HINTS AS TO AUTOGRAPHS. By the Right Honourable Sir John Sinclair, Bart. An interest is certainly excited, by examining the manner in which persons distinguished for rank, science, or talent, subscribe their names; and hence the anxiety felt by numbers for collecting franks. Some, indeed, have undertaken to judge of the character of an individual, from his subscription; but to any general rule for that purpose, there must be numerous exceptions. Some take a pleasure in the beauty or neatness of their signature; while others, for the purpose of preventing forgery, ornament their names with such fantastic flourishes, that it is hardly possible to make them out. It is, however, singular, that the plainest hands are those which it is most difficult to imitate. It is a common, but very ill-judged practice, to contract the Christian name. In questions before a court of justice, it may sometimes be difficult, where that mode is adopted, to prove the identity of a person, either subscribing a deed, or witnessing the signature. J. Sinclair, for instance, might be John, James, Joseph, or Jacob Sinclair; and as in the course of any action at law, all doubt respecting the person who actually signed or witnessed a deed must be removed, additional evidence may be required to identify the signature. Not long ago, it was extremely fashionable to collect autographs; and a friend of mine, knowing the extensive correspondence I carried on, came all the way from Brighton to Edinburgh, on purpose to get as many signatures as I could spare. As it is at least a harmless object, and as I was first 2 HINTS AS TO AUTOGRAPHS. 63 led to arrange my voluminous correspondence by an application for autographs, I am thence induced, to indulge such of my readers as have engaged in that pursuit, with one hundred signatures, lithographically printed. There is, in the Edinburgh Literary Journal, (No. 28, May 23. 1829), a paper upon autographs, in which that subject is discussed with much ability. After some general observations on the art of writing, it is remarked, that were handwriting studied as a science, it might furnish some interesting discoveries into the character of the writer. It proceeds to observe, that there is a decided difference between the handwriting of females and of males, though both are taught by the same masters, and according to the same rules; the leading feature of the former being feminine delicacy; and of the latter masculine vigour. There is necessarily a material difference between the signature of the same person, when he writes in a gay and careless mood, or under the influence of strong passions. It is likewise remarked, that the handwriting of a young, and of an old person, may always be distinguished. This paper in the Journal, is accompanied by "fortythree" autographs of celebrated authors; and it is there contended, that with two exceptions, there is something in all of them, which more or less indicates the character of their respective authors. END OF VOLUME FIRST. 156. 71 13 AA A 30 2 HINTS AS TO AUTOGRAPHS. led to arrange my voluminous correspondence by an a tion for autographs, I am thence induced, to indulge ste my readers as have engaged in that pursuit, with one! dred signatures, lithographically printed. There is, in the Edinburgh Literary Journal, (Na May 23. 1829), a paper upon autographs, in which that §. ject is discussed with much ability. After some genera servations on the art of writing, it is remarked, that were writing studied as a science, it might furnish some interes ing discoveries into the character of the writer. It proces observe, that there is a decided difference between the h writing of females and of males, though both are taught the same masters, and according to the same rules; the laing feature of the former being feminine delicacy; and the latter masculine vigour. There is necessarily a mater difference between the signature of the same person, writes in a gay and careless mood, or under the influence strong passions. It is likewise remarked, that the hands ting of a young, and of an old person, may always be distguished. when This paper in the Journal, is accompanied by ❝ fortythree" autographs of celebrated authors; and it is there con tended, that with two exceptions, there is something in all of them, which more or less indicates the character of their re spective authors. END OF VOLUME FIRST. 156 71 13 AA A 30 |