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THE IRISH DEATH CHANT.
By John Malcolm.

THE evening sun, o'er the waters wearing,
Shed parting smiles from his sinking sphere,
Where, wending down the green vales of Erin,
Slow moved the mourners around the bier ;-
From each bereaved and forsaken weeper

Came floating far on the west wind's sigh,
The wail that rose o'er the fair young sleeper,
In doleful chorus-" Why did ye die!
"Why didst thou fall in thine early blossom
Of womanhood in the sweet May-day?—
Had love waxed cold in one trusted bosom,
Or Hope's bright fairy dreams fled away?-
Ah no-thy youth had no grief invaded-

No cloud had frown'd o'er thy morning sky-
No vernal bloom from thy spirit faded,

Nor friendship perished-why did ye die!

"With feelings pure and unsered by sorrow,

Thy heart's young mate by thy gentle side,
In thee the dawn of the coming morrow

Had seen a young and a happy bride ;-
But death's cold shadow hath darken'd o'er thee,

When days were bright and when hopes were high ;
And he who loved, can but now deplore thee,
And swell thy death-chant-why did ye die!

"Oh, still as twilight's soft star is burning,
When we at eve from our toil repair,
(With weary steps to our home returning)
We'll miss thy voice of glad welcome there;
But oft in dreams its lost music falling

Upon our slumber shall seem to sigh,
Till morn shall break the sweet spell-recalling
Our hearts to sorrow-why did ye die !"

THE BIRTH OF A POET.

By John Neale, Author of “ Brother Jonathan," and a series of Articles on "American Writers," in Blackwood's Magazine."

On a blue summer night,

While the stars were asleep

Like gems of the deep,

In their own drowsy light;

While the newly-mown hay

On the green earth lay,

And all that came near it went scented away,From a lone woody place,

There look'd forth a face,

With large blue eyes,

Like the wet, warm skies,

Brimful of water and light;

A profusion of hair

Flashing out on the air,

And a forehead alarmingly bright!

• We doubt whether sufficient justice has hitherto been done in this country to the talents of the author of "Brother Jonathan." His book is full of vigour and originality, making you feel at every page that you have to do with one who thinks freely, boldly, and efficaciously. It contains descriptions of scenery, and illustrations of the natural passions of the human heart and soul, worthy of that prodigious continent, whose hills are mountains, and whose mountains are immeasurable,-whose streams are rivers, and whose rivers are seas,-whose woods are forests, and whose

'Twas the head of a poet! He grew

As the sweet strange flowers of the wilderness grow,
In the dropping of nature's dew-
Unheeded-alone-

Till his heart had blown

As the sweet strange flowers of the wilderness blow;
Till every thought wore a changeable stain,
Like flower leaves wet in the sunset rain.

A proud and a passionate boy was he,
Like all the children of poetry;

With a haughty look, and a haughty tread,
And a something awful about his head;
With wonderful eyes,

Full of woe and surprise,

Like the eyes of them that can see the dead!

Looking about,

For a moment or two he stood,
On the shore of the mighty wood,

Then ventured out

With a bounding step and a joyful shout!

The brave sky bending o'er him!

The broad sea all before him!

STANZAS.

By William Kennedy, Author of "Filful Fancies,"
"My Early Days," &c.

O THINK it not strange that my soul is shaken
By every note of thy simple song;
These tones like a summoning spell awaken
The shades of feelings that slumber'd long :
There's a hawthorn tree near a low-roof'd dwelling,
A meadow green and a river clear,

A bird that its summer-eve tale is telling,
And a form unforgotten,--they all are here.

They are here, with dark recollections laden,
From a silvan scene o'er the weary sea;
They speak of the time when I left that maiden
By the spreading boughs of the hawthorn tree.
We parted in wrath;-to her low-roof'd dwelling
She turn'd with a step which betray'd her pain;
She knew not the love that was fast dispelling
The gloom of his pride who was hers in vain.

We met no more ;-and her faith was plighted
To one who could not her value know;
The curse which still clings to affections blighted
Tinctured her life-cup with deepest woe.
And these are the thoughts that thy tones awaken-
The shades of feelings which slumber'd long ;
Then think it not strange that my soul is shaken
By every note of thy simple song.

THE ELF KING. A BALLAD.
By E. B.

