PHYSIOGNOMY AND CRANIOLOGY. 83

in drawing his conclusions of propensities from them.Paracelsus, a man of strong genius, and like Lavater , mis-guided in many instances by enthusiasm, and a kind ofsuperstition allied to the study of this art or science, pro-nounced that those eyes generally termed black, frequentlydenoted health, firmness, courage, and honour; but thegray, deceit and instability. Those objections, we conceive,are made only for the sake of ostentatious difference ofopinion, if they are considered relative:—thus far proba-bility at least accompanies the physiognomist’s remarks.The commentator adding, “ It is, however, impossible tosubscribe to his assertion, that all short-sighted persons aredeceitful and crafty, or that those who squint have similarpropensities to evil: with this learned gentleman we fullycoincide, when he alleges, that it is evident both pecu-liarities alluded to, may be consequences of injury, eitherof natural defect or accidental violence, and are never foundin people whose organs of vision are perfect; indeed manyinstances might be cited of the actual and known cause ofsquinting and near sight, which frequently occur in adults,from extreme anxiety and disease.”

Small eyes, situated deep in the sockets, are said byParacelsus to indicate active wickedness, with a mind cal-culated to oppose with vigour, and sutler with perseverance;and their opposites, very large and prominent eyes, heconceived explained the avaricious ami covetous propensi-ties of their possessors: those in constant motion, denotefear and care; winking is the mark of foresight, of an amo-rous disposition, when it does not proceed from the weak-.ness in the organ, we suppose; and the eye fearful of look-ing forward, decides upon innate modesty.

Lavater thought blue eyes, in general, signified effemi-nacy and weakness; yet he acknowledged that many eminentmen have had blue eyes; still he was convinced that strengthand manhood belong more particularly to brown: in oppo-sition to this, the Chinese are known to be an imbecilepeople, and they rarely have blue eyes. These contradictions,it must be confessed, weaken the reliance we are inclinedto place upon appearances during the quiescent state of theeyes, and the indications of their colour. Men intemperate,in anger, and easily irritated, may be found with eyes of allthe usual colours ; when they incline to green,—ardour, spirit,and courage, are their usual attendants. 'People of aphlegmatic habit, but who may be roused to activity, haveclear blue eyes, which never belong to those inclined to