p. 71 | Handwriting

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 13, 1872

Handwriting.

TO WRITE an ugly hand may be called a misfortune, if you will; but to write an illegible hand is a crime against society. Every one who chooses can form each letter distinctly, can make a difference between an n and a u, between e and c; can dot i's and cross t's. Therefore, no educated person who wishes for employment as an amanuensis or copyist can be excused for writing badly. He ought to be able to write letters and copy manuscripts clearly and legibly; if he cannot, he has only himself to blame. To those who feel their deficiency and wish to improve, here are a few hints. Write two or three copies every day in a large hand. Look at your copy upside down, when the turns of the letters should appear as well shaped as they did when you looked at them the right way. Thus, let the letters nu, when turned upside down, make a good mi, only wanting the addition of the dot to the i. Never leave an i to be dotted or a t to be crossed till you have finished the line or sentence. Dot your i's and cross your t's when you finish the word, at latest. Remember that the lines of legibility in writing, as of beauty in nature, are all curved. Angular writing is never pretty, seldom legible. Never indulge in making over-long tails to g's, q's, y's or over-long heads to l's, t's, and similar letters, running them into the upper and under line. Indulge not in turns, curls, or flourishes of any kind. Study to make your writing compact without being cramped; free without straggling. To write rather upright than otherwise contributes to the union of compactness and freedom. Never imitate another person's writing under the idea that it is prettier than your own. Many a person has spoiled a good handwriting in this way. Let your handwriting form itself from free, bold copy-writing, and let it be thoroughly your own. Cultivate the power of writing quickly, because it will probably be necessary to you—certainly an advantage. Legibility must never be sacrificed for speed.—Victoria Magazine.