Page:Theory and Practice of Handwriting.djvu/73

Rh one height or length were maintained and that of itself would be a much needed and heartily welcomed relief. In theory and practice therefore one and only one height is recommended for all long and looped letters whether above or below the line. It may not, and it is to be feared will not, be easy to attain this as so many series of Headline Copy Books exist with diversified heights, but if future compilers of such books and teachers of writing would combine and co-operate there would be little difficulty in bringing about the desired reformation.

In recapitulation, to sum up the essentials of an ideal handwriting that shall fulfil the requirements of Hygiene, the demands of Caligraphic canons and the needs of a mixed community it has been proved that such writing must be Upright, Continuous, Simple and Plain, with short loops, and a minimum of thickness. If such a style and system be generally adopted and taught there will result a generation of writers wonderfully superior to the present generation of scribblers whose penmanship will be a credit instead of a disgrace to their country.

By minimum of thickness it must not be understood that the very thin hair lines, quite impossible of reproduction with a pen, are meant—as head lines should present an imitation or reproduction of actual pen writing. The very delicate engraver's work proves discouraging to the pupil because impossible of reproduction.