THE Elf King sat in the greenwood tree,
And he was as merry as king could be ;
For well had he quaffed the fairy wine,
That flings over all things a hue divine ;—
The birds made music,—the leaves gave shade,—
And echoes with many a streamlet played,
And "Ho!" cried the elf in the greenwood tree,―
"Where is the mortal as happy as we?"

forests are eternal. The verses we have now the pleasure of pre- Then Puck, who loves a prank full well

senting to our readers, do credit even to the novellist.-Ed. Lit. Jour.

Out-sprang he of an acorn shell!

"Be merry and drunk," said he, “as you will,➡
I'll bring you a clown that's merrier still."
"A merrier mortal unless you bring,-
Who'll force us to laugh," said the elfin king-
"Until we drop down from this good oak-tree,
We'll bury you, Puck, in the Baltic Sea."

Away went the goblin, nor tarried he long }
But back to the wood with caper and song,
Through alley and glade both up and down,-
Merrily leads he a staring clown!

Then up he went to him and offered him drink,-
Nor ever the offer that clown would blink,-
But he guzzled till every drop was sped,
And tilted the tankard at Puck's own head!

His nose was red as a lobster's claw,-
His shoulder was round as the Misty Law,
And his gooseberry eyes on every side,
Squinted and leered like a peacock's in pride;
He romp'd with the fairies,—and flouted their lord,
And cuffed little Puck till the goblin roared,-
And the Elf King laugh'd in the greenwood tree,
Till he lost his balance, and down fell he!

Down fell the elf, and down fell his wand,
But soon it was up in the clown's right hand,
And aye as each blow on his nut-helmet clatters,

Now, I mark the stars relume their lamps;
And the mountains belted with sinking damps)
And the crescent moon, with a gentle light,
Silver the sable robe of night;

And I hear the nightingale's plaintive lay,
Like the voice of an angel melting away;-
But, beautiful though her music be,
It brings no tidings, my love, of thee!

Oh! I will lay me down and weep,

As a feverish child that can find no sleep;
For my brow is hot, and my heart is crush'd,
And the spirit of life from my blood hath rush'd:
Little I thought-though the pang was sore-
That we parted to meet no more—no more!
Would that my soul like thine were free,
For death will bring tidings, my love, of thee!

LITERARY CHIT-CHAT AND VARIETIES.

It has been proposed to Mr Hogg to take the Editors hip of a new ANNUAL for Scotland, similar to those which have been so fashionable in England of late years. We know of no man whom the genius of his country would rally round with more willing enthusiasm than the Shepherd; but we are afraid, that even though

"I'll teach you," the clown cries, "to laugh at your bet- the publishers were disposed to be as liberal and spirited as necesters!"

And ever as down on the king came his wand,
Away went a fairy out of the band,—
Crying," Lay it on well, and thanks to thee!
For each blow of his rod sets a poor soul free!"

STANZAS.

By Charles Doyne Sillery, Author of "Vallery; or the Citadel of the Lake."

sary, Edinburgh affords much fewer facilities for the execution of the ornamental part of the work than the metropolis, and this would be a considerable drawback. We confess, at the same time, that we have often wondered why Scotland, rich as she is in talent, should have no Annual of her own, and we should be exceedingly happy to see the experiment made.

We learn with pleasure, and at the same time with regret, that almost all the Ettrick Shepherd's works are out of print. He has given to the public fourteen or fifteen volumes of most amusing Scottish tales, and most of these have gone through more editions than one. Would not a strictly corrected and refined cabinet edition of these tales be a safe and good speculation ? If published in monthly numbers, neatly embellished, on the plan of the new edition of the Waverley Novels, they would not fail to accompany them to many a shelf. At all events, Old Mortality and the Brownie of Bodsbeck ought always to be found beside each other. The Queen's Wake, too, which has gone through seven editions of 1000 copies each, and two of 1500, has been long out of the market. This surely ought to be remedied.

