer.—Liverpool Chro-
nicle.

`• It is our opinion that the reporter is a far more efficient
tutor in the art of stenography than they who, however well
acquainted with it theoretically, have but. little practice; be-
cause in the former case you are most likely to be presented
with a system perfected to die point or practical utility, while
in the latter it is ten to one but you are taught a system which,
is found to fail upon trial, and which may require ye»rs of al-
teration, amendment, and practice to fender it serviceable.
We must admit that Mr. F'oster's system appears to us a very
'excellent one; that its capabilities are equal to ail demands
upon it is evident from his own practice; and that it is laid
down clearly and jndiciously, will be apparent to any one
who peruses the book.—Liverpool Journal.
"The little knowledge we possess of this very useful art
enables us to state that Mr. Foster's system appears to us a
very practical and easy one, and therefore a very good one.
The work is cheap and very intelligible, and we have no hes-
tation in recommending it to thcHe who are desirous of be-
coming prnficients in the art, and to all who desire to have
any knowledge of it." —Metropolitan amservalive Journal and
Church. of England Gazelle.
`• This system of Short-hand seems an excellent method
It is the work of a Reporter on the Liverpool Standard."—
Literary Oazetle, October 6th, 1838.
"The admirers of short-hand writing, whether profession-
ally or as amateurs, have now offered to them a small volume
or sound and practical instruction in that delightful art, by
Mr. 'l'. C. Foster. We will only add, that so far as ourjudg-
ment goes, it is a book which truly deserves the patronage of
the publie."--Sunderland B' aeon.
"The title-page of this book is saying a good deal for the
work, hut it is very fairly borne out. it is the best book on
the subject we have seen, and a decided improvement upon
many of the slow systems extant. Tn all who desire perfect
tion in this difficult art; we recommend the purchase of Mr.
Foster's treatise, —Metropolitan, illaga;itre lot Octolier, 1838.