A discourse on the use of the pen. Containing observations on writing in general: the proper posture in sitting to write: ... To which are added, two alphabetical sets of copies ... on the rule of life, and moral difinitions [sic]. By William Leekey, writing-master. Leekey, William (1710?-1746) London : printed for R. Ware, [1750?] Eighteenth Century Collections Online. (Requires Harvard login)
Freakanomics, Who Needs Handwriting (recommended)
How to decipher unfamiliar handwriting: A short introduction to palaeography. National History Museum, 2014. Available for download at http://wallaceletters.info/content/transcription
Palaeography: Reading old handwriting,1500 - 1800. A practical online tutorial.
The Writing scholar's assistant. Containing alphabetical copies of plain running hand. Necessary to be learned by all who would wish to write neat, easy, and fit for all purposes, and have not opportunity to practice a variety of hands. Together with copies of round hand, German & English text, and Roman & Italian print. Printed at Worcester, Massachusetts, by Isaiah Thomas, and sold at his book-store,, MDCCLXXXV. [1785] (Copyright 2002 by the American Antiquarian Society and NewsBank, inc. All Rights Reserved.) (Requires Harvard login)