[It gives us pleasure to add Mr Sillery's name to the list of poets whose compositions have already graced our pages, and to promise occasional contributions from his pen. When Abdulkari, the poet, came to reside in Babylon, the wise men of the city wished, if possible, to dissuade him from his purpose. They went to meet him, carrying with them a vessel filled with water, to which they directed his attention, in order to show him, that as the vessel was filled with water to the brim, and could contain no more, so was Babylon so filled with poets, that there was no room for him. Abdulkari at once understood this hieroglyphical mode of speech, and, stooping down in silence, he picked up a rose-leaf, which he laid so gently upon the water, that not a drop overflowed. The Babylonians were so delighted with the ingenuity of the poet, that they instantly led him in triumph to the city. We shall be glad to see Mr Sillery turn out the Abdulkari of the Mo-ingly interesting, and will fully equal those of last year. dern Athens.-Ed. Lit. Jour.]

I WATCH'D the moon with a straining eye,
Wither away from the silver sky;
I saw the blue of the atmosphere
Laugh into light,-serene and clear;
I mark'd the purple and pink-robed sun,
Tread out the pale stars one by one ;-
But the op'ning day and the crimson'd sea
Brought no tidings, my love, of thee!

Then, I saw the sun, from his palace of noon,
Feed with pure light the vault of June;
I saw the dew which had gemm'd the corn,
In a mist of gold, on the zephyrs borne;
I saw the wild-flowers steal their dyes
.From the blushing cheek of the glowing skies;
And I heard the murmur of bird and bee ;-
But they brought no tidings, my love, of thee!

We are glad to understand that Mr Alaric Watts, who has lately met with a severe domestic affliction in the death of a beautiful

child, has made considerable progress with the LITERARY SOU

VENIR for 1830. This was one of the first of the Annuals, and has always been one of the best, if not the best. We have seen a list of the embellishments of the new volume, which are exceed

The Prospectus of a Collection of Ancient Criminal Trials, selected from original Records by Robert Pitcairn, W.S., has recently been issued, and induces us to look for a very curious and interesting work, illustrative of the history, jurisprudence, literature, institutions, language, manners, customs, and superstitions, of Scotland. The only portion of the Books of Adjournal and other Records of the High Court of Justiciary as yet given to the public, is to be found in the Collections of Abridged Cases, by Arnot and Maclaurin; but both of these are very imperfect. Mr Pitcairn's Collection is to be upon a more regular plan, and a much more extended scale. He proposes selecting from the earliest Criminal Records now extant, which relate to the reign of James IV., and continuing his researches down to the present day. A striking picture will thus be presented of the most important features of society, progressively delineated through a long course of years. The work is to be issued in Parts, and it is to be hoped that they will appear at regular intervals. The price of each is to be fifteen shillings.

We observe that the Encyclopædia Edinensis is now completed in six volumes quarto. We look upon this as one of the most comprehensive and cheap Encyclopædias which has been offered to the public. The price (£12) scarcely exceeds the value of the engravings, which consist of 182 plates by eminent artists.

We have seen a map of the Basin of the Frith of Forth, including the Lothians, Fife, and Kinross, with parts of the adjoining shires, just published by Messrs Anderson and Hunter. It is beautifully engraved in Charles Thomson's best style, and is exceedingly minute and complete. We recommend it to the especial attention of tourists, and all persons interested in this district of the country.

Mr William Ellis, Missionary to the Society and Sandwich Islands, and author of the Tour of Hawaii, is preparing for publication a work on the South Sea Islands, including descriptions, of their natural history and scenery,-remarks on the history, mythology, traditions, government, arts, manners, customs, and language of the inhabitants,-with an account of their recent moral and religious improvements.

KING'S COLLEGE.-A letter from the secretary of King's College, to Mr Hughes Hughes, of the Isle of Wight, in reference to his withdrawal from the support of the undertaking, has been published, together with that gentleman's reply. Mr Coleridge assures Mr Hughes, that the system of government and education in the college will be strictly Protestant; and informs him, that the Charter solicited from the crown contains a clause by which all the official governors, as well as the members of the council, and all the professors, with the exception of those for the Oriental and modern languages, must for ever be members of the united church. Mr Hughes views any such provision as impracticable, after the late change in the constitution. By the fundamental rule of the college, of the nine governors, five are to hold civil offices, and four of these (the lord chancellor only being excepted) may now be Papists. Under these circumstances, he considers it impossible to establish permanently any Protestant institution in connexion with the state, and therefore persists in withdrawing from the undertaking.

