Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-08-29
To Tell Character From Handwriting.

simpler secrets OF graphology-the science
of handwriting - worth mastering.
Graphology is science only in the pop
ular sense of the term. Even experts
cannot discover much in a PERSONS hand
writing beyond his general characteris-
tics, although they can hit off these some
times with startling accuracy. So, too,
can the average girl after comparatively
little practise and if she does not take it
too seriously, she can have great deal
of fun from telling her friends what their
handwriting seems to show. She may,
moreover, turn her ability to good &C
count at church fairs or other entertain
mentS.
Any one who reads over letter must
get general impression of the personal
ily of the writer. Graphology consists
in nothing more than deliberately analyz-
ing that impression. Six or seven rules
will supply the beginner with her equip
ment. In the first place, the general style
of the writer should be studied. II he is
content to use poor paper, that is in itself
mark of his poor spirit. A cultivated
writer will show his good taste unmiS-
takably in the selection of his paper. If
the paper chosen is Of UNUSUAL tint; ifthe
writer has put too few words to the page,
his tendency to faddishness or eccentric
ity is at once apparent. Any deviation
from good sense has its significance.
The spaces between writer's words
are one of the clearest indications of his
character. If they are narrow, he is like
ly TO be selfish, secretive, bigoted. If his
words are reasonably wide apart, the
writer may be set down as generous and
sincere. If his spaces are overwide, the
sign points to careless and slipshod ma
ture.
The next thing to consider is the size
OF the handwriting. Proud and simple
natures usually write alarge hand. They
are likely to make much out of little.
They are not close observers, and are
quick to take offense. On the other
hand, the thinker, the scholar usually
writes small, even a minute, hand.
He is accustomed to concentrating his at
tention, and he unconsciously learns to
economize in effort. He is appreciative
and a careful observer.
The relation of capitals to small letters
often indicates good deal. An ambi-
tious man will unconsciouSly make his
capitals of generous size. Very small
capitals, hardly larger than the small let
tiers, may indicate mean and underhand
nature. AT the same time, capital not
too small in size is inStinctively chosen
by the sober, Unconditional, self-respect-
ing citizen.
The slope Of the writing means much.
A dignified person usually writes straight
up-and-down hand. A moderate slant
TO the right means that the writer is SEN
sitive and affectionate, open-heaned, a
warm and sensible companion, whole
some and generous. II the slant TO the
right is pronounced, these qualities may
be intensified TO the point of weakness.
A slant 10 the left-a back slant-is the
mark of a sensitive and shy nature.
A kindly, open, easy going nature
writes in rounded characters. Angular
and pointed writing means that TIE writer
is OF a quick, nervous constitution. He
may be witty. If the angularity is very
marked, he may be cranky, "touchy," 3"
quick tempered. If the characters are
well-formed as well as pointed, the writer
is high-strung, and may have unuSua!
mental powers. The best writing COM
bines the rounded and the angular form-
alton.
As an ordinary rule, delicate, highly
refined person writes with light stroke.
Writing that is filmy tracery means that
the writer is of a mystical turn, exces-
sively sensitive. One who revelS in
color, or in music, painter or a musi-
clan, writes with heavy stroke tempered
with grace. People OF strong emotions
put the pen to paper with plenty OF vigor.
Stage folk write with good deal OF ink
and good deal of flourish. If the PEN
strokes are OF bulging thickness and the
writing generally has a heavy appear
ance, the inference is that the writer is
coarse, irrational, blustery, and perhaps
of ungovernable temper. II the best
writing the up-strokes will be rather light,
the down-strokes firm, unwavering, and
moderately shaded.
These are by no means the only pieces
of evidence TO be drawn from a study OF
handwriting. For example, the slant OF
the writer's line across the page is one
of the most telling signs OF all. A per-
sistent, energetic man writes straight
line across the page. Such a writer is
far-sighted; he looks instinctively be-
yond the next word. He is steady, dog
ged, not swayed by his feelings, sober
and of sound judgment. A buoyant,
hopeful man will unconsciously run his
lines Slightly uphill. That is especially
the mark OF the creative mind. But a
line that travels too decidedly uphill
marks at once the impractical, irrational
dreamer. Writers whose lines sag per-
ceptibIy are rarely OF stout physical con-
stitution; they are often, although not
invariably, doubling and despondent. In
fact. the line with the downward trend
tells great deal TO The skilled grapholo-
gist. Over elaborate ornamentaton'
senseless curlycues, point to a small ma
ture, vain, not especially intelligent, and
ford NJ chean fiuery. On the other hand,