There is much in the hand-writing here like that of Mrs. Sigourney,
and yet, as a whole, it is very different. In both MSS. perfect
uniformity and regularity exist, and in both, the character of the
writing is _formed_--that is to say, _decided_. Both are beautiful,
and, at a casual glance, both have a somewhat similar _effect_. But
Mrs. Sigourney's MS. is one of the most legible, and Mr. Paulding's
one of the most illegible in the world. His small a's, t's and c's are
all alike, and the _style_ of the characters generally is French. No
correct notion of Mr. Paulding's literary peculiarities could be
obtained from an inspection of his MS. It has probably been modified
by strong adventitious circumstances. The paper is of a very fine
glossy texture, and of a blue tint, with gilt edges.