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

[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.