PHYSIOGNOMY

CHAPTER I

PHYSIOGNOMY
History of the Science. — What it Aims to Accomplish. —Its
Accuracy. — General Principles of Physiognomy.
Physiognomy enables us to read the mind,
character and temperament from the form of a
man's features, the expression of his face, and the
form, attitudes and movements of his body.
It is the science which reduces to method the
means by which character may be determined,
and teaches us to form sound judgments by
eliminating all sentiment and fancy in our esti-
mates of men.
The sensation of attraction and repulsion is
constantly felt, but often with ignorance of the
cause, and with utter inability to support the in-
stinct with a logical reason.
A study of certain definite rules will enable us
5
6 Physiognomy
to prove the correctness or incorrectness of ovkf
impulses, and will save us many and grave mis-
takes.
These rules are not based on vague theories,
but are the result of the deductions and accumu-
lated experience of scientists for centuries. In
all times philosophers thought highly of this

science. The earliest known writers on the sub-

ject were Adamanthus, of whom we know little
and Melampus, the Egyptian, B. c. 270, who wrote
chiefly on physical deformities and their signifi-
cance. The next writer of importance was
Zopyrus, a contemporary of Socrates. His repu-
tation rests chiefly on his facial reading of
Socrates, which though harsh, was acknowledged
to be true by the subject himself.
lamblichus tells us that the Pythagoreans
thought so much of this science, that they would
admit none to their lectures unless they judged
from their whole external appearance that they
would be successful in learning.
Ciceromentions physiognomy as the art of
discerning the manner and disposition of men
by observing their bodily characteristics.
To Dalla Porta, in 1598, is due the honor of
practically laying the foundation of modern
 Physiognomy 7
physiognomy. His work, " Delia Fisonomia delT
huomo," though able, is strongly impregnated
with the superstition of his age.
In 1780 a collection of the early Greek authors
on physiognomy was published at Altenburg,
Germany, and is still preserved under the title of
" Physiognomiae Yeteris Scriptores Graeci."

Lavater, a Swiss pastor, who wrote in 1741, is

still considered to be the greatest and certainly

the most prolific writer on physiognomy.

Thouo:h somewhat diffuse and lackino^ in
method, his mastery of his subject and the
beautiful drawings render the book of great
value.
The next great step forward was taken in
180G, when Sir Charles Bell published his
" Anatomy of Expression." Till then the
muscles with regard to facial expression had
not been fully dealt with. In 1874, Duchenne
began his experimental study of physiognomy.
At first his ideas were not received with favor.
Many physiognomists showed distrust of a work
which reduced the study of physiognomy to an
exact science. Duchenne argued that in ph3'si-
ognomy neither fancy nor caprice nor inspira-
tion had any part, but that all is subject to exact
8 Physiognomy
and precise rules which form its language, though
possible combinations are many and varied. Each
muscle has an expression peculiar to itself, and is,
so to speak, one of the syllables or words in the
language of physiognomy. Like every other lan-
guage, physiognomy associates these syllables and
words to arrive at its expression.
Physiognomy is one of the most absorbing and
fascinating of studies. The closer our research,
the deeper our interest. It is the search-light
science supplies for the reading of the soul.
While study trains our minds to habits of cor-
its

rect reasoning and exact observation, it also

teaches us a better understanding of the law of
cause and effect, thus engendering toleration and
sympathy for those morally and physically
deficient.
It is practically the only study in which the
richest man has no advantage over the pauper.
Money is not a necessary aid. Education may
help with its development but experience, life
;

itself, is the only school in which a man can take

his final degree.

Certain natural qualities are necessary for the
study, which may be strengthened by practice.
The essentials are : 1st, observation ; 2d,