PARLIAMENTARY SHORT-HAND. BY THOMPSON COOPER. LONDON: BELL AND DALDY, 186, FLEET STREET. 1858. 302. c.17. BRIEF HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF SHORT-HAND. It is interesting to trace an art to its infancy, and to note the progressive improvements which have been effected in it. Therefore a brief sketch of the history of short-hand writing may not be deemed inappropriate. The art of writing by signs originated among the Greeks, who called it onμeloypapia. According to the generally received opinion it was invented by Xenophon. Few specimens of greek short-hand are extant, and little is known on the subject. From the Greeks the knowledge of the art passed to the Romans, among whom it is said to have been introduced by Cicero, who devised many characters or notae as they were termed. Plutarch, speaking of Cato's oration in the senate, remarks, "They say that this is the only speech of Cato which is preserved, and that it was owing to Cicero the consul, B |