Temper depends upon temperament.  The crosses of the letter “t” are the index whereby to judge of it.  If those strokes are regular through a whole page of writing, the writer may be assumed to have an even-placed temper; if dashed off at random-quick short strokes somewhat higher than the letter itself, quick outbursts of anger may be expected, but of short duration, unless the stroke is firm and black, in which case great violence may safely be predicted.

Uncertainty of character and temperament is shown by the variation of these strokes to the letter “t.”  Sometimes the cross is firm and black, then next time it is light, sometimes it is omitted altogether, varying with each repetition of the letter like the opinions and sentiments of an undecided person.  The up and down strokes of the letters tell of strength or weakness of will; graduations of light and shade, too, may be observed in the strokes.

Capital letters tell us many points of interest.  By them originality, talent and mental capacity are displayed, as well as any deficiency or want of education.  There are two styles of capital letters at present in use.  The high-class style employed by persons of education is plain and often eccentric, but without much ornamentation.  The other may be called the middle-class, for it is used by servants and tradespeople, having a fair amount of education, mingled with a good deal of conceited ignorance and false pride.

With these last, the capital letters are much adorned by loops, hooks and curves, noticeable principally in the heads of the letters, or at their commencements.

Therefore to become an expert on handwriting, a careful study must be made of the writings of those whose life and character, together with personal peculiarities, are intimately known and understood, and from this conclusions may be drawn and rules arrived at for future use.  Get some friend to write his name and from your knowledge of his character follow rules given in this work and you will find that a correct conclusion will be arrived at.  The same correct solution will be found by studying any signature.

Affection is marked by open loops and a general slant or slope of the writing.  A hard nature, unsympathetic and unimpressionable, has very little artistic feeling or love of the fine arts; therefore the same things which indicate a soft, affectionate disposition will also indicate poetry, music and painting, on one or other kindred subjects.  The first of these accompanies a loving, impulsive nature.  In painting, four things are absolutely necessary to produce an artist, form, color, light and shade.  Success in art implies a certain degree of ambition, and consequently upon its vanity and egotism; hence an artist’s signature is generally peculiar and often unreadable from its originality, egotism and exuberance of creative power.

Imagination and impulse do not tend to improve handwriting.  The strokes are too erratic.  Haste is visible in every line.  A warm-hearted, impulsive person feels deeply and passionately at the moment of writing and dashes off the words without regard to the effect they will produce upon the reader.