Note KF — PREFACE TO THE EDITION OF 1814 (continued 4)
Reading edition
"The alphabet was called the Christ-cross-row, some say because a cross was prefixed to the alphabet in the old primers; but as probably from a superstitious custom of writing the alphabet in the form of a cross, by way of charm." (Archdeacon Nares's Glossary, Art. "Christ-cross-row.")
"The A B C horn-book, containing the alphabet and nine digits. The most ancient of these infant-school books had the letters arranged in the form of a Latin cross, with A at the top and Z at the bottom, but afterwards the letters were arranged in lines, and a + was placed at the beginning to remind the learner that 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.'
Mortals ne'er shall know More than contain'd of old the Christ-cross Row. Tickell, The Horn-Book.
(See Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable.)
At the beginning of a poem by the Rev. J. S. Hawker, called A Christ-cross-Rhyme, we find
Christ, his cross, shall be my speed, Teach me, father John, to read.
"The true use of the cross in drawing is to define or mark a point, especially a point to start or measure from.... But it was impossible that it could be used long without reference being supposed to be made to the cross of Christ, and it must soon have been regarded as invoking Christ's blessing upon the commencement of any writing."—W. W. Skeat in Notes and Queries, 3rd Series, XI. May 4, 1867.
And from the cross-row plucks the letter G. Shakespeare, Richard III. act 1. scene i. l. 55.—ED.