The Librarian to the Barberini palace has lately discovered a copy of Dante, noted throughout in the handwriting of Tasso, The notes are very learned and critical, and show with what attention the author of the Gerusalemme Liberata studied the Divina Commedia.

Mr W. G. Meredith of Brazennose College, Oxford, is about to publish Memoirs of Bernadotte, King of Sweden and Norway. The influence of Russia in the Baltic will form a leading topic in the volume.

A new Annual, to be called The Offering, edited by the Rev. Thomas Dale, A. M. is announced for 1830.

The Rev. J. Grant of Kentish Town is preparing for publication an Essay on the Coins of Scripture, as internal evidences of the truth of Christianity.

Mr Planche, who has devoted so much attention to theatrical costume, has announced a Series of Designs for the Costumes in Richard III., which will contain full-length delineations from the best contemporary authorities.

The Village Nightingale and other Tales, by Elizabeth Frances Dagley, author of Fairy Favours, &c., is nearly ready for publi

cation.

Thomson's "Seasons" have lately been translated into Italian prose, and published at Florence. They have been already translated several times into Italian verse, but not successfully.

An Italian Professor has lost his chair at Pisa, for devoting two volumes of a work upon Comparative Anatomy to Gall's System of Phrenology, to which it appears the poor man had become a convert.

THE PARISIAN PERIODICAL PRESS. Twenty-eight periodical papers are published daily in Paris;-eleven of these are news. papers,-six contain only advertisements,-and eleven are lite rary and scientific. Of the eleven newspapers, upwards of sixty thousand copies are printed. Besides these, there are thirty-two periodical papers, which appear at different periods,-from twice a-week to once a-month.

MR KNOWLES.-This gentleman is now delivering his lectures on Dramatic Literature, in Belfast, his native town. They are numerously attended, and seem to give the greatest satisfaction. In the Belfast Guardian, a spiritedly conducted paper, they are thus spoken of:-" The Lectures of this gentleman continue to be very interesting. On Saturday, his critical illustrations of the text of Shakspeare, delivered in familiar but impressive terms, were listened to with breathless attention. Having been request ed to give some recitations from his excellent play of William Tell, he went through a part of two remarkable scenes in that drama in such a manner as to electrify his audience, who signified their approbation by a general burst of applause."-We hope Mr

Knowles will visit Edinburgh soon.

THE REAL MEANING OF WORDS.-Instead of, " Do let me send you some more of this mock turtle?"-" Another patty?"" Sir, some of this trifle "-" I must insist on your trying this nice me

lon;" the language of hospitality should rather run this:-" Shall I send you a fit of the cholic, sir?"—" Pray let me have the pleasure of giving you a pain in your stomach."-" Sir, let me help you to a little gentle bilious headach.”—“ Ma'am, you cannot surely refuse a touch of inflammation in your bowels?"

Theatrical Gossip.-As somebody or other used to say-" Providence is very kind to Drury Lane." A new spectacle, borrowed from the Italian opera, called "Masaniello, or the Dumb Girl of Portici," is drawing great crowds to that house. It is very magnificently got up, and has introduced Mlle. Alexandrine, a cele brated Danseuse from Paris, to the London boards.-Sontag has re-appeared at the Opera; but, though she may be the fashion for a little while longer, she will never again faire fureur.-Our old friends, Fanny Ayton, Torri, De Angeli and his wife Castelli, who were here some time ago with De Begnis, are to sing this season at Vauxhall.-Kean and his son have been performing in Dublin. Madame Caradori has left Dublin for Belfast, where she is to sing for two nights in the theatre there, which is under the management of Mr Seymour from Glasgow. She is to be succeed. ed by T. P. Cooke. Seymour appears to be very popular in Belfast.-Wallack is expected shortly in London, after a successful visit to America; it is said that he will assume the management at Drury Lane on his return.-"We have heard it confidently stated," says a Brighton paper, "that Madame Vestris is married to a Captain Phillips, we believe of the Guards."-" The Gowrie Conspiracy," mentioned in our last, was performed on Tuesday at the Caledonian Theatre with great success. Another new piece, by the same author, is to be produced next Wednesday at Mr Alexander's benefit. It will be called The Highland Widow,” and is founded on Sir Walter Scott's story in the Chronicles of the Canongate. Mr Reed Fitzgerald gave an entertainment in the Hopeton Rooms, on Wednesday last, in the style of Matthews, which was cleverly executed and respectably attended.

