PHYSIOGNOMY AND CRANIOLOGY.

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and, as he thinks, 3 disgusting lips of the African negroes,to the heat of the climate they inhabit. Others account forthe blackness of their skin, from supposing the excess offerruginous particles in their blood, which have been foundof late, on chymical analysis, to a greater or less degree, toexist in that of all men, and which occasions its sanguine colour,and which, in them, the negroes, is conceived necessary inin order to strengthen and support the frame under the op-pressive influence of the extreme solar heat which theyendure, and this producing blackness through the transpa-rent cuticle which covers the frame; to which cause, may beadded, the evaporation of those phosphoric acidities whichsmell so strong in that people, being-cast upon the retina-form membrane. ^

In pointing out the distinguishing- traits which discrimi-nate the natives of different regions, Lavater observes, thata person deeply enamoured of another, and thinking intenselyon the form and position of the features, might in process oftime assume a resemblance of the admired object, thoughmiles of space intervene between them; and, pursuing hismental dream, he adds—“that it is equally possible anindividual meditating revenge, may compose his counte-nance into a likeness of him who was to be his victim.” 4The incorrectness of the latter fancy may be exposed bymerely observing that the person under the influence of thepassion of revenge, must bear in his countenance the linesof expression of that restless affection. Now as the objectintended to be injured is unconscious of the secret machi-nations against him, lie may at the instant, be engaged insome benevolent pursuit, or may feel some internal joy,which moulds his features into an expression just the re-verse of his adversary, who may generally have seen himthus: for revenge is often aimed by the wicked at the bestof men ; consequently, the countenance of a fiend cannot atthe same time beam with complacency, or form a set offeatures where the soul is in equanimity. With the lattersentiments we perfectly agree, and do not regard the phy-siognomist’s remark as pertinent to his subject.

That Lavater was an enthusiastic theorist , we admit;and also concede that we do not believe him sufficiently philo-sophical in every case; but surely the weakness, infirmity, or

3 The Abbe should have consulted M. Marraontel, who appears to have pos-sessed more correct ideas of beauty, and to have felt the luxuriance of pouting lips.Vide his Letters.

* Here we are at a loss for the analogy, with his last named instance* *