LAVATER’S 
 
 LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 Price ^s. 6d. Boards ; neatly Bound, •)%. 
 
rt-' ' 
 
LAVATER’S 
 
 LOOKING-GLASS; 
 
 OR, 
 
 FJJ'ays on the Face of Animated Nature, 
 
 FROM 
 
 MAN to PLANTS. 
 
 DEOICATED TO 
 
 HER. GRACE THE DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. 
 By Lavater, Stie, 8s Co. 
 
 The -wretch that wears no fmiles upon his face, 
 
 And is not mov’d by honefly of heart 
 To fplit his fides with laughter-loving dames, 
 
 Who fpread the Graces, as with fport and glee 
 They mock the mifer's melancholy mood, 
 
 Till raptures foon intoxicate the brain ; 
 
 While Reafon yields her empire for an hour. 
 
 And fays (as Shalefpeare faid for John O^Combe) 
 
 “ Let no Juch man he trujledj' 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED BY MILLAR RITCHIE, MIDDLE STREET, CLOTH FAIR, 
 
 AND SOLD BY 
 
 MESSRS. RICHARDSONS, ROYAL EXCHANGE; SYMONDS, 20 PATERNOSTER ROW 
 LACKINGXON, ALLEN, AND CO. FINSBURY SflUARE ; AND 
 GEISWEILER, PARLIAMENT STREET. 
 
 1800. 
 
TO 
 
 HER GRACE, 
 
 GEORGIAN A, 
 
 DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE, 
 
 This Volume 
 
 IS MOST HUMBLY INSCRIBED, 
 
 BT 
 
 Lavater^ Sue^ 8( Co. 
 
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 oaib^-wdilst Oils .uba?i5 ' iiiaiblacj 
 
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 aju'iia * 
 
 1 
 
Lavater, Sue, 8( Co. 
 
 TO THS 
 
 LITERARY AND FASHIONABLE WORLD. 
 
 WE commit fome manufcripts 
 to the prefs with diffidence, being fenfible that, 
 as piftures of the fame obje£i:s vary according 
 to each Painter’s merit, Lo mother Nature has left 
 a wide field for different defcriptions of her beau- 
 ties. We do not, however, pluck a wreath from 
 Lavater’s venerable brow by prefixing his good 
 Name to a Book that prefents fome of his intereft- 
 ing Sketches in a new point of vieWj with additional 
 Obfervations on the Animal Creation ; nor have 
 we failed to affign to that eminent Phyfiognomift 
 fuch a (hare of Profit upon it as fhall be deemed 
 confiftent with juftice, efteem, and fellow-feeling 
 for him, at a moment when he is fuffering in the 
 
 a 2 caufe 
 
via 
 
 Address. 
 
 caufe of his much-injured country, Switzer- 
 
 land. 
 
 Upon this honourable ground, where we 
 commit no depredation upon any privileged pro- 
 perty, nor even blindly follow that great ProfelTor 
 in all the flights of Fahey, we think it incumbent 
 on us to ufe the preceding Title, and adopt the 
 Signature of Lavater, Sue, 8C Co. for our joint 
 benefit, in order to announce the real founders 
 of a repaft intended for liberal minds. 
 
 Were the whole found agreeable to the wife 
 order of things, it would be needlefs to trace 
 any further the hearts which beat high with zeal 
 to cultivate the negle6fed Art of Reading Faces, 
 from a conviftion that it might be rendered equal- 
 ly pleafant and ufeful to the thinking part of man- 
 kind. 
 
 Nay, there are enlightened men, bred in the 
 Lavater I AN School, and buoyed up with faith 
 in doftrines fuperficially confidered,- or lightly con- 
 demned, upon vulgar notions and popular preju- 
 dices. — 
 
ADDRESS. 
 
 IX 
 
 (jices. To them it is unneceffary to fay, what 
 
 they know, that Dr. Sue is honourably mention- 
 ed in Lavater’s Treatife on Ofteology, as a 
 Man diftinguilhed for Anatomical Knowledge, and 
 as a Member of the moft learned Societies, at 
 Home and Abroad. 
 
 Suffice it, therefore Jto add, that it is his Effay 
 on Living Creatures, witm' variations, or, at leaft, 
 Sue’s ideas clothed in the Britiffi language of 
 freedom, that we fubmit, with our refpe6fful ap- 
 peal, to the Public Tribunal. 
 
 This Analyfis of that Work has been made 
 under the impreffion of experience,— that exhibi- 
 tions of naked truth applauded in France, were 
 ill calculated for the pure manners of Britain, 
 where Grecian Statues want a veil adapted to 
 Englifli delicacy. — Thus, whatever imperfeftions 
 Critics may find in our attempt to embelliffi 
 Surgical Remarks, in a Syftem founded on French 
 and German ground-works, we trufl, that even 
 they will give us credit for our endeavours to pleafe 
 
 and 
 
X 
 
 ADDRESS. 
 
 and inftruft the rifing youth, without offending 
 the chafteft ear. 
 
 Indeed, as our Pen has not been accufed 
 of flattery, we truft, that it will never be dif- 
 graced for raffing unpleafant feelings in any breaft. 
 
 Lavatevy SuCy ^ Co^ 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 OF TH* 
 
 Following Fffays. 
 
 Esiit I. ON the Neceffity of Studying the Conftitu- 
 tion of Living Creatures, and the imitative 
 Arts. 
 
 II. On the Dimenfions of the Human Body, 
 
 and Diftinftions according to Age, Sex, 
 and Country. 
 
 III. On National Cuftoms, Drefles, and Orna- 
 
 ments, which change, hurt, diftort, or 
 disfigure the Human Species, 
 
 IV. On the Queftion, Whether Anatomical 
 
 Knowledge might be fufficiently acquired 
 without Diffedlion ? — Remarks on the 
 Sports, Difcipline, and Surgical Principles 
 of tlie ancient Greeks. 
 
 V. On Grace and Beauty. 
 
 i VI. On Expreffion or Charafter in Painting, &c. 
 VII. On the Paflions. 
 
 VIII. On 
 
XU 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Essay VIII. On Man. 
 
 IX. On the Varieties of the Human Species. 
 
 X. On the Differences of Stature, Complexion, 
 &c. 
 
 XT. On the Principles adapted for Studying 
 Phyfiognomy. 
 
 XII. On a Man’s Walk, Running, and Leaping. 
 
 XIII. On the Five Senfes. 
 
 XIV. On Changes produced by the leading Paf- 
 
 fions, as they are impreffed on the Human 
 Countenance ; and the whole Appearance 
 of the Body, with refpeft to Painting. 
 
 XV. Anatomical Explanations of Changes produc- 
 ed by the Paffions upon the Hurnan 
 Figure. 
 
 XVI. On Phyfiognomy, and the Study of Fea- 
 tures ; with Rules, &c. 
 
 XVII. On the Ufe of Paintings, Portraits, &c. ; 
 
 with a Choft Account of the heft Painters 
 and Profeffors of Phyfiology. 
 
 XVI II. On the Features of Animals. 
 
 XIX. On Birds. 
 
 XX. On Fifhes. 
 
 XXL On Amphibious Animals. 
 
 XXII. On Infeds. 
 
 XXIII. On Worms. 
 
 XXIV. On Vegetables. 
 
 INTRO- 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Several prote£tors and profeffors of the fine 
 arts have approved of our refearches refpe£ting the 
 paffions and their expreflions : ^ve have therefore 
 thought it incumbent on us to comply with their 
 whiles, by communicating the refult of further in- 
 quiries, after having fully treated this important 
 matter with refpe 61 to art and nature, painting and 
 phyfiognomy. 
 
 It is with a view to general utility, more than 
 from a defire of gaining fame, that we prefent a 
 feries of obfervations paving the way to difcoveries. 
 — In thefe Efiays every article may be confidered 
 as a ftep leading intelligent beings to a better light, 
 where they will attain the fummit of their purfuits, 
 by feeling themfelves convinced that all living crea- 
 tures have a fet of features and complexion, forming 
 fo many pages of that great book of Nature which 
 it is our duty to learn — nay, the perufal of it is fo 
 much the more eafy, as it is a delightful talk to gra- 
 tify that innate palfion, the llrong curiofity to know 
 ourfelves. 
 
 B 
 
 Even 
 
11 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Even with the dawn of reafon, does not a child 
 pretend to judge of faces? — At every ftage, are not 
 the penetrating eyes of a man directed to find out 
 the fecret thoughts of the ftranger whom he meets ? . 
 — And do we not daily hear it faidj as an incontef- 
 table truth, that fuch-a-one is lively, dull, thought- 
 ful, peevifli, melancholy, &c. merely from a glance 
 at his exterior appearance ? 
 
 Certain it is, that the human form, particularly the 
 countenance, is ftamped with a dillinguifliing mark, 
 by which the mental emotions may be difcerned i the 
 body being juftly called a fubftantial image of the 
 mind, or the foul itfelf rendered vifible. It is, like- 
 wife, univerfally acknowledged, that the improve- 
 ment of talents ought to be the firft obje£l; of our 
 ftudies ; for Genius produces fuch mafter-pieces a§ 
 refle6l honour on his creative power. Beauty afferts 
 equal rights to the productions of the liberal arts, 
 becaufe the colours, fo often employed to paint the 
 Graces, are embelliflied in thofe hands which had 
 been only deemed fit to ufe the needle ; infomuch 
 that a living model of perfection, a Venus, may take 
 up the painter’s pallet, and fill his place. 
 
 Befides, how is it pofTible that the fair fex fhould fail 
 to excel in painting, fince the charming eye pierces 
 through the moft intricate lineament, and feizes 
 the likenefs without miffing a ffiade of diltinCtion ! 
 
 Let, however, the ftrong paffiions be flill expreffed 
 with bolder ftrokes of art from the firm hand of 
 
 man } 
 
Introduction. 
 
 Ill 
 
 man j but it would be difficult for him either 
 to fee, conceive, or take off moving figures in 
 a l ively fcene, where love and harmony combined 
 to dire6t the powers of retracing youthful looks, 
 grace and motions keeping pace with the pulfe of 
 fenfibility.* Thefe varying beauties are belt re- 
 ferved for woman’s gentle touch and refined feelings. 
 
 Indeed, we might fupport our affertions, by men- 
 tioning many ftriking inftances of fuperior excel- 
 lence in the faireft part of the creation; but we (hall 
 only dwell, at prefent, on thofe heroic a£tions 
 by which French women have immortalized their 
 names during the late memorable revolution. 
 
 Buoyed up above the fear of death by fenti- 
 mental courage, they carried to the higheft pitch 
 
 ■* We have given an Imperfeft Imitation of Dr. Sue’s following 
 compliment to the fair fex. /Ivouons, (fays he), que les mouvements 
 dou'.Xf delicats, legers^ Cff mille details que I’homme ne diftingue pas^ 
 ou qu*il craint d’ approfondir, font referves au fentiment aujfi coura- 
 geujc qu’ admirable, ^ d la touche fine ^ ingenieufe des femmes. On 
 this occafion a fair lady can heft determine, whether we have raifed 
 the fame fenfations in her bread, by an allufion to fome of thofe 
 thoufand graces which the French phyfician left to our imagination ; 
 but in order to convey his idea beyond the literal meaning, it ftruck 
 us, that we ought to imagine fuch a lively fcene as is reprefented in 
 the Dancing Hours, of which a copy is in our poffeffion ; and as 
 the original pidlure is painted on a ceiling in the Rofpigliofo Palace, 
 we fuppofe that it has not yet followed the vidlor’s triumphal car, as 
 other precious monuments have done, and will ever do, fo long as 
 the fine arts are efteemed and cultivated. 
 
 B 2 
 
 that 
 
IV 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 that enthufiafm, which was the fource of fuch ge- 
 nerous facrifices as dignified misfortunes, by proving 
 a legal title to that empire of our hearts, which they 
 were before fuppofed to have ufurped by their 
 charms. 
 
 Be that as it may, we muft take notice of fimilar 
 treatifes written by our predeceflfors ; but as the 
 greateft part of them contain a mixture of falfe prin- 
 ciples with truth, we need only mention, in the firft 
 place, Galien’s judicious Reflediions, with Le Brun’s 
 excellent Treatife on the Paffions, the Philofophical 
 Enquiries of Defcartes, Diderot’s pofthumous work 
 on the Art of Painting, Baronefs de Stael’s 
 Confiderations on the Happinefs of Nations ; and, 
 above all, Lavater’s Effays on Phyfiognomy, a pro- 
 duction that forms an invaluable record in the hif- 
 tory of mankind. Indeed, too many encomiums can- 
 not be beftowed on this laft eminent writer, whofe 
 judgment appears in his choice of romantic views, 
 prefentedto the world as afet of fragments, without 
 order, becaufe he felt the difficulty of an attempt to 
 compleat a regular fyftem, on a grand fcale, adapted 
 to fuch fublime ideas as overleaped the bounds of art. 
 
 It is true, indeed, he faw men and things 
 through a medium ill-fuited to common eyes ; yet, 
 fince he colleCIed a mafs of materials fufficient for 
 the foundation of a more perfeCt theory than his 
 own, there is room to hope that he will form it, by 
 
 following 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 r 
 
 foJIowing the train of thoughts fuggefted; for 
 it might be dangerous to build caftles in the 
 air, without knowledge founded on repeated ex- 
 periments. 
 
 Let us, neverthelefs, acknowledge the fatisfaftion 
 and inftru6tion received from that great prof e [for of 
 phj^fiology, while we pafs over in filence the flights 
 of fancy, the vifions of an eccentric charafter, and 
 the errors of an honeft man, whom we love, refpe6f, 
 and admire, much as we may differ from him upon 
 effential points. 
 
 He it was that earneftly recommended anatomy 
 to painters, phyfiognomifts, and all thofe who with 
 to know themfelves, and ftudy the human frame.— 
 Indeed, he excelled in that liberal art; and, when 
 young ftudents find him exprefs his regret for not 
 having cultivated it fufficiently, they will feel the 
 ne ceffity of devoting their time to a fcience fo clofely 
 connetfed with their profeffions. 
 
 The advantages to be derived from a literary 
 Effay of this kind, cannot be reprefented in a fairer 
 light, than by fuppofing the cafe of a pupil em- 
 ployed to paint a fea-port, containing inhabitants 
 from different countries ; an ifland full of various 
 animals, with feveral kinds of plants; or a battle 
 between troops of two contending nations : fuch a 
 youth will flatter himfelf with the vain thought of 
 having juftly delineated the objects in queltion, by 
 B 3 taking 
 
VI 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 taking off the fuperficial view of living creatures, 
 with the drefs peculiar to each nation. 
 
 But naturalifts will inform him, as we do, that 
 between one caff of people and another there are 
 fliades of difference, as well as through the whole 
 creation, from man and beaft down to the plant. 
 
 For inftance, a Dutchman’s fkull is rounder, has 
 larger and more regular bones, with the hollow part 
 about the cheek bone not fo even as others. 
 
 In like manner, animals and plants, of the fame 
 country and fpecies, differ remarkably in colour, 
 lize, conftitution, and length of life. 
 
 Hiftoricai painters and limners will appreciate 
 remarks of this fort and others, abundantly fupplied 
 by Lavater. From fuch {lores we fliall occafionally 
 ehufe a portion, in the courfe of oiir following mei* 
 ditations. 
 
 LAVATER’S 
 
JLAVATER’S LOOKING -GLASS. 
 
 On the Neceffity of Studying the Conjiitution of 
 Living Creatures, and the Imitative Arts, 
 
 T an exhibition of pictures, the majority of 
 
 fpectators is captivated by lively colours, 
 over-ftrained forms, and extravagant embellifliments. 
 So long as their fenfes and foibles are flattered, they 
 gaze with pleafure at a dauber’s painting, which will 
 not Hand the teft of a difcerning eye, when it comes 
 to be appreciated by the ftandard of true tafte and 
 judgment. 
 
 But men endowed with thefe qualities will find 
 out a mafter-piece, that has been flighted or unno- 
 ticed by vulgar eyes. 
 
 Their raptures, then, proceed from admiration of 
 juft defign, true likenefs, comely looks, and every 
 trivial appendage that ftrikes them at once in a 
 pi6fure, where, with one glance, they fee art ap- 
 proach Nature’s faireft fliape, fo far as to renew, on 
 
 ESSAY I. 
 
 their minds, the impreflTions made by the real ob- 
 
 B 4 
 
 je6ls 
 
8 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 je6ls reprefented. Yet, while the bed mafter -pieces 
 are not valued in France fo much as in other 
 countries, the artifts have reafon to complain of 
 injuftice done to them in that refpeft ; becaufe, in 
 fo difficult a profeffion, the qualifications, applica- 
 tion, and information required, exceed any idea 
 conceived by people not converfant with arts and 
 fciences. 
 
 Nature is a dingy mother, and difpenfes with a 
 fparing hand the noble talents neceflTary to imitate 
 her complexion, motions, and expreffion. She has 
 bellowed on Genius alone that free gift, the divine 
 flame which forms her ftrong colours and grandefl: 
 features. An equal degree of perfeftion cannot be 
 attained merely by dint of labour ; yet the heavenly 
 fpark, producing fuch happy eflfe6ls, is indebted to 
 induftry for giving full fcope to invention and imi* 
 tation. Thus an artill would grope in the dark for 
 ever, without accompliffiments derived from addi- 
 tional principles, equally indifpenfable as the tech- 
 nical rules that he follows. We allude to a know- 
 ledge of hiftory, mythology, or the fables of the 
 heathen gods, and anatomy ; for a man wffio prac- 
 tifes a liberal profeffion, unlefs he be a proficient in 
 thefe matters, mull; be condemned to live in per- 
 petual obfcurity. 
 
 Many arguments are needlefs to prove furgical 
 knowledge a prime requifite in a painter, as he 
 would labour in vain to reprefent the molt delight- 
 ful 
 
looking-glass. 
 
 9 
 
 ful fituations and varied profpe6ts, were he not ca- 
 pable of drawing and defcribing all the component 
 parts of the human body. Nay, how cold, dull, 
 and gloomy, would his landfcapes appear, with- 
 out being enlivened by the prefence of living crea- 
 tures, efpecially man, the moft perfect being that 
 came from the Creator’s hand ! 
 
 Nothing fo clearly demonftrates the utility of the 
 fcience of anatomy, as the fpecial care taken by the 
 firft mafters, in all ages, to acquire a proficiency in 
 fuch a collateral branch of their refpeftive profef- 
 fions. 
 
 It was thus that Raphael, Michael Angelo, Giu- 
 lio Romano, the Carracci, Dominichini, Le Brun, 
 Le Sueur, and other painters, fculptors, and archi- 
 tects, immortalized their names. Indeed, fo per- 
 fuaded was Michael Angelo of the importance of 
 anatomical obfervations for improving the imita- 
 tive arts, that he formed a defign of publifliing a 
 compleat treatife on the mufcular motions. What 
 a loft to the republic of letters that his projeCt was 
 never executed ! For who better than him could 
 have given ufeful lelTons upon a fubjeCt that he had 
 long confidered in the moft pleafing point of view ; 
 fince there never was his equal for joining the 
 cleared theory to the moft compleat execution? 
 His fuperior abilities are ftill difplayed in all thofe 
 monuments of Roman grandeur which came from 
 his pencil or his chifel, and have excited the ad- 
 miration 
 
10 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 miration of every age by their ftriking beauty and 
 exatt fymmetry. 
 
 Confequently, in conjunftion with Leonard de 
 Vinci, that great mafter was bell qualified to efta- 
 blifli, as he did, thofe famous academies in Italy, 
 which even Raphael did not difdain to confult. 
 
 Hence the principal qualification for juft defigns 
 appears to be derived from an attentive ftudy of the 
 human frame, confidered in all its parts, poftures, 
 and points of view. The ftudent muft therefore 
 fee, direct, or perform the chief furgical operations, 
 fo far as to fift into the maze or inner works of that 
 ajtonijhing machine, while he flackens or loofens the 
 mufcles, and proves, by feeling or ocular demon- 
 ftration, the exiftence even of the flighteft excref- 
 cence, tallying with the models before him. He 
 ftiould obferve minutely how different particles of 
 the bony fyftem are put out of order, and wound up 
 again by adding frefli fprings to the mufcles; and 
 it is equally neceffary for him to make other expe- 
 riments, to difcover the outward effect of interior 
 changes in the grand clock-tvork in queftion ; for, 
 w^hen the caufes are known, their effe6ts can be 
 more juftly delineated. 
 
 Nature is moft faithfully copied by a painter that 
 fees her fecret works through a veil, becoming 
 tranfparent in his eye after he has ftudied anatomy. 
 
 A (ingle look then fuffices for him to take off the 
 likenefs of thofe vifible obje6ls, which he fixes on 
 his canvafs with equal fidelity and precifion. 
 
 It 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 11 
 
 It is not, however, lefs true, that practitioners 
 only can form a juft conception of the time required 
 to imprefs upon a fpeCtator’s mind, fuch a delufion 
 as to make him imagine that an admirable mafter- 
 piece was produced by bold or fudden ftrokes of 
 art ; but when merit meets with applaufe from thofe 
 who know the pains taken, and difficulties over- 
 come, it affords the moft acceptable recompenfe : 
 yet the cool indifference that moft people feel in. 
 feeing Nature difplayed, produces in them the fame 
 infenfibility whenever they review a juft reprefen- 
 tation of her faireft works j for a ftriCt refemblance 
 between fuch copies and originals only ferves to 
 renew feiifations familiar to vulgar minds. In that 
 cafe the painter would be lefs meritorious, were he 
 more applauded by the ignorant clafs, whofe ex- 
 ample in high life renders it fometimes unfaftiion- 
 able to take much notice of paintings, where every 
 objeCl bears its natural appearance. 
 
 You, then, young pupils, who have an honeft 
 ambition to rife and make a figure in the world, 
 above all things fail not to ftudy Nature. Read 
 daily fome pages of her volumes, and fet no value 
 upon other books, unlefs they are commentaries of 
 her fuperior work. Yesj the human body alone 
 contains a compleat fyftem of anatomy *, wffiich 
 
 * ON ANATOMY. 
 
 Anatomy reveals great Nature’s plan, 
 
 Difplays on earth the majefty of man, 
 
 you 
 
12 
 
 LAVATER'S 
 
 you fliould always have before your eyes, as the fub- 
 je£l of contemplation, and the means of attaining 
 
 perfe6tion 
 
 Whofe curious frame betrays the power divine, 
 With God’s own image ftamp’d on every line 
 Of features, glowing with a foul refin’d. 
 
 To prove the face a mirror of the mind. 
 Upright, he moves along with 
 Looks up to Heaven, or courts the 
 Of blooming Love, whofe temple 
 While Venus fmiles, infpiring warm 
 Arlrirnpa Kir Flota, by the Graces dreft, 
 
 by Adam kifs’d and bleft. 
 
 1 tieir paradile, replete with heavenly joys, 
 Supplies the modern race of girls and boys j 
 *^ndear’d by ties of blood and tender hearts 
 ulapius, who reviews the parts, 
 here Death too foon defigns his fatal blow, 
 
 To crop the flow’rs, which wither as they grow. 
 Thus Art to mortals fliews the book of fate. 
 Where cowards may their doom anticipate. 
 
 Has Hunter fliewn how babes fill every vein, 
 Suck in the womb, and fortify the brain ; 
 
 How ftamp’d on each created living breed, 
 
 The leading marks difcover ev’n the weed ? 
 
 The drugs that Bulkley fells, or Jones refines. 
 Flies, plants, and cochineal have varying lines; 
 Up to proud man, who, Ibv’reign lord in name, 
 Calls God moft high defigner of his frame. 
 
 This truth will Campbell feel, and Thynne impart 
 In feeling language fuited to the heart ; 
 
 That fcience belt refines the joys of fenfe. 
 
 And proves in all the wife Omnipotence ! 
 
 W’hat 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 13 
 
 perfe6tion in taking off men and animals as they 
 really are, in the various attitudes required; to mark 
 the common effort of all the limbs and parts, tend-- 
 ing to one united motion of the whole creature, 
 an€ proceeding from an over-ruling will, pulhing 
 on, in perfect concert, every particle that contri- 
 butes to perfe6l his views. 
 
 The very intention, as well as the aft of moving, 
 fhould alfo be afcertained and delineated by a good 
 painter, who knows that all thefe circumftances 
 cannot be properly reprefented without an adequate 
 knowledge of the bony and mufcular fyffems. 
 
 In fliort, how many objeffs would never have 
 been copied upon canvafs, brafs, or marble, had not 
 the diffector paved the way through that labyrinth 
 which forms the ground-work of the whole animal 
 creation ? Without fuch light, an artift would re- 
 femble a man blind-folded, with his genius blunted, 
 and brilliant ideas ffifled before their birth ; for. 
 
