7. GRAPHOLOGY OR HANDWRITING ANALYSIS

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There is a message to be found in your own handwriting through the amazing subject of graphology, which is older than the Pyramids of Egypt.

From the day when the first literate man chiseled a hieroglyph in stone as a means of recorded communication, he carved the expression of his individual nature with it.

No signature is needed to identify the paintings of certain Old Masters. You can recognize a speech written by Lincoln or Churchill by the words which flow from the lips of a person who recites it. A lover of literature can tell when he is reading Kipling or Hemingway without looking at the title page of the book.

So it is with your own self-expression, as revealed by some thing which you may use most, yet think about least—your penmanship. Here all the quirks and varying moods invariably show themselves to the student of graphology, the only question being how far and how deeply the subject should be followed to suit the average need.

Many innovations have been introduced in recent years where handwriting analysis is concerned, adding greatly to its scientific status. Some of these demand great attention to small details and often require long or painstaking comparisons of various styles. Other findings, while sound, involve such rare and unusual types of writing that few students will ever encounter them.

It is better, therefore, to stay with fundamentals and study many specimens of handwriting according to long-accepted standards rather than to delve into more exhaustive treatments fraught with complications. Those are better left to persons who intend to specialize in the subject and have time to track down the lesser known quirks that are sometimes revealed.

For practical purposes as well as rapid results, you need simply to note the rules given in the following pages, along with the written samples. Then check the handwriting of your friends against what you have learned and see how right you are!

Remember: these rules are not hard and fast; one may often modify another. But the more you test them, the more you will find out about people – and the more enjoyment you will hove!