The Green Forest tribune., 1897-02-04
Penmanship.
By G., w. ONEAL.

agreed to contribute brief article for
publicst ton on the above subject, in
which shall endeavor to enumerate q
few features and principles of writing,
which, if fully mastered, would be in
valuable to any one DESTROYS of improvs
ing in penmanistic skill. But before
entering very far into my subject, al
low me to call the attention of the
deplorable condition of writing here in
our own county. To say the least, it is
made subservient to everything else,
not only in the rural districts, but in
our High Schools and Academies, being
given no attention whatever.
Why this altogether undesirable
state Of affairs exist is problem which
cen be answered by the fact that there
is seeming lack Of apprecia ton, both
on the part Of the teachers and patrons
of schools on account of the subject
being SO long and SO sadly neglected.
1t is a strange fact, nevertheless
true, that we should have one Of the
most important of school studies SO
neglected and entirely left out of the
schools of this county, when it is plain
ly evident that without good wri ting
no man or woman can ever hope to
succeed in any great degree, either in
private or public life, and more especi
ally in the commercial world where
rapid penmanship is positively asked
for and demanded.
Generally speaking the students of
the rural communities, after complet-
ing the school work there and have
gone through our High Schools, are
equipped SO far as theory Is concerned,
but practically they are most generally
unable to secure and hold a vast scope
of high salaried.s positions where con.
siderable amount of manipulation of
the pen is required. This now should
not be construed so as to leave the
impression that our schools are fail
ure. Far from that, but what is really
intended IL that we could and should
have our students drilled for, say so
minutes each day in pure, simple, plain
and rapid business writing, which will,
| Bly, the time they are through WITH our
| High School, cause them to have per-
| feet command over the pen, and which
will have q very beneficial result in as
much as it will make them more prac.
| teal.
Writing is in asense habit and must
be acquired, but the means of acquir-
ing it are various and hard to master,
involving numberless things that must
have considerable attention, such as
form, position, holding of pen and
dozen of other minor things which
must not be overlooked.
Some say "To know what to do and
how to do it" is all that is essential in
penmanship. Beware Of these mislead-
ing theorists so far as writing is con-
cerned. That theory won't hold good
in this instance. II is like the sick
philosopher who knew great deal but
could do nothing. Skill in writing
consists in true mental conception
and ability to put this conception on
paper in systematic, business like and
rapid way. Therefore one may know
all about penmanship, Theoretically,
but still be poor penman,
The form Of writing is very simple
and most any careful observing person
can acquire q true mental conception OF
all the letters in a very short time, but
when he under takes to put that form
on paper q mountain oferrors confront
him to bafila aud discourage. Still be
should not give 40, for it is ouly
through our mistakes that we can
learn. II he could make every letter
perfect there would be no use Of prac-
ticing.
How does he know he is making
mistakes? Because his men tai cancep-
ton is better than his physical eZecu-
| ton. Can this be avoided2 No, not
altogether, but by close application
and sttentio to the means Of writing
most every one can make the two
more nearly equal
Though it will take 100 per cent Of
mental and 100 per cent Of physical
application combined With all Of ones
will power on dissemination 20 acquire
| SO per cent of imp rovDenS the resn,t
will fully repay snv onn 10 mate be
! effort EvaYy person desires IL itaf-
| prove should understand thal imp-nv
msnti is made only tn; ongh sepeuiien.
The greater umbeY OF repesions there
| fore practice[i with the Pre- per Dosiiion