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WE cannot help looking with some pride on our present Number. We venture to say, that so varied a display of literary talent has seldom or never been presented to the public in the same space. It is also necessary for us to add, that we have found it quite impossible to give a place in the present Number, notwithstanding its enlarged size, to all the Com munications with which our eminent literary friends have fa voured us. We hope, however, to be able to overtake a consider. able portion of the articles omitted to-day next Saturday. The Autographs of celebrated persons will also be delivered with next Saturday's JOURNAL, illustrated by a popular paper on the connexion between character and handwriting. The same Number will likewise contain (if space admits) communications from ALLAN CUNNINGHAM-THE ETTRICK SHEPHERD-the AVTHORS of the "Odd Volume," "Tales and LEGENDS," &c.—| DR GILLESPIE-Robert ChaMBERS-the AUTHOR of “TALES OF A PILGRIM"-DR MEMES, &c. &c. In next No. also will appear LETTERS FROM THE WEST, NO. I.-THE EDITOR IN HIS SLIPPERS, No. II., &c.

TO OUR CORRESPONDENTS.

WE have to request the indulgence of some of our Advertising friends, whose favours are necessarily postponed till next week. We shall not be able to notice the Monthly Magazine this month." The Condemned Hussar" will not suit us.-We beg to assure "A Well wisher," that the conduct of the persons to whom he alludes receives our unqualified contempt.-The Spanish Translations are not overlooked; it is our intention that one or two of the more popular specimens shall appear soon.

The verses with which we have been favoured from America shall have a place speedily." Lorina's" French version of "Scots wha hae," as soon as possible; we should be glad to have a call from him.-"Two Sonnets to his Taws, by a retired Dominie," are, on the whole, good; but they are either scarcely sen1timental, or scarcely humorous enough.

THE

EDINBURGH LITERARY JOURNAL;

OR,

WEEKLY REGISTER OF CRITICISM AND BELLES LETTRES.

No. 28.

AUTOGRAPHS.

SATURDAY, MAY 23, 1829.

THE CONNEXION BETWEEN CHARACTER AND
HANDWRITING-ANECDOTES.

We have to-day the pleasure of presenting our readers with specimens of the handwriting of forty-three of the most eminent characters of modern times. Their autographs are collected into one page, which will form a handsome frontispiece to the first volume of the LITERARY JOURNAL, and which presents at one view a more interesting collection of signatures than, we be lieve, was ever before given to the public. Though

some of these signatures have been already engraved, we are enabled to state, that thirty-nine out of the fortythree have been copied from manuscripts not before accessible to engravers. Before, however, speaking of each more particularly, we are desirous of making a few general observations on the subject of handwriting. The art of writing, which is now considered so necessary an acquirement by all ranks and classes, and the want of which almost unfits one for the ordinary business of life, was regarded in days of old with a mysterious reverence, as a holy, and nearly unattainable accomplishment. It is almost incredible, that Charlemagne, who reduced more than the half of Europe to his sway, and who called into life the slumbering spirit of civilisation, by giving to the conquered nations, laws, institutions, and literature, cultivated long and fruitlessly the art of writing, in which, by the testimony of one who was at once his secretary and son-in-law, he never attained higher proficiency than to be able to scratch his own name in huge sprawling characters. But it was impossible that this state of things could long exist; and a knowledge of writing has, in all subsequent ages, been regarded as lying at the threshhold of every system of liberal education. With the exception of the Germans, all modern European nations, we do not European, use the same written characters, making allowance here and there for some very unimportant deviations in a few of the minute details. As to the Germans, though we cannot speak with certainty, we strongly suspect that their written character is derived from the same source as that of the rest of Europe; and this suspicion is confirmed by an examination of some Scottish manuscripts of the 17th century, (now in our possession,) one-half of the letters in which, are formed in the same way as those now used by the Germans. Other circumstances, corroborative of this belief, might be mentioned, but as we are not at present bent upon any display of our antiquarian lore, we content ourselves with stating our impression.

know whether the modern Greeks be either a nation or

But whilst the same general form of letter prevails throughout Europe, it is curious to observe how much the character of the people modifies that form, and af

For six of the signatures we are indebted to David Bridges, Esq., who politely favoured us with the use of his very curious book of autographs.

