40                             PENMA&NSHIP ILLUSTRATED.
execution of writing; why some pupils are   improving in penmanship; the copy being always
naturally handsome penmen and others not;   a great improvement upon the original, not only
why Edward Everett should write elegantly   in peDmanship,but in spelling, grammar, use of
and Horace Greeley with a scrawl; why gentle-  capital letters, and composition.
men naturally write a large hand, and ladies   Writers should not rest satisfied until they
fine, etc.                                  have absolutely mastered a plain, rapid, and
The effect of temperament on penmanship,  elegant penmanship.   The art, being almost
and the result of using stimulants, should be  purely mechanical, is more easily acquired by
thoroughly considered, and presented to the  some than others; but every person from eight
class. Students should be urged to avoid the  years of age upwards, until the body becomes
use of tobacco as a noxious habit that lays the  tremulous with age, having ordinary command
foundation for intemperance, and the use of  of the hand, who will persevere in the attempt,
strong drink as the destroyer of the soul; both  can write a legible, easy penmanship.
tobacco and stimulants being also destructive  Among the benefits arising from  a good
to that steadiness of nerve essential to the exe-  handwriting, some are shown in the following
cution of beautiful penmanship.
Many a boy may be deterred from an evil         Reasons why we should write well.
habit by the good example and advice of the    Because, 1st.  Good penmanship of itself
teacher, admonishing  him that superiority in  adds greatly to our happiness. The conscious-
penmanship and great excellence in life will  ness to the lady or gentleman of being able to
write a letter that shall win the admiration and
praise of the friend to whom it is written is a
source of unspeakable pleasure to the writer,
and to possess this ability throughout our life-
CONCLUDING SUGGESTIONS ON PENMANSHIP        time is to be proficient in an accomplishment
TO LEARNERS.                  which adds to our happiness, as does excellence
in oratory, painting or music.  Good writing is
IS book, as is designed, will  a fine art, and is to the eye what good language
fall into the hands of many  is to the ear.
who will never have an oppor-  2nd. Good writing is of great benefit to us
tunity of receiving instruction  pecuniarily. The person who may apply for a
from a professional teacher.  situation as teacher, clerk, or any position where
To practice penmanship to  intellectual ability is required, finds a beauti-
advantage, unaided by the    fully -written letter the best recommendation
teacher, students should pro-  that can be sent when applying for that position.
vide themselves with necessary materials, as  Hundreds of instances are on record, many
detailed elsewhere,                         doubtless within the knowledge of the reader,
For the purpose of making steady progress  where lucrative situations have been obtained
in the acquisition of an elegant,plain penman-  through good  nmanship, that could never
ship, the student will be assisted by copying  have been secured had the applicant not had a
choice gems of poetry or prose, first writing  good handwriting.
each exercise on a separate slip of paper and  And, 3rd. A mastery of the art of writing
afterwards transcribing the same in a book kept  is of great service to us intellectually. Persons
for the purpose.  In the writing of original  who can write well, takingr pleasure in the
compositions and letters, each exercise should  practice, will write more than they other-
be copied as long as the student is desirous of  wise would. Every time they write a word