man may be a clever financier without being a genius. It requires but little effort to see in Mr. Sprague’s MS. all the idiosyncrasy of his intellect. Here are distinctness, precision, and vigor—but vigor employed upon _grace_ rather than upon its legitimate functions. The signature fully indicates the general hand—in which the spirit of elegant imitation and conservatism may be seen reflected as in a mirror. [Illustration: signature of Cornelius Mathews] Mr. Cornelius Mathews is one of the editors of “Arcturus,” a monthly journal which has attained much reputation during the brief period of its existence. He is the author of “Puffer Hopkins,” a clever satirical tale somewhat given to excess in caricature, and also of the well-written retrospective criticisms which appear in his Magazine. He is better known, however, by “The Motley Book,” published some years ago—a work which we had no opportunity of reading. He is a gentleman of taste and judgment, unquestionably. His MS. is much to our liking—bold, distinct and picturesque—such a hand as no one destitute of talent indites. The signature conveys the hand. [Illustration: signature of CharlesHoffman] Mr. Charles Fenno Hoffman is the author of “A Winter in the West,” “Greyslaer,” and other productions of merit. At one time he edited, with much ability, the “American Monthly Magazine” in conjunction with Mr. Benjamin, and, subsequently, with Dr. Bird. He is a gentleman of talent. His chirography is not unlike that of Mr. Matthews. It has the same boldness, strength, and picturesqueness, but is more diffuse, more ornamented and less legible. Our _fac-simile_ is from a somewhat hurried signature, which fails in giving a correct idea of the general hand. [Illustration: signature of Horace Greely] Mr. Horace Greely, present editor of “The Tribune,” and formerly of the “New-Yorker,” has for many years been remarked as one of the most able and honest of American editors. He has written much and invariably well. His political knowledge is equal to that of any of his contemporaries—his general information extensive. As a _belles-lettres_ critic he is entitled to high respect. His MS. is a remarkable one—having about it a peculiarity which we know not how better to designate than as a _converse_ of the picturesque. His characters are scratchy and irregular, ending with an _abrupt taper_—if we may be allowed this contradiction in terms, where we have the _fac-simile_ to prove that there is no contradiction in fact. All abrupt MSS., save this, have square or _concise_ terminations of the letters. The whole chirography puts us in mind of a _jig_. We can fancy the writer jerking up his hand from the paper at the end of each word, and, indeed, of each letter. What mental idiosyncrasy lies _perdu_ beneath all this, is more than we can say, but we will venture to assert that Mr. Greely (whom we do not know personally) is, _personally_, a very remarkable man.