Page:Theory and Practice of Handwriting.djvu/108

90 The pen should be held firmly but tightly between the thumb and two fore-fingers. One writer informs us that the pen should be grasped only by the thumb and fore-finger but the experiment has only to be tried to entail a speedy abandonment. If the pen be properly held the first finger can at any time be lifted without danger of the pen falling from the hand. Whilst the thumb is bent up away from the ends of the fingers the latter are to be kept easily straight, perhaps slightly but only slightly bent and not approaching too near the point of the nib, or soiled and inky fingers will be the result. The end of the second finger may rest on the side of the penholder or may fall somewhat below it at the discretion of the teacher or writer. The penholder furthermore should ever remain on or above the principal knuckle of the fore-finger never being allowed to sink into the hollow near the second joint of the thumb. As to direction let the pen follow the hand and arm which are in one and the same straight line.

A common and not less pernicious habit is to allow the pen to take an outward direction to the right, when as an inevitable consequence the writing takes a backward slope and all the curves and lateral lines become thickened at the expense of the downstrokes, which attenuate off into hairlines imparting to the writing an appearance as peculiar as it is illegible. Broad nibs (as the ) conduce greatly to this abuse which appears to be prevalent amongst female writers.

Another danger is in holding the pen in a nearly upright position. This mistake often happens. People think vertical writing calls for a vertically held pen which latter brings in its train spluttering blots and good temper. Let the pen slope at an angle of 40° or 45° to the paper, when it will be found to write with a maximum of ease and safety. Do not turn the pen on one side, but use, and press on, both points of the nib equally. Juveniles are particularly prone to write on the side of their pens, it being universal experience that the worst penmen hold their pens in the worst fashion. Instructors of youth in Elementary