Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-12-23
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The first method of presenting thoughts
TO the eye was the pictorial system This
mode of writing is quite profusely given in
the Egyptian hieroglyphlcs. which the
priests employed in symbolical and allie
porical manner. "The eye, for instance,
became II symbol of Providence, the bird
an emblem of swiftness. the scaling ladder
representative of a siege" Champollion
claims that the hieroglyphics are divisible
into three distinct classes, the symbolic,
the phonetic ana tigurative signs. 1t is
unknown when picture writing was in
vented. Some writers affirm that letters
came into use when the authorizations of
pictorial signs became necessary rs the
system extended. For example, two
hands and bow took the place OF an
archer; an eye and Sceptre signitied a
monarch. In time even these Curtailed
signs were found TO be inadequate 10 the
wants of the people in giving signs to
thoughts. Figures were employed to re-
present language and It's separate organic
clements. Ii is unknown when alphabetic
or letter writing was first discovered. 1t
is supposed that Moses was acquainted with
the art of wiring, which proves that its
existence was known at very early period.
The Greeks and Romans asserted that the
Ph9niclans were the inventors of letters.
Some attribute the invention of letters 10
Moses, others believe that Abraham knew
the art of writing, and we are also told by
some learned historians that Abel knew
the use Of letters. The Jewish Rabbi
say "God created letters on the evening Of
the first Sabbath,
A very singular invention of syllable
alphabet is related of Cherokee Indian,
who was ignorant of the English tongue,
and could not read word IN any language.
This poor savage succeeded in producing
IN 1924 an alphabet so complete that he
was able TO write letter. The Cherokees
were delighted, the youth of the band
travelled great distance 10 learn the new
art of writing ana reading which from the
pecuharity of the alphabet and language
they could acquire in three days sufficiently
to practice themselves and to teach others.
Types for printing in this character have
been cast. The appearance of the Ian
guage thus printed Is sngularly uncouth
and barharous.
The invention of marks for punctuation
is ascribed to AristOphanes, the famous
Greek grammarian. Authorizations of
words were not made in ancient writing,
except upon coins and Inscriptions There
are eXtant some remains of an ancient sys-
TEN OF writing in which all the characters
are formed by different combinations of
one simple element. No satisfactory
method of Interpretation has ever been
given of these writings OF all books now
in existence the writings Of Moses and the
Book of Job are considered the most
ancient
The Mexcans used the pictural method
of writing. 1t is related that 'they ap-
prised their King, Montezuma, of the land
ing of the Spaniards by means of linen
cloth, on which this event was represented
by pictures of visible objects" The man
ner of reading the Mexican picture writing
is different from all others. 1t is in col
umns, beginning at the bottom to read.
The japanese and Chinese also write in
columns, but they read from the top, going
from the right to the left. The Germans
tirst wrote in the Latin characters their
alphabet was not in general use until the
thirteenth century, The 'mOnastic' alpha
bet was used i'll Germany as carly as the
eleventh century. About the time of the
Roman conquest writing was first prac-
ticed in Britain. The several forms of
French writings derive their names from
the different races Of kings who have ruled
that country.
The Greeks have ever manifested great
enthusiasm In promoting knowledge. The
first library that is known was collected by
Pisis,ratus, who lived at Athens. King
AttGiu3 had library that contained 20O,-
600 books on rolls. The celebrated library
OF Alexandria was founded by Ptolemy
P}iladclphus; ii is said to have numbered
700, 900 volumes. 1t was destroyed in 642
a. ID. The first private library Is sup
posed to be the one founded Dy l.. Emi-
lius, lG7 b. &. The first public library
was founded by Aslnius Pallio, In the hall
of the Temple of Liberty on Mount Aven-
tine Augustus founded the celebrated
library in the Temple of Apollo ON Mount
Palatne. The Romans had several large
private libraries. Tyrannio, a native of
Pontus, who was taken prisoner by Lucul-
luS and brought to Rome as slave, and
receiving his freedom. taught grammar
4nd rhetoric, investing much of his earn
ings III buying books, and is sad to have
collected library of 10000 volumes
Constantine established a public library at
Con n.autiuOple. Its contents increased
from time to time to i2O, 900 volumes. 1t
was destroyed by fire in a. ID. AIT.