PRICE 6d.

fects the national style of handwriting. "An Englishman, a Frenchman, a German, or an Italian," says an ingenious author, " may be recognized as readily by his handwriting, as by his features and complexion." The Frenchman's is full of little frivolous embellishments; the Italian's is graceful, delicate, and supple; the German's is stiff, heavy, and pompous; and the Englishman's is a kind of compound of the three, simpler than the first, less tasteful than the second, and much freer than the third. Engravers, writing-masters, and others who have occasion to study the subject, are well aware, that in so far as direct physical influence goes, there are two circumstances which principally affect handwriting; and these are, 1st, the manner in which the penman has been taught to move his hand and fingers,-from the wrist or from the elbow,—or in which he becomes habituated to hold his pen, either an angular or circular motion; and 2d, the manner in with the fore and middle finger both above the barrel, or with the former above, and the latter below. It is evident, however, that whilst these causes must, to a certain extent, affect the handwriting of individuals, they can never account for those national peculiarities, in the formation of written characters, to which we have just alluded, and which appear to bear a remarkable reference to the moral and intellectual peculiarities of the people at large. This naturally leads us to enquire into and which have produced not only a distinct line of dethe indirect causes which influence the handwriting, marcation in the style adopted by different nations, but, as D'Israeli has remarked, have given to every individual a distinct sort of writing, as Nature has given to each a peculiar countenance, voice, and manner.

Writing is an attainment to be acquired only by the case, it seems to follow, as a necessary consequence, means of the flexibility of the muscles; and this being that the different emotions which agitate the mind, influencing, as they always do, the muscular action, will communicate themselves, through this medium, to the hand writing, which will thus represent, more or less, the mental idiosyncrasy of the individual. As a sign of character, handwriting has therefore this great arguwill of him who holds the pen must possess a sway over ment in its favour, that, being a voluntary action, the it. In this it differs materially from phrenology, whose bumps are involuntary excrescences on the head; but of Lavater; for, if it is likely that the voice, features, comes into close analogy with the more rational system and gestures, should be affected by the passions, why should not the hand writing, which is just one little step removed from a pure mental operation, be also affected by them? It is true that the science of physiognomy, by one or two ingenious men, has been carried to a fanbe supposed to govern it, must be so continually met by ciful and ridiculous extent; and any rules which may exceptions, occasioned by a thousand different causes, that it must ever remain impossible to reduce it to a fixed and certain standard. The same remark, we sus pect, applies with equal force to the subject of hand

writing. But, nevertheless, this much we are inclined to believe, that if handwriting be studied as a science, taking always along with us the conviction, that numerous exceptions will continually present themselves to baffle our ingenuity, many curious glimpses may be got into character, and discoveries made, upon much sounder data than either phrenology or palmistry can furnish. We do not go the length of supposing that the adept in this art would ever be able to ascertain, by its means, the minuter shades of character. We do not think that he could satisfy the banker, by directing his attention to the mere formation of the letters, that the name upon a bill was a good name; or that he could convince the lover, by an examination of the delicate scrawl of his mistress, that the manner in which she crossed her T's, or dotted her I's, rendered it quite evident that she would make a very unfitting spouse. We are not quite so chimerical as this. All that can ever be ascertained from handwriting, is some of the more apparent and strongly-marked traits of character. As the voyager along a coast can discover frem a considerble distance whether he is passing by a town, but cannot ascertain any of the minuter features of that town, so the philographist (if we may use the word) will be able to tell whether the temperament be sanguineous, melancholy, surly, phlegmatic, nervous, or choleric; but how these temperaments may be modified by circumstances, he will be unable to say. The delicate and more evanescent emotions of the soul, betrayed by a mantling blush or downcast eyelid, can never be scratched on paper by the point of the pen; but the more decided and more pervading character of the mind will communicate itself to the shape of the letters. Let us take an instance or two.

