The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-05-13
For The Cecil Wing, |
POPULAR EDUCATION.
~O. V.

lie from my lnlGNitu course. i lie history OF
phoncticS, as traced in my last paper, would
next embrace the invention of Photography.
1t was my intention to mention this art, in its
place. as having a connection with my prin-
cipal theme without pretending to duvclopc
much of its character or history. But since
this series of articles was commenced those
''other hands" to whom entrusted the foster
care of this art, have been so efficiently en-
ploycd, that perhaps | cannot do better in
this place than quote some of the results of
their labors.
About years ago Photography was in
troduccI in the llish St,loo OF Philad 4
phia. At that time an accomplished teacher
of the new art came to that city and without
giving himself much publicity, taught sever
al private pay classes: and, with view to
bring the art more directly to public notice
taught volunteer class Of the High School
students graluitonsIy. The members Of this
class became masters Of their subject, and
the merits OF photography were 50 lalpabc
to the authorities at the school that they quiz
city installed it as regular branch Of study.
1t had since been CONTINUED there, turning
out annually several hundred photographers
who quietly assumed their several positions
in life, some making much use of lhis extra
accomplishment, others but little; until some
time during the past winter; when Il motion
was made in the board Of Controllers Of the
& 4 Il
specified period, Photography should LIE cx-
clud,d from the High School. This move
mont was the means of aIousing the public
mind. Judges, lawyers, physicians, clergy
ncn-all who had become acquainted with
the practical advantages of photography
Joined in IN appeal for rcsuning the study of
itin the High School AID extending it into
other schools. The request Of these petition
crs was complied with.
y document of fifty pages was elaborated
containing numerous testimonials from per-
sons making practical Use Of photography,
and an able exposition Of the art from Robert
Patterson AMI I. S!arcss, from which take
the following extracts:
There are few educated persons who are
not sensible Of the impclfections Of the pres
cnt system of writing from the slowncsS and
wcarisomcncss which it involves. The de-
sire to rcnovatc this impcrfccton has, since
the time of Cicero and perhaps earlier, stimu-
lac invention to the employment Of systems
Of shorthand, or stenography. Some of these
have considerable merit 50 far as mere brcvi-
ty is concerned, but in other most inn o.tant
particulars they arc radically detective They
are all difficult to learn, and even when abil.-
ty to write them is acquired, it is found al
most impossible to read what is written.
And up to our day the great desidcratum Of a
system of shorthand Which should combine
every desired degree of brcvity with case of
acquisition and facility ofroading remains to
be discovered.
1t is Photography Which secures 10 us
these desired results. This System, an liz
vention of Isaac Pitman of Bath, England,
was published in its first inn crltct form in
1887, but has since received many improve
incnts, and as at present written may he da-
ted from the year 1915. 1t has therefore
been about ten years prominently before the
public. Its spread and adoption since that
time as method Of writing and reporting
have been remarkable. Several hundred
thousand text books explanatory ofthe sys-
ten have been sold in Great Britain and the
United States, and the number Of practical
photographers is known to he very consider
able. As system of verbatim reporting il is
rapidly supcrscding all rivalry. But it is
not for reporters alone that Photography is
adapted. Thousands use it who never pre-
tend or aim to be reporters. They employ it
simply as labor saving instrument. Find
ing it entirely legible they use it in every case
where what they write is designed for their
own use, or the eye ola fellow photographer.
Probably ~ mail never passes IN cur country
or in Great Britain that docs not carry phon-
ographic letters of business or friendship.
Some who are clerks, use it rs amanucnses,
taking down from the dictation OF their Snpo-
rior letters which they rowritc in long hand
III iin SiSlaluie. 'oiiic " NJ 'tiS ''""'"N ~
it in recording the words ofinstructon which
fall from their preceptors, TO be afterwards
more carefully reflected and read at leisure.
Some who arc lawyers or.enployed by law
ycrs, use it in preparing legal documents to
he Transcribed into long hand; or, in record
ing evidence verbatim, as it falls from the wit
ness Some who are Editors write in phon
,graphy for their paper, and Others who are
printers set up type therefrom. Clcrgymen
preach, and lecturers discourse from phono-
graphic manuscript. There are in
this country Eve Photographic magazines;
and in England three, if not more printed by
the photographic or some similar process.