Reading original documents is the only way to achieve a sound basis in historical studies and to acquire a true perspective on cultural evolution. Much modern research has been applied to Scotland's history, but until this volume there has been no comprehensive study of the country's handwriting for nearly 250 years. The main body of this book consists of facsimile texts, each facing a detailed transcript and commentary. The historical background of handwriting usage is surveyed in the introduction, with emphasis on changing fashions. There is also guidance on how to deal with early language and abbreviations. The principal aim is to assist research students, local historians, genealogists and calligraphers in their studies; but this work also recovers a lost chapter in the history of Scottish studies.

This book presents the earliest South Indian inscriptions (ca. second century B.C. to sixth century A.D.), written in Tamil in local derivations of the Ashokan Brahmi script. They are the earliest known Dravidian documents available and show some overlap with the early Cera and Pandya dynasties. Their language is Archaic Tamil, with a few borrowings from Prakrit and influences of old Kannada, both resulting from the early presence of northern Jainism. The widespread occurrence of pottery inscriptions indicates that the Tamil-Brahmi script had taken deep roots all over the countryside, leading to the cultured society visible in the classical Tamil poetry of the Cankam (Sangam) texts of the early centuries C.E. The work includes texts, transliteration, translation, detailed commentary, inscriptional glossary, and indexes.

Spoof the family dog loves children Join him on a fun-filled, A to Z adventure to help every child learn the ABCs in English and Spanish, too

Silly ABC'S is a fun way to share the alphabet with your little ones. The words and pictures will give you both something to laugh about and discuss every time you read it together. Who wouldn't love a giraffe dressed as a clown or a violin playing a kazoo? Silly ABC's makes learning enjoyable.

The Atlantic Alphabet Beach Song Imagination and language are important ingredients for feeling good ourselves. The Atlantic Alphabet Beach Song encourages children to enjoy hearing sounds, listening to rhythm and rhyme, and along the way, learn some new words. For fun, read this book out loud and see how many words fit into the alphabet. Phyllis Levine's other books include Small Pleasures, a poetry book that views nature in its many forms, and an inspirational fiction novel, titled Matilda. The Matilda series continues with At the Skylight with Matilda, Matilda's Way and What's up Matilda? Another novel is presently in progress and sure to be enjoyed by readers of all ages.