 What glorious works are feen in every page 
 Of Nature’s volume, teaching youth and age, 
 Clear as the fun, refulgent light of day, 
 
 That darts at mortal eyes his facred ray. 
 
 Let, then, the ftudy of mankind be freed : 
 
 To ftrike the llfelefs bofom, think, and read 
 The records of creation, with the ftore 
 Of beings, quick or dead, in days of yore ; 
 
 For, tracing out the ways of Providence, 
 Knowledge will yield fair Virtue’s recompenfe. 
 
 unlefs 
 
14 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 unlefs he knew the exact length, form, and ufe, of 
 every mufcle, it would be quite impoflible for him 
 to take off juftly any motion depending on inward 
 fprings. 
 
 ' ' ; 
 
 ESSAY 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 15 
 
 ESSAY II. 
 
 On the Dhnenjions of the^^i^idn Body, and Dif 
 
 tinctions, according to Age, Sex, and Country. 
 
 BY fair proportions of the human frame, we un- 
 derhand due fymmetry, or juft meafure of each part, 
 compared to the whole ; together with their refpec- 
 tive connexions, relative to the different ufes of all 
 parts. — In this refpeX Nature varies infinitely, as fhe 
 does in all her works ; for, comparatively fpeaking 
 we find that the fame members will not be found 
 of equal fize in two perfons, nor always a man 
 without a limb, or fome other particle, ill matched 
 with the reft. 
 
 Authors who have treated the art of Painting, 
 have laid down fure rules for the purpofe of afcer- 
 taining juftly all thofe meafures upon a general 
 fcale ; yet the ftandard of excellence, thus formed 
 from obfervations, does not only originate in a va- 
 riety of good models, but is likewife the effeX of 
 true tafte, founded on our innate knowledge of con- 
 fcious natural beauty. 
 
 Thus, when Zeuxis was at a lofs how to furnifh 
 a piXure of Helen, he reviewed the moft celebrated 
 Sicilian beauties j chofe one perfeX leading feature 
 
 from 
 
16 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 from each of them, and mingled all their charms to 
 form the fair paramour of Paris. 
 
 In like manner Phidias, the fculptor, united in 
 Jupiter’s ftatue the various perfections of a thoufand 
 living models. — It was in the fame way that the 
 moft ingenious men of "Ancient Greece tranfmitted 
 to pofterity a criterion, by which we have learnt to 
 value Nature’s glorious works. Confequently Gre- 
 cian ftatues, being mere copies of human figures, 
 are confidered as difplaying an original type of per- 
 fection, far exceeding what is ever found in a fingle 
 living individual. Hence came the rules of beauty 
 adopted by painters, and too numerous to require a 
 particular difcuffion in this Itage of our inquiries. 
 
 The Variations are according to age, fex, and 
 country. At the critical period when Nature com- 
 municates the fpark of life, her fyftem is invifible. 
 In vain would the curious eye attempt to penetrate 
 her wifdom in the firfi: ftage ; nor is it poffible for a 
 painter to penetrate the great work in embryo. Let 
 us, therefore, pafs it over in refpectful filence until 
 the time of maturity, when it prefents a fubject to 
 be confidered in three points of view. 
 
 Infancy extends from a child’s birth till it is 
 twelve years old. The middle term is when his 
 figure begins to appear in fuch a ftate of innocence 
 as commands the ’’iiijjner’s attention. In the firft, 
 fecond, or third year of exiftence, the feeble frame 
 is not fo completely formed as to be called perfect. 
 
 More 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 17 
 
 Mofe promifing than beautiful, the infant then ex- 
 hibits only a faint fketch of his future felf. 
 
 At fix or feven years of age his childifh looks 
 give way to figns of growing youth. 
 
 But were a painter to know no more of his pro- 
 feffion, than merely to dirhinifli the different pro- 
 portions in all the members of the human body, 
 without making an allowance for the difference of 
 age, he would draw the likenefs of a little man when 
 he attemped to furnifh the picture of a child. For 
 inftance, in a full-grown lad, the os pubis is in the 
 middle of his body ; but when he came into the 
 world, half his meafure was at the navel. 
 
 There are other diftinftions peculiar to childhood. 
 New-born infants have the head difproportioned to 
 the other parts, with plump cheeks, hands puffed up, 
 arms, legs, and thighs en enbonpoint. Their muf- 
 cular fibres are feparated by a ground-work of flight 
 firings, interwoven in fuch abundance as prevents 
 them from giving full tone to the mufcles, and 
 firetching their tender limbs. 
 
 In drawing an infant, the ancients were mere 
 bunglers, although they excelled in painting a full- 
 grown perfon. Their clumfy diminutive figures 
 prove, beyond doubt, that they few opportu- 
 nities of feeing perfect models of childhood, but were 
 firuck with the confiant fight of the mofi athletic 
 and handfome Greeks at the Olympic games, and 
 other diverfions of their days, where they appear to 
 
 C the 
 
18 
 
 LAVATER'S 
 
 the greateft adyantage. Nay, among modern paint- 
 ers, Domenichini was the firft who gave to the pic- 
 tures of babes, that grace, andthofe delicate touches, 
 which Nature has lavifhed on them. He feized 
 that true likenefs which his predecelTors could not 
 attain. 
 
 It is in their fixth or feventh year that children 
 exhibit a fine but unfinilhed (ketch of MAN ; and 
 as it is only then that they begin to grow handfome, 
 people who are nice upon this point agree in opi- 
 nion, that they ought not to. (it for their piHures at 
 an earlier pejiod, according to the cuftom of former 
 times. 
 
 At that early age, a living beauty ferved as a 
 model for Cupid’s much admired ftatue atThefpia, 
 equal to the Venus of Medicis ; and a comely lafs, 
 not younger, fat for a pi£lure of the Goddefs of 
 Love, drawn by Hannibal Carracci, and reprefent- 
 ing Danae, while Jupiter defcends in a cloud with 
 a (hower of gold. 
 
 While boys and girls are growing, their ftature 
 increafes gracefully, more in height than breadth, or 
 bulk. The limbs are Aim, the mufcles are difen- 
 tangled, the whole human frame by degrees dif- 
 covers the fair mould wherein it was turned without 
 ablen:i(h. When the full natural (ize is attained, 
 a comely cbmplexion receives frelh embellilhments 
 from a cheerful mind, good living, and a conftant 
 
 flow 
 
LOOKIltG^GLASS. 
 
 19 
 
 flow of fpirits. Having reached the higheft enjoy- 
 ments and moft pleafing endearments of lifcj man 
 then difplays his vigorous and majeftic form, as lord 
 of the creation. 
 
 Manhood is equally marked with fuch ftrlking 
 fhades of variations as will not efcape a painter’s 
 eye. At that period, corpulency often overftrains 
 features, once fo regular ; the limbs become un- 
 wieldy, while the mufcles are encumbered and 
 checked by changes affefling the whole fyftem ; 
 yet, much as an exceffive corporation disfigures the 
 lines of grace and elegance, a moderate fhare of 
 comelinefs is very becoming. 
 
 Men do not pafs rapidly from the vigour of life 
 to the vale of years. If at fifty they begin to go 
 down hill, they frequently wear fo well as not to 
 be old in conftitution. 
 
 It is, however, about that age, and until the fixty- 
 fifth year, that their decline is firft perceptible. 
 Plump and jolly looks give way to wrinkles : for want 
 of fufficient elaftic tone through the whole frame, 
 the Ikin, like cloth, takes a rougher plait, particular- 
 ly on the cheeks and forehead. At laft a bald, fur- 
 rowed brow ; a pale, flirivelled, toothlefs face, and 
 bones jutting out, are figns of approaching diflb- 
 lution. Even the ftature diminilhes. A giant’s 
 fpine, or main pillar, finks under the weight of 
 years. His mufcles become too weak to glue to- 
 gether that chain of Nature’s fyftem j the joints of 
 
 C 2 his 
 
L aVATEr’s 
 
 9.0 
 
 his legs and arms, being grown ftifF, refufe to per- 
 form their duty. 
 
 Other fymptoms of final decay announce a ikc’- 
 leton by anticipation, while death waits in ambuih, 
 impatient for his prey. 
 
 Let us return, wdth due refpe^f, to the fair fex. 
 
 A perfonable woman, well fliaped, is more flen- 
 der, and has flighter bones, than a man ; her ftature 
 is like wife fmaller, the neck longer, with the lower 
 part of the bread; narrower. 
 
 The bafe or circumference of Venus, taken in 
 one point of view, is alfo broader, compared with 
 the form of Apollo. Her thighs are thicker, her legs 
 ftouter, her feet fmaller, her mufcles lefs vifible, and 
 her limbs more elegantly turned, in addition to a fet 
 of features and complexion peculiar to the beautiful 
 objeG of wedded Love. 
 
 In the next place, we come to confider the ma- 
 terial difference depending on climate, with regard 
 to the fize and colour of people. 
 
 A good painter will not, we know, draw a Pata- 
 gonian like a Laplander, nor make an European 
 refemble an African blackamoor. He will take off 
 the national difiinguifliing feature perceived in 
 every country. In his pictures, the Frenchman, the 
 Englifhman, and the Circaffian, muft appear as they 
 really are, formed in Nature’s faireft fhape ; while 
 the Calmouck and Greenlander fhould be repre- 
 fented in their true light, with diminutive eyes, 
 
 fhapelefs 
 
21 
 
 LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 fhapelef^ faces, and hollow noftrils.,. The.Carribee 
 Ihould likewife be diftinguifhed by his flat Ikull and 
 piercing eye. 
 
 Some diftin^lions are merely artificial. We fliall 
 (lightly mention inftances of particular caprices. 
 
 The original inhabitants of Guiana look upon a 
 long neck as a deformity 5 they, therefore, begin 
 betimes to take great pains in making that part fall 
 into the bread, fo as to bring their fight upon a 
 level with the (houlders. 
 
 The native Peruvians and Brafilians bore their 
 nofes, noftrils, lips, and cheeks, for the purpofe of 
 wearing ffli -bones, plumes of feathers, and other 
 ornaments j while others pierce thofe parts and their 
 eye-lids with needles, or wear very large rings 
 around their mouths. 
 
 The Omaguas flatten the faces of their children, 
 by prefling them between two boards. Boring a 
 large hole in each ear, they adorn it with a nofe- 
 gay of flowers or herbs ; and this fafliion of extra- 
 ordinary ears prevails in all oriental countries. 
 
 The Hottentots bruife the nofes of their children j 
 for to them a too prominent flriking feature would 
 be a deformity. Both fexes blacken their (kins 
 with greafe and foot. 
 
 The inhabitants of Nicobar daub their counte- 
 nances with green and yellow paint, and dye the 
 the hair of their children with coarfe vermilion. 
 
 C 3 
 
 The 
 
22 lavater's 
 
 The wandering Arabs, and fome AfhcRn wo- 
 men, paint the chin and lips with an indelible 
 blue; adorning other parts of their bodies with fan- 
 taftical figures, in the fame colour. 
 
 The Moguls tear up their flelh into the fliape of 
 flowers, like the effea of cupping-glaffes ; and^ 
 being painted with the juice of roots, thefe orna- 
 ments make their perfons refembje a piece of co- 
 loured manufaflure. 
 
 The Tunquinefe and Siarqefe bjacken the teeth 
 with a kind of varnifh, pretending that their na- 
 tural whjtenefs is unbeconiing, fince it puts man 
 upon a par with other living creatures ^ and, in 
 order to make this whimfical change durable, they 
 fubmit to an abftinence of feveral days under that 
 painful operation. But thefe fayages^ and the ne- 
 groes on the coaftof Guinea, have a ftill ftranger 
 cuftom, which is, to run the noflrils through with 
 a peg about four inches long, and of a finger’s 
 breadth ; fo that its two ends, touching the cheek- 
 bone, apparently diminifh the fize of the nofe : they 
 likewife wear ftill larger pins in their ears. 
 
 Every fimilar cuftom increafes the natural de- 
 formity of people far removed from the ftandard of 
 perfection, confiftent with our ideas. Indeed, na- 
 ture feems to have treated them as ill-favoured 
 children of a crofs ftep-mother. In point of tafte^ 
 they furnifh no models in their drefs, caprice, igno- 
 rance, and habits of life; for, accuftomed to fee 
 
 their 
 
tOOKlNG-GXASS. 
 
 25 
 
 their owa frightful felves, their eyes cannot be im- 
 prov^ed to the level of beauty ; nor can they diveft 
 thejufelves of prejudices fo deeply rooted, and early 
 fuck.ed in, as we may fay, with the mother s milk. 
 
 If we vifit the northern regions of Europe, Lap- 
 landers, Samoides, Bozandians, Greenlanders, Ef- 
 quimaux, and others, will be found to differ only in 
 fhades of uglinefs, having the face broad and flat, 
 the nofe fmafhed, eye-lids drawn out towards the 
 temples, very large mouths, thick lips, high cheeks, 
 thick and fhort heads, fqueaking voice, fmall fta- 
 ture, fquat and lean, and feldom above four to four 
 and a half feet high. 
 
 Nor are the different inhabitants of Tartary hand- 
 fomer than thofe juft now deferibed. The Cal- 
 moucks, particularly, may be called fuperlatively 
 ugly ; having their faces fo flat and wide as to 
 leave an intermediate fpace of five or fix inches 
 between their eyes, which are extremely fmall, and 
 with a nofe fo flat as to exhibit only two cavities 
 for noftrils. Their upper jaw is funk inwards, and 
 the lower one juts, out in ghaftly horror. They are 
 equally remarkable for large and thick knees, 
 turned outwards, with feet bent in an inward di- 
 reflion. Their ufual miferable fare agrees with the 
 rougheft appearance. 
 
 Near Davis’s Streights, the Laplanders and thefr 
 neighbours are of a fmaller fize ; a nut-brown com- 
 plexion, with fliort and thick limbs. 
 
 C 4 
 
 The 
 
24 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 The favages of Hudfon’s Bay, and on the coaft of 
 Labrador, have their faces and bodies almott en- 
 tirely covered with hair; the countenance flat and 
 wide, large eyes and flat nofes. 
 
 Superior to all thefe, the inhabitants of New 
 Holland improve their frightful uglinefs, by drawing 
 the two upper fore teeth. They have eye-lids half' 
 fhut in, from the cuftom of ufing fuch a defence 
 againft the malignant bite of gnats. 
 
 Thick lips, broad and flat nofes, bulhy hair, black 
 teeth, with diftorted countenances, are the features 
 which characterize the Papous and inhabitants of 
 New Gumea. In our eftimation, the fair fex there 
 hardly deferves this appellation ; with coarfe looks 
 large bellies, flight limbs, and monftrous breafts. 
 Whim, not reafon, feems to direCt their motions and 
 courfe of life. Like brutes, they are lazy, cruel, igno- 
 rant, and untraCtable ; having no juft notions of right 
 and wrong, perfection and deformity. The fame 
 diforder that diftinguifties their perfons, is a leading 
 feature of their moral character. In fhort, they are 
 arrant thieves, who fet no bounds to the indulgence 
 of their moft vicious appetites. 
 
 Among the dwarfs and nobility of Calicut, there 
 is a fpecies of men whofe legs are as large as bodies 
 of the common fize ; but fome of them have only 
 one over-grown limb. Thefe thick-legged beings 
 are common in the ifland of Ceylon, where they 
 ^ pride 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 25 
 
 pride themfelves upon fuch excellence as does not 
 diminifli their ftrength and activity. 
 
 The Turks, Perfians, Moguls, Chinefe, and other 
 eaftern nations, would not have fuch ftrong claims 
 to beauty and fymmetry, were it not for a well- 
 known circumftance, that, fliaring our conceptions 
 of what is moft pleafing to the eye, the higher order 
 among them betrays a concern for embeMifliing the 
 human race, by conftant marriages or connexions 
 with the fineft females, dearly-bought Greeks, Geor- 
 gians, Circaffians, &c. &c. Thus the mafs of po« 
 pulation has been purified by partial emigrations, 
 extended commerce, and confequent intercourfe be- 
 tween the various claffes of mankind. 
 
 ESSAY 
 
ESSAY III 
 
 On Natimal Cujtoms, DreJeSy 
 which changCy hurt, (jiijtorty 
 Human Species, 
 
 and Ornamenls^ 
 or disfigure the 
 
 tAVAtER s 
 
 THE local diftin6lions pointed out muft be fa- 
 miliar to an hiftorical painter ; and when we con- 
 fider that the bones form a column that entwines 
 the human ftrufture, our minds will be fully im- 
 preffed with the importance of anatomy as conneH- 
 ed with painting and phyfiology. 
 
 Hence appears the neceffity for a ftudent to be 
 converfant with the whole chirurgical fyftem, as it 
 refpe6ts the prevailing proportions in all parts of 
 the globe. 
 
 Partial fymmetry alone does not form beauty, for 
 perfection confifts of feveral juft, united proportions. 
 
 For inftance, when the mufcles are ill matched, 
 they cannot contribute to graceful motion. Some- 
 thing inexpreftible is then mifted, from a want of 
 concert in moving the body j and this defeCt is per- 
 ceived when the conftitution becomes impaired by 
 ftoth, negleCt, or bad habits. 
 
 In regard to drefs, pomp, and ornaments, fathion 
 has frequently proved injurious. — Children are dif- 
 ferently 
 
27 
 
 LOO’lCnf^-G4LA3S. 
 
 ferently fpoiled ; in fon^e par^Uieir nofes are broke 
 down, or ftretched put on the lides, by heavy brafs 
 rings, whi^e Jtbeir ears ar^ lengthened exceffively by 
 the like irritating operation. Nor arc they lefs tor- 
 tured in a fort of prefs, ufed for fmoothing, poliftiing, 
 or enlarging their heads, according to the caprices 
 of parents. 
 
 Thus, in China, the principal charm lies in a 
 fmall foot. Mothers there take particular care to 
 flop the growth of that ufeful limb. This fmgu- 
 Jarity is accounted for by eminent writers who have 
 vifited that eaftem country. 
 
 We, however, need not travel fo far to look fot 
 extraordinary or fantaftic modes, nor even among 
 the wildeft tribes, fince polhhed nations furnilh fuf- 
 ficient examples of the abufe of tafte and judgment 
 
 * It is fuppofed that the Chinefe firfl: placed an extraordinary va- 
 lue on fmall feet from motives of jealoufy. Without thinking of bad 
 confequences, mothers began betimes to bind, fwaddle, and wrap up 
 their daughters in fuch a manner as prevented them from ftirring out 
 of doors, or walking upright, without attendants. Hence proceeded 
 that unnatural form, which was foon rendered fo familiar, as to be- 
 come, in their eyes, the ftandard of beauty. In the fame way we find 
 the V enetian ladies doomed to a clofer retirement than what they 
 would probably fulFer, were it not for the inconvenience of large 
 pattens Such ftrange fafliions are not eafily left off; nor do 
 French manners gain ground in any country fo fall as thofe principles 
 of liberty which have never been entirely eradicated from the human 
 hreaft. 
 
 in 
 
28 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 in wearing apparel introduced into the higheft cir- 
 cles : for, is it not equally by binding, fqueezing, or 
 wringing their feet, that European ladies are ele- 
 gantly fl^od, fo that their fupporters can fcarce keep 
 up the upper works of their pretty perfons ? 
 
 Nor can the fuperftruflure be folid, if the pillars 
 on which it (lands are feen to totter under the 
 weight of fafhionable fuperfluities. 
 
 Hence proceeds the affecting fight of fo many- 
 tiny living figures, which otherwife might have 
 been fubftantially formed, in courts and cities. — 
 Even their gait, as well as their whole appearance, 
 betrays evident marks of thofe reflraints which they 
 have fuffered from the cradle, efpecially by the gilt 
 and brilliant ferrets which they difplay. It is, ne- 
 verthelefs, true, that, without fuch embellilhments, 
 they might not captivate weak, effeminate men, like 
 themfelves; but their perfonal attra 61 ions would 
 be fo much the more (Iriking, were every natural 
 perfection feen undemoHfhed by art. 
 
 When we refleCl coolly upon fome of the ufual 
 diftortions, it mull be admitted, that a thinking 
 (Iranger cannot fee, without pitying, a charming 
 girl who walks on tiptoe, and drives in vain to con- 
 ceal how much (lie fuifers in her nerves, fibres, and 
 tendons, from the prelfure of bands, calculated to 
 preferve delicacy as preferable to health. 
 
 Confequently, in the (late of pregnancy, fuch . 
 feeble creatures are unable to keep the balance for 
 
 taking 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 29 
 
 taking exercife fuited to their fituation. The fatal 
 effe6ts of this pining ficknefs are fufficiently known 
 to tender hufbands and good fathers ; yet it is ac- 
 knowledged, that, in order to appear of the mid- 
 dling fize, women would have no need of high 
 heels, were not their growth interrupted, and their 
 knees disjointed, by thofe abufes to which fafhion 
 has given a fan£tion, to the prejudice of beauty. 
 
 Equally pernicious to infants are too tight fwad- 
 dling clothes, againft the laws of Nature, at a mo- 
 ment when, coming out of a prifon (the womb), 
 they fhould feel no (hackles ill fuited to their tender 
 age. 
 
 Nothing afterwards impairs the conftitution fo 
 much as (lays, or other trammels, which high ex- 
 amples have introduced among the middling clalTes 
 of fociety. Nor need we feek farther to account 
 for thofe affefled airs, timid looks, and carelefs 
 (leps, which didinguilh the ton^ or poliflied manners, 
 of the higher ranks ; although, in fa6l, they proceed 
 from (loth and indolence, acquired by fuch bad 
 habits as deftroy natural graces. 
 
 Will mankind, then, never agree in forming juft 
 conceptions of a beautiful figure ? 
 
 The ancient Greeks differed materially from the 
 moderns in their ideas on this important point. 
 
 Born under the fineft canopy of heaven, the in- 
 habitants of Greece formerly gave full fcope to Na- 
 ture, by ufing fuch flight drefles, and continual exer- 
 
 cifes. 
 
so XAVAtER^S 
 
 cifesj as promotfed health> ftrength> and fyaimetry^ 
 Thus fculjitors had their eyes familiarized with liv- 
 ing models bf excellence, in that ftate liniplicityj 
 from which they defigned inirhitable ftatues. 
 
 But now-a-days we could not eafily find in the, 
 higher order fimilar perfections, in the fame degree 
 as amidft that laborious clafs, which (till contributes 
 to embellifh the human frame by rural employ- 
 ments, races, and diverfions, ufed with moderation: 
 but for thefe, the plagues of luxury and effeminacy 
 would make the human face degenerate more vi- 
 fibly, or dwindle into fhadows. 
 
 On the other hand, exceffive labour would have 
 a contrary effeCt upon both fexes, and prove fatal to 
 the niceft fhapes and faireft complexions j as every 
 man may obferve, that female peafants lofe the fine 
 tinCture of a fkin, with well-turned tender limbs, juft 
 as they gain additional vigoUf with robuft and ath- 
 letic fhapes. But, in the populous towns of Europe, 
 beauty, like a flower, requires our foftering care, to 
 prevent it from perifhing by a cruel blaft before it 
 be full blown. 
 
 ESSAY 
 
LOOKING-GLArSS. 
 
 ESSAY iV 
 
 Difcujfion of the Qiiejlion , — Whether Anatomical 
 Knowledge might be acquired fufficiently zvithout 
 Direction P Remarks on the Sports ^ Difcipline, 
 and furgical Principles of the ancient Greeks. 
 
 WHILE a fufficlent degree of anatomical know- 
 ledge tends to afcertain juft proportions, it behoves 
 a painter and phyfiognomift to be well acquainted 
 with the mufcles, as on them depend a variety of 
 forms and poftures. On this occafion it becomes a 
 queftion defervingourferious confideration. Whether 
 a courfe of fuch ftudies might be purfued equally 
 well with or without mangled bodies, difguftin 
 refined feelings? 
 
 Inftead of difplaying openly the mufcular mtwimn- 
 ifm upon alifelefs fubje6l, might not the fame ufeful 
 purpofe be anfwered, were we to fet up, as obje£ts 
 of ftudy, thofe excellent ftatues which are fuppofed 
 to point out every diftin6lion in a true light ? Be- 
 fides, we have perfect figures in wax, on which 
 every fhade of Nature’s colours is duly preferved, — 
 Or can we difpenfe with difle^tion, by fubftituting 
 
 living 
 
32 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 living fubje6ts, whofe attitudes, mien, and motions, 
 might ferve as imitable marks ? 
 
