The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-12-12
ron THE MADIsoSlAN.
HANDWRITING OF DISTINGUISHES MEN
THEIR ORTHOGRAPHY, &c.


HANDWRITING OF DIsTINGUIsHED MEN,
THEIR oRTHOGRAPHY, sc.
i, has been said, | believe, with some degree Of
plausbiIity and Of correctness that the hand
writing of men accustomed TO write much Is strong
indication of their character. believe that where no
physical cause operates TO change the natural auto
craph there is considerable truth in the assertion. Il
must not however be considered, by any means, as
full expression of the character but only of certain
traits thereof am confirmed in this opinion by the
handwriting of several distinguished men in my pos
session.
begin with two Of the sldest--the autographs of
General Jackson and of Mr.. Adams, Of not widely
separated dates the one in 1906 the ether in 1905
bear something of the impress of their Characters The
former is rough strong and hasty; the latter elabo
rate, uniform and energetic. From specimen before
me of Mr.. Adams autograph in 1877, there is the
same style of writing with little variation as in any
mans writing | ever knew, for the same period Of
time. Other specimens Of his handwriting, not in my
possession which have often since, Of the
stamp.
Mr.. Crawfords handwriting, like his character and
oratory, was Free plain and business-like.
Mr. Cay's is polished like his coquence, like that
inartifcia snatching grace, apparently beyond the
intention, if not beyond the reach ofart.
Mr. Madisons plain, scholarlike autograph.
Mr. Monroe's like that of man who seemed to wish
to get the paper fast possible and who felt
sure that his handwriting would be numbered
among his accomplishments. Mr.. Van Buren's hand
writing is not much better than Mr.. Monroe's.
In all the above instances speak from specimens of
4. T,.x tkar
cases am about to mention from what have seen
which do not belong to me.
General Washington's a neat, plain, regular
business hand Mr.. JefIersons was somewhat more
neat Mr.. Rush's autograph is not elegant, but egi-
BILE and somewhat peculiar. Mr.. Poinsetts seems to
be elaborate and regular, but far from polished.
All the above gentlemen spell correctly and write
dramatically, but General Jackson In document
in his handwriting, now before me, of considerable
length there number of errors in spelling and
about equal number in grammar. For example:
'forfeghtures" for forfeitures "struct for struck
clerks has made false records" for clerks have made
false records" &c. &c. While Mr. Richie is making
disparaging remarks Genera Harrison's civil qua
lifcations, commend him to remember that General
Harrison can write dramatically and therefore need
done So in any important case, so far we have
grounds TO form opinion-while General Jarksons
inability write dramatically man Of great
natural powers Of mnd-threw him on others for aid
in this respect and thus gave to hem with of course
the concurrence Of some other causes, most undue
ascendancy over him. This is admonton which
Mr.. Richie needs now, though time was when he was
as unable to the high qualifications of General
Jackson for civil ruler he is those Of General
Harrison. He exclaimed, "What great civilian
is this who constiue the plain provisions Of
single law
In document of still greater length before me, in
Mr. Adams autograph, every word spelled correctly,
and every sentence dramatically constructed The
professor Of rhetoric in Harvard University knew the
proper construction Of sentences and although diff
fer widely from him political topics it will be
found-and ! think is pretty clearly ascertained by
this time that he knew considerably more Of the true
republican practice of Government than Andrew
jackson, LII D.--thc sneers at his rhetoric to the
contrary notwithstanding. a
By the way, Mr.. Adams has lately been exhibiting
patriotic carnestness and rendering service to his
countrymen by lectures which will be regarded by
posterity among his grea, political services. He does
not encroach the proper sphere of the pulpit but
he comes forward as every political man ought who
apprcsimates his ability, to rebuke that antchristan
system ofdocrinc which some have been forming and
endeayoring to propagate, which would extirpate
Christianity from our country and in doing So uproot
republican institutions for on no other basis can
they long stand but that of christianity. repeat
that Mr. Adams in his recent lectures has been rem
dering not merely religious, but great political ser
vice TO his countryas much in taking an active
part in the formation of good laws in the Legislative
body. Qud leges sine morbus2 was a question asked
near two thousand years ago, and may with great
propriety, be and over reiterated And what in
any country blessed with its light are morals without
the basis of the great truths of christianity Mr.
Adams then, in his late public instructions has been
weaving another chaplet into the honorable crown
which posterty will award him for his services to his
country PmLAIETIEs
FOR THE MADlsoNAN.
Messrs. EpIToRs In the National Intelligencer of
Wednesday last, communication appeared, signed
Member Of The ffPpecanoe Club" in which the