Handwriting

[heather_mist]

Stephen said, ‘Will I tell you another of Plato’s observations?’
‘Pray do,’ said Jack, his smile briefly returning.
‘It should please you, since you have a very pretty hand. Hinksey quoted it when I dined with him in London and we were discussing the bill of fare: “Calligraphy,” says Plato, “is the physical manifestation of an architecture of the soul.” That being so, mine must be a turf-and-wattle kind of soul, since my handwriting must be disowned by a backward cat; whereas yours, particularly on your charts, has a most elegant flow and clarity, the outward form of a soul that might have conceived the Parthenon.’ (TC Chapter 6)

This is one of my favourite quotes because I like using fountain pens, dip pens, and inks for writing - a far more civilised method of creating than the utility of a computer keyboard. Sadly however I have far too much affinity with Stephen's handwriting than I would like, although I long to have Jack's 'elegant flow and clarity'. A backward cat would probably laugh at my attempts.

Comments

Re: More on Jack's handwriting

[feroxargentea]

I wonder what O'Brian meant by it. Gentlemen of the time were apparently supposed to prove their gentlemanliness by having illegible handwriting (to prove they were no clerks!), so perhaps "feminine" is just a way of repeating "clear".

Re: More on Jack's handwriting

[heather_mist]

That might explain why doctors persist with the notion even today.

*nods*

Meanwhile I am very glad to know that anyone contemplating my handwriting would instantly know therefore I was a gentleman in spirit at least (even though the anatomy refutes it!)

Re: More on Jack's handwriting

[feroxargentea]

It is traditional.

I was a gentleman in spirit at least
LOL. Goodness knows what anyone would make of mine. That I am about six years old.