E Looks peculiar and indicates self-consciousness, and, as a rule,
hidden sentimentality.
_THIRDLY._--The writing small and pointed, we get curiosity; if medium
in size, and gradually increasing towards the end of the line, it shows
an outspoken nature; should the writing diminish towards the end of the
line we read tact.
If it is fine and threadlike in appearance, it shows a sensitive mind,
diplomacy.
Large writing shows promptness, but if the strokes are very fine, we
see appreciation of other people's work--a connoisseur.
Small, clear writing shows love of the abstruse, and if the lines are
very delicate, a feeling for the mystic. If the writing is extremely
small, it shows pettiness of nature, fussiness over unimportant details.
Letters of different sizes show unreliability of nature, exaggerating
trifles and ignoring more important things.
Light and fine writing means delicacy of feeling, but if carried to
excess it shows fastidiousness.
_FOURTHLY._--The connections of the letters with each other must be
judged. If the connecting stroke is long, it shows some facility
in talking and expression, the power of using words well, _not_
talkativeness.
Letters ingeniously connected show constructiveness, but should they be
separate, we get perception and intuition.
Any eccentricity indicates that the person's career has not been
ordinary. Marked originality, especially of capitals, shows unusual
taste. Tremulous tendency resulting neither from illness nor old
age--Irritability. Highly restrained, small--Refractory disposition,
difficult to live with. Regular and well-placed lines, followed
by those careless and irregular--A mind quick to embark on an
enterprise, but lacking perseverance. Back-handed less susceptible than
inclined--The head ruling the heart.
Generally the body of the letter or specimen gives the present
character, the signature the past.
_CROTCHETS._--Egotism, self-satisfaction (a return upon self.)
_HARPOONS (HOOKS)._--Tenacity, united perhaps with weak will.
_DASHES._--Perfectly straight--Persistence.
Undulating.--Art, levity.
Undulating, beginning or finishing with a crotchet or ungraceful
flourish.--Lack of taste, slight vulgarity.
Light.--Writer attaches little idea to things expressed.
Ending Thickly.--Resolution, desires ideas to carry weight.
Curved Ascendingly.--Versatility; slight inconsistency; speaks without
thought.
Tremulous.--Timidity, hesitation.
Placed at end of line or paragraph.--Lack of self-assertion.
Ending abruptly, thick and hard.--Distrust, reserve.
Sharply elongated.--Impulsive nature; prudence taught by experience.
Used instead of "full stops."--Cultivated caution.
_CAPITAL LETTERS._--Large and well-formed.--Pride.
Print-like in shape.--Dignity.
Thin strokes.--Boasting.
Exaggerated in height.--Love of ceremonial.
The angle very pointed.--Acuteness, penetrative, leadership.
Large and badly-formed.--Egomania.
Large upper hall.--Self-assertion.
Large bases.--Self-confidence.
The capital letter of Christian names larger than that of
surname.--Love of home.
The capital letter of surname larger.--Love of position.
Small capitals.--Lack of self-assertion.
Capital letters made like small ones.--Said to show poetic feeling,
love of Nature.
Print-like in form.--Originality.
Eccentric in any way.--Pose or whim.
Widely spaced.--Love of open air.
Curving far below the line, and almost encircling the
word.--Protective love of animals.
Letters incorrectly used.--Small detail made over-important.
Tendency to replace by print.--Sense of form, artistic and poetic.
_SPECIAL LETTERS._--_A.M.N.H._, _G.O._, _R.U.W._--Normal
width.--Well-poised mind.
Too wide.--Self-contentment, satisfaction.
Nearly touching.--Timidity, want of knowledge of the world.
First leg slightly raised.--Aristocratic tastes.
Second leg exaggerated.--Pose, affectation.
Unconnected, ending with crotchet rentrant.--Egotistical, selfish.
The letters begun and ended with a small crotchet rentrant.--Avarice,
meanness.
Letters and words connected.--Power of assimilating ideas, but lack of
originality; logic.
Letters disconnected even with their parts.--Creative power, want of
logic.
Equally connected or disconnected.--Balanced intuition and deduction.
Last letter increasing in size.--Lack of power of concealment.
Decreasing.--Finesse.
Handwriting does not invariably show sex, as the qualities indicated
are common to both men and women.
The writing develops as the soul develops, and imitation comes before
originality.