78

PHYSIOGNOMY AND CRANIO LOGY.

for admiration, particularly the females, whose charms ofperson and face are proverbial.

The author from whom these extracts are taken says,“ Before we enter upon a description of the marks which,according to Lavater , point out the character of the pos-sessor, it may be proper to give one or two instances of thefallacy and of the truth of the conclusions drawn from them,in order that our readers may form their own conclusions,as to the folly or propriety of entertaining a propensity toform a judgment from the shapes of their noses, eyes, fore-heads, and chins.”

M. Sturtz declared to iMvater, that he once happened tosee a criminal condemned to the wheel, who with Satanic wickedness had murdered his benefactor, and who yet hadthe benevolent and open countenance of an angel of Guido.It is not impossible, adds that gentleman, but that the headof Regultm might be found among criminals, or of a Vestalin the house of correction. Lavater admits this to its full ex-tent ; but his reasoning, to reconcile it to his system, is byno means conclusive . 6

We must acknowledge, when we hear of any criminalaction attended with very strong circumstances of individualguilt, the imagination assists us in drawing a picture of theculprit, agreeable to our ow r n idea of his deformity; and with-out reflecting that the murderous assassin is marked by nohorrible exterior, which would have placed humanity on itsguard against his wicked intentions. However, upon viewingthe culprit, we are, perhaps, surprised to find that there isnothing in his appearance particularly indicative of cruelty. Tocomplete the outlines of his portrait, we then industriouslyendeavour to discover the latent marks of villany lurking inhjs eyes, converting the wrinkles of his face into thedens of savage cruelty; disease or age are turned intosome horrible impression answering our expectations; andwe depart exclaiming against the striking contour of themiserable wretch, when perhaps many of our near friends,or even relations, would suffer by a comparison, who yet hadled uniformly innocent lives. On the other hand it must be

6 We tuay be excused here in observing, that provided Physiognomy couldbe reduced to those certain rules upon which sciences proceed and are founded,it would be most useful to mankind generally, and to the theatrical worldin particular. W'e cannot but regard it os worth the experiment of the liberal-minded to endeavour to afford protection to a science which promises so much, asto enabie us to form a correct judgment from the mode of gestural expression andphysiognomical peatliarity , in opposition to the deception of the tongue of man to6atter or to deceive by hypocrisy.