Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1888 edition. Excerpt: ...to the stenographic signs? In addition to this we must bear in mind that it was customary with the Latin authors to designate well-known men only by one name, less known ones, by several. But if, in spite of this, we should incline to the opinion that Seneca himself had nothing to do with the collection of tachygraphic signs, we must remember that in Greek and Latin it is frequently said of a person that he had done this or that--which had been done only by his order or by some representative." Here again we see entirely different opinions opposed to each other. No wonder, for all facts relating to the tachygraphy of the ancients are more or less shrouded in obscurity and it would be difficult, if not impossible, to present the truth in every instance. If we are called upon to state our opinion we will express the conviction that neither the orator nor the philosopher took the trouble to learn stenography, far less to enrich it with new inventions. Such an occupation of either, is, in our opinion, diametrically opposed to the known direction of their minds. The works of the father as the works of the son, especially the latter, are characterized by deterioration. At that time, we find, profound knowledge was no longer the main thing. Troublesome and time-exhausting special researches entering into details were already looked down upon with a certain degree of superciliousness, just as in our time able and detailed studies are disposed of by certain writers simply designating them as pedantic. Not considering that great and general results are the fruits only of unceasing and earnest investigation, they expected to reap the harvest without taking the trouble to bestow their undivided attention to the tree which was to bear the fruit....
