In the growth and development of this notable public institution, selecting its contents, the literary advisor of lawyers, journalists, educators and students, she acquired, with her discriminating judgment and retentive memory, a remarkable knowledge of the contents of books. A subject practically never arose upon which she could not at once give, either the needed reference or the full information required, and the library contained seventy thousand volumes! In this reference work, she became deeply impressed with the need of a concise history of the beginnings and development of our modern alphabet. The information on the subject was widely scattered and very great. It was found nowhere in a condensed and yet adequate form. She knew from experience what the value to libraries, educators and students generally, a concise history upon the subject would be. This she undertook and finally completed. Not confining her account to information gathered from works already published dealing with the subject, she kept in constant correspondence with the leading archæologists carrying on researches in both Egypt and the valley of the Tigris and Euphrates. Thus she literally walked with these great scholars “In the Path of the Alphabet,” and her work took on that original and valuable character based upon those most recent and wonderful discoveries which have forever silenced the voice of “The Higher Criticism.” This work, which we now reverently give to public print, is therefore based upon her broad and deep knowledge upon the subject—from original sources; a work of patient labor; of a profound Christian faith; a work begun and finished in that spirit by which alone the best work of God’s laborers needs must be done. Upon her behalf, grateful acknowledgment is here made to Professor A. H. SAYCE, Professor H. V. HILPRECHT, Professor JAMES A. CRAIG and Professor C. R. CONDOR, who walked with her “In the Path of the Alphabet.” S. P. J.   Toledo, Ohio, December, 1906. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ —————————————————————————— In Memorium From the loving hands of those to whom her life was an inspiration which shall abide. —————————————————————————— ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENTS. CHAP. PAGE I. EGYPTIAN HIEROGLYPHICS, 9 II. CUNEIFORM INSCRIPTIONS, 21 III. PHONETISM, 27 IV. SYLLABISM, 41 V. ARCHAIC LIBRARIES, 55 VI. THE CHALDEAN FIELD, 67