 However plaufible the objections to anatomy 
 might appear, they would prove in Reafon’s eye to 
 be frivolous pretences, fuggefted by lazy ftudents, 
 adopted by men of middling abilities, and defpifed 
 by the mod celebrated profeifors ; for, upon reflec- 
 tion, it muft be found, that, perfeCt as figures in 
 brafs, wax, or marble, maybe in the likenefs of an 
 original, they do not difcover the Supreme Defign- 
 er’s inward machinery, in a manner fuited to all 
 thofe violent evolutions and forced fituations which 
 a living model could not bear. Or, even were it 
 otherwife, we could only judge of elfeCts apparently, 
 without tracing them to their real caufes, as we 
 can do upon bloodlefs bodies, with the inexpreflible 
 fatisfaCiion attending every gradual difeovery, w^hich 
 enables us to account for the flighted; vifible varia- 
 tion in fuch parts as become objeCts of contempla- 
 tion or imitation. 
 
 It is after having dudied in this manner, that a 
 pupil ought to attain a proficiency in drawing, be- 
 fore he fliould be permitted to ufe thofe fubditutes 
 for Ikeletons, which Art has fo numeroufly multi- 
 plied for his ufe ; at the fame time he would retain 
 in his memory the principles of odeology, retraced 
 by the fight of living creatures, whofe gedures 
 might be rendered a fubje6l of daily obfervation, to 
 
 prove 
 
LOOKING-&LASS. 33 
 
 prove what he previoufly knew in theory and from 
 dcmonftration. 
 
 With fuch a fund of information, the ftudent 
 would do well to improve himfelf by copying an- 
 cient ftatues, with hopes of imitating, in fome mea- 
 fure, theirbeauties; for, by thefe fundamental accom- 
 plilhments, he might clearly fee the way before 
 him in his profeffion, and be foon able not only to 
 delineate juftly all the mufcular motions, but alfo 
 to explain the caufe and main fprings of every gef- 
 ture in a mafterly manner. 
 
 It remains for us to refute another obje6lion 
 which might be flarted againft the abfolute necef- 
 lity of anatomy, from a confideration, that without 
 this fcience the Greeks produced mafter-pieces. 
 But if hiftorians do not dwell upon their (kill in it, 
 we are at liberty to entertain doubts about their 
 ignorance in that refpeff ; efpecially as it was im- 
 poffible for them to fucceed fo well in every imita- 
 tion of Nature, unlefs they had polTefled fecrets 
 unknown to their pofterity. 
 
 In the nioft remote times of antiquity, bodily 
 exercife was fo much the more common, as the 
 united ftrength of individuals compofed the power 
 of a nation. The fate of an empire then depended 
 on the ilTue of a fmgle combat between one man 
 and another ; juft as each could wield the firft arms 
 ufed in the held, before they had dared to imitate 
 the thunder of heaven, or invent eafter means of 
 
 D deftruffion 
 
34 
 
 LAVATER S 
 
 deftru8ion. Under fuch circumftances, it was the 
 policy of every inconfiderable flate to train up and 
 harden the race of men, in order to form an in- 
 vincible barrier againft the incroachments of a 
 powerful neighbour* 
 
 Several wife inftitutions contributed to that falu- 
 tary end in Greece, where every pollible difcipline 
 was moft perfeft. Giants were reared to withftand 
 'the torrent of invafions from Perfia. The Olympic 
 Games were mere trials of (kill and dexterity, 
 preparatory to the famous battles of Marathon, 
 ThermopylcE, and Salamine. The public feftivalt 
 were recreations equally calculated to raife that 
 generous fpirit of emulation which is fo neceffary 
 to animate contending armies, and make men 
 devote themfelves to conquer or die. 
 
 Thus it was that, by continual activity, a people 
 weak in numbers became a ftrong rampart, capable 
 of refining the innumerable forces which poured in 
 upon them from Afia : nor could the Greeks have 
 maintained their independence with fo much honour 
 and glory, had it not been for that education and 
 mode of living which promoted elafiic agility and gi- 
 gantic force in their civic tournaments and military 
 exploits, where national pride and perfonal bravery 
 were excited by the higheft allurements. — Indeed, 
 it is impoflible for us to conceive an adequate idea 
 of the Racer, the Charioteer, and the Wreftler, 
 contending for victory in the high-day of blood. 
 
 Happy 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 35 
 
 . Happy then was the painter or fculptor, who faw 
 the beft models of champions and warriors ftripped 
 of fuperfluous fineries, and prefenting, in every 
 anxious attitude, fubje6fs of le6tures on the human 
 confHtution. 
 
 Another opportunity to cultivate the fine arts 
 was derived from a variety of laudable diverfions, 
 fitted to youth of both fexes, who, in the flate of 
 innocence, prefented their natural graces, which 
 excited the ftrongeft emotions, without raifing a 
 blufh at Lacedaemon. 
 
 If, therefore, fome profeffional gentle'men would 
 exclude anatomy from a juft rank in the fcale of 
 fciences, it muft be granted, that they might pro- 
 cure a compenfation for the deficiency, were it 
 in their power to eftablifh fuch popular Affernblies 
 or Mufeums as the Grecians had, for experiments 
 on the fyftem of Nature, which they muft have 
 ftudied with the greateft advantage, as they have 
 tranfmitted to us the moft ftriking proofs of their fu- 
 perior workmanfhip. Finally, we conclude that 
 they could not have attained that degree of emi- 
 nence without fome anatomical principles, though 
 perhaps differing from our refined fyftems. 
 
 D 2 
 
 ESSAY 
 
36 
 
 L AVATER*S 
 
 ESSAY V. 
 
 On Grace and Beauty. 
 
 THE impreffions made by Beauty and by Virtue 
 are alike : we acquire the fame confcious fenfe of 
 bodily perfection and moral reCtitude in both cafes, 
 where our feelings act in concei t with our judgment 
 informing an eftimate of their relative value. Our 
 juft conception of true excellence is proved by the 
 immediate delight that it affords in gladdening the 
 heart, while, on the other hand, extraordinary de- 
 formity raifes the involuntary fmile of derifion, 
 when it is not reftrained by pity, refpeCt, or re- 
 flection. 
 
 Infanity, or other defeCts of the mind, do not 
 ftiockusmore than fingular features; — too prominent 
 a nofe, ill-matched eyes, a figure like Don Quix- 
 ote’s, crooked limbs, and projecting flioulders : fuch 
 a fight creates either compaflion, flight, or indif- 
 ference. 
 
 The beauties of the foul and body bear likewife 
 a refemblance in their changes, being afteCted by 
 the fame caufes. 
 
 Violent paffions, anger, jealoufy, hatred, envy, 
 convulfe the body, and difturb the mind disfigur- 
 ing 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 37 
 
 ing the countenance, and at the fame time injur- 
 ing the health. 
 
 Plato confidered in the firft rank of Nature’s 
 bleffings, a fuperior underftanding j and, in his efti- 
 mation, beauty had the fecond place ; for he pre- 
 ferred it to all the gifts of fortune, birth, and power. 
 — “ If,” fays he, “ Youth and Beauty had Pru- 
 dence on their fide, they would be ftill greater ob- 
 je61s of adoration.” 
 
 The Greeks eretted temples to Venus ^ whom 
 they worfliipped under different names. 
 
 In their language there is but one word, CofmoSy 
 to fignify the World, Beauty, and Symmetry. It is 
 to their high idea of perfeftion that we muft attri- 
 bute the fuperiority of every work that is come to 
 us from their hands j no lefs vifible in their poetry, 
 than in the monuments of arts which have efcaped 
 the ravages of time, wars, and revolutions. 
 
 The inference to be drawn from thefe reflexions 
 is this, — that the befl: moral writers, the moft ce- 
 lebrated poets, and the moft perfeX architeXs, were 
 cotemporary with thofe fculptors and painters, who 
 likewife ftood the foremoft in repute in their pro- 
 felTions. Thus Homer, Pythagoras, Socrates, Plato, 
 Efehylus, Demofthenes, Sophocles, and Euripides, 
 were the friends and rivals in fame of Phidias, 
 Apollodorus, Agathias, Agefander, Parrhafius, Pro- 
 togenes, Zeuxis, and Apelles. In order to render 
 wifdom amiable, that ingenious people deified this 
 
 3 • attribute 
 
38 
 
 L AVATER’s 
 
 attribute as peculiar to Minerva, the daughter of 
 Jupiter, one of the. moft beautiful and powerful 
 Goddeffes, who partly owed her influence to per- 
 fonal charms. 
 
 Indeed, without ftudying the animal fyftem, all 
 attempts to make a confiderable progrefs in the fine 
 arts would prove inefFe6tual, for the fuperior excel- 
 lence of a figure or ftatue lies in the perfect union 
 of grace and beauty. Such perfeftion may be faid 
 to confift of the moft regular human forms, rela- 
 tive to the refpe£live motions of all parts ; and, 
 in addition to this ftriking fymmetry, the graces 
 which fet it off are better felt than defcribed by 
 every man of tafte who is imprefted with fome- 
 thing inexpreftible, arifmg from a clofe connection 
 between the movements of the body, and thofe 
 agitations of the mind which he cannot fupprefs, 
 while he views the moft exa£t proportion of every 
 part completely united in the harmony of a whole 
 pleafing obje£t of love or admiration. 
 
 ESSAY 
 
ESSAY Vi. 
 
 Upon ExpreJiGUi or Character, In Painting, STc 
 
 REGULAR proportions, fymmetry, and ele 
 gance, are not the only requifites to form a per-* 
 fe£t figure. 
 
 Without a juft leading feature, that chara£ferizes 
 the fubjeft reprefented on ftone or canvas, neither 
 the fineft colours of a painting, nor the perfect har- 
 mony of a ftatue, will meet with the approbation 
 of real judges. 
 
 Expreflion, then,, is the foul of both ; the lively 
 and ftriking image ot animated affeftions, that 
 breaks out, betraying every inward emotion, in 
 ftrong chara6fers, ftamped upon the countenance, 
 and communicated by that fwell and relaxation ot 
 the mufcles by which the fecrets of the heart 
 tranfpire, more or lefs, according to the lineaments 
 and decree of conftitutional vigour. 
 
 Even the reviewers of paintings fliould be forced 
 to fhare the impreftions fo reprefented in a mafter- 
 piece, after a magical invention that few profeffors 
 communicate cheerfully to their pupils. 
 
 It is, therefore, indifpenfable for the artift to ftudy 
 man in a moral point of view ; to lift into the inmof 
 
 D 4 recelfe* 
 
40 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 recefTes of his bread, in order to fee the paffions, 
 and give life to his reprelentation, without mifling 
 a fingle (hade that chara£terizes the original, juft as 
 much as^he is diftinguiftied by the features of his 
 face. 
 
 His progrefs in this branch of the imitative arts 
 will be favoured by a fruitful imagination, (kill in 
 drawing, with a juft diftribution and force of colour- 
 ing. Thus he will obtain the lively fpark that Pro- 
 metheus ftole from Heaven, to animate brittle clay, 
 the boafted work of his hands. It is, then, by the 
 particular excellence of affe6ting and fpeaking 
 figures, that Painting holds a rank among the 
 fciences as the Sifter of Mufic and Poetry. 
 
 ESSAY 
 
LOOK rNG*GI<ASS. 
 
 4t 
 
 ESSAY VII 
 
 On the Pajions. 
 
 LET us caft a glance at the origin and divifion 
 of the Paffions, before we confider their ditFerent 
 outward figns. 
 
 No ftudy would be more interefting to man 
 than to analyfe himfelf in a moral fenfe, were it 
 poffible for him to do fo. The moft enlightened 
 philofophers have differed upon this point : fome of 
 them maintain the prevailing opinion, that this think- 
 ing creature is born good, without thofe fatal paf- 
 fions of which he becomes the fport, as they ori- 
 ginate entirely from education, example, and cir- 
 cumftances. According to this fyftem, he brings 
 with him into the world the precious feeds of 
 virtue and juftice, which are deftroyed in the 
 bud by bad habits and difficulties of life ; fo that 
 vice grows up in their place. 
 
 Befides other advocates, the celebrated Rouffeau 
 employed his perfuafive language in defence of 
 thefe principles. Oppofite fentiments, lefs flatter- 
 ing to human nature, have been fupported with 
 equal zeal, but more fpleen than good fenfe, tend- 
 ing 
 
42 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 ing to propagate the fhocking idea, — that all men 
 are born wicked and cruel : fo that force alone bein«^ 
 the rule of power which made the firft law, they 
 partake equally of a longing defire to poffefs the 
 fame objefts, and confequently are in a Hate of 
 warfare from their infancy to the grave. 
 
 Hence arifes the perpetual conteft that fpreads 
 fuch havock and defolation upon the earth. 
 
 Another modern philofopher, Helvetius, after 
 having confuted thefe doffrines with folid argu- 
 ments, has endeavoured to hit the right medium 
 between two different fyftems, without indulging 
 the fpirit of contradiffion. He maintains, that a 
 child comes upon the ftage of life neither good nor 
 bad, but becomes either according to events From 
 the moment when he breaks out of his mother’s 
 womb he opens the gates of creation, and enters 
 without thofe ideas and paffions, the mere efre6fs, 
 or impreffions, of his exiftence. 
 
 Agreeably to this way of arguing, felf-love, the 
 ftrongeft leading principle, confidered as innate, is 
 only a main-fpring of aftion, acquired from expe- 
 rience and recolleftion of pain or pleafure, from 
 the earlieft period, added to the fruits of refle61ion 
 at a riper age, when we come to contemplate and 
 weigh the whole order of things in the fcale of 
 Reafon. 
 
 Section 
 
XOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 45 
 
 Section II, 
 
 On the Divijion of the Pajfions. 
 
 Philosophers have difplayed no lefs ingenuity 
 in arranging the order of the Paflions, than in 
 tracing their caufes, by dividing the whole into two 
 claffes, the fimple and the compofite. 
 
 In the firft clafs they reckon Admiration, Love, 
 Hatred, Grief, &c. ; in the fecond. Reverential Awe, 
 Fear, Courage, Hope, Defpair, Longing, Rage, &c. 
 
 Such is the arrangement approved of by the ce- 
 lebrated Le Brun ; but, with all due refpeft for the 
 memory of fo eminent an artilt, we are inclined, to 
 contradict it, as founded, infome inftances, on fancy 
 or conjecture : for why is hatred more fimple than 
 rage j or how does hope or defpair appear to be 
 more a compound than joy or forrow ? 
 
 Dandre Bardon makes four divifions of Quiet, 
 Agreeable, Painful, Terrible, or violent pafiions; 
 which ftrikes us as a more juft and natural way of 
 drawing the line of diftinCtion. On this occafion 
 a doubt might be fuggefted refpeCting the propriety 
 of adding to that lift fome of the other gales which 
 ruffle the human mind, — fuchas Sufpenfe, Timidity, 
 Contempt, and Derifion. 
 
 It 
 
44 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 It was probably the difficulty of afcertalning thefe 
 various agitations, that induced Watelet to adopt 
 another method, in the judicious obfervations fol- 
 lowing his Poem on the Art of Painting. 
 
 He divides the Paffions into fix different branches, 
 of which each has feveral diftinguifliing tliades. For 
 inftance. Melancholy is the confequence either of 
 misfortunes or of c&ffipaffion ; but it has various 
 gradations by which it is particularly marked and 
 pointed out to difcerning eyes. Every (hade of 
 difference bears fomething peculiar to it, fuch as — 
 
 Anxiety, unealinefs, regret ; 
 
 V exation, peevifhnefs, languor ; 
 
 Dejedtion, reflgnation, oppreffion, &c. 
 
 Joy, the fecond principal paffion, has feveral 
 degrees : — 
 
 Satisfadion, fmiles, and laughter, occafioned by mirth ; 
 
 With demonflrations in geftures, tinging, and dancing; 
 
 Convulfive fits of laughing ; 
 
 High glee, tears, embraces ; 
 
 Mad pranks and raptures, refembling the ftate of intoxica- 
 tion. 
 
 Grief, produced by bodily pain, has alfo its pro- 
 portioned variations, according to the degree of 
 
 Senfibility, pricking, griping ; 
 
 Torments, pangs of death, and detpair. 
 
 Sloth, 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 45 
 
 Sloth, or indolence of body and mind, produces 
 the following fituations — 
 
 Sufpenfe, or irrefolutlon, timidity ; 
 
 Oppreffion of the fpirits, diftruft, or apprehenfions } 
 
 Fear, flight, fright, terror; and, 
 
 Ghaftlinefs. 
 
 Imprefiions of an oppofite nature proceed from — 
 
 Strength, courage, fteadinefs, refolution ; 
 
 AfTurance, intrepidity, and audacity. 
 
 The Lofs of any thing dear to us, Contradi6Hon,‘ 
 or Difappointment, generally excite envy, jealoufy, 
 and averhon, in the following gradations, viz.— 
 
 Indifference about a perfon that has given offence ; 
 
 Diflike, irritation ; 
 
 Threats, difdain, contempt, raillery ; 
 
 Antipathy, fpite, infult ; 
 
 Anger, rage, vengeance, and fury. 
 
 Such is the divifion of Paffions arranged by that 
 eminent writer, according to their natural order, 
 and in fuch a manner as to form a fcale of the 
 different emotions to which our minds are fubje6t. 
 
 But in what clafs muft we place the paffion — by 
 turns foft and violent — Love, whofe temptations 
 are fo pleafmg, and whofe tranfports are fo fatal ?= 
 The fame intelligent Poet fays, that this affection 
 thould be reprefented, by mingling the traits of 
 timidity, embarraffment, agitation, languor, admi- 
 ration. 
 
46 
 
 Iavater^s 
 
 ration, longing defire ; a panting breafi, with eyes 
 alternately fparkling, and rolling in tears * the fair- 
 eft incarnation, blooming features, exprefting im- 
 patience, with a flutter like the quaking fit of an 
 ague, followed by fighs, anxiety, and raptures. 
 
 Our next delightful talk is to confider the cha- 
 rafters in which all thefe fenfations are ftamped 
 upon the countenance, fo that every motion of the 
 foul tranfpires by the a£lion of the nerves, fibres, 
 and mufcles ; which it would be impoffible for an 
 artift to reprefent properly, unlefs he was well ac- 
 quainted with the interior machinery of the human 
 figure, hereafter explained. This demonftration 
 muft carry conviftion with refpeft to the advan- 
 tages that the fine imitative arts derive from ana- 
 tomy. 
 
 ESSAY 
 
LOdKING-GLASS. 
 
 47 
 
 ESSAY VIII. 
 
 On Man. 
 
 OF all living creatures, Man is the mod perfe6Ily 
 framed by Nature in every refpe£f. 
 
 He comes into the world ftraight, without de- 
 fenlive arms, fpotted with little hair or down, and 
 gradually grows to five or fix feet in height. 
 
 His head is nearly of an oval form, with the 
 crown flattidi, or tapering, and covered with long 
 locks. The fore part is of the fame fhape, and the 
 hind part circular. 
 
 His face is bare ; his forehead is almofl even, 
 fquare, levelled at the temple, and interlined with 
 the hair in two right angles. 
 
 His eye-brows are prominent, nicely Teamed 
 in towards the temples, and feparated by an inter- 
 mediate blank fpace. 
 
 His upper eye-lid is in motion, and the under 
 •ne fixed, each having laflies rather crooked and 
 jutting out. 
 
 The eyes are round, and kept in their focket, 
 without being fattened by a particular mufcle. 
 The eye-ball is round, without a twinkling mem- 
 brane to preferve it. 
 
 The 
 
48 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 The cheeks are equally convex or roundlfli, foft 
 and frefii-coloured; the jaws doping, and loofer 
 above than below. 
 
 A rifing nofe, Ihorter than the lips, higher and 
 rounder at the bottom j oval notlrils, hairy within, 
 and thick edges, form an eflential part of the lead- 
 ing features. 
 
 The upper lip is almoft perpendicular, with a 
 hollow, the lower one almoft ftraight as a line, or 
 curving gradually ; the chin picked, plump, and 
 roundifh. 
 
 The male fex has the mouth bearded, with 
 long flowing hair, particularly at the chin. 
 
 The teeth are grafted on the jaw ; the fore-teeth 
 run clofe in a row, more equal, evener and rounder, 
 than in other animals : the eye-teeth are placed 
 afunder, longer than the others, fliorter than thofe 
 of brutes, and on a level with five grinders on each 
 fide, fiattifli, but not with fuch deep-rooted prongs 
 as in the brute creation. 
 
 Bare, round, and lateral ears encircle the head 
 like a half-moon, with the upper brim hollow, and 
 foft at bottom. 
 
 The buft confifts of the head, neck, breaft, back, 
 and belly. The trunk is headlefs, formed by thofe 
 other parts. 
 
 The neck is almoft round, with the nape lightly 
 turning j the throat hollow at top, and convex in 
 
 the 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 49 
 
 the middle. The chine-bones are not joined by 
 any ligament. 
 
 The breafl: is, in fome degree, fmoothed, particu*- 
 larly the upper part ; the wind-pipe hollowed, ribs 
 curving, and hairy; pit of the ftomach fmoothifh, 
 two paps at the breads, like globes, with nipples of 
 a cylindrical form, fiattilh, wrinkled, and enclofed 
 in a circle. 
 
 The bottom of the back is almoft even ; and be- 
 tween the flioulders there is a flat fpace. 
 
 The belly is hollow and loofe, wnth an open 
 navel ; the epigaftrium is even, the hypogaftrium 
 globular ; the ribs even and hollow, the waift hairy, 
 the tunnel of the body is wide at top, and narrower 
 below. The difference of fexes is confident with 
 their refpe£l;ive chara6fers for afifurance and mo- 
 dedy. 
 
 The arms are thick, round, and as long as the 
 legs. The elbow is flat, but a little picked. 
 
 The palm of the hand is hollow within, while 
 the fid rifes and fpreads itfelf like a globe j 
 with five fingers, and a thumb feparated from' 
 them, fliorter and broader. The fecond, third, 
 fourth, and fifth fingers are clofe to each other ; 
 the fifth is the lead ; the fecond, fourth, and 
 particularly the third, or middle finger, being' a 
 little longer, and reaching dowm to the middle 
 of the thighs. The nails are almod of an oval 
 
 k lhape. 
 
50 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 fliape, and with a fmooth furface, furmounted by a 
 whitilh crefcent. 
 
 The legs and limbs run up flraight, as ftrong fup- 
 porters of the human frame. 
 
 The thick parts of the thighs are round and 
 plump. The knees are turned within-fide, and 
 very flat, with the joints or pans hollow below. 
 The legs are of the fame length as the thighs, 
 more flender at the fliins, thin at the fore part, 
 with thick mufcular calves, plumper behind than 
 forward. 
 
 The heels are oblong, broader than in other 
 animals, jutting out with hard ancles on each fide, 
 of a femicircular form. The foies of the feet are 
 likewife oblong, round in the fore-part, even be- 
 hind, and hollow croffwife. with a clofe row of 
 five curved toes, roundilli below ; the firfi, lareeft 
 and fhorteft ; the fecond and third almofi; alike ; the 
 fourth and fifth diminifliing regularly ; and nails as 
 on the fingers. 
 
 Man differs from brutes in his upright and fmooth 
 body, with a covered head, eye-brows, lafhes, and 
 fome hair on other parts at the age of puberty. 
 He is likewife diftinguifhed by his breafts, a larger 
 brain than any other creature j his palate and tra- 
 chean artery j his face even with other parts j the 
 nofe prominent, his chin picked, and legs fupported 
 by heels. Nor does he feel himfelf lefs favoured 
 
 m 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 51 
 
 in whatever tends to the comfort of a married 
 ^ life, and the population of the world, being the 
 only living creature that has received the greateft 
 gift of heaven — the power of fpeech, the means 
 of communicating his ideas, and providing for his 
 wants in a civili:2ed ftate. 
 
 E 2 
 
 ESSAY 
 
52 
 
 jlavater’s 
 
 ESSAY JX. 
 
 \ 
 
 On the Varieties of the Human Species. ' 
 
 THERE are not two kinds, but feveral diftiniT 
 families of mankind. Kant reckons four human 
 races; the Northern European, the American, the 
 Negro, and the Tawny Indian who inhabits the 
 banks of the Ganges. 
 
 Erxleben admits fix different fpecies of men ; — 
 the Northern Dwarfs, or Laplanders ; the Afiatic 
 Tartars, living from Mount Imaus to the borders of 
 Lapland ; other inhabitants of Afia, beyond the 
 G anges ; Europeans, Africans, and Mexicans. 
 
 The Northern Dwarf, or Laplander, is of a di- 
 minutive ftature, and his leading features corre- 
 fpond with his brutal ftate and habits of life. 
 
