Page:Theory and Practice of Handwriting.djvu/145

 following list may be accepted as fairly representing the literature on the subject of Penmanship and Handwriting published during the present century, so far as it affects the question of Education. Many small brochures are omitted as their insertion could serve no good purpose. It will be found that the majority of these publications are merely collections of specimens of the Engraver's skill, and also of the writer's ingenuity as indicated in most intricate and beautiful designs in flourishing and ornamental lettering, and that the remainder are more or less books of instructions, hints or directions how to write or how to become a good writer, one or two of these containing suggestions on how to teach the art. Few could imagine the anomalies and contradictions with which these manuals abound when compared with each other, in regard to every point connected with the science and art of penmanship. A somewhat entertaining diversity of opinion e.g. on the position of the body may be referred to where elbows must be to side and  the side; where the body must be absolutely erect but at the same time bending forward: and where it must be able to present the right side the left side and the Chest front all simultaneously to the front edge of the desk. Rather a difficult feat for an ordinary individual we imagine!