An exact reproduction of SCIENTIFIC SHORTHAND; A SYSTEM BASED UPON THE PITMANIC ALPHABET by Thomas Caton first published in 1900. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

Excerpt from Scientific Shorthand: A System Based Upon the Pitmanic Alphabet, With Connectible and Disconnectible Vowel Strokes; Specially Adapted to Professional Reporting Scientific Shorthand writes words beginning with consonant strokes in Second Position, the initial stroke determining position for the entire outline. Fully four-fifths of all words are written upon the line, the most natural position in which to write them. Words beginning with short vowel sounds are written in Third Position; and words beginning with long vowel sounds are written in First Position, and the initial vowel definitely expressed. Such uses of position enable the writer to begin the construction of his outline as soon as the initial syllable of any word is uttered. It enables him, also, to concentrate his entire mentality upon the construction of the outline. Other systems require of the writer, that he hear the entire word spoken, determine which one of its vowels is the accented one, which one of its consonants is ex pressed by a perpendicular or inclined stroke, if any of them; and then construct his outline with reference to the ruled line so that the initial perpendicular or inclined stroke will fall in the position to which the author of the work has assigned the accented vowel. The mental analysis thus' required retards speed in writing at from 25 to 40 per cent. As compared with the time required by Scientific Shorthand to locate each word in its proper position. In proof of this contention, submit the following test: Pronounce any certain number of words to any writer, and note the time required to write them, when they are written with the initial stroke upon the ruled line. Repronounce the same list of words, requesting the writer to place each word in the position demanded by the technical and difficult rules of the standard systems. The inevitable result is a reduction in speed as above stated. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.