 His vifage is flat, broad above, contra6fed, and 
 lengthened in the lower part, with a flat nofe 
 prefled down ; fmall eyes, with a femicircle of 
 yellow brown and blackifli colour about the fight. 
 His eye-lids are lengthened toward the temples, 
 the cheeks exceflively high, the mouth very large, 
 thick lips, a fhrill fqueaking voice, a monftrous 
 head, fleek and black hair, tawny complexion, his 
 body thick, lliort, and fquat, for he is feldom above 
 four feet high. 
 
 The 
 
LOOK ING-GLASS. 
 
 53 
 
 The Tartar is well fet, with thick thighs and 
 fhort legs : his countenance is fiat, and five or fix 
 inches' broad from ear to ear ; his eyes are very 
 fmall, and his nofe is fuch a fnout as exhibits two 
 holes inftead of noftrils : his knees are turned out- 
 wards, and his feet inwards. 
 
 The Afiatic is of a yellowifii complexion, with 
 black hair, and dark eyes : he is of a melancholy 
 turn. 
 
 The European is fair, frefii-coloured, with light, 
 long, and curly hair, and generally blue eyes. 
 
 The African is black and heavy ; his fibres are 
 loofe, his Ikin foft as velvet, his hair black and 
 crifpy, the nofe fiat, with thick lips ; and the fe- 
 male that becomes a mother has a very long 
 breaft. 
 
 The Mexican has a broad countenance, a very 
 fmall forehead, covered with hair up to the eye- 
 brows, and fmall black eyes. 
 
 Camper has publiilied obfervations upon the 
 Ikulls and faces of diflferent nations, by which it 
 appears that the lines of the countenance run more 
 awry in Blackamoors than in Europeans. 
 
 Blumenbac’s Treatife on the fame fubjeff like- 
 wife contains curious remarks. 
 
 Much has been faid about Wild Men, found at 
 different times in the forefis of Europe ; but they 
 were almoft all born deaf and dumb; abandoned 
 
 E 3 by 
 
54 
 
 lavater's 
 
 '■^by their parents on that account, or artful impof- 
 tors. 
 
 A real Savage, as Buffon fays, would be an 
 objeft of curiofity to a philofophic eye able to 
 trace all the inftin61:s of pure Nature, obferve the 
 human mind without difguife, and form a jull 
 eftimate of the ftrongeft innate cravings implanted 
 in his breaft, where we fliould probably find more 
 peace and comfort, \yith a larger portion of virtue, 
 than by fearching the bofom of a civilized man : 
 confequently the refult would be, that vice pro- 
 ceeds from evil communication in fociety. 
 
 Bernard Connoi\ in his Evangelium Medici, has 
 given us the hiftory of a child bred with - - :?s. 
 
 Martiniere, in his Geographical Di6tionar- en- 
 tions a wild youth found in the forefi; of Hano 
 
 But in order to form a juft idea of our natural 
 powers, undirected by the light derived from a 
 poliflied education, let it fuffice for us to {fate feme 
 of the particulars that the younger Racine has 
 tranfmitted concerning a Savage Girl, who was 
 difeovered near Chulom, in the year 1731 . 
 
 It was at the Cattle of Sogny, that Tome fervants, 
 having perceived at night what was taken for a 
 fpeCtre upon an apple-tree, they drew near quietly, 
 with an intention of furrounding it ; but the ob- 
 jeCt of their attention fuddenly jumped over the 
 walls of the garden, and efcaped into an adjoining 
 
 strove 
 
LOOKING-GLASS, 
 
 . 55 
 
 grove, where flie perched upon the trees, rambling 
 from one to another. 
 
 The Lord of the Manor in vain employed his 
 vaifals in the chace of that poor female. At laft,., 
 his lady hit upon.an expedient that was attended 
 with fuccefs : — a pail of water and an eel were 
 the baits ufed to tempt the Savage Girl to come 
 down, as flie did, to fatisfy the ftrongeft calls of 
 hunger and thirft, like the wild brute. 
 
 Accordingly, being eafily taken, flie was well 
 treated ; nor did her palate require the refinements 
 of modern cookery. 
 
 The nails of her fingers and toes were found 
 to have growm to the length of fuch claws, as 
 enabled her to climb with eafe in the woods. 
 
 At firft, fhe appeared black; but the change 
 in her way of life foon rellored her fair com- 
 plexion. 
 
 Knowing no language, flie could not pronounce 
 any other but frightful cries, or the imitations of 
 thofe birds and beafts with whom fhe had been 
 converfant. 
 
 Afterwards, having learnt to fpeak, flie gave an 
 account of her former habits and adventures. 
 
 The cold weather had compelled her to wear 
 the fkin of fome animal indifpenfably ; but, in 
 every feafon of the year, flie ufed a girdle, to which 
 flie faftened a kind of round and fliort clqb, for 
 
 E 4 killing 
 
36 
 
 » L A V A r E R ’s 
 
 killing wolves and other creatures. When, with 
 this weapon, (he had killed a hare with one ftroke, 
 her cuftom was to flay, and devour her prey ; or, 
 after over-running this fwift game, flie ufed to open 
 the veins with her nails, drink up the blood, and 
 throw away the reft. 
 
 Her quickeft pace was a fort of flight, per- 
 formed by Aiding along imperceptibly, in fuch a 
 manner, that her body and feet hardly feemed to 
 move. 
 
 She poflefled no lefs addrefs and agility upon 
 another element, — the water, where fhe dived 
 with all imaginable eafe, and chofe her favourite 
 food. 
 
 Neither her age nor her native country was ever 
 afcertained. Being interrogated upon one of thefe 
 points, by figns, file pointed at a tree, without 
 doubt becaufe flie had lived in forefts, and never 
 feen any other dwelling. 
 
 With a view of difcovering the place of her birth, 
 L.a Condaraine Aiewed to her the roots of feveral 
 American plants, in hopes that flie would recognize 
 what file might have feen in her infancy j but this 
 experiment proved ufelefs. 
 
 She related with fenflbility, the lofs of her com- 
 panion, of the fame age and fex. 
 
 While both were fwimming in the river the 
 Marne, as we fuppofe), they heard a report, that 
 
 forced 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 forced them to plunge ; for a fportfman had fired 
 upon them, inftead of fiiooting water-fowls. Upon 
 finifhing their fifhing party, they (trolled a good 
 way further ; and at the entrance of a wood, they 
 found a pair of beads, which produced a quarrel, 
 as both wanted to make a bracelet. 
 
 In the conteft for this bauble, (he was provoked, 
 by a ftroke upon her arm, to return it with fuch a 
 violent blow upon the head of her antagonift, as 
 made it bleed. Then, inftantly, from a motion that 
 natural inftinft fuggefted, (he climbed upon an oak, 
 and found a gum for the cure of fuch a wound, 
 according to her innate knowledge ; but, returning 
 to the fpot where they had feparated, (he mi(fed, 
 and loft for ever, the partner of her cares.* 
 
 * As Grecian Statues require a veil fulted to Britilt modefty, 
 fo a few of Mr. Sue’s ideas may be rather improper witliout a 
 flight gauze, whether the attempt be made in profe or poetry to 
 convey defcriptions. 
 
 The prefent manners, on both fides, require equal delicacy. 
 Thus, in cafe any fair readers, mothers, or midwives, Ihould take up 
 thefe ElTays, let us pay a compliment to their fex, as a compenfation 
 offered for having fupprefled any fuch part, as was originally de- 
 flgned for profelEonal characters. 
 
 ON MODEST KISSES. 
 
 Is Frederick’s glory worth a moment’s blifs; 
 
 Or Newland’s treafure equal to a — kifs ? 
 
 No; 
 
§8 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 No ; let us die before our pdeafures cloy ; 
 
 While we look up to heaven for purer joy 
 Than what proceeds from moving feenes of life, 
 And living piftures of a tender wife. 
 
 At laft, fmee Angels, pure in mind, embrace. 
 Let lovers bufs with raodefty and grace ! 
 
 May Beauty’s fmiles reward the wife and brave, 
 Till female lips with their’s (hall (hare one grave. 
 
 ESSAY 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 19 
 
 ESSAY X. 
 
 On the Differences of Stature. 
 
 ACCORDING to BufFon’s eftimate, the middle 
 fize does not exceed five feet four inches, French 
 meafure ; and he confiders men as tall, from that 
 height to five feet nine. 
 
 Women are generally fhorter by two or three 
 inches ; and they attain their full growth fo much 
 the fooner. 
 
 Haller makes five feet five to fix inches the 
 ftandard for the human figure in temperate cli- 
 mates, where the conftitution is not impaired by 
 a too fedentary life, or a bad habit of body. 
 
 He likewife obferves, that in Switzerland^ the 
 inhabitants of vallies are taller than mountaineers. 
 Some of the former are above fix feet high. Are 
 they to be confidered as giants; or where is the 
 line to be drawn for fo calling them and others of 
 equal nature ? 
 
 A Finlander was exhibited as fuch at Paris in 
 the year 1735. He was above fix feet eight 
 inches. 
 
 A Life-guard in the duke of Brnnfwiclds fer- 
 vice, and Macreath who was fiiewn in Iwndon in 
 176D, were both above feven feet high. 
 
 A Swe- 
 
60 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 A Swedifli peafant, Caiamis ; a Finlander, Gilly, 
 of Tr elite \ and the king of Prujjia's life-guard, 
 /neafured more than eight feet. 
 
 Goliath mull have been nine feet four inches in 
 height, if we calculate it right from holy fcripture. 
 
 Notwithftanding fuch authentic accounts as have 
 been publilhed about the Patagonians, and much 
 as they may comparatively overlook other people, 
 we cannot fupprefs our doubts refpedling their mid- 
 dling height 5 nor ought it to be deemed gigantic in 
 every individual ; for if, as in other countries, a 
 few of them have exceeded their national ftandard, 
 as we may call it, of fix to thirteen feet, others 
 might have been feen proportionably lower, or 
 about that fmalleft fize, on a general run. 
 
 Other fuppofitions have been formed upon the 
 appearance of extraordinary bones dug up; which 
 were either the fad remains of brutes, or puffed up 
 by difeafe, if they had really formed a part of a hu- 
 man flceleton. 
 
 There is, in the Mufeum of Natural Hihory at 
 Paris, a broken bone, 2 ft. in. long, which had 
 been confidered as having been part of a giant’s 
 bodv, until Dauhenton proved it to have belonged 
 to another animal. 
 
 The Roman Hiftory mentions a famous giant 
 Teutobochus, whofe bones were faid to have been 
 difeovered near Langon, in the beginning of lafl 
 rcntur\ ; thev were exhibited as fuch in France, 
 
 Flanders, 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 61 
 
 Flanders, and England. A celebrated furgeon, 
 Habicot, fupported that opinion, which was op- 
 pofed by Dr. Riolan, and is lince exploded by Daii- 
 benton and other eminent men. 
 
 On one fide of the queftion it was afferted, that, 
 upon opening the giant’s tomb, a human Ikeleton 
 was found, tw*enty-five feet and a half high, ten 
 feet broad at the llioulders, and five feet round, with 
 a head five feet long, and ten feet in circumference. 
 
 The objeftions to fuch afiertions are obvious to a 
 profeffional character. 
 
 A flceleton five feet high, is only thirteen inches 
 broad, and feven and a half inches round. Confe- 
 quently another of five-and-twenty feet would mea- 
 fure only about three feet at the ribs, and five feet 
 three inches at the flioulder-blade j where ten feet 
 would be the juft proportion to the immenfe height 
 of fifty feet, in fuch a living creature as we fliould 
 imagine to have exifted. Upon that fcale, five feet 
 in compafs would be proportioned to thirty-eight 
 feet in height. 
 
 The human Ikull is generally eight inches long, 
 and one foot feven or eight inches round. A head 
 five feet long, and ten feet round, could have fuited 
 only an animal thirty-five feet high. 
 
 The other parts were equally ill-matched to jufti- 
 fy fuch a falfe idea as had been too lightly con- 
 ceived. 
 
 The 
 
62 
 
 LAVATER^S 
 
 The lupporter of it pretended to have found the 
 collar-bones two feet long; but as thofe of a com- 
 mon man are only five inches, the giant mull have 
 been four-and-twenty feet high, according to this 
 computation, which is pretty near the height attri- 
 buted to him. This forms the principal point con- 
 tefted ; becaufe, if the rhinoceros, or fome other 
 animals, have no fuch bones, there is no other but 
 man that could have them of that dimenfion. 
 
 But as they were foon reduced to aflies, upon 
 being brought into the open air, there is a ground of 
 doubt whether the whole was properly examined 
 before Credulity had found partizans ready to propa- 
 gate the common report on that fubjedt ; and fince 
 men of that defcription, who ought to have been 
 better informed, have given credit to ftories of this 
 nature, we fhould be upon our guard againft all vul- 
 gar notions when they do not ftand the teft of chi- 
 rurgical experiments. 
 
 In order to admit the real exiftence of a gigantic 
 human race, we Ihould fuppofe that the wifdom of 
 Providence would have been equally difplayed in 
 forming the moft ufeful part of the brute creation 
 upon the fame grand fcale ; particularly horfes, 
 whofe weight, in comparifon with men five feet high. 
 Is, in the common run, as 512 to 121 ; fo that they 
 are not defigned to carry giants: nor are the fruits of 
 the earth fufficient to feed them, fince, in their eyes. 
 
 an 
 
looking-glass. 
 
 63 
 
 an apple would be like a ftrawberry ; and a fteed 
 would do them no more fervice than a mafliff. 
 
 Befides, a giant’s bones ought to be doubled in 
 breadth, in proportion to their excelTive length, in 
 order to preferve the fame degree of ftrength as 
 other leffer creatures can exert; and, for that pur- 
 pofe, his mufcles fhould, of courfe, be larger and 
 more vigorous. But it appears that, for want of 
 fuch necelfary ftamina, thofe overgrown beings were 
 debilitated ; particularly Macreath, who was bow- 
 legged on that account. 
 
 Men under five feet high are of a low fize. The 
 Laplanders are from four to four feet and a half. 
 The Borandians are flill fhorter. 
 
 It is generally believed, that a diminutive call of 
 people, called Qiiimos, inhabit the mountainous 
 parts of Madagascar', but they are little known, 
 although Commerfon fays that he has feen one of 
 their women, about thirty years old, three feet 
 eight inches high. 
 
 As the ftandard has not been fixed with refpefl 
 to the talleft race, fo far as to afcertain where it be- 
 gins to claim the appellation of giants ; we are like- 
 wife at a lofs how to draw that diftinguilhing line 
 which fliould feparate the fhorteft clafs of mankind 
 from dwarfs. 
 
 B'ebt, however, was undoubtedly of this latter de- 
 fcription, as he was only two feet nine inches high at 
 his death, in 1764 . He died at the age of 23 , in the 
 
 palace 
 
64 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 palace of Stanijlaus, king of Poland, at Lunemlle, 
 where he had fpent the greateft part of his life. 
 
 This dwarf was born at Plaifne, of hard-working 
 w^ell-fet parents, who faid that he came into the 
 world fcarcely weighing a pound and a quarter. He 
 was chriftened on a plate, and had a wooden- 
 flioe for his cradle. A goat was his wet-nurfe ; be- 
 caufe, although his mouth was in juft proportion to 
 the reft of his body, it was too fmall to grafp his 
 mother’s breaft. He had compleated his fecond 
 year before he could walk in ftioes an inch and a 
 half long. He was about fifteen inches high at fix 
 years of age; weighed thirteen pounds, feemed 
 hearty, w^ell made, and comely ; but his underftand- 
 ing did not pafs the bounds of inftin6f. 
 
 At fifteen, his height was two feet five inches. 
 While he grew afterwards, during four years, ac- 
 cording as he approached manhood, by the ftrong 
 efforts of Nature to compleat him for the purpofe 
 of fulfilling the firft commandment, his faculties 
 w^ere over-ftrained. Hence proceeded a gradual 
 decay — the fymptoms of old age appeared — the 
 back-bone gave way — his head bowed down — the 
 feet grew weaker — his fhoulder-blade jutted out — 
 and his nofe lengthened confiderably. 
 
 Thus poor Bebe fickened, loft his fpirits^ and ex- 
 pired in his twenty- third year. 
 
 In 1751 there was another dwarf, at Brijioly fif- 
 teen years old, two feet and a half high, bearing 
 
 the 
 
LOOIvING-GXASS. 
 
 65 
 
 the marks of old age, and weighing only thirteen 
 pounds, having fallen away fix pounds fince his 
 feventh year. 
 
 At the fame time the Norfolk Dwarf made his 
 public appearance, two feet five inches high, and 
 twenty-feven pounds and a half in weight; while at 
 Amjiordam a Frifelander was fliewn of the fame 
 fize twenty-fix years old. 
 
 A PoUJJi gentleman, two feet four inches high, 
 appeared at Paj'is in 1760; two and twenty years 
 old ; lively, well fnaped, and converfant with feve- 
 ral languages: he had an elder brother two feet 
 ten inches hig-h. 
 
 Carda?i Rnd Muralt mention another of two feet. 
 The fmalleft kind feen was of 21, 18, and even 16 
 inches. But thefe diminutive creatures, difperfed 
 in different countries, do not form a peculiar race 
 of men, but untimely and degenerated produflions 
 of the human fpecies. 
 
 On the other hand, and in the oppofite extreme, 
 giants have over-leaped the limits of common 
 growth, from extraordinary powers or caprices of 
 nature. 
 
 Laplanders are the fliorteft known nation; of 
 four to four feet and a half 
 
 The Patagonians are the tailed, fince they Hand 
 at fix to thirteen feet, according to the voyages of 
 difeoverers ; but, as we have already faid, thefe 
 matters require further elucidations. 
 
 F 
 
 Sect ION 
 
66 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 Section III. 
 
 On the Difference of Complexion. 
 
 The colour of different people varies from white 
 to black. Between thefe two oppofite colours 
 there are many fliades, containing a mixture of li- 
 vid, or blueifh, red, and yellow. Thefe varieties 
 are reduced to four principal tindlures, white, yel- 
 lowifh, tawny, and black. 
 
 White People. 
 
 The Swedes, Danes, and other northern FalTo- 
 peans, are white, except the Laplanders, the Sa- 
 moyedes, and the inhabitants of Petzora, a pro- 
 vince divided by a river of the fame name running 
 from fouth to north. 
 
 This complexion diftinguiflies the Englijh, 
 French, Germans, Poles, and others living down 
 to the 42d degree of northern latitude. According 
 as we advance in fouthern climates, the tawny teint 
 gradually increafes. 
 
 The Greeks, Neapolitans, Corjicans, Sardinians, 
 and Spaniards, or thofe who inhabit the fouth of 
 Spain, are confequently more tawny than their 
 neighbours. 
 
 Afia 
 
LOOK I NG-G LASS'. 
 
 67 
 
 Afia is the part of the world that contains the 
 greateft number of whites, in proportion to its popu- 
 lation. 
 
 From, the 65th degree of northern latitude, 
 among the Tartars^ we find the Kabarandijkis with 
 fredi and reddifli complexions. The Circajjians, 
 who live on the coafi; of the Cafpian Sea, the Per- 
 Jians, Natolians, Armenians, Georgians, Mingreli- 
 ans, and the inhabitants of the northern provinces of 
 the Grand Mogul,:AXQ generally fair; and fo are the 
 Chinefe, in the inland parts of their extenfive empire. 
 
 The fame colour prevails in the Afiatic iflands; 
 particularly Ceylon, where we may find the faireft 
 race of favages. 
 
 There is likewife a vein of the fame blood to 
 be perceived among the Papons in New Guinea ; 
 but in Africa it is moil: vifible in the mountainous 
 parts of Barbary, in the kingdom oi Morocco, to- 
 wards Mount Atlas, and along the Mediterranean 
 coaft, as well as in other inland countries ; for, ac- 
 cording to Bruce's account, the blacks are moll: abun- 
 dant in fuch provinces as border upon the Ocean. 
 
 As in America there is a kind of white Laplanders, 
 fo in Lapland we find a mixture of white Finland- 
 ers A 
 
 We 
 
 * By the fettlement of Europeans in America, and the mixture of 
 all colours in the Creoles and their defeendants, the format prevail- 
 F 2 ing 
 
68 
 
 LAVATER S 
 
 We mud take oarticular notice of a cream-co- 
 loured and inconfiderable fet of people mingled 
 with the original natives of the Iflhmus of Panama. 
 But we have not been able to afcertain whether 
 they form a peculiar race to be diflinguiflied from 
 all others, or are defcended from yellowifli anceftors, 
 like the other Americans ; or whether the com- 
 plexion of the living generation be the efFc 61 : 
 of a cafual temporary circumflance, or caprice of 
 Nature, rather than the repeated proof of primitive 
 and permanent caufe. 
 
 Yelloxvijh People. 
 
 We unite under one head two lhades of colour, 
 a mixture of yellowiOi with a reddifli likenefs of 
 copper; and the other is a lighter yellow, bordering 
 more upon brafs. Thefe two colours are always 
 more or lefs mingled with the dark tawny, or 
 fwarthy tinfture of the fkin. 
 
 The red copper-colour is the mod predominant 
 in the greated part of America, even among the 
 Indians who inhabit the fouthern provinces of that 
 
 ing complexion has infentlbly changed ; but what we have chiefly in 
 view, and the mofl: interefting point, is, to afcertain the various 
 lhades of difference incident to the natives of feveral countries, ac- 
 cording as this gradation is elFefted comparatively by th? change of 
 clirnates. 
 
 continent ; 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 69 
 
 continent ; fuch as the natives of Guiana, and 
 others, who live on the banks of the river of the 
 Amazons. 
 
 The Brazilians are darker. 
 
 The Ifthmus of Panama^ and the coaft of Peru, 
 contain the fliade that is formed between red, cop- 
 per, and yellow; for there t;jiie orange teint breaks 
 oat, while the yellow has a^i^alV'of red, or is equal- 
 ly mingled. 
 
 Between the Gulph of Mexico and the eaftern 
 coaft of Africa, towards the mouth of the river 
 Senegal, are the Iflands of Cape-verd, where we 
 find favages called copper-coloured negroes, that 
 are of the fame complexion as prevails in Bengal, 
 and in other parts of Afa. The Iflanders of Nico- 
 bar are tawny and yellowifh. In the Philippine 
 iflands there is an olive caft vifible ; and that yellow 
 teint whitens or darkens gradually, according as 
 the Ajiatics are more or lefs expofed to the burning 
 heat of the fun. 
 
 Sivarlhy People. 
 
 The nut-brown colour is feen in all, even the 
 coldeft, countries ; for it follows the greateft part of 
 thofe fhades which are diftinguifhed between frefh 
 and ruddy complexions in temperate climates, 
 and that black hue which prevails in warmer re- 
 gions. 
 
 F 3 
 
 As 
 
70 
 
 L AVATEr’s 
 
 As the two extremes touch, we need not be fur- 
 prized to hear of exceptions from the general rule 
 formed by the degree of latitude. 
 
 We call olive and dark, thofe teints of a fwarthy 
 complexion, of which the firft borders on livid 
 deep green, and the fecond is blackifli like fmoke. 
 
 It is, however, difficult to find language to ex- 
 prefs properly thofe various nice diftin£fions, 
 which even art can retrace but imperfeefly to dif- 
 cerning eyes. 
 
 If we begin at the frozen points of Europe^ the 
 Greenlanders will be found fwarthy, or dark. 
 
 Like them are their American neighbours, the 
 FJldmaiix, and other favages, from Canada to the 
 MilfilJippi ; and even the Mexicans, wkh flight 
 fhades of difference. 
 
 In the Well-Indies the olive complexion marks the 
 few furviving original inhabitants, the Caribbees, who 
 rcfemble thofe of Paragmnj, and others along the 
 great Southern Ocean, up the flraits of Magellan. 
 
 But Captain Cook deferibes the people of the 
 Terra del Fogo with facies like the ruft of iron mix- 
 ed with oil. 
 
 The Laplanders, the Samnyedes, and the Crim- 
 Tartars, are the only fwarthy or tawny Europeans. 
 
 Like them are the Afiatic Samopedes, the Ojiiacks, 
 and the Tangos. I'he inhabitants of Grand Tar- 
 tary are dark, or of an olive-colour. 
 
 In 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 71 
 
 in the fouthern provinces of China the fhade of 
 olive deepens, or grows darker; particularly in 
 Japan. 
 
 The fubjedts of the Grand Mogul are generally 
 of the fame dark complexion, although the Empe- 
 ror’s title fignifies white. In Camhaye they are 
 grayifh, like cinders. On the coaft of Coromandel 
 a more tawny call appears ; and on the Malabar 
 coaft a greater mixture of black is obferved. 
 
 The Pevfians in the northern provinces are pretty 
 fair ; but their complexions darken to the fouth- 
 ward in the higheft degree. 
 
