Truth and straightforwardness give even lines running across the page and at regular distances from one word to another.  Tact is very essential.  This quality requires often slight deceptions to be allowed or practiced; hence an unevenness in the writing is observed.  Untruthfulness gives greater unevenness still; but do not rush to conclusions on this point for an unformed handwriting shows this peculiarity very often, being due, not to evil qualities, but to an unsteady hand employed in work to which it is unused.

Very round, even writing, in which the words are not closed, denotes candor and openness of disposition, with an aptitude for giving advice, whether asked or unasked, and not always of a complimentary kind.

Blunt, crabbed writing suggests obstinacy and a selfish love of power, without thought for the feelings of others.  True selfishness gives every curve an inward bend, very marked in the commencement of words or capital letters.

Perseverance and patience are closely allied.  In the former the letter “t” is hooked at the top and also its stroke has a dark, curved end, showing that when once an idea has been entertained no earthly persuasion will alter or eradicate it.  Such writers have strongly defined prejudices and are apt to take very strong dislikes without much cause.

Carelessness and patience also are frequently linked together, more often in later life, when adversity has blunted the faculties, or the drill routine of an uneventful existence has destroyed all romance.  Then the writing has short, up and down strokes, the curves are round, the bars short and straight; there are no loops or flourishes, and the whole writing exhibits great neatness and regularity.

Economy of living, curiously enough, is marked by a spare use of ink.  The terminals are abrupt and blunt, leaving off short.  Where economy is the result of circumstances, not disposition, only some of the words are thus ended, while others have open, free curves and the long letters are looped.

Generosity and liberality may be seen likewise in the end curve of every word.  Where these characteristics are inconstant and variable, the disposition will be found to be uncertain—­liberal in some matters, while needlessly economical and stingy in others.

When a bar is placed below the signature, it means tenacity of purpose, compared with extreme caution; also a dread of criticism and adverse opinions.  No dots to the letter “i” means negligence and want of attention to details, with but a small faculty of observation.  When the dots are placed at random, neither above nor in proximity to the letter to which they belong, impressionability, want of reflection and impulsiveness may be anticipated.

Ambition and gratified happiness give to the whole writing an upward tendency, while the rest of the writing is impulsive without much firmness.