Los Angeles herald., 1905-11-12

THAT ones handwriting reveals
traits of character and even per-
sonal habits, all unconscious to
the writer, is of course generally recog-
nized. The handwriting expert has be-
come a familiar figure in criminal
trials. The science of chirography is
capable of much more pleasant ap
plication, however. in analyzing ia
nous manuscripts for instance The
manuscript of an author no matter
how familiar may be his works or his
character, is certain to reveal to the
eye of the handwriting expert much
that is interesting of his character,
temperament and personal habits.
Handwriting has been defined as a
gesture of the mind. The extent to
which the personality of an author is
revealed in this way will come as
surprise to the average observer. Take,
for example. the first page of the manu-
script of Lord Tennyson's Address to
the Queen" In the first place, it is
clear that the poet wrote this manu-
script with a quill. That the great poet
should have scorned the use OF a pen
in this modern day is at least sug-
pestive of a certain simplicity. His
writing is far from being methodical;
it is even fantastic, judged by ordinary
standards. This is Indicative especially
by the initial stroke of the letter of
each of these famous lines, and be-
comes the more evident il a magnify
ing glass is applied. The mind of the
poet would appear to have been greatly
distracted while writing, and it is
clear that the writer was nervous. In
writing the word people the hand
trembled considerably.
Lord Tennyson's handwriting ap-
pears to be the work of man who
wrote, as the phrase goes, without
thinking. In other words, he seems to
have put down what came naturally
TO the ends of his fingers and this with
out effort. 1t is legible hand, and is
also peculiarly free from tlourishes.
The evenness in spacing is rather
more than normal.
To the eyes of a layman 1t is cleal
that Scott repeats the form of his let
ters with remarkable evenness. The
alignment besides is excellent and it
will be noticed that he retains equality
of space on the margin of both sides
of the paper. This almost stereotyped
hand is the more remarkable in view
of the fact that Scott wrote with
Quill. This reading bears out in a sim
gular manner the historical facts in the
case. 1t Is a matter of history that
Scott wrote the famous Waverly nov
els, a gigantic task, in the most meth
odicaI manner. He wrote for so
many hours each day, always turning
over to the printer the same amount
OF copy with the regularity of ma
chine.
The specimen of Lord Byrons hand
writing which accompanies 1t Is some
what puzzling. The original manu-
script from which it is taken is pre-
served in the British museum and has
always been accepted as genuine, 1t in
dicates several departures from other
manuscripts Of the poet which have
been preserved, which may be due TO
the fact that 1t is a careful copy for
the printer rather than a first draft of
the poem. 1t Is somewhat heavier in
character than Lord Byrons usual
hand, which was light and racing I'm
character. Lord Byron in writing en-
ployed considerable finger movement.
He wrote with quill pen with an un-
usually long handle. The drop letters
are abnormally long. II is also notice
able that the STAFF letters have un-
usually square tops, which shows that
in writing the poet kept his pen held
pointing at his shoulder.
The handwriting Of Charles Dickens
is characteristic of the man. His is a
typical running English hand. and one
showing a great amount OF practice. 1t
is, in a word, the hand of a newspaper
man, accustomed to writing rapidly
and often. He does not bother as TO
exact form OF letters. 1t will be noticed
that many OF them are broken and ir-
regular. His hand Is, nevertheless ex-
tremely legible. Dickens bore down
heavily on his pen as he wrote, and I'm
this manuscript of Martin Chuzzle-
Wit at least wrote with a quill. 1t is
interesting to note that Dickens fire.