 To the foLithward of Japan there is a clufter of 
 iftands, likewife inhabited by darkifti people; but 
 in Java and the Moluccas they refemble a colony 
 fettled in thofe parts, called Malays^ who are of a 
 blackifh red, or purple colour. 
 
 In the ifland of Formofa that darkifti teint bor- 
 ders on black. 
 
 In the ifle of Ceylon the blackifti fhade is not fo 
 deep as on the coaft of Malabar. In the Maldivas 
 the olive caft is predominant, blackening to the 
 fouthward. 
 
 Mixtures of all thefe colours charadlerize Ota- 
 heite, and the other new-difcovered countries, 
 where the immortal Cook^ La Peroufe, and other 
 mariners of two rival nations, difplayed their intre- 
 pid fpirit. 
 
 F 4 
 
 That 
 
72 
 
 L AVATER’s 
 
 That tawny appearance forms a dark and deeper 
 teint along the Red Sea and the eahern lliores of Afri- 
 ca, among the Egyptians, Ethiopians, or rather ^^3//- 
 finians ; who have been mifreprefented as black, be- 
 canfe their country was formerly defcribed as Nubia. 
 Such is the diftinguidiing tincfure of the fkin from 
 the plains and coaft of Barbary to Senegal ; nay, as 
 far as the country inhabited by the Foulefe, whofe 
 (kins betray the changing fhade from deep brown, 
 or dark, to the jetty looks of blackamoors, — who 
 appear in the back-ground of a picture of the hu- 
 man race ; where the contraft of colours is not lefs 
 ahonilhing than the infinite variety of mingled 
 lhades. 
 
 Blackamoors. 
 
 Black is the prevailing colour in the centre of 
 Africa, with gradual fhades of difference. This 
 jet is darkeft in Nigrilia, Guinea, and Congo, from 
 the fouthern bank of the Senegal to rhe river Gam- 
 bia, as well as in fome cities fituated more to rhe 
 northward, and in the kingdom of Tunis. But in 
 Giiaden, or Hoden, to the fouthward of the defert 
 of Zanbaga, the black is not fo deeply ftamped on 
 the countenance as the dark or fwarthy complexion. 
 
 The negroes of the iflands of Cape verd and Go- 
 ree are of that polillied fliining black, which may 
 be compared to japan- ware, or fine ivory, or ebony. 
 
 From 
 
LOOK ING-GL ASS. 
 
 73 
 
 From the habit of feeing and admiring their per- 
 fons, they are- flattered in the higheft degree with 
 the idea of being moft favoured by Nature with 
 that tin6fure of the fkin which Europeans conhder 
 as frightful and gloomy. Thus familiarized with 
 his beauty, the blackamoor makes a laughing-ftock 
 of fuch of his neighbours as are deficient in that 
 perfonal j^^tty charm which forms his pride. This 
 def'ff is vifikle in Congo, Sierra Leone, and on the 
 coaft of Malagvatta. 
 
 This race of men extends as far as Cape Negro. 
 Their jetty black gives way to the footy and fwarthy 
 air among the Hottentots, \n Caffraria, Monomotapa, 
 S of ala, Mozambique, Melinda, Madaga/car, and 
 the neighbouring ifles. 
 
 There are, likewife, Afiatic blacks mixed with 
 the inhabitants of countries already mentioned; 
 particularly in the Philippine iflands, the peninfu- 
 la of Malacca, the ifles of Sumatra and Sombreo, 
 as well as in New Guinea and New Holland. 
 
 After all thefe obfervations, feveral fyftems have 
 been fet up, in order to account for, and explain, 
 the caufes of fuch a Ikin-deep colour as diflinguifhes 
 fo confiderable a part of the creation. But, fince 
 fome of the opinions darted appear abfurd, a few 
 refle6tions on this fubjedt may prove acceptable. 
 
 The flimy moifture in the pores is the principal 
 fubftance that contains the tin61ure of the fkin in 
 all living creatures, from man to the vegetable. 
 
 This 
 
This matter is white and tranfparent in Europeans^ 
 Mulatto esy black in Negroes-, and, in 
 them all, vifible on the furface of their fkins. If, 
 by a furgical operation, that kind of dime be taken 
 out of a Negro’s fkin, the outfide will appear grey- 
 ifli from the wound. 
 
 Wherever this mucus or fluid is prefled down, it 
 is leaft blackifli ; as we nriay obferve by the palm of 
 a Negro’s hand. 
 
 The fame obfervation is applicable to people 
 attacked with the yellow jaundice, as will appear 
 from the refult of an experiment upon two men 
 dead of that diforder, whofe outward 'fldn refumed 
 its former whitenefs, after having been waftied to 
 let out the mucous body, that melted in water; be- 
 caufe this die is, with refpe6t to the fkin, as fub- 
 tkinccs reprefented by a looking-glafs, fince it 
 throws out a greater or leflfer refleclion according 
 to its lhades of light. 
 
 But if, when diflblved, it be permitted to fettle, 
 it will become black and folid again, — as we have 
 obferved in the courfe of our experiments ; hav- 
 ing collected a certain quantity of that matter by 
 means of an ivory blade; yet, being lefs fluid in 
 whites, it is not fo eafiiy found as it is in tome vege- 
 tables. 
 
 Such is the paint that Nature ufes to beautify all 
 her works— the fliells of fiih, the feathers of birds, 
 
 an4 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 75 
 
 and the hides of brutes. It is likewife in our power 
 to introduce an artificial colour that the Ikin will 
 imbibe, from injections into the feat of the natural 
 teint defcribed. 
 
 ESSAY 
 
7^ 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 ESSAY XI, 
 
 0?d Man : containing the Principles adopted for 
 Studping Phpfiognomy . 
 
 THE foregoing defcriptiou of the human figure 
 leads to the ftudy of its feveral parts. 
 
 ift. The Head ; 2d, the Trunk j and 3d, the 
 Limbs, &c. 
 
 ift. Man’s Head is the mod noble and efifential 
 part, as the center of his intellectual faculties. His 
 countenance alone would be expreflive, together 
 with the fair proportions of his fkull, even were 
 other parts of his body to be defective or disfigured. 
 
 A head that ftrikes us at once as fitted to the 
 whole perfon, neither too large nor too fmall, ge- 
 nerally befpeaks a greater degree of found under- 
 flanding than we have reafon to expedt from a 
 thick, heavy, and clumfy block. A diminutive 
 fize is the fign of weaknefs. It fliould be neither 
 too much turned round-about, nor lengthened to an 
 extreme.— ^Symmetry forms perfedlion j and we may 
 confider as juft models, thofe heads whofe length, 
 from the occiput to the tip of the nofe, is equal to 
 their horizontal breadth. 
 
 The face is divided into three parts. 
 
 The 
 
LOOkiNGGLASS. 
 
 77 
 
 The firll is from the forehead to the eye-brows, 
 the fecond is downwards to the noftrils, and the 
 third reaches to the peak of the chin. 
 
 The more thefe divifions are marked on the coun- 
 tenance, fo that their fymmetry is ftriking, the great- 
 er ground appears to expeft drong intellefts, wdth a ' 
 regular difpohtion or turn of mind. 
 
 An eccentric genius is feldom damped with the 
 lines that didinguifli thofe three divifions ; but their 
 equality will be found, more or lefs, upon all faces, 
 when they are meafured with a fofter implement 
 than a rule. 
 
 The following principles mud be adopted in 
 dudying the Phydognomy. 
 
 Id. The vifage fhould be compared with the 
 whole body._ 
 
 2d. The dudent is to obferve whether it is oval, 
 round, or fquare, or of a mixed form. 
 
 3d. He mud examine it in a perpendicular point 
 of view, according to the three dividons adopted. 
 
 4th. He mud condder attentively the chara6ler 
 and expredion of leading features, feen at fome dif- 
 tance. 
 
 5th. He is to attend to the fymmetry and harmo- 
 ny of the whole countenance. 
 
 6th. He is to obferve the dedgn, peculiarity, and 
 diades of particular traits. 
 
 7th. 
 
7 ^ 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 7th. He ihoiild pay the fame attention to the 
 three quarters of the outlines upon a (ketch thus fe- 
 parately confidered. 
 
 8th. Nor ought he to belefs'attentive in reviewing 
 and comparing every fuch part as changes its ap- 
 pearance in a profile taken from a fide view. 
 
 Befides, if you look at the face length-ways, and 
 then turn it about, fo as only to lee the exterior out- 
 line of the bones, jutting out at the cheeks and 
 eyes, you will be able to read through a man’s foul, 
 and difeover his real chara6ter according to the rules 
 of Phyfiognomy. 
 
 Whatever originality or extraordinary feature he 
 may polfefs, will break out in the folid parts and 
 ftrong lineaments ; but the impreffions of his habits, 
 and acquired talents, will be found (tamped upon 
 his lips, according as he moves or fpeaks ; for there 
 the image of the mind refleas its agitations, repofe, 
 and refleaions, by indubitable figns, keeping pace 
 with every (ituation and fentiment. 
 
 In the next place let us enlarge our piaure, and 
 dwell upon the dignity of Man ; for, as Buffon, 
 the French Pliny, fays, “ fur la face augufte cle 
 I’homme eft imprime le caractere de fa dignite.” 
 
 The Forehead. 
 
 The Forehead is that part of the face which ex- 
 tends from the foremoft roots of the hair down to 
 the eye-brows, and the root of the nofe. 
 
 4 
 
 The 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 79 
 
 The regular or irregular form of the brows, 
 their height and compafs, tally with the turn and 
 meafure of our faculties, expreffing our feelings and 
 ways of thinking. 
 
 The tkin, fold, colour, eafe, and motion of the 
 brow, or temple, contain chara6ters in which the 
 patTions and affeiftions of the mind are clearly writ- 
 ten ; for it is the part that the ancients called the 
 gate of the foul, the temple of blufhing modefty. 
 
 Nor does the beauty of it confift in the fize, and 
 round or fquare (liape, fo much as in the exa6f pro- 
 portions with other parts of the vifage ; particularly 
 the inexpreffible majefty, feverity, and grace. 
 
 We are ftruck with admiration by a beautiful ob- 
 ject ! — the graces captivate us ! — That firil degree 
 of perfe6fion is the pulcher of the Romans, — the 
 fecond is foj^mofuSy or the pulchritudo cum ve- 
 nujiate ; or, as Milton has moft emphatically deferib- 
 ed our firft mother Eve 
 
 Grace was in all her fteps, Heav’n in her eye, 
 
 In ev’ry gefture dignity and love. 
 
 The Eyebrows, 
 
 The Eyebrows are moving rays, extending crofif- 
 ways like a bow, more or lefs curved, from the 
 root of the nofe to the outward and foremoft fides 
 of the temples : — in concert with the forehead and 
 
 eye-lids. 
 
so 
 
 l'avater’s 
 
 eyelids, they contribute to mark the' phyfiognomv,- 
 by ferving as a kind of fhade that heightens the 
 forms and colours of a pifture. 
 
 ‘ The Eyelids, 
 
 • The eyelids are two fixed wings, round before, 
 hollow backward, and open acrofs. — The form of 
 the opening correfponds with the jutting, orb of the 
 eye, and is joined by two angles. Both lids, par- 
 ticularly the upper lid, are covered with lathes, of a 
 triangular form; and, by acting in concert, they 
 contribute to give energy to the language of the 
 
 The Eyes. 
 
 ' The Eyes are alinoft perfe6f globes, fixed in foclc- 
 ets before and behind the eye-lids, clofe to the optic 
 herve; and holding by fix mufcles, which dire61: their 
 motion. — This whole compofition is of a tender, 
 glaffy^, and -finewy fubftance, containing a humour 
 'as brilliant as the fineft cryftal. 
 
 Eyes are of various colours — blue, yellow, gray,^ 
 'whititli, black, and mixed tliadesof thefe defcriptions. 
 -A deep blue, dark, or quite black, gives to the eye 
 ' that fparkling lultre of diamonds, which we cannot 
 To well perceive in lighter thades of colour. The 
 cjrcular fpace that encompaffes the apple, or ball, 
 
 ixS 
 
L 60 KINd-GL ASS. 
 
 81 
 
 IS the iris, or bow, confifting of fmall tubes* like 
 rays darting around ; and between thefe very fmall 
 downy ftrings, through a mictofcope, or fometime3 
 with the naked eye, we may perceive a number of 
 little flight and foft grains, appearing to crown the 
 whole circle, as it were with a ray of glory, in 
 a manner that difplays the moll brilliant colours in 
 man and other animals. In fome creatures this per- 
 fect fymmetry is fo ftriking, as to prefent a fet of 
 regular figures to the philofophic eye ; nor, indeed, 
 can fuch a fight be ferioully contemplated, without 
 thofe pleafing fenfations which attend refearches 
 into the fecrets of Nature. 
 
 The eye fliares the motions of the foul ; exprefb 
 ing all its feelings, llorms, and agitations, in fuch 
 true language, as rapidly communicates every im- 
 preliion to the beholder whofe heart is open to it 
 and fufceptible of fympathy ; while thus fentimen- 
 tal fpirit, found fenfe, and clear ideas, are convey- 
 ed with the force of lightning. 
 
 Much as the fire or languor of the eyes contri- 
 butes to fiamp the leading features with their dillin- 
 guithing perfe£fion, and although they ftrike us as 
 if they moved in all directions, they have, how- 
 ever, but one circular motion in turning about their 
 center, which they do in fuch a way, that the pupil 
 appears to go up and down, according as it ap- 
 p’Q-jches or removes from the angles. 
 
 G The 
 
82 
 
 • IAVATER*S 
 
 The Xofe. 
 
 Lavater confiders the nofe as a kind of puUey- 
 gate to the brain : — this coniparifon will, perhaps, 
 appear juft to men converfant with Gothic archi- 
 te^ure. 
 
 It is, indeed, the moft prominent feature j ex- 
 tending from the lower e|id and middle of the fore- 
 head down to the upper part of the upper lip. 
 
 We may divide its parts into the root, the fpine 
 or back, the noftrils, and tip. 
 
 It’s roots join the forehead by the union of their 
 refpe^ive bones with the collateral branches of the 
 upper jaw. 
 
 The fpine is formed by the continued chain of 
 inner bones, and by united griftles, extending 
 downwards to the peak or point. 
 
 The hollow conlifts of two cartilages joined to- 
 gether; round without, and hollow within, which 
 form the paflfages or noftrils. 
 
 - -The noftrils taper more or lefs, and turn round in 
 the hind part, having a flight arch, narrower before 
 than backward, and feparated by a partition that 
 gives a fide view of the upper lip. 
 
 ~ 'Alt Th”^' "parts defcribed, being covered with 
 (kin, are imperceptible ; except when the nofe is 
 put in motion to contribute, as it does moft cflen- 
 daily, towards the expreflion of the face. 
 
 ' A hand ■ 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 83 
 
 A handfome nofe is never feen upon an ugly'-- 
 countenance. Fine eyes frequently accompany de- 
 formity j for they are a thoufand to one fuch a 
 prominent, firiking feature, as is feldom or never 
 found without a regular fet of others ; for, being 
 confidered alone, it conveys a high idea of the per- 
 fon bleft with it, according to the following de- 
 fcription : 
 
 The nofe ought to be as long as the forehead> 
 with a flight hollow* at the root. 
 
 On the front-view, the fpine or foundation fliould 
 be broad, and run up, in an even line, with both 
 fides, growing a little larger about the middle. 
 
 ‘ The tip ought to be neither hard nor plump ; 
 with the inner compafs correflly marked, neither 
 too pointed, nor too wide. 
 
 The wings of the nofe fliould be very vifible 
 when we come to examine it at the lips, fo that 
 the noftrils may be feenLto taper elegantly below. 
 
 Taken in profile, the nofe ought to appear only 
 the third part of its length. 
 
 The noftrils fliould be tapering infenfibly ; arch- 
 ed lightly at the roof ; and equally divided by the 
 fide of the upper lip. 
 
 * Neither the true Grecian nofe, nor the Apolh di Sehidere's^ 
 has any hollow in the upper-gart of it, where it is waited and level 
 with die forehead',- ' - . ' ‘ ^ ^ 
 
 G 2 The 
 
L AVATER’s 
 
 84 
 
 ■ The bridge of the nofe fliould be fuppdrted by 
 buttrelTes, joining above the arch that borders on 
 the orb ^ nor ought it to be lefs than half an inch 
 broad. 
 
 Although thefe lines of diftinffion conftitute per- 
 feffion, it muft, neverthelefs, be acknowledged, that 
 many men of merit have been ill-treated by Nature 
 in that refpeff ; but we muft diftinguifh their pre- 
 eminence in perfonal merit. For inftance : — 
 
 Lavater fays, that he knew moft upright, gene- 
 rous, and intelligent men, fo unfortunate as to have 
 fmall carbuncles on the fides of their nofes, notwith- 
 ftanding thofe qualities which rendered them foft, 
 pliable, and paflive obje6fs ; fitted, like wax, to re- 
 ceive delicate impreflions, rather than to hold the 
 reins of empire. 
 
 - An aquiline nofe betrays a commanding afpe£f, 
 an enterprizing fpirit, and becoming fortitude. 
 
 ' Straight nofes hit the right medium between the 
 two extremes 5 and denote men endowed with cou- 
 rage, energy, and refignatlon to their fate. 
 
 A ftraight or crooked nofe with a broad bottom 
 denotes fuperior intellects. 
 
 The fame eminent writer fays, that this form is 
 uncommon, and never deceived him in his opinion 
 
 of it. ‘ ' ' ■ ■ ■ • .. - - 
 
 ■ Small noftrils indicate timidity and indolence. — 
 But when they are firm and extended, fuch a de- 
 licacy 
 
u 
 
 licacy of fentiment may be expe£led, as occafional- 
 ly to degenerate into a voluptuous love of pleafure. 
 
 The Cheeks. 
 
 The cheeks are thick and flefliy parts, fixed on 
 the Tides of the vifage, extending from their lower 
 round border to the outward brim of the under-jaw j 
 and from the fpherical bafe to the edges of the 
 nofe and lips, which are clofe to them, and form a 
 part of the countenance. 
 
 They follow the motions of the eye-lids, nofe, lips, 
 and lower jaw ; and while their afpe£t is an index 
 to the ftate of the body, they are equally affe£ted 
 by diforders of the mind. — Grief covers them with 
 wrinkles, and they are furrowed over with flu pi- 
 dity. 
 
 But, on the other hand, wifdom, experience, and 
 ingenuity, (lamp all thefe outlines with fuch a po- 
 lifh, as is felt, but cannot be eafily expreffed ; for a 
 man’s character, in a moral, conftitutional, and intel- 
 leflual fenfe, may be afcertained by the degree of 
 care, brightnefs, and refinement that he has received 
 in all thefe points of view. 
 
 Let an experienced phyfiognomift examine the 
 bare compafs of the feftion that reaches from the 
 noftril to the chin, juft as it ftrikes him>in two ways, 
 at reft and in motion; when it is agitated by tears 
 or laughter, grief or mirth ; a generous fympathy, 
 
 G 3 or 
 
I AV at* It's 
 
 or an honcft indignation 5 and then he will eafily 
 obferve how much his features there furnifii a text 
 for interefting comments ; according as the lines 
 are marked with faint darkidi fhades, and fuch deli- 
 cate touches as exprefs the fined fenfibility, or ii> 
 fpire the higheft reverence with the mod tender af- 
 fedtion. 
 
 Painters are too carelefs in making thefe particu- 
 lar didindtions, to avoid the famenefs that marks 
 their mader-pleces with cold looks, or mere pic- 
 tures of men, without their charadters and leading 
 padions. 
 
 Dimples* are like wife didinguilhing perfedtions; 
 not peculiar to the fair fex alone, being occafioned 
 by the relaxation of two mufcles entwined. It 
 
 would 
 
 ♦ON SMILES. 
 
 The man ’wfeo wears no fmiles upon his face. 
 Nor blufhes with the fpur of confclous love, 
 
 But Ihews a monkey’s grin, as knaves will do, 
 Looks down with frowning brows like Death for 
 And views with envious eyes another’s joys ; 
 Nay» he admits no mufic in his foul, 
 
 Nor is he mov’d by honefty of heart 
 To feel the pleafures of a focial hour, 
 
 Or fplit his fides with laughter-loving dames, 
 Who fpread the graces on their dimply cheeks, 
 Coramunicating wit iq fport and glee ; 
 
 prey. 
 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 8,7 
 
 would be iteedlefs for us to dwell, much on what 
 we feel-^their grace and beauty, when they proceed 
 from the feelings of noble, tender, and generous 
 hearts. 
 
 ^ . The Mouth. 
 
 The mouth is an opening acrofs the face, formed 
 by the lips, cheeks, jaws, teeth, and tongue, and 
 extending to the palate, which feparates that gap 
 from the hollow inner part. 
 
 There lies the breath of life, through the whole 
 range of Creation ; and it is the Orator of the heart 
 and mind, that fpeaks in various chara61ers : — even 
 filence is often found more expreflive than any 
 language. 
 
 Indeed, this fe£lion of the vifage is very different 
 from the general idea attached to the word that de- 
 fcribes it and, if every man was impreffed with 'a 
 due fenfe of its noble purpofes, he would deliver 
 only divine words from fuch a fan61uary as ought 
 to dignify hiS a61ions. , ^ 
 
 Then, quick’ning every fenfe in dance orfong,, 
 They mock that mifer’s melancholy mood. 
 
 Till raptures foon intoxicate the brains, 
 
 Wlule Reafon yields her empire for a night, 
 
 Ai^d fays (as Shakefpeare faid for John 0‘ Combe) 
 “ Let no fuch man be trufted.” 
 
 G 4 
 
 This 
 
sa 
 
 t AVATER S 
 
 This organ of fpecch exprefTes wifdom and folJy ; 
 firengtb and wealviiefs ; virtue and vice ; know- 
 ledge and ignorance; love and baked; fingerity 
 and deceit ; humility and pride ; dilTimuiation and 
 truth,* 
 
 The Lips. 
 
 The lips are two plump and ’fixed protuberances, 
 Itretching acrofs, or curving a little like an egg, 
 from the bottom of the noftrils, the fides and fore 
 part of the cheeks, to the down upon the chjn. 
 
 The upper lip is roundifh, a little arched within, 
 hollow behind, tallying with the globular form of 
 the teeth and gums, which it covers. It is marked 
 with a kind of gutter for humours running from 
 the nofe. The under lip is matched with the 
 other at the orifice, being a larger fupporter to it; 
 rather round without, hollow within, and having a 
 flight bafe for the upper lip. 
 
 * “ Bred in Lavater’s fcbool,” Augufta cries, 
 
 Which beg infpires with love, — the mouth or eyes ?’* 
 
 “ Sweet darling of my foul !” I thus replied, 
 
 With modeft wifli her quellion to decide, 
 
 “ Let thy fine eyes with kind affeition glow — - 
 “ On me thofe ruby lips a kifs beftow ; 
 
 Clafp’d in thy arms I could determine never ; 
 
 But killing all thy face I’d try for ever ! 
 
 According 
 
LOpKINe-CJLASS. 
 
 m 
 
 According ks they are both opehi (huV gaptiig, 
 hretched out by laughing, or drawii clofe by forro.v\fj 
 reflection, and even whiftling, we obferve their elfe^ 
 upon the human figure. ' s 
 
 The Teeth and Gums, 
 
 Nothing is more 'ftrikihg than the fignificant 
 expreflion of teeth, in fetting otT the vifage in euery 
 point of view that exhibits their eafe and beauty. 
 
 They are the hardefl, whitefl, and only vifible 
 bones of man ; like irregular cones, fixed in Sock- 
 ets within the jaws, in a row of fixteen to each 
 jaw. Thus the regular number is generally twp- 
 and-thirty. They are of three kinds, matched bii 
 each fide ; four upper teeth, two eye-teeth, one on 
 each fide, and five grinders in each rank. 
 
 Every tooth has, out of the focket, a kind of vifi- 
 ble parapet or crowned work ; and concealed 
 prongs, or a foundation divided by a circular line 
 or bandage. 
 
 The fore-teeth are fliarp and roundifii ; larger in 
 the upper jaw than in the lower one. 
 
 The fangs, or eye-teeth, are thicker, rounder, 
 larger, longer, and more pointed than the others. 
 
 The grinders are almoft fquare, fliort, broad, 
 rough, and pitted like diamonds. — The tvyo firft are 
 double-pronged ; the others have feveral points j and 
 the tooth of wifdom, thelaft cut, at the age of puberty, 
 
 1 $ 
 
90 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 is rounder at the top, but of a lefTer fize, and not fo 
 pointed as the others. 
 
