WHY do energetic, successful people write with an upward tendency, and the weak and the sickly with a descending hand? Why does the critic divide his/her letters, and the man of connected ideas keep them together? Why do the romantic and sentimental write with sloping hands, with long-tailed and headed letters? And the selfish dock their loops and write uprightly? Handwriting lets out secrets . . . but how are we to judge? Henry Frith, an expert on judging handwriting, says handwriting is an excellent guide to character, if the rule of common sense and observation is regarded. In his book, How to read character in handwriting , Mr Frith stated each of the signs have a certain significance. 'If it is even, the writer is in good health, calm, straightforward and determined. 'If it is ascending, ambition, energy, activity, perseverance and ardour are all indicated, while descending writing indicates melancholy, discouragement, timidity and weakness of health.' As regards the change in handwriting with age, or when weakness of constitution even temporarily sets in, Mr Frith has also something to say. 'The change which often comes with age is due to change of character in the individual, so the writing is the natural outcome of character and disposition.' 'Who am I?' is a question schoolboy Tsang Kai-yin has always put to himself. He tried to find out the answer by a glance at his handwriting through a computer-controlled analyser. 'I thought the computer could help me to understand myself better,' said the 15-year-old. Kai-yin gave his signature to the analyser and, after a few minutes, he got his results. An extrovert nature is observable in Kai-yin's calligraphy, as seen in the analysis report. 'Yes, that's right. I'm energetic and fond of outdoor activities, ' said the Form Three student. However, Tsang added he did not expect too much from the study. 'It is obviously impossible that a few lines of writing will tell me everything.' His brother, Wai-lum, is also searching for affirmation as a unique person. Wai-lum's round letters tell of a kindly, good-tempered hand, according to the analysis. 'Yes, that's true of me. I'm generous to myself and others,' said the 13-year-old. Moreover, the results showed that Wai-lum has some excellent qualities - intelligence and managing talent. 'Perhaps it's a good sign. I want to be an accountant one day.' Kitty Cheung Yick-tung, 16, found her artistic writing indicated a tendency to romanticism. 'Sometimes I doubt it, but I really appreciate the results,' she said.
