FOOTNOTES: 

[1] The dedication to this work has been so confidently attributed to
    Dr. Johnson, and so constantly inserted among his productions, that
    it is given in the present edition.  But Mr. Boswell was of opinion,
    that it was not Johnson’s composition.  “He was no croaker,”
    observes his friendly biographer, “no declaimer against the times. 
    He would not have written, ’That we are fallen upon an age, in which
    corruption is not barely universal, is universally confessed.’  Nor,
    ’rapine preys on the publick without opposition, and perjury betrays
    it without injury.’  Nor would he, to excite a speedy reformation,
    have conjured up such phantoms as these:  ’A few years longer, and,
    perhaps, all endeavours will be in vain.  We may be swallowed by an
    earthquake, we may be delivered to our enemies.’” “This is not
    Johnsonian,” is Mr. Boswell’s inference, iv. p. 423. note.—­Ed.

[2] “My doctrine is not mine,” said the Divine Founder of our religion,
    “but his that sent me.  If any man will do his will, he shall
    know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of
    myself.”  St. John, vii. 16, 17. —­Ed.

Angell’s Stenography, or Shorthand improved. 1758.

To the most noble Charles duke of Richmond, Lennox, Aubigny, &c.

May it please Your Grace,

The improvement of arts and sciences has always been esteemed laudable:  and, in proportion to their utility and advantage to mankind, they have generally gained the patronage of persons the most distinguished for birth, learning, and reputation in the world.  This is an art, undoubtedly, of publick utility, and which has been cultivated by persons of distinguished abilities, as will appear from its history.  But, as most of their systems have been defective, clogged with a multiplicity of rules, and perplexed by arbitrary, intricate, and impracticable schemes, I have endeavoured to rectify their defects, to adapt it to all capacities, and render it of general, lasting, and extensive benefit.  How this is effected the following plates will sufficiently explain, to which I have prefixed a suitable introduction, and a concise and impartial history of the origin and progressive improvements of this art.  And, as I have submitted the whole to the inspection of accurate judges, whose approbation I am honoured with, I most humbly crave leave to publish it to the world, under your grace’s patronage:  not merely on account of your great dignity and high rank in life, though these receive a lustre from your grace’s humanity; but also from a knowledge of your grace’s disposition to encourage every useful art, and favour all true promoters of science.  That your grace may long live the friend of learning, the guardian of liberty, and the patron of virtue, and then transmit your name, with the highest honour and esteem, to latest posterity, is the ardent wish of