 Every root of the teeth has a fmall tube, cover- 
 ed with a membrane, that ferves as a {heath to the 
 fibres and nerves. 
 
 The tooth is compofed of two fubftances; the 
 infide a kind of bark, and the outward part, called 
 enamel, refembles glafs or china-ware, in fo*a^' 
 degree. 
 
 Teeth are fattened in their fockets by the band 
 of the gums, which is riveted, as we may fay, to 
 their borders. Young, hale, and hearty people 
 have elattic gums, rofy, and glittering; but age 
 relaxes and gives them a paler colour. 
 
 The principal ufe of the teeth is for chewing: 
 the fore-teeth cut and carve; the fangs break, 
 and the grinders bruife food as with a mill-ftone. 
 
 They are, likewife, not only ornaments, but re- 
 quifites for the pronunciation of words, particu- 
 larly the fore-teeth. 
 
 Painters are guilty of a great neglect in omit- 
 ting fo effential a part in their hittorical pieces ; 
 for if we confider it attentively, we fhall dif- 
 cover this branch of the features to be no lefs 
 important than expreflive, particularly from its 
 dole connexion with the lips, in reprefenting w’eak- 
 nefs, hypocrify, and villany. 
 
 / 
 
 The 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 91 
 
 The Chin. 
 
 The chin is that hillock whofe motions keep 
 pace with the neck and lips, being fixed to the 
 fore part of the lower jaw, under the lower lip, and 
 projecting before the cheeks. 
 
 Long experience has proved to judges of fea- 
 tures, that a forward chin denotes a determined 
 charaeter, while a fmoothef one announces imper- 
 fections. 
 
 Upon this principle we may diftinguilh three 
 kinds of chins more or lefs expreflive. 
 
 1ft. The tapering, or female chin, moft common 
 to the fair fex, gives a juft ground to fufpeCt a weak 
 fide. 
 
 2d. The fecond clafs runs in a ftraight line with 
 the under lip, when jjt is feen fideways. This kind 
 infpires confidence. ^ 
 
 3d. The third, or fliarp-pointed chin, is a fure 
 fign of an aCtive and ingenious mind. 
 
 The Ears. 
 
 The ears are two protuberances of a fpongy and 
 griftly fubftance, projecting fideways, and floping 
 from the centre of the head towards the nofe and 
 eyes. 
 
 They have feveral folds and hollows. The firft 
 !K)ld, or board, is called helix ; the fecond, anti- 
 helix. 
 
92 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 helix, finaller. and more inward j the third, tragus, 
 dill fmaiier ; and the fourth, anti-tragus, pretty for- 
 ward, and a little doping within the Ihell. The 
 lower lobe is foft, without griftle, roundifli, rather 
 oval, and containing feveral cavities, particularly 
 the fcapha, the paffage that communicates with 
 the drum, or tympane. 
 
 Although the ear of a man moves lefs than the 
 fame part in other animals, ftill it is fubje6f 
 to the motions of the Ikull, and other impreflions 
 communicated by found : nor would it, probably, 
 be fo quiet, were it not for the cuftom of covering a 
 child’s ear from its infancy. 
 
 Yet we are perfuaded that this wing of the body, 
 as it admits of no difgutfe, bears an expreffive fea- 
 ture, and fets off the fymmetry of the whole. 
 
 The Trunk. 
 
 The trunk Is that feftion of the human body 
 which extends from the lower part of the head 
 to the upper end of the limbs, facing the flioulders, 
 and doping towards the dank, in the form of a long 
 fquare, tapering round within fide, pretty dat be- 
 liind, and having before two remarkable cavities, 
 one bony and gridly in its circumference, called 
 the bread, and the other almoft all dediy, except 
 about the back, loins, intedines, &c. 
 
 The neck reaches from the head to the upper 
 parts of the bread and back, tapering befonp, .and 
 
 thicken- 
 
LOOK ING-GLASS. 
 
 ^3 
 
 thickening behind, correfponding above, and for- 
 ward, with the bafe of the lower jaw, and running 
 below upon a line with the fhoulder-blade, the 
 hinges, and thofe receffes where the power of fneez- 
 ing is depofited. 
 
 In the hind and upper part it is connedled with 
 the temple ; behind and below it is blended with 
 the top of the fpine and flioulders, proje£ling, with 
 varied motions, in the fliape of what is commonly 
 called Adam’s apple, or the larynx. As this pro- 
 jection follows all the figns made by the human 
 voice, it claims the particular attention of (Indents ; 
 indeed, although the features of this part (the neck) 
 are very exprelfive, they have been hitherto but lit- 
 tle known. 
 
 Lavater acknowledges that it was the firft branch 
 of his favourite ftudies, and had he not been ftruc^ 
 with fo fignificant an objeCt of admiration, the 
 world would not have been indebted to him for 
 a line upon Phyfiognomy. 
 
 What expreffion there is in hiff or eafy necks, 
 whofe varied poftures feem adapted to our faculties ! 
 — for the human mind either cringes, advances, or 
 flirinks back. 
 
 A well-lhaped neck infallibly denotes a fleady 
 and refolute cbaraCler ; but natural wens generally 
 accompany ignorance and ftupidity, although they 
 proceed partly from the quality of the water, as in 
 Switzerland. 
 
 The 
 
94 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 The variety of necks is remarkable through the 
 whole range of creation ; and among fouT-footed 
 animals this feature indicates either their force or 
 weaknefs. 
 
 The charafteriftic traits of the furniOi h 
 
 matter of contemplation, to which it is difficult to 
 do juftice ; but any novelty found in our obfervations 
 upon it, muft plead, in fome meafure, for a faint de- 
 feription, and fuch rules as may direct the ftudy of 
 this effential fcience. 
 
 1ft. In the firft place, a ftudent fliould afeertain 
 every attitude incident to the trunk. 
 
 2d. He fliould follow, with a curious eye, all 
 thofe poftures conne6fed wdth the motions of the 
 bead and four extremities. 
 
 3d. Nor ought he lefs anxioufly to watch thofe 
 moving fprings of refpiratlon, digeftion, and other 
 ufes of the belly, from which the vifible ligns, re- 
 traced, of contending paffions chiefly originate. 
 Every expreffive fliade of difference, that is furnrffi- 
 ed by a contraft of reft with anxiety, muft be traced, 
 in fome degree, fo far as to form a juft idea of the 
 part affefted, in its bearings relative to others. 
 
 The well-known* Torjo^ in the Vatican at Rome, 
 is a perfect model of a well proportioned figure j 
 
 back 
 
 * The writer of this note has fome doubts whether this mafter- 
 piece of ancient fculpure has not be^n removed to Paris fince 
 
 he 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 95 
 
 back and belly, with every line that retraces, in all 
 points of view, Herculean ftrength, inajeftic grace, 
 and delicate comelinefs, mingled jn a manner that 
 infpires the admirer of it with a high opinion of 
 Art and Nature at once difplayed. 
 
 It is here that the fculptor will fee the mar- 
 vellous effect of mufcles, tendons, &c. in their 
 elaftic tone, together with the beautiful outlines 
 that the whole has received from the Creator’s hand. 
 
 Through the leading features of fuch a dump of 
 man, an intelligent pupil will fee the violent agita- 
 tions of the heart, lungs, and midriff, or obferve 
 the effect of more refined and calmer feelings.—* 
 What a field is open for talents to reprefent, in a 
 true light, every interelting fituation, with fuch 
 myfteries as furpafs the general conception of man- 
 kind, and bid defiance to the refearches of vulgar 
 eyes ! On this occafion, it becomes us to contra- 
 di6f an opinion which has too long prevailed, — 
 that the face alone contains expreffive ftriking 
 features j for, in the cftimation of a Phyfiognomift, 
 all parts of the body are damped with fuch marks 
 
 he eejoyed the pleafure of admiring it in the Clementine^ Mu- 
 feum. 
 
 The famous Laocoon, brought to France, will lUcewife ferve as a 
 text upon which modern furgeons may write volumes of coramen- 
 taries. 
 
 as 
 
96 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 as equally denote a man’s chara£ler, his inclina 
 nations, and fenfatlons. 
 
 The Extremities. 
 
 The extremities are divided into upper and low- 
 er, right and left. 
 
 The upper extremities comprehend the (houl- 
 ders, arms, and hands. Their length is fuch as 
 is formed by fuppofing them ftretched out with the 
 palm of the hand turned towards the thigh, fo far 
 as the fingers reach, or down to the middle of that 
 limb : their bulk ought to be proportioned to the 
 other parts of the body, when it is in good cafe ; 
 and the whole contributes equally to fymmetry, 
 with peculiarities ftriking us fo much the more fen- 
 fibly, when we compare the gladiator, the grinder, 
 and the blackfmith, with the idle man in the fiime 
 attitude. 
 
 The great difficulty of reprefenting properly thefe 
 extremities proceeds from the different Torras of 
 thofe hafts and hinges by which they are joined 
 together. Hence arifes a difproportion of length 
 and bulk between the bones and the flefliy fub- 
 ftance ; as we may difeover from the ftudy of this 
 particular fyftem. 
 
 The hand is that part which conveys the greateft 
 number of meanings, and performs fo many talks 
 affigned to it, by colleding in itfelf the whole force 
 of its adjoining parts, more or lefs, according to 
 
 lituation , 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 9’7 
 
 fituatron ; at tHe fame time that, feparately confi- 
 dered, it is perfect in every refpe£l proportioned to 
 the reft, diftinguithed by legible figns, and animat- 
 ed by the blood that circulates from the head and 
 heart. 
 
 Among a million of hands, which might be com- 
 pared, not one would match another, taken for a 
 model ; nay, were it poffible to fit a new finger 
 upon a fill that wanted it, however art might 
 imitate nature, the work would be imperfect, and 
 the difference of execution would ftrike every eye 
 familiarized with their produffions ; for, with the 
 higheft invention, a man could only fpy or borrow 
 beauties from objefis that he fees with a glance, 
 without being able to conceive the grand fcale and 
 wonderful mould in which they are formed. 
 
 Thus the hand makes a folemn appeal to our 
 feelings and judgment, with fo much the more 
 candour, as it a£fs fairly and above board, being 
 unable to conceal its leaft motion, even when it is 
 diretled by the greateft villain, or the moft cunning 
 hypocrite. 
 
 Above twenty joints contribute to thofe move- 
 pients which exprefs the varied fenfations of the 
 mind, together with bodily pleafure or pain, ac- 
 cording as it is ufed, either as a neccflary appen- 
 dage, or an ornament to the language of the bar, 
 the pulpit, and the ffage. Nor need we attempt to 
 defcribe it better than in Montaigne’s following 
 
 . n words: 
 
98 
 
 L AVATER’s 
 
 words: — — “ Quoi des mains? Nous requirons^ 
 nous promettons, appellons, congedions, mena9ons, 
 prions, fupplions, nions, refufons, interrogeons, ad- 
 mirons, nombrons, confcfibns, repetons, craignons, 
 vergoignons, doutons, inftruifons, commandons, in- 
 fiftons, encourageons, jurons, temoignons, accufons, 
 condamnons, abfolvons, i-njurions, meprifons, de- 
 fions, depitons, flattons, applaudiffons, beniffons, 
 humilions, moquons, reconcilions, recommandons, 
 exaltons, feftoyons, rejouiflbns, complaignons, at- 
 triftons, deconfortons, defefperons, etonnons, exa- 
 minons, taifons.” 
 
 Such are the various employments of the hand. 
 
 The trunk is fupported by two lower extremities 
 on the Tides, confifting of the Thigh, Knee, Leg, 
 and Foot. 
 
 The thigh is longer than the leg, curving a little 
 forward, and rather hollow behind, being about 
 fourteen inches long in a well-fet man, thicker 
 above, and, within fide, tapering below. It con- 
 tributes, with the knee-pan, and the upper part of 
 the leg, to form the knee, a part that is hard to be 
 defcribed, on account of its form, and fundry par- 
 ticles. 
 
 The leg is fixed between the foot and thigh, in 
 a perpendicular line with the latter, and forming a 
 contrail to it by the flelhy parts, or calves, and ancle- 
 bones jutting out. 
 
 The 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 99 
 
 The foot is joined to the leg, being rather round 
 above, and hollow at the foie, longer before than 
 at the heel : it is higher, broader, and hollower on 
 the infide, more lengthened at the inftep, evener 
 and longer at the outer part of the heel. 
 
 This limb is the foundation or fupporter of the 
 human figure ; nor will it appear to be lefs figni- 
 ficant than the hand, when we take into confidera- 
 tion its various ufes, in dancing, jumping, walking, 
 running, riding, refting, &c. by which every excel- 
 lence is difcovered : nor can we help preferring feet 
 to hands for fuperior utility, upon refiefting on the 
 many inftances of cripples, who, with their flumps, 
 have been able to wHte, knitj play upon mufical 
 inflruments, and llir about, or fill fome other em- 
 ployment in a fitting poflure ; but the hands would 
 ferve but as poor fubftitutes for fuch ufeful fup- 
 porters. 
 
 Our learned predecefTor in this fludy affures us, 
 that he has diflinguifhed in thefe two members of 
 the body the figns of fweet temper, pride, and 
 dignity, with other extraordinary qualities j but we 
 fliall only add, that, befides their general proportion 
 to other parts, the toes bear a flriking likenefs of 
 the correfponding thumbs. 
 
 Upon the Attitude of a Man Standing. 
 
 Man is the only living creature that can hand 
 upright with a bold and unchanging countenance. 
 
 M 2 It 
 
100 
 
 L AVATER’s 
 
 It is true, that a bear is likewife large-footed, and 
 accuftomed to raife himfelf up when he is going to 
 fight j fo do monkies, in fome degree, imitate the 
 poftures of men, as well as that fpecies of beings 
 the ouran-oLitangs, who come neareft to the human 
 fpecies. But an ape has not fo broad a foot ; nor 
 need we doubt of the ftanding attitude being pe- 
 culiar to us, if we reflect that it has been preferved 
 not only by favages, but likewife in fuch perfons as 
 have grown up wild and ignorant among their only 
 companions the beads of the field. 
 
 Indeed, it is out of the power of a four-footed 
 animal to keep himfelf firm in the fituation where 
 a rational creature (lands upon a direct line, paff- 
 ing by the centre of gravity between the os pubis 
 and the breech, down to the fquare left between 
 the foies of his feet, or fuch a line muft fall upon 
 one foie, in cafe he flood upon a fingle foot. 
 
 We likewife know, that it would be labour in 
 vain to make a corpfe Hand erect in that manner, 
 for want of thofe pullies which fullain the living 
 man, in the direfition that he takes to balance his 
 weight, by the command of fuch mufcles as are 
 pliable and fubfervient to the main pillars of his 
 frame. 
 
 We may furejy be difpenfed from giving a full 
 explanation of the admirable machinery that deli- 
 neates a falling, rifing, or flippery poflure ; but let 
 us add, that, as a man’s thighs llretch out more 
 
 than 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 101 
 
 than in other animals, their point, formed by the 
 narrow part that joins the bones, does not exceed 
 an angle of forty-fiv^e degrees. Thus the whole 
 body receives a fufficient prop ; for, were not the 
 upper (lory fecured, the ftru£ture would give way, 
 from its pretTure and natural bias ; only one mufcle, 
 however, promotes the forward motion, while fo 
 many othefs keep it up. 
 
 In fliort, the head is kept fteady by the fpine of 
 the neck, extended by various fibres, whofe elaftic 
 force keeps it from reeling in deep ; while its gentle, 
 forward motion, is favoured by a few inconfiderable 
 firings. The crane, as we may call it, is likewife 
 ballafted, or fortified, in fuch a way as prevents it 
 from leaning improperly to either fide. 
 
 All thefe, and other parts, move continually 
 while we ftand ; fo that eafe is naturally fought 
 by a change of attitude, and alternately moving on, 
 or fhifting the foot that bears the burden. 
 
 H 3 
 
 ESSAY 
 
i02 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 ESSAY XII. 
 
 Upon a Man^s Walk. 
 
 A man’s natural pace is lefs fatiguing, and 
 eafier to be defcribed than a motionlefs halt : 
 ftanding, he muft have one foot ftill and firm, as a 
 fupporter to the other that the mufcles are to put 
 in motion. They both advance alternately, while 
 the leg rifes, and the thigh is dragged on as if it 
 were by Hiding knots j fo that the feet are con- 
 tra6ted while the knees move forward, and all, in 
 their turns, perform the talks affigned to them, in 
 fuch exercife as varies in fpeed or agility. 
 
 The toes touch the ground, more or lefs, ac- 
 cording to the degree of velocity j the trunk bears 
 upon the columns ; but they move one after 
 the other, each making room for the mufcles to 
 a£l their parts 5 and, in order to relieve them, we 
 naturally lean forward, without confulting the 
 graces, juft as mountaineers, particularly on the 
 Alps, are apt to crofs fummits in a kind of amble, 
 their bodies Hooping and Hoping, with an ap- 
 parent degree of eafe, 
 
 O/? 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 1 03 
 
 On Ihuining and Leaping. 
 
 Running differs from walking no Icfs in pace 
 than the manner of performing this exercife. 
 
 The hind part of the foot, according as we raife 
 it, is contrafted to fuch a degree as only to touch 
 the ground with the toes, while the foies are fuf- 
 pended. For this reafon, thofe living creatures 
 who lay down all their feet, are flow ; fuch as man, 
 and the bear ; thofe are fvidfter who ufe only their 
 toes j and the fwifteff run on tiptoes, as dogs, deer, 
 and horfes do. 
 
 At the fame time that the leg is r^ifed by pliable 
 mufcles, the knee advances, and the thigh moves 
 more forcibly ; fo that the alternate angles form- 
 ed by different joints become more pointed, and 
 the bones, by ffretching, take a larger compafs 
 around the bafis and the line that they follow, 
 confequently with a fafter motion. 
 
 The balance is vifibly kept forward, rather in an 
 ungraceful manner, as it would be impoffible to 
 run quite upright : the arms keep pace with the 
 body, whofe weight quickens the march, and 
 checks the refpiration. 
 
 A leap exceeds a race in violence, as much as 
 running furpaffes a common pace. It requires 
 no great exertion of the limbs, for the heels 
 rife j the legs lean forward upon the feet, while 
 
 H 4 the 
 
104 
 
 lavater's 
 
 the toes are fupported and prepared to make 3 , 
 deep impreffion upon the ground. 
 
 The angle, whofe end is at the heel, becomes 
 more pointed j the knee projefts forward conhder- 
 ably; the legs bend toward the thighs, which give 
 way at the fame time that the body falls down- 
 wards ; and the leaper’s perfon appears diminiOied, 
 till he llretches himfelf out by a violent effort that 
 makes his limbs get;- up behind together with his 
 body. This recoil is favoured by the board or 
 ground on which he as we fee in tumblers 
 
 on a ftage. 
 
 Our bodies are capable of greater movements 
 than we generally ufe, and neceffity difcovers our 
 powers by fharpening our appetites and invention. 
 Daily examples prove, that maimed men have 
 learnt to write and perform with their feet the 
 duties of their loft hands. 
 
 In the fame manner, from habit and pra6Hce, 
 they not only balance themfelves upon the flighteft 
 prop, but likewife execute fuch other feats as dif- 
 play their addrefs, and are not unworthy of our 
 meditation. 
 
 ESSAY 
 
i,OOKING*GLAS3, 
 
 105 
 
 ESSAY XIII 
 
 THE organs or inftruments ufed for commuM- 
 cating the fenfes are natural machines, fituated at 
 the end of the nerves adj'^ni’ng the brain, for the 
 purpofe of reprefenting diflant objeffs. 
 
 ift. The Eye is a Camera Obfciira, or a dark 
 ground, that refletls the image of objefts, with 
 their proportions, fliape, and complexion, 
 
 2d. The Ear is a drum, ftretched upon a diell, 
 joined by a flight ftring, and fluttering with the 
 leafl: breath of air. 
 
 3d. The Nofe is a very large, moift, and twifted 
 tiflue, attrafling the volatile parts of the air that 
 get into it. 
 
 4th. The Tongue is a kind of fponge, that licks 
 up and imbibes fuch matter as does not hurt it. 
 
 5th. 1 he Touch, or Feeling, is formed by foft and 
 fmall threads, or rufhes, which receive the impref- 
 flon of other fubftances. 
 
 Moft living creatures are fupplied with thefe 
 organs, but not in the fame degree of perfection. 
 Had they been more numerous, we fhould have 
 had ftronger faculties juft as the load-ftone attrafls 
 
 iron^ 
 
1,06 LAVATER’s.i 
 
 iron, and amber betrays the prefence of eie6frlc 
 fluid. 
 
 Infe6ts alone have fail-yards, of which we do not 
 know the ufe any more than they can judge of 
 our ears. 
 
 It is by force of light that the eye difcovers fur- 
 rounding objefts ; the ear liftens to them from the 
 impulfe of air ; the touch feels them from their 
 fubftance and refiftance ; while the nofe fmells them 
 by the impreffion of volatile parts upon nerves con- 
 nected with it ; the tongue takes foft or foluble 
 matters by the fenfation that they niake upon the 
 fibres. * 
 
 The order and ufes of ten pair of nerves are thus explained by 
 a French Poet:— 
 
 Le plaifir des parfums nous vient de la premiere, 
 
 La feeonde nous fait jouir de la lumiere. 
 
 La troilieme a nos yeux donne le mouvement, 
 
 La quatrieme inftruit desfecrets d’un amant. 
 
 La cinquieme parcourt I’une & I’autre machoire. 
 
 La lixieme depeint le ipepris & la gloire. 
 
 J.,a feptieme connoit les Ions & les accords ; 
 
 La huitieme au dedans fait jouer cent relTorts. 
 
 La neuvieme au difcours tient notre langue prete ; 
 
 F.t la dixiemc enfiii meut le col Sc la tete. 
 
 For the benefit of thofe who underfland only the Englifli language, 
 we attempt an imitation or paraphrafe of the foregoing verfes on the 
 fubjedf difcuffed. 
 
 4 
 
 On 
 
IjOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 107 
 
 On viewing Nature’s noble plan of things, 
 
 We find Five Senfes mov’d by double firings ; 
 While every fibre aids the lively fenfe. 
 
 Ordain’d by wifeft laws of Providence. 
 
 The firft, in rank, diredls our fragrant fmell ; 
 
 The fecond gives us power of feeing well ; 
 
 The third commands the motions of our fight, 
 
 To contemplate with eafe the facrCd Hght ; 
 
 The fourth to fecret lovers gives the law j 
 The fifth keeps time in moving either jaw ; 
 
 The fixth, by turns, pourtrays our pride or flight j. 
 The feventh afferts to melody a right ; 
 
 T 0 wake the foul with feelings fit for kings, 
 
 The eighth flrong nerve employs a hundred fprlngs ; 
 The ninth excites the call for daily bread ; 
 
 The tenth fuftains, with grace, the neck and head ; 
 For Adam’s children, upflarts, lords, and kings, 
 Are tun’d, like harpfichords, with tender firings. 
 Thus mufic, poetry, and art combine. 
 
 With equal harmony, to draw the line : 
 
 As Handel’s notes fllll charm the Britiflr ear. 
 
 So Garrick’s language us’d to draw the tear ; 
 fnfpir’d by Shakefpeare and the tragic Mufe,— 
 
 For who could tears at their command refufe ? 
 
 ESSAY 
 
108 
 
 LAVATER^S 
 
 ESSAY XIV. 
 
 On Changes produced hy the leading Pajftons, as 
 they are impreffed on the human Countenance ; 
 and the whole Appearance of the Body^ with re- 
 Jpect to Painting. 
 
 LE BRUN’s flcetcbes contain the principal figns 
 by whic^ the paffions manifeft themfelves, as tran- 
 fports of the foul, by fuch impreffions on our fenfes 
 are reprefented by motions of the body. Thus 
 whatever paffes at the feat of life is difcovered 
 without difguife, for every paifion has a peculiar 
 language and charafter. 
 
 No ftriking alteration of the mufcles proceeds 
 from flight fenfations, fuch as furprife, admiration, 
 efleem, veneration, &c. ; but, although the whole 
 frame feems to be at reft w'hile it keeps pace with 
 peace of mind under thefe circumftances, they 
 ftamp upon the features a particular caft, vifible to 
 difccrning eyes. For inftance ; aftonifliment is ex-^ 
 prefl'ed by a backward motion of the head, ftaring 
 eyes, riling brows, ftirivelled forehead, and an 
 open mouth. 
 
 But when we admire, our looks recover more of 
 their natural air j we gape lefs, and gaze quietly, 
 without over-ftraining a feature. 
 
 We 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 We find refpeftfui feiitiments conveyed with a 
 natural pofture, attention, and a flight ftoop ; while 
 even the eye-brows Hope towards the nofe, and 
 curve a little about the temples. 
 
