mon writing alphabet, as the arbitrary signs of certain words of frequent occurrence-the plan I think a good one if confined within proper limits; and I therefore give it as prepared by him, together with the remarks and additions of the editor of the last American edition of the work, who says"Mr. Joseph Gurney has introduced the letters in the common writing alphabet, as arbitrary characters in the later editions of his work, which seems to be a real improvement. The present Editor has formed them into a double alphabet of capital and small letters, by which he has been enabled to adopt all Mr. Gurney's significations, has added a few of his own, and furnished the pupil with an exercise for his ingenuity by leaving several characters vacant, to be supplied from his own fancy, or the necessary exigencies of his profession, as in the following scheme." Doubtless most of my readers recollect the hints given in the introduction to this system, respecting a plan like the one here described. They have now an opportunity, not only to profit by those suggestions, but to improve still further, by having laid before them, on the following page, a judicious selection of words adapted to different letters of the alphabet. This selection is the result of much experience, and forms a basis upon which the learner may proceed to build with entire confidence.* The several blanks may be filled in conformity to the respective professions of those concerned: and as it is not, properly speaking, a part of the regular system of short hand, but intended for individual convenience, each person is at liberty not only to fill the blanks, but to expunge, and substitute other words which he may consider more appropriate. Perhaps some of the words enumerated in my introduction will be found appropriate, especially to gentlemen of the learned professions-in relation to this, however, I have no desire to dictate. * The filling up of the following blanks, though apparently the labour of a moment, cannot be accomplished in the best manner, with out much investigation. ARBITRARY CHARACTERS FORMED FROM THE WRITING ALPHABET. The italic types are used as most convenient to represent the common writing letters. VOCABULARY. To make this little work as useful to the learner as its limits will permit, a collection of maxims, words and phrases is here subjoined, for the benefit of those who are not familiar with the Latin and French, from which they are selected. They may be written in short hand, the same as English, but should be distinguished by a line drawn over them. Ab initio.-From the beginning. Aborigines.-The first inhabitants of a country-as the Indians in America. Accedos ad curiam.-You may approach the court. Ac etiam.-And also. Actio personalis moritur cum persona.-A personal action dies with the person. Actus Dei nemini facit injuriam.-No one shall be injured through the act of God. Actus legis nulli facit injuriam.-The act of the law does injury to no man. Actus, me invito factus, non est meus actus.-An act done against my will is not my act. Actus non facit reum, nisi mens sit rea.-The act does not make a man guilty, unless the mind be also guilty. Ad eundem.-To the same. Ad finem.-To the end.-Or the conclusion. Ad infinitum.-To infinity. Ad interim.-In the meanwhile. Ad libitum.-At pleasure. Ad quod damnum.-To what damage. A fin. French.--To the end. A fortiori.-With stronger reason. A la mode. Fr.- According to the fashion. Alias. Otherwise, as Robinson alias Robson. Alibi.-Elsewhere. Alma mater --A benign mother. Alumni.-Those who have received their education at a col lege, are called alumni of that college. Amor patria.-The love of our country. Anno Domini.-In the year of our Lord. 52 Anno mundi.-In the year of the world. A posteriori. From the latter. A priori-From the former-in the first instance. Aqua fortis.-Strong water.-Aqua regia.-Royal water. Arcana imperii--State secrets.-The mysteries of government. Arcanum. secret.--The grand arcanum-the philosopher's stone. Argumentum ad crumenam.--An argument to the purse. Beau monde. Fr.-The gay world.-The world of fashion. Bon mot. Fr.-A good word.-A witticism. Capias ad respondendum.-You take to answer. Caveat actor.-Let the actor or doer beware. Caveat emptor.-Let the buyer beware. Chef d'œuvre. Fr.-A master piece.-An unrivalled perform. ance. Cognovit actionem.-He has acknowledged the action. Comiter inter gentes.-Politeness between nations. Compos mentis.-A man of a sound and composed mind. Corps diplomatique. Fr.--The diplomatic body. Cui bono?-To what (or for whose) good-sc. will it tend? Data.-Things granted. Debut. Fr.-First appearance-on the stage, in public life, &c. &c. De die in diem.-From day to day. Dedimus potestatum.—We have given power. De facto.-From the fact. De jure. From the law. De mal en pis. Fr.-From bad to worse. De novo.-Anew.--To commence de novo. Desperandum.-A thing, or event, to be despaired of. Dies faustus.-A lucky day. Dies infaustus.-An unlucky day. Droit des gen. Fr.-The law of nations. Ducit amor patria.-The love of my country leads me. Durante vita.--During life.-A clause in letters patent. En ami. Fr.-As a friend. En avant! Fr.-Forward!--March on. En masse. Fr.-In a body.-En foule.-In a crowd. Eo nomine.-By that name.-Under that description. E pluribus unum.-One of many. The motio of the United States of America. Erratum.-An error. Errata.-Errors. Esprit de corps. Fr.--The spirit of the body. Et cætera.-And the rest. Ex.-Out.-Ex-minister, a minister out of office. Ex cathedra.--From the chair. Excelsior.-More elevated.--Motto of the state of New York. Exceptio probat regulam.--The exception proves the existence of the rule. Excerpta.--Extracts.-Abridged notices taken from a work. Excessus in jure reprobatur.—All excess is condemned by the law. Ex concesso.-From what has been granted. Ex curia.-Out of court. Ex delicto.-From the crime. Exempli gratia. Ex. gr.--As an example, for instance. Ex mero motu.--From a mere motion. Ex necessitate rei.-From the necessity of the case. Ex officio.-By virtue of his office.-As a matter of duty. Ex post facto.-A law made to punish an act previously committed. Ex tempore.-Out of hand-without premeditation. Fac simile.-Do the like.-A close imitation. |