How marked a difference there usually is between the handwriting of females and of men! Both are taught by the same masters, and according to the same rules; but the leading feature of the one is feminine delicacy, and of the other masculine vigour. This rule holds so universally, that few are at a loss to discover the sex of a correspondent by the mere address on the back of a letter. There are, it is true, exceptions even here, but in this case exceptio firmat regulam. We know a lady of a certain age, prodigiously blue, and a stern disputant on religious topics in particular, who, having occasion to consult one of our Edinburgh Divines concerning a dispute between the Presbytery and the Lady Directresses of a free school, of which she was one, unfortunately used only the initial of her Christian name in the signature; and the consequence was, that the Rev. Gentleman, who was not personally acquainted with his correspondent, misled by the boldness of the handwriting, not to speak of the strength of the diction, returned an answer in due time, addressed to. Esquire! But this, as we have already said, is a peculiar case. It is worth while noticing here, that the distinction between different female hands is much less marked than between different male hands. This is another fact which confirms our hypothesis. Pope has said libellously, "Most women have no character at all!" Had he said that there were fewer varieties in female character than in male, he would have been quite correct. This arises from their peculiar education and habits, which are much more monotonous than ours; and this monotony has communicated itself in a remarkable degree to their handwriting. But to give still additional force to our argument, look at the handwriting of the same man when in different states of mind. Is it not evident that these have had an influence over the motions of his fingers? If he write under the influence of strong indignation, for example, will his pen trace lightly what he feels so forcibly? If, on the contrary, he is in a gay and careless mood, will there not be a flowery redundance in his style of writing, very unlike

the severe barrenness of his sterner moments. If these remarks hold good when applied to the same individual, they may, with equal propriety, be extended to the different predominating dispositions of different men. "Henry the Eighth," says Oldys, "wrote a strong hand, but as if he had seldom a good pen." Upon this D'Israeli has well remarked,-" The vehemence of his character conveyed itself into his writings: bold, hasty, and commanding, I have no doubt the asserter of the Pope's supremacy, and its triumphant destroyer, spoilt many a good quill." In an interesting little French work, entitled, "L'Art du juger de caractere des hommes sur leurs Ecritures," specimens are given of the handwriting of Elizabeth of England, and Mary of Scotland, and upon them the author remarks:-" Who could believe that these writings are of the same epoch? The first denotes asperity and ostentation; the second indicates simplicity, softness, and nobleness. The difference is in exact unison with the different characters of the two Queens." "Charles the First," says Oldys, "wrote a fair open Italian hand, and more correctly, perhaps, than any prince we ever had." "Charles was the first of our monarchs," adds D'Israeli, "who intended to have domiciliated taste in the kingdom; and it might have been conjectured from this unfortunate prince, who so finely discriminated the manners of the different painters, which are in fact their handwritings, that he would not have been insensible to the elegances of the pen." In short, it may be laid down as a general rule, that handwriting is a symptom of character, though numerous circumstances must ever contribute to make it a very uncertain one. We fancy that we know something of the art de juger du caractère des hommes sur leurs Ecritures; but we are still so far from having reached perfection in this science, that we can assure our fair readers the album need not steal shuddering into the drawer at our approach, nor the billet-doux prefer a fiery death to the chance of being subjected to our piercing glance. Let us now, however, come a little nearer home, and see how the principles we have laid down will apply to the interesting autographs before

us.

Let us in the first place remark, that signatures will be found in general to differ a little from the common writing of the individual, having often a more carefully assumed and premeditated character. But at the same time they seldom deviate very widely from the general style of a person's ordinary penmanship. It is also proper to observe at the outset, that the time of life at which the writing was made must always be taken into consideration in judging of an autograph. Thus, if we compare the signatures of Mrs Grant, Joanna Baillie, and Henry Mackenzie, with those of Washington Irving, Catherine Stephens, and Felicia Hemans, we shall perceive at once, that besides the natural difference inherent in the character of the hand writings, the advance of years has in the three former instances produced a peculiar modification of style, which in the three latter does not yet exist. The handwriting of a young and of an old person may be always distinguished. Of the forty-three autographs, engraved for the LITERARY JOURNAL, we cannot help thinking, that, with two exceptions, there is something in all of them which more or less indicates the character of their respective authors. We shall proceed to particularize those which may either appear to bear most strikingly on the subject in question, or concerning which we may have something curious to say.

ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE. We have placed the late Mr Constable's signature at the head of our list, both as a just tribute to a man whose memory the literary world of Scotland will long cherish, and as a compliment due to the father and founder of the highly respectable house of Messrs Constable & Co., under whose auspices, to say nothing of its former achievements, the

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