 Grief has its particular exprellions ; a languifli* 
 ing air, a heavy countenance, a relaxation of ajl 
 the mufcles ; the head carelefsly leaning upon 
 either fhoulder, prickly eye-brows, half-funk eyes 
 of a pale yellowifh colour ; the corners of the lips 
 pointing downwards, and fliewing what we juflly 
 call a chap-fallen wretch. 
 
 Other emotions depend on mental or conftitu- 
 tional weaknefs, with (hades of difference between 
 them, and greater agitations in their gradations 
 from timidity to fright ; while the foul flirinks with 
 fliame upon itfelf, as we may fay, and, from a ftate 
 of dejection, falls into the lowefl: degree of mifery, 
 — infanity. Thefe varying fltuations have equally 
 their fymptoms marked upon the countenance. 
 
 When we are frightened, while our eye-brows 
 ftand on ends, with their mufcles contracted 5 the 
 forehead is wrinkled ; the eye-lids open, and try to 
 conceal themfelves under the eye-brows, in fuch a 
 manner as to difcover almoft: all the white of the eye 
 above the pupil, which falls and hides itfelf behind 
 the low^er lid : the mouth ^apes, the lips ftretch 
 out, difcovering the teeth and gums, with all the 
 veins of the difcoloured and disfigured face j for 
 even the hair then briftles and ftands on ends. 
 
 Pleafant 
 
no 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 Pleafant feelings are marked by infinite ways 5 
 gellures, dancing, &c. Immoderate fits of laughter 
 produce diftortions worthy of notice ; for when we 
 are ready to fplit our fides, the veins of the neck 
 and face fwell j the mufcles are puffed up ; the eye- 
 brows rife from the middle of the upper lid, and 
 fall downwards about the nofe ; the eyes are al- 
 moft fhut j the mouth, half open, difcovers the teeth ; 
 the corners of the lips ftretch upwards ; the cheeks 
 are ftrained, and the eyes appear to diffolve in 
 tears j the blood flies up into the face, and while 
 the head is kept backward, the whole body bends 
 a little forward, and the arms, extended, fall upon 
 the flank. 
 
 It follows, of courfe, that when a young painter 
 is to reprefent rage and defpair, he mult not forget 
 any attitude that accompanies a wild and frantic 
 look, — the body forward, the upright threatening 
 head, the hands clenched, unlefs they are armed ; 
 a wrinkled forehead, felf-biting lips, with their 
 corners half open, to exprefs the grinning, bitter, 
 cruel, and difdainful feoff. During fuch a Itorm as 
 he would Itrive to retrace, the living object alter- 
 nately changes colour, the upper veins are puffed 
 up, and, as we have before obferved, he appears 
 pale as a ghofl, and partly raving like a lunatic. 
 Thefe are the fad extremes, againll which Reafon 
 does not always fufficiently guard the belt of men. 
 
 ESSAY 
 
lOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 Ill 
 
 ESSAY XV. 
 
 Anatomical Explanations of Changes pj^oduced by 
 the PaJJions upon the Human Figure, i 
 
 WE come now to explain the caufes of thofe 
 fingular, various, and aflonifhing effefts, which are 
 produced by motion and fentiments upon the hu- 
 man figure, particularly the countenance. In this 
 purfuit we muft co.nfider the fubje6f under the fol- 
 lowing heads, viz. — 
 
 1ft. The confiderable number of parts covered 
 by the face. 
 
 2d. Their different direffions, firings, and bands. 
 
 3d. Their peculiar movements. 
 
 4th. The power of the refleftor, or glafs, that 
 reprefents to our fight the ftate of the body - and 
 mind. 
 
 5th. The effeft of ficknefs upon the vifage, and 
 how the paffions are there impreffed, without our 
 knowledge and confent. 
 
 6th. The degree of force with which the blood 
 flows through the fmalleft tubes. 
 
 7th. The vital fpirit poured by the nerves. 
 
 8th. The harmony and diforder of fuch parts of 
 the vifage as are a fixed obje6t of meditation to 
 the thinking man. 
 
 As 
 
112 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 As all thefe vifible alterations can be proved froni 
 the animal lyltcm in living creatures, we proceed 
 to mention the principal inftriiments employed in it. 
 
 If, for a moment, with the mind’s eye, we trace 
 the roof and ceiling of that ftiipendous piece of 
 archite6fure, the head, w^e fliall find it molt regu- 
 larly defigned and executed, with a folid, well- 
 fupported partition-wall, or floor, upon which all 
 the moveable parts of the face are fixed ; we then 
 difcover in this curious work different avenues, which 
 Nature has wifely left as channels of communica- 
 tion between the inner centre, or vital parts, and 
 the vifible front. Befide this wmnderful contriv- 
 ance, a great number of mufcles are fixed to the 
 bony, or crowm-work, with their moveable points 
 doping towards the outward (kin or furface of the 
 whole. Hence arifes a fudden change upon thd 
 face, from varied motions of the eyes, brows, and 
 every other part that is continually touched by 
 thofe tender ftrings which communicate in fo many 
 ways with the foft parts fufceptible of impreflions. 
 
 Independently of thefe mufcular agents, is an 
 incredible quantity of nerves, connected with the 
 brain and the organs of the five fenfes already de- 
 feribed 2 thefe have their intricate windings and 
 turnings j being interfedted, and advancing for- 
 ward, they contribute to the texture of the fkin. 
 The veins and arteries have the fame circuitous 
 route. All thefe parts are fixed together upon a 
 
 fubftan- 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 113 
 
 fubftantial layer ; and as all the chinks between 
 them are filled up by the general confequence of 
 good living, a comely appearance is preferved in 
 addition to a blooming complexion. 
 
 It is likewife eafy to obferve, that the veil, thus 
 formed to cover the vifage, is thinner in fome 
 parts than in others ; being very fine upon the eye- 
 brows, within the nofe, and on the lips; but thick- 
 er on the forehead, cheeks, and chin. 
 
 In fupport of thefe obfervations, let us give 
 fome examples to illuftrate the theory. 
 
 A face painted with joy appears ferene, with 
 all the adjoining parts unruffled ; for the nervous 
 power is there neither too flow, nor too quick : but 
 a forrowful countenance is disfigured with wrinkles 
 or plaits, formed by the flirinking mufcles, from the 
 brows to the lips. This effect appears to proceed 
 from the diforder of the nerves, affefted by the 
 irritation of the mind. 
 
 A profound melancholy is marked in ftronger 
 chara6ters. The nervous fyftem being deranged, 
 thofe finer firings, the mufcles, are more contract- 
 ed ; — the eye-lids fcarcely perform their duty ; or, if 
 they open half way, it is only to let out, through 
 their lluices, a flood of tears. The mufcles of the 
 nofe and mouth flirink with violence — the eye- 
 brows are knitted — twitchings follow, and bring 
 on a temporary interruption of breath, from the 
 ruffling of the nerves communicating with the mid- 
 
 I rifl' 
 
114 
 
 L AVATEr’s 
 
 rifF and tlie feat of the lungs ; where, the air be- 
 ing let out by their triclion and convuHion, that diffi- 
 culty of breathing is attended W'ith fymptoiTis fa- 
 miliar to every obferver, w’ho finds the whole frame 
 lliaken and finking under its own weight for want 
 of thofe elaflic fprings w'hich promote the circula- 
 tion of the blood. Hence proceeds a fwoon, mark- 
 ed by the colour of death j and occafionally re- 
 lieved by fuch a quick perfpiration, as cxtrafts a 
 moifture that may be called, under thofe circum- 
 ilances, the tears or exhalations of the w hole body. 
 
 All the mufcles are expofed to a ftill greater dif- 
 orderby a violent agitation of the nerves, when 
 it is caufed by a fit of paffion. — The vifage is in- 
 flamed — the eyes fparkle — the flefliy fibres flitink 
 at the mouth, nofe, forehead, eye-brows, and eye- 
 lids ; — the low^er jaw ftarts up, while the lips alter- 
 nately join and ftretch, difcovering the foaming 
 tongue and teeth. Nor is the internal ftorm lefs 
 boiflerous, from the increafe of vital fluid by the 
 nervous conduclors, which are fhot upwards by the 
 ftrongeftand moft tender firings of a feeling mind. 
 
 What ftrikes us as deferving the higheft admira- 
 tion, is, the over-ruling command of the counte- 
 nance which thofe nerves poffefs, from their twirl- 
 ed form, to fuch a degree of fwiftnefs and fidelity, 
 as to betray the fecrets of our hearts, and prove 
 dillimulation even in the greatefi; hypocrite. 
 
 4 
 
 Since 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 115 
 
 Since an uncommon flufli and fudden palenefs 
 are infallible figns of oppofite agitations. Nature has 
 wifely contrived to confine the tubes and veins of 
 the face within a confiderable number of chains, 
 for the purpofe of fixing inftantly upon the phyfiog- 
 nomy a ftamp of the pafiions in characters, making 
 a deeper impreffion with the hand of Time ^ fo 
 that the principle of life (the blood) having tinged 
 the furface, according to our varying affedtions and 
 habits, their marks are never effaced ; nor is it then 
 difficult for a judge of features to read at onee the 
 lines in old men, fo as to know their profeffions 
 and difpofitions. 
 
 The complexion is likewife affefted by lefs live- 
 ly fenfations, as when we bluffi from ffiame with- 
 out our will, in a manner that muft be accounted 
 for by confidering the fpot that difeovers the inter- 
 nal fecret agitation producing fuch a change. 
 
 The veins and arteries of the cheeks are connedl- 
 ed with others in a chain of circulation, fupported 
 by the upper and lower nerves, which aft and re- 
 aft upon the whole mafs of blood j returning quick- 
 ly through thofe channels, after having been kept 
 back with the preffure accompanying the fentiment 
 marked by bluffies j thus proceeding from every 
 nerve that agitates our fenfes, more or lefs, accord- 
 ing to circumftances and fituations. 
 
 Befides, in the mufcular fibres of the arteries, 
 there is a moving power — a centre, from which 
 
 1 fyring 
 
116 
 
 LaVATER’S 
 
 fpring out the {lender nervous ftrlngs varying In 
 proportion to the fenfations produced in the mind ; 
 but, although their firength i's not exerted on all oe- 
 calions, they act in concert with every nerve irritat- 
 ed, as in a general convulfion, arifmg from a dif- 
 order of the whole fyllern, when the circulating 
 fluid ceafes to flow in fome particular parts* 
 
 It is not, however, from ficknefs alone that pale- 
 nefs originates ; for it equally attends fuch fits of 
 paflion as convulfe the frame ; but moderate anger 
 makes a different impreflion, by animating the coun- 
 tenance like a flow of fpirits. 
 
 The chain of connection kept up by the nerves 
 is very differently difplayed in fear, terror, melan- 
 choly, and fuch other impreffions as are made by an 
 indifference or averfion to particular objeCts. The 
 fudden change of colour then continues, more or 
 lefs, according to the force of fuch fenfations. 
 
 An entire relaxation of the nerves has another 
 e.ffecf upon the tubes and conduffors which diftri- 
 bute the vital principle: — the niufcular fibres lofe 
 their elaftic power ; and as all the organs of fenfa- 
 tion abound in the arteries of the face more than in 
 any other part, their inactivity flops the red fluid 
 from rifing there, and thus occafions the pale colour 
 that indicates the want of animation, in every fenfe 
 of the word ; for the body correfponds exadtly with 
 the mind in reprefenting and (haring all their feel- 
 ings. 
 
 riiis 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 117 
 
 This correfpondence is maintained by various 
 imperceptible fprings of aflion, by which thofe in- 
 flruments of fenfation (the nerves) are moved in 
 perfeff harmony wherever they arc inoft fufceptible 
 of impreflions; particularly on tender parts ^ con- 
 fifting, like the lips, of a kind of gauze, or a thin veil, 
 for blufliing beauty. We need not, therefore, be at 
 a lofs to account for the inexpreffible raptures com- 
 municated through every vein by an Englifli* bufsf 
 from the fairobjetl of our love; for, like lightning, 
 it pierces the foul, and makes the heart leap with 
 exquifite joys of fenfibility ! 
 
 Let us now trace, with the eyes of anatomifts, the 
 wonderful effeft of thofe delicious impreffions made 
 by kilTes.— --The delicate texture of the lips is inter- 
 woven with a dill finer tifTue than any other in the 
 tender part formed by branches of the fifth pair of 
 nerves, conneffed with others placed in the deep- 
 eft receffes of the brain, and furface of the head,— 
 the whole being united with thofe mufcles of the 
 
 * It is neceflary to make a diftinftion between a French and an 
 Englifli kifs, in order to clear up the point of argument beyond difpute ; 
 for as, in France, a modeft lady would only permit her cheeks to be 
 touched by a lover, the fenfation would not be fo lively there as in 
 England, where no idea of indelicacy prevents any fair maid from 
 proving the juftice of afl'ertions applicable only to falutes of a ditferent 
 pature. 
 
 neck 
 
 + Un Baifer a L’Anglois. 
 
 1 3 
 
118 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 neck which are entwined with the inoft refined 
 feelings. The nerve that promotes fuch a pleafing 
 fenfe as thrills through every vein has the ftrongeft 
 elaflic fprings, adling in concert with the eighth 
 clafs, that penetrates the bofom, and affefts the 
 heart ; while others, at the ribs and lower parts, 
 move in perfect harmony with them in their reci- 
 procal impulfe and re-a£tion upon the human frame. 
 
 After having thus explained the feries of nervous 
 conductors, we may conceive how that electric 
 ftroke is felt and communicated in fuch a manner, 
 as no language can exprefs in terms fuited to our 
 ideas. 
 
 In another point of view, thofe feats of pleafure, 
 which cannot be fo well defcribed as we could wifli, 
 we mean the lips, equally difcover the forefight of 
 Nature in providing for our daily w'ants, by fixing 
 there the tafte that judges the quality of food and 
 beverage intended to prolong or comfort life. 
 
 From a chain of circumfiances, partly related, 
 might we not infer, whth a degree of reafon, that 
 all the impreffions on our bodies are at firft merely 
 local, or confined to a particular fpot, wTere, ac-. 
 cording as they are received by the organs of fenfe, 
 a nervous ruling power communicates them by fub- 
 ordinate ramifications iffuing from the centre, like 
 fo many different ftrcams which branch out from 
 the fame fpring, with a continued mutual intcr- 
 courfe to keep up an equal flood, except wTen 
 
 their 
 
LOOK ING-GL ASS. 
 
 1 19 
 
 their channels are injured by Itorms or inundations : 
 juft fo the human conftitution is agitated by paf- 
 lion, the affections of the foul, and diforders of the 
 body. 
 
 Let us, then, conclude, that, from the cradle to 
 the grave, the happinefs of our lives depends, in 
 great meafure, on a”^\vell-modelled nervous fyftem, 
 
 fuch as gives a c[uick relifli to all the endearments 
 
 of love and friendftiip. But furely vve do not pro- 
 fane thefe words by applying them to thofe pure, 
 difmterefted fentiments, which produce the generous 
 facrifice of every perfonal concern to the objedts of 
 our affedtion. 
 
 In whatever light we contemplate the form and 
 organization of man, he appears defigned to be 
 lord of the whole creation. What a glorious work 
 it was for the Supreme Defigncr to animate a mafs 
 of clay in fuch a wonderful way, as to ftamp upon 
 it thought, feeling, and moral chara6fer ! 
 
 What mortal hand will draw juft outlines. of the 
 inner fortifications furrounding his head and crown ! 
 
 Can a living crpature, a pillar of flefli and blood, 
 attain to fuch a degree of intclletfual powers as 
 alternately reft and ferment? His head is covered 
 by the Divinity with comely locks, appearing as if 
 they were the trees of a facred foreft fliading a 
 fanefuary. Thus we ought to be ftruck with reve- 
 rential awe on viewing an objeef that a glafs or a 
 warm imagination can eafily magnify into a moun- 
 
 I 4 taui, 
 
120 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 tain, flaflied with lightning fufficient to embellifli, 
 raivage, or deftroy a world ! 
 
 And in fuch a point of view, how expreffive 
 is that grove which crowns the brow of a hill 
 devoted to meditation ! 
 
 The neck, without exprelllng a man’s thoughts, 
 indicates what he is going to fay, with the freedom, 
 eafe, and dignity becoming his rank on earth ; for 
 it , is a Itrong pillar, that may be confidered as an 
 emblem of power and dominion. 
 
 Whenever this part has its defeffs, it is a fign of 
 weaknefs. 
 
 The human countenance is an image of the 
 D eity, containing the refleefion of his foul. 
 
 His forehead is a table of brafs, on which various 
 fentiments are engraven in indelible chara 61 ers ; 
 that is, the feat of joy and melancholy, wifdom and 
 ignorance, honour and fliame, honefty and deceit. 
 
 His brows are covered with an arch like a rain- 
 bow, — the fignal of peace when it is at reft; but 
 its diforder denotes agitations of the mind. This 
 leatLire has a peculiar grace when the circle is re- 
 gularly drawn. 
 
 The nofe is a land-mark, like a mountain that 
 feparates two vallies. 
 
 The eyes appear to be of glafs, confequently 
 windows for the foul ; tranfparent globes, fources 
 of light and life: their ftiape deferves particular at- 
 tention in forming an idea or likenefs of a perfon, 
 
 from 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 121 
 
 from the Hate and fituation of the fockets. Nor 
 ought we to take lefs notice of thofe parts which 
 conneft the eye-brows with the nofe, where the 
 ftamp of the human will, and the figns of aftive 
 life, are molt confpicuous. 
 
 The noble, deep, and hidden fenfe of hearing is 
 placed on the fides j and, as a man ought to hear 
 around for himfelf alone, his ear is plain, without 
 ornaments, or beautified only by its depth, polifh, 
 and delicacy. 
 
 Upon a part of the face there is a kind of cloud, 
 that marks ravenous appetite, and an exceffive love 
 of pleafure. The upper lip expreffes ftrongly fuch 
 leading foibles ; for a rakifli life weakens it, pride 
 and paflion bend it, cunning fharpens it, kindnefs 
 rounds it, love and enjoyments give it an inexpref- 
 fible charm. 
 
 A fine row of teeth is likewife a defirable per- 
 fe£tion. A pure mouth is, in every fenfe, a recom- 
 mendation of the whole perfon j and like a beau- 
 tiful porch-door that correfponds with a palace for 
 the voice, which we may call the orator of the 
 heart and foul, fince it communicates the language 
 of the moll; tender fentiments. 
 
 The under lip begins to form the chin, and the 
 jaw-bone compleats the ellipfis or oval form of the 
 vifage, as a key-flone of the vault in the noble ftruc- 
 ture delineated. This part, according to Grecian 
 models, ought to taper infenfibly. 
 
 But 
 
lavater’s 
 
 too 
 
 But as defcriptions of this kind feldom afford 
 novelty fufliciently agreeable to the bulk of plain 
 folks, however difpofed they may be to reflecf 
 Upon their journey through life, if we cannot drew 
 over with flowers the little way that the gentle 
 reader has to pafs with us, leb him fmile, at lead, 
 on our endeavours to keep up a flow of fpirits, by 
 defcrlbing in poetry that enlivening efFedf of elec- 
 tricity, — the ftrong fenfation which forms the chief 
 fubjeft of this FXfay. Nor need we rove in fancy 
 to France or Italy in feardi of as lively a fccne as 
 ever Titian drew. 
 
 0\ INNOCENT KISSES. 
 
 fn merry days of youth my heart v.ould yield 
 'I’o Beauty, when Diana took the field ; 
 
 Tn rural innocence to run a race, 
 
 Or fliare the toils and pleafures of the chace 
 With growing Nymphs, from whom I chofe the belt. 
 
 Like Venus, frniling in the flreara undrelt ; 
 
 For ^Iter hunting it was then the mode 
 For girls and boys to batlie befide the road. 
 
 There my delight was, playing on the flute. 
 
 Far from thofe Irenes where Bacchus grows a brute j 
 Proud a,s my loyal friend of Orange-grove, 
 
 1 thought no treafure equal to my love ; 
 r'earful ! gaz’d, in hlence, like a fool 
 Wi'.o law the Dee embracing Bala Pool ; 
 
 But, born a bard, whole foul enjoy’d the light,. 
 
 1 {poke for favour thus, with hopes, till night 
 Bathe on, my Pamela, the clock ftrikes live. 
 
 To quickeft fenfe of feeling be alive ; 
 
 Conceal 
 
LOOKING-GLASS, 
 
 12S 
 
 Conceal tliy beauties in the grateful flood. 
 Enough thofe ruby lips inflame my blood. 
 
 Blefl: with thy fmiles, admiring every grace, 
 
 A painter longs to draw thy blooming face ; 
 Thy freflr complexion, dimples, and the role 
 That gives eleftric kifles, while he glows 
 With zeal to paint, as Adam painted Eve, 
 When Parfon Poole fliall blefs and give us leave j 
 For, faid a Monarch of immortal name, 
 
 One Kifs is worth a thoufand years in fame ! 
 
 ESSAY 
 
i24 
 
 L 4vater’s 
 
 ESSAY XVI. 
 
 t^pon Phpfwgnompy and the Study of Features ; 
 with RiileSy Sic. 
 
 BEFORE we lay down the principles of this 
 fcience, it becomes us to draw a line of diftiiiQion 
 between differences in particular limbs and fea- 
 tures, and that general uniformity which is vifible 
 through the whole creation. 
 
 Nature not only draws, but executes, all her de- 
 figns upon an univerfal fcale, where every ray of 
 glory is pointed towards a common center. The 
 heart beats with the fame fpark of life that moves 
 the finger; the fame Divine Power modelled the 
 ikull and the nails. Art differs by only matching 
 pieces of works defigned by human genius. 
 
 But in the great and marvellous mould every 
 creature feems to have been calt at once ; all the parts 
 are compact ; the flock rifes into a flalk that pro- 
 duces branches bearing fruit and flowers, the whole 
 being united, down to the roots of the tree. 
 
 Yet, notwithftanding their clofe union, the pro- 
 duftion of one branch, A, cannot be faid to grow 
 upon another, B ; much lefs does it belong to a 
 ‘ different 
 
LOOKIKG-GL Ass. 
 
 125 
 
 ililferent Vegetable, for it contains only the quality 
 originally affigned. 
 
 Thus one man’s finger would not fuit another’s 
 hand, for every particle in his frame is exaOly 
 matched to the whole j nor does the blood at his 
 toes differ from the fluid that animates his bofom t 
 the nerves and bones are equally proportioned to 
 fit only an individual feparately confidered ; fo that^ 
 from a limb or joint, we may afcertain the juft 
 meafure of other principal parts. If his head be 
 oval, the whole takes the fame form ; if it be round 
 or fquare, the reft partakes of fuch a diftinguifliing, 
 but uniform, appearance in root and branch ; nor 
 can the fmalleft particles be taken away, or added, 
 wnthout deranging the regular fyftem. This fym- 
 metry is peculiar to every rational creature in his 
 ftru£ture, complexion, hair, veins, voice, gait, man- 
 ners, and paffions ; but with thefe peculiarities he 
 has full fcope for his mental powers and feelings, 
 without being able to overleap the bounds afligned 
 by Providence. 
 
 It muft, however, be granted, notwithftanding 
 the permanent general famenefs, that every coun- 
 tenance is conftantly fubje6t to fuch changes as are 
 merely perfonal in a particular charadfer^ but ftili 
 a man can only change himfelf, or a motion, in a 
 ftyle that is all his own ; for affebdation or imitation 
 may be diftinguifhed from^originality. 
 
 Lavuter 
 
126 
 
 LAVATER^S 
 
 Lavater lays, that he blufhes for the age he lives 
 in ; being under the neceflity of difcufling matters fo 
 felf-evident as to flalh convidfion w'hen they come 
 to be viewed with the clear light of Reafon, ah 
 though they have been llrangely argued by pre- 
 tended philofophers. 
 
 Nature forms all creatures perfedi, in a mould 
 where nothing feems to have been call: in feparate 
 pieces, to be gradually matched with each other, 
 as a mortal fculptor would do before he could imi- 
 tate, in any degree, the belt models. This truth is 
 then vifible all over the uniyerfe, from man down 
 to the lowed: plant ; nor fliould we compare with 
 either the mod beautiful Mofaic work, without 
 feeling how inededlual our efforts would be to copy 
 fuch an original. 
 
