Autography [pp. 601-604]

SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER.
LETTER XXXV.
Dear Sir,-I am not to be quizzed. You suppose, eh? that I can't understand your fine letter all about
"things in general." You want my autograph, you dog-and you sha'nt have it.
Yours respectfully,
JOSEPH R. S. MILLER., Esq.
I~...... ~
Mr. Noah writes a very good running hand. The ance of being written very fast. Some of the characters
lines, however, are not straight, and the letters have have now and then a little twirl, like the tail of a pigtoo much tapering to please the eye of an artist. The which gives the MS. an air of the quizzical, and devillong letters and capitals extend very little beyond the me-care. Paper pretty good-and wafered.
others-either up or down. The'epistle has the appear
LETTER XXXVI.
Mister-I say-It's not worth while trying to come possum over the Major. Your letter's no go. I'm up to
a thing or two-or else my name isn't
Mr. JOSEPH T. V. MILLER.
The Major writes a very excellent hand indeed. It' that we shall say nothing farther about it.
has so striking a resemblance to that of Mr. Brooks,
LETTER XXXVII.
Dear Sir,-I am exceedingly and excessively sorry that it is out of my power to comply with your rational
and reasonable request. The subject you mention is one with which I am utterly unacquainted-moreover, it
is one about which I know very little. Respectfully,
JOSEPH W. X. MILLER, Esq.
Mr. Stone's MS. has some very good points about precise opinion can be had of Mr. Stone's literary style.
it-among which is a certain degree of the picturesque. [Mr. Messenger says no opinion can be had of it in any
In general it is heavy and sprawling —the short letters way.] Paper very good and wafered.
running too much together. From the chirography no
LETTER XXXVIII.
My Good Fellow,-I am not disposed to find fault with your having addressed me, although personally unknown. Your favor (of the - ultimo) finds me upon the eve of directing my course towards the renowned
shores of Italia. I shall land (primitively) on the territories of the ancient Brutii, of whom you may find an
account in Lempridre. You will observe (therefore) that, being engrossed by the consequent, necessary, and
important preparations for mthy departure, I can have no time to attend to your little concerns.
Believe me, my dear sir, very faithfully your
JOSEPH Y. Z. MILLER, Esq.
Mr. Fay writes a passable hand. There is a good of the long letters are too long. [Mr. Messenger thinks
deal of spirit —and some force. His paper has a clean I amn right —that Mr. F. shouldn't try to cut a dash —
appearance, and he is scrupulously attentive to his and that all his tales are too long. The swagger he
margin. The MS. however, has an air of swagger says is respectable, and indicates a superfluity of
about it. There are too many dashes —and the tails thought.]
604
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~. f - -i
iP
I OC
4
IC*
4k% l