[Illustration: signature of G.G. Foster] G. G. Foster, Esq., has acquired much reputation, especially in the South and West, by his poetical contributions to the literature of the day. All his articles breathe the true spirit. At one period he edited a weekly paper in Alabama; more lately the “Bulletin” at St. Louis; and, at present, he conducts the “Pennant,” in that city, with distinguished ability. Not long ago he issued the prospectus of a monthly magazine. Should he succeed in getting the journal under way, there can be no doubt of his success. His MS. is remarkably clear and graceful; evincing a keen sense of the beautiful. It seems, however, to be somewhat deficient in force; and his letters are never so well written in their conclusion as in their commencement. We have before remarked that this peculiarity in MSS. is a sure indication of _fatigability_ of temper. Few men who write thus are free from a certain vacillation of purpose. The signature above is rather heavier than that from which it was copied. [Illustration: signature of Lew Cass] Lewis Cass, the Ex-Secretary of War, has distinguished himself as one of the finest _belles lettres_ scholars of America. At one period he was a very regular contributor to the “Southern Literary Messenger,” and, even lately, he has furnished that journal with one or two very excellent papers. His MS. is clear, deliberate and statesmanlike; resembling that of Edward Everett very closely. It is not often that we see a letter written altogether by himself. He generally employs an amanuensis, whose chirography does not differ materially from his own, but is somewhat more regular. [Illustration: signature of James Brooks] James Brooks, Esq., enjoys rather a private than a public literary reputation; but his talents are unquestionably great, and his productions have been numerous and excellent. As the author of many of the celebrated Jack Downing letters, and as the reputed author of the whole of them, he would at all events be entitled to a place among our _literati_. His chirography is simple, clear and legible, with little grace and less boldness. These traits are precisely those of his literary style. [Illustration: signature of Jack Downing] As the authorship of the Jack Downing letters is even still considered by many a moot point, (although in fact there should be no question about it,) and as we have already given the signature of Mr. Seba Smith, and (just above) of Mr. Brooks, we now present our readers with a fac-simile signature of the “_veritable Jack_” himself, written by him individually in our own bodily presence. Here, then, is an opportunity of comparison. The chirography of “the veritable Jack” is a very good, honest, sensible hand, and not very dissimilar to that of Ex-President Adams. [Illustration: signature of J. R. Lowell.]