The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1821-08-28
COMMUNICATION.

Mn. EDIroR- From sense Of gratitude and
justice 10 a deserving and respected instructor,
and sense Of duty due the public, allow the
writer through your useful paper, TO notice the
arrival, in your city, Of Mr.. Allison Wriford a
we'll known and celebrsted teacher OF the Art oil
practical Penmanship. The writer has attended
many different schools 10 learn the art of writing
and also, classes taught BY professors exclusively
Of this art; aud from experience, confidently be
heves MIR. w. 10 be the only true and legitimate
teacher of practical and useful Penmanship. At
least this is certain, that any with whom he, the
writer, has ever attended, bear but a weak and
moderate comparison with Mr.. Wrford He
seems 10 possess such minute and practical ac
qusiniance with every particular OF the nature Of
the art he possesses, that any one may be easily
led 10 believe him ennenuy fitted for teacher
and in the art OF writing, that he possesses pc
culiariy of talent exclusively has own. lie has
reduced Penmanshp, in us various divisions OF
Copy Hand, Capitals, Figures and Current or
Running Hand, 10 the only consistent and proper
system, Of which it is susceptible (hat of :" sim
ilarty Of arrangement, and progressive order')
and systematic method of instruction." by
minute and especial explain atons, to be applied
TO every letter and principle, which no other pro
iessor, even OF his instruction is yet thought
capable Of performing but in part. As he is the
only successful, and original author Of 2 fun and
regular "System of Autobiography, or Peur- tnsh;P."
1t Is but reasonable TO expect HIM to understand
hi. own devisings better than any other. His i'm
proved fashion Of capitals, and style Of Current
Hand, require commendation !; their ele gance
and superiority will be evident to every one, At
believed, o. taste and discemment.
The writer. also Acknowledges much impor-
tsnt assistance from Mr.. w. in several othsr-
branches particularly the art OF reading, gram
mar, and other branches IN common use and in
ali which has mode rs peculiar, ana attended with
singular success. His mode of government is ju-
dcioIs and efficient, and his patience and assidu-
ity exceedingly uncommon. The writer has Civ
en- MIR. WIS. mode of instruction in penmanshp
and style Of writing, much attention ; and prov
ed its utility in teaching scholars ia schools and
in classes; and although not pretending TO teach
with one quarter the advantage that he would,
yet nevertheless, full confidence is entertained,
that every scholar in a school, who is old enough,
and Is learning TO write, may derive extra adj
vantage OF $40 pr. annum, where Mr. WIS. mode
and system OF writing is understood and taught,
over what he would, were any other than his
pursued. Indeed, f writing is taught in schools
with other branches Ito which it does not prop
erly beong) it should be pursued BY the quarter.
Although those who attic nd MIR. w. by the course,
and in small classes, and of suitable age, derive
great advantage, yet for young lads and misses,
under l2o - years Of age, this short time is not
sutice Mt 10 establish habit. therefore it is i'm
portant that teacher should continue the same
plan and system by the quarter. Those over IL
or 13 years of age and upward, 10 IS or 40, may
acquire a style of hand in a course Of 60 lessons
of Mr.. w. worth from ten to hundred dollars;
and which they can retain and carry to any de-
gree of perfection they may choose, by their own
practice. without any further aid or instruction
from this statement ofthe subject, Of which there
can be no manner Of doubt of its correctness, it
can easily be seen of what important benefit it
would be to the instruction, to schools,
and TO the public in general, were this mode and
system Of MIR. w. introduced into all the schools,
As a standard method, and common practice,
throughout our extensive republic. Surely Mr..
Editor, this no vain or visionary calculation, and
il does appear TO the writer, worthy the consider
alton Of public 5enefactIon and as such, ought
to be estimated aud encouraged, by printers OF
periodical papers, and all influential men, actua-
ted by lively and proper spirit Of patri0tism tru
ly American.
II is from knowledge Of wrong bias, into
which the public have been led, through the
innumera bic number Of teachers pervadiDg the
whole country, who profess 10 teach penmanship
in small classes, IN imitation OF Mr. ": without
his abilities. and thereby frequently deceving
the community in regard TO has pretensions and
the utility Of his system, and from an spprehen
zion that the nature and principle OF rebmanship
is but imperfectly understood, which has gwen
occasion TO these remarks so much in detail ; and
also. from wish to render some aid in restoring
the merits Of an ingenious and deserving member
Of society and his works, 10 just and proper es-
tmation.
MIR. Wrifford's +" Treatise on Chirography, or
Sy,temzed Penmanship," late publication, IS
ni,Uwledged BY many teachers, both IN the
arm, middle and eastern states, to be mas
Ter piece Of orig nal performance" Aud II IS the
FIRST and only one ever published, deserving the
appeliatiou ola complete system, combining just
ness aud proprety IN all its parts. 10 tins trea-
tse there is scarcely remark to be found, winch
doe, not posses peculiarly Of truth, fitness and
necessity. and which indicates an intimate &C
oraIntance with the PRACTICAL nature OF ITS OBJ |
iec,, and ought to be regarded as maxi" OF m
Soute stable auccnracy
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