 As an introdudlion to the knowledge of features, 
 it is indifpenfable to dudy the order and harmony of 
 the vifage in all its component parts, fo far as to 
 comprehend and fee, at one view, all the didin- 
 guifliing natural lines which differ from the effect 
 of art, redraint, or didimulation ; nor mud a dudent 
 defpair of making a fuccefsful progrefs, whenever 
 he can difcern every kind of fuch original didinc- 
 tions as form a driking contrad with fuperficial ap- 
 pearances, acquired by thinking, habit, and educa- 
 tion j for, whatever polifli may be derived from thefe 
 circumdances, a man’s foul is to be feen through 
 the natural veil (the body), independent of fuch 
 
 gradual 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 127 
 
 Ctradual or cafual alterations as were not formed bv 
 the great Creative hand. 
 
 By continually comparing notes within ourfelves, 
 or reaping the fruit of daily experience in the circle 
 of our friends, and looking, with penetrating eyes, 
 at their lineaments, not only as impreffed with pall: 
 lives, but according as we have known them, with- 
 out difguife, from an early period, we may be able 
 to afcertain the diliinftion |j^twixt the natural ftamp 
 and their acquired air. It jsit'^en only that we fliall 
 be qualified to judge how much thofe outward figns 
 correfpond with the mofi: fecret inclinations, fince 
 every deviation from the paths of Virtue will leave 
 a track behind. A courfe of excelfes or iniquity 
 disfigures a man, and degrades him in his own 
 eftimation, as well as in the world’s eye, which he 
 conftantly avoids j for, being grow nugly, or fcarcely 
 known to his neighbours, he dares not look them 
 full in the face. 
 
 Such hudies as thefe fliould be accompanied with 
 varied obfervations and continual demenftrations in 
 all the walks of life, in feenes of bufinefs and plea- 
 fure, as well as in the haunts of indolence and dif- 
 fipation. 
 
 Thus piercing eyes would become familiarized 
 with what might be called merely contracled or 
 profelfional looks, while the judgment was exercif* 
 ed in forming a fiandard of opinions, upon examples 
 
 correfpond- 
 
128 LAVATER^S 
 
 correrponding with precepts and the fruits of ro* 
 flection. 
 
 In no profeffion could an error be fo fatal, as in 
 pronouncing rafhly upon a man’s charadter and 
 good name from his leading features, according as 
 they ftrike a ftranger, who had no better criterion 
 for his determination of this point. A falfe prin^ 
 ciple in our refearches might, therefore, be produc- 
 tive of bad confequences to fociety. 
 
 A few fafe rules may, however, be drawn from 
 long contemplation, confiftent with a train of 
 thoughts, partly fuggefted by Lavater. 
 
 On this occafion we addrcfs, particularly, the 
 rifing generation, under an idea that youth muft 
 feel it a delightful talk to trace the marks of ideas, 
 according as they flioot, with the different degrees 
 of fympathy and antipathy felt even by children at 
 an early age. Such feelings for and againft ftran- 
 gers, at firft light, muft not, however, be confound- 
 ed with impreffions of beauty or deformity, and 
 notions conceived from a previous acquaintance, 
 affection, or prejudice. 
 
 Nor are our willies for fuccefs at any game be- 
 tween two unknown players determined by con- 
 fiderations of rank, and fortune when we have no 
 intereft at ftake, efpecially if both their perfons ap- 
 pear equally amiable ; but their fouls are not fo to 
 the mind’s eye, and that inward monitor which 
 direfts our caprice and fellow-feelings. 
 
 Indeed. 
 
LOOK INC GI-ASS. 
 
 129 
 
 , ill, deed, the ftudy of human features is what we 
 all apply to, more or lefs, without forming a regular 
 fyftem from our obfervations, for the purpofe of ac- 
 complilhing the grand obje6f in view', w'hich is to 
 trace efte6fs to their caufes by the lines and move- 
 ments of the face, fo far as to know and diftinguith 
 the different qualities of the heart and mind, to- 
 gether with their true refpe61ive figns, as applicable 
 to all cafes and fituations : in Ihort, it is learning to 
 read the moft effential pages in the great book and 
 language of Nature. 
 
 In this career a pupil fliould a£f like a prudent 
 architeft, who draws the plan of an edifice, and 
 makes an eftimate of the expences, before he begins 
 to execute it, without knowing whether the means 
 correfpond w'ith ' his defign. In like manner 
 1 .avater's difciples, and our’s, ought to feel their 
 owm zeal, faith, and faculties, equal to the obje6fs 
 which we wifli them to attain from the following 
 leffons on this important fubjefl. 
 
 1ft. In the firft place we muft examine carefully 
 every fubftance inherent in the human fpecies, and 
 what diftinguifties our fiefli and blood from brutes 
 and the vegetable creation, in order to feel an ade- 
 quate idea of our own importance in the fcale of 
 beings. 
 
 2dly. We muft afterwards take not only each limb 
 and feature, but their harmony conne6ted with the 
 whole, as objedfs to be feparately ftudiedj nor 
 
 K Ihould 
 
130 
 
 L AVATEr’s 
 
 fliould our knowledge of proportions be acquired 
 only from books, but practice ; in meafuring theni 
 under the eyes of able mafters, who will point 
 out the caule of fo many imperfefl: defigns, and coii- 
 fequently falfe eftimates of Nature’s works, founded 
 on an old-flanding negleff of difcriminating be- 
 tween ftraight and crooked lines. 
 
 When all parts of the vifage and body are har- 
 monized with perpendicular lines, not only beauty, 
 but even found fenfe, a dignified charafler, and 
 other qualities, are generally found to correfpond 
 with this fymmetry, or any other that may be ob- 
 ferved in an oppolite direction. 
 
 3dly. The particular figns and charadters ftamped 
 upon the face are to be no lefs attentively confi- 
 de red. 
 
 In drawing faces, a Painter and Phyfiognomift 
 fliould begin with fuch as have ftriking traits, pe- 
 culiar to judges or philofophers, as well as to idiots 
 and men of feeling, or others of a quite different 
 defcription. 
 
 Such a charatter muft be thoroughly ftudied in 
 all points of view, juft as if we were to draw his 
 picture from the life, to be conftantly compared 
 with the living original. Not only the fiaturc, but 
 every part of fuch a perfon, mull be well examined, 
 juft as if the meafure of the whole proportions were 
 to be taken by perpendicular and horizontal lines, 
 ^ . 4 fo 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 131 
 
 fo far as to determine the relative fymmetry of his 
 leading features ; — the forehead, nofe, mouth, chin, 
 and particularly the form, colour, fize, depth, and 
 turn of his eyes. 
 
 In examining a vifage in a forward viev^, the firft 
 confideration is, whether it be round, oval, fquare, 
 triangular, or refembling, more or lefs, one of the 
 following forms of inolf, if not all, human faces, 
 viz. — ‘ 
 
 In the next place, we mull compare a profile of 
 the fame face with half of cither of thefe models, 
 before afcertaining the perpendicular length of the 
 three ordinary feftions, — the forehead, nofe, and 
 chin, upwards and downwards, with their refpec- 
 tive bearings, or fymmetrical proportions. 
 
 This operation is eafily performed by an ideal 
 line drawm from the deepeft point or root of the 
 nofe down to the tip of the upper lip ; by which 
 means their proportions are difcovered in three 
 ways, — for their perpendicular form up and down, 
 their fuperficial, and inward diredlion, above and 
 below. 
 
 K 2 
 
 This 
 
132 
 
 Lavater’s 
 
 This appears to be the only method of fixing a 
 fundamental principle for acquiring the t’neory and 
 improving the pra6lice of phyfiology, according to 
 the rules adopted by the beft painters in their pro- 
 feffion. After a juft imprelhon of thefe traits, the 
 forehead, the eye-brows, the nofe, and intervening 
 fpace,, ought to attraff equally the ftudent’s atten- 
 tion ; particularly that ftriking angle which is form- 
 ed by the tip of the nofe and upper lip, either 
 ffraight, fat, or pointed, with fuch a difference in 
 the length on the fides as will not efcape his 
 notice. 
 
 Seen fidewa) s, the mouth ftrikes us only in three 
 principal forms ; either the upper lip paffes over the 
 under one, or the latter pouts up, or both when 
 clofed are equal on a parallel line. 
 
 A right defeription of the chin admits of the 
 fame diffindfions ; it is either perpendicular, a peak, 
 or floping inwards : the bottom will form an hori- 
 zontal line more or lefs ffraight. The bent in the 
 jaw-bone deferves the clofeft obfervation, as it in- 
 dicates different qualities of the mind. 
 
 On this OGcafion the great Profeffor lun-afer 
 fays, that ofteology, or the fyffem of the bones, 
 were it properly ffudied, would produce fuch dif- 
 coveries as he points out, by afferting that an able 
 blind-folded Phyfiognomift might find out, in great 
 mealure, a charaflcr that had bid defiance to all 
 
 vefcarches. 
 
LOOK ING-GL ASS. 
 
 133 
 
 refearches, merely by handling properly his jaw- 
 bone. 
 
 Certain it is, however, that this fingle part, well 
 fludied in profile, has ferved as a clue for unfolding 
 extraordinar;y faculties in fome individuals, whofe 
 other features were not fufficiently expreffive, nor 
 proportioned to their mental power. Painters and 
 defigners cannot, therefore, take too much pains 
 in reprefenting this fingular feature in the moil: 
 prominent light of which it is fufceptible. Thus 
 they will do credit to the ufeful arts that they pro- 
 fefs, in copying Nature, and reviving the obje61s of 
 our love, refpedf, and veneration. 
 
 In regard to the eye, we roufi; firft meafure its 
 difiance from the radical part of the nofe, and then 
 examine its fize and colour, together with the out- 
 lines and compafs of the eye-lids. Ihus a coun- 
 tenance becomes an objedl: of fiudy, juft as if every 
 line in it were but a part of a poem to be learned by 
 heart. 
 
 In like manner, a poet would caft a glance over 
 a favourite compofition, run over the chief divifions, 
 and imprefs on his memory the arrangement of the 
 whole, fo as foon to be able to repeat every verfe, 
 by confuliing occafionally tlie book that he ad- 
 mired. 
 
 When this fundamental Phyfiognomical know- 
 ledge is acquired, by fiudying the face of an ec- 
 centric genius, a ftrong refemblance of it lliould be 
 
 K 3 looked 
 
134 , 
 
 L AVATER’s 
 
 looked for in all the pupil’s walks, until he found 
 one that correfponded exaftly with the living ob- 
 jecf of his hudies. 
 
 This likenefs will be feen beft in the foreheads ; 
 for if they are alike there, the other parts will 
 doubtlefs prove their uniform affinity. 
 
 The great fccret of a Phyfiognomili: is, to abftraT 
 and view feparately thofe leading features of which 
 he fhould watch every motion and diredfion, as if 
 each were placed by itfelf, unconnefted with 
 others. 
 
 Upon finding out a perfeT walking copy of the 
 original ftudied, the fame courfe of obfervations 
 upon it ought to be followed, even by lifting into 
 the perfonal chara6ler of that man, compared with 
 the other, efpecially with regard to the molt ftrik- 
 ing figns, and thofe flight fliades of difference be- 
 tw'een them both in every fenfe. 
 
 If upon this cornparifon they refembled each 
 other in all refpe6fs perfeffly, their exterior appear- 
 ance would prove the conformity of minds and in- 
 telle6fs ; nor ouglit this opinion to be controverted, 
 until two men fo defcribed were brought together, 
 each poffeffing a different turn of mind from the 
 other, notwithftanding their fame remarkable faces. 
 
 In order to prove or contradiff that affertion, we 
 fliould watch the unguarded moment when they 
 difplay their real difpofitions and chara6fers with- 
 out difguife : if then the line of diftinffion caufed 
 
 by 
 
L00KIJS"G-GL ASS. 
 
 135 
 
 by the moving mufcles covrefponded in both thefe 
 pei-fons, the conformity of their charaaers would 
 be manifert beyond difpute. 
 
 Thus, were fuch an uncommon feature difcovercd 
 in any fmgular man, as to be noticed again only ip. 
 the countenance of an illuftrious charaaer, this dif- 
 tinguirthng mark might be^fafely pronounced as the * 
 furelt criterion by which we could judge and lind 
 out any fliade of difference. 
 
 This idea may be bed cleared up by mentioning 
 a cafe in point. 
 
 Befide many traits which the great Haller had 
 in common with other enlightened beings, he was 
 diftinguiOied by what might be called a ray of 
 literary glory, or a circle under his lower eye-lid, 
 and fuch as had never been noticed in any other 
 mortal. 
 
 Confcquently that trait has not yet been under- 
 ftood ; but were it difeovered in any other indivi- 
 dual, there would be full fcope for enquiring whe- 
 ther his genius was like Haller s in any refpeff. 
 At all events, were two faces found with a fimilar 
 honourable ftamp, we might take pride in having 
 difeovered a new letter of the Fhyliographicaf al- 
 phabet. 
 
 It IS, « n e ver th.elefs, w’ltlnn the limits of probabi- 
 lity, that fo celebrated a vvriter may have poffeffed 
 particular foibles, exprefled by that particular markj 
 nor is it impofliblc that the weakeft man may be 
 
 K 4 marked 
 
L AVATEll S 
 
 I? 6 
 
 marked like him, without that fuperior underftand- 
 ing, of which vve fuppofc that Swifs author bore 
 the fignificant impreilion. 
 
 In the mean time, it is prudent to fufpend our 
 judgment upon thefe fpeculative notions. 
 
 In the choice of objeffs for ftudying this fcience 
 of reading faces, we cannot take too much notice 
 of original and eccentric characfers, extremes of 
 vice and virtue, kindnefs and brutality, flavifh ig- 
 norance oppofed to the heavenly gift of poetry, 
 generofity and feliiflmefs, for the purpofe of furnifli- 
 ing contrafrs, as conftant fubjetls of contemplation ; 
 nor ought we to lofe fight of thofc fituations where 
 man is reduced to the moft abjeff (late of mifery. 
 
 With \his view we might vifit the receptacles of 
 lunatics; trace the caufes of their infanity, and ob- 
 lerve every fliade that diftinguiflies love, melan- 
 choly, rage, or difappointment, according as it 
 breaks out, unreilrained by reafon and habits of 
 Ibcial life. 
 
 In fcenes like thefe the nervous fyftem is difplay- 
 ed without art ox diflimulation ; all the tender flrino-s 
 ot feeling are differently affecfed, and accompanied 
 with pccul-iarly natural impreffions. 
 
 ISor ought a Phyfiognomifi to be lefs anxious to 
 mingle with the mofi: enlightened, down to the 
 leatt polifiied iocieties, in order to compare accu- 
 rately the loweft degree of fenfe bordering upon 
 infiincl, with that fuperior underfianding, which 
 
 would 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 137 
 
 would be feeii brilliant, juft as light is valued when 
 we come out of darknefs. 
 
 But fliould it appear too difficult a talk to purfue 
 a plan of ftudies on a large fcale, comprehending 
 all parts of the vifage, there are two important 
 lines to be followed, invariably, by thofe who wifh 
 to unfold every place in animated fluff, marked 
 with a flit in the mouth, and a line drawn by the 
 upper lid upon the eye-ball j for thefe lineaments 
 prefent an abflradl or abridgement of a man’s face, 
 with a key that the aflive fpirit of curiofity might 
 employ in fifting into the myfleries of our exiftence, 
 and decyphering fuch a fecret correfpondence of 
 the foul as exhibits a participation of the Divine 
 effence. 
 
 The beft painters have often negleffed thofe traits 
 which defy an inexperienced eye, by their foft, de- 
 licate, and moveable fubllance ; but they are befl 
 diflinguifhed in profile. If, however, imitative art 
 cannot feize them, let the Fhyfiognomifl read over 
 carefully the fine and eafier paffage from the fore- 
 head down to the mouth, before he tranfcribes it 
 on his mind or paper. Thofe double features, taken 
 alternately from either fide of the face, will furnifli 
 a long exercife for a pupil, who mufl feci, as he 
 draws, their perfedl equality. 
 
 His progrefs would not be flopped, were he, for 
 fome time, to amufe himfelf with drawing or flu- 
 dying nothing elfe but the compafs of the upper 
 
 eye- 
 
138 
 
 LAV A TER 's 
 
 eye-lid, and the orifice of the mouth, together witii 
 the order and arrangement of every line. 
 
 The other lineaments might be juftly reprefented 
 by fliadows, or JUhoueitcs, fo far as to be feparately 
 drawn, hudied, and examined with mathematical 
 precilion. 
 
 Although thefe leading features are the moft ef- 
 fential, others deferve particular notice ; for no part 
 ought to be flighted, as connected with the whole, 
 impreffed with a man’s charatfer, and proving the 
 mod perfect fymmetry m" the workmapflrip of the 
 Supreme defigner, whofe glorious works were caft 
 in one mould, unlike unfinifhed maker-pieces of 
 art. Thus every kind of eyes is found to be match- 
 ed with correfponding ears, front, and hair, accord- 
 ing to the wifell order of things. 
 
 Frequently a neglected part of a book ferves to 
 olear up obfcure paifages j fo the flighted lino may 
 ferve to unravel a whole fet of features and com- 
 plexion. Jud as an overture conveys to a culdvat- 
 ed ear the ground-work of an opera, fo w'e mult 
 confider every part of the body as an important 
 link of the chain that unites the perfect human 
 figure ; the whole being judly compared to a con- 
 cert of mufic, where not the lead note mud be 
 omitted to preferve the harmony defigned. 
 
 In the purfuit of thefe dudies the pupil fliould 
 be humoured in following his inclinations for the 
 favourite object of his refearches jud as. it drikes 
 
 him j 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 139 
 
 him ; becaufe a paffion for any branch of knowledge 
 produces the greateft proficiency conducive to ge- 
 neral improvements in liberal arts and profellions. 
 
 The art of drawing profiles, or fhadows, cannot 
 be too ftrongiy recommended to a young Phyfiog- 
 nomift, as one of the beft methods of acquiring a 
 juft idea of chara6feriil;ical outlines to be drawn 
 exaftly fbr his models. 
 
 As this exadtitude depeiMs on the manner of 
 forming thefe fketches .from the reflexion of a face, 
 always weak upon pa^r, a folar microfcope is 
 ufed to remedy the defedf, while the head to be 
 drawn is placed, free and eafy, as clofe to the wail 
 as pofiibJe. 
 
 For this purpofe, a board, hollow below, isr 
 placed upon the flioulder, four feet five to feven 
 inches above the ground, and covered with foft 
 paper faftened and feale*d v\dth wax over the 
 holes in the wood. 
 
 Another more cony^iient method for drawing 
 fliades is, by means ora*tnirrour, hollowed below/ 
 and covered wdth oil-cloth. The fliade is thus 
 quickly drawn, and when it is taken from the 
 frame the lines are retouched wherever the refledf- 
 ed outlines are too weakly imprelfed. Then it may 
 be diminifhed to a miniature, by avoiding to blunt 
 the edges, or diforder the angles, of this pidture. 
 
 One of thefe diminutive copies is blackened, and 
 the fecond is preferved blank, for keeping the mea- 
 
 fure 
 
L AVATER 'S 
 
 iiO 
 
 lure of the inward cafe. Afterwards the lar2:e 
 
 O 
 
 jUhouelle is hung up, perpeadicularly, to ferve as 
 a model for the fmaller profile. 
 
 It is by the frequent practice of defigning, ac- 
 companied with remarks and comparifons drawn 
 from the Lavaterian fchool, that a gradual improve- 
 ment may be made by any youth qualified and dif- 
 pofed to excel, while^at ev.ery flep he feels convinc- 
 ed how much the flightdt deviation turns a portrait 
 into a caricature. 
 
 When a collection of fuch profiles is procured of 
 well-drawn charadfers, they fliould be claffed under 
 proper heads; but the line of diliincHon between 
 them muft not be formed by refped for intellectual 
 powers, or moral qualities, but wholly from a view 
 of Phyfiognomical anr.logy ; for, whatever traits may 
 characterize men for their talents and virtues, there 
 is fuch an infinite variety of excellence and imper- 
 fections under general denominations, that we are 
 warranted in prefuming a arpportioned unlikenefs 
 of their outward fignifieant imns of merit, Confe- 
 quently it would be the greateft abfurdity to clafs 
 together two heads of men of genius, merely be- 
 caufe they were of that defeription, without any 
 other refemblance,'' as a ground of expectation for 
 finding them alike ; for, probably, they would not 
 refemble in the leaft, or form a perfect contralt to, 
 each other. 
 
 But 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 HI 
 
 But in the arrangement of profiles propofed, the 
 forehead ought to form that diltinguifhing feature, 
 according to which their various clatfes might be 
 juftly fixed. Then were two foreheads to prefent 
 a ftriking likenefs, there would be a foundation to 
 fuppofe a degree of conformity in the fouls which 
 animated any two bodies with fuch peculiarities as 
 might appear from the correfponding curve and 
 angle, which could be meafured exadtly, upon the 
 large fiiado'w, from the top of the head down to 
 that invifible line which pafles acrofs the crown to 
 the root of the nofe and eye-brows. 
 
 I he refuk of fuch obfervations will be a convic- 
 tion that fimilar outlines of the head are attended 
 with an equal conformity of faculties, and a like 
 way of feeing, thinking, and feeling. It will like- 
 wife be found, that, as every part of the globe has 
 its difiinfi latitude and climate, fo all faces and 
 foreheads are fliaped in a manner calculated fo^" 
 their height and degree, of mental capacity. 
 
 Such remarks as thefe admit of improvements, 
 from a particular alphabet to be compofed for the 
 regifter and claffing of foreheads ; fo that any one 
 might be difiinguilhed, at firft fight, by a letter ex- 
 prelfing its clafs, together with its generical and 
 particular name. 
 
 Our great mafter (Lavatcr) has promifed us a 
 Treatife on this fubjeff, that fliall comprize every 
 different form of foreheads. In the mean time, he 
 
 advifes 
 
142 lavater^s 
 
 advifes every ftudent to compofe a fcale of them for 
 his own ufe, perfedtly regular, and founded on im 
 variable mathematical rules. 
 
 It is alfo a matter of importance to know what 
 charadters are moft truly reprefented by fliades, 
 and appear in their true light. We fliall find that 
 lively people are drawn fo in a more faithful man- 
 ner than thofe who are mere paffive and feeling 
 beings. 
 
 Moreover, in learning to read faces, it fhould be 
 the Undent’s delight to draw profiles in all ways 
 from Nature, trufling to his memory, fometimes, 
 fo far as to add an eye, a mouth, or another fea- 
 ture, wanted to turn them into full faces ; as he 
 might do, for paftime or infirudtion, while he fifted 
 into the meaning of thofe pofitive figns which he 
 ftrove to copy, in various points of view, as a fund 
 for his experiments. 
 
 He would, likewife, derive equal pleafure and 
 advantage from a repetition of his efiays to analyfe 
 the inofl; impenetrable or unintelligible vifage, by fe- 
 parating every feature from the complicated mafs. 
 
 The bafe of that frontifpiece of furprifing archi- 
 tedture contains the fum-total of the outlines cen- 
 tering in the Ikull, and all the ramifications darting 
 from the crown of the head. Upon this principle, 
 experience proves what reafon fiiews, — that this 
 fundamental line in a hearty man exprefies the 
 degree of his capacity and perfedlion. 
 
 From 
 
looking-glass. 
 
 US 
 
 From this contour an able Phyfiognomift might 
 aifo judge of the general charadlers of a crowd, 
 and, therefore, it cannot be too frequently drawn, 
 meafured, and obferved in every polfibje light ; for 
 it efcapes the fiiil glance ; but habit will render it 
 more perceptible in proper fubjefts. For inftance ; 
 in a Roman Catholic church, when priefts ftoop 
 with their bald crowms, interefting remarks might 
 be made on their bare upper circle ; for fo much 
 does this part differ in a multitude, that a profeffor 
 of Phyfiognomy, like Lavatcr^ would diftinguifli by 
 it the various defcriptions of people affembled at 
 his door. 
 
 Indeed, it is not eafy -to obferve young men well, 
 whilfe they are awake and feelingly alive in the 
 buflle of bufinefs. 
 
 For that reafon, they ought to be watched in thofe 
 unguarded hours of deep, when they, particularly 
 children, betray by their attitudes the harmony of 
 the body, face, fkin, and limbs. 
 
 Even the manfions of the dead might be vifited, 
 becaufe their faces acquire, in eternal reft, fuch an 
 expreffive compofure as is not perceptible in any 
 other filuation, nor till they have ceafed to breathe. 
 
 A man is more or lefs ftrained or diftorted with 
 the agitations of this world ; but in his coffin, if 
 unchanged by violent convulfions, he becomes a 
 fit fubjeff for ftudents of Phyfiognomy, who exercife 
 no imaginary cruelty. 
 
 They 
 
144 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 They fhould alfo retrace their defigns in making 
 comparative remarks upon ancient katues, or at 
 leak on moulded kgures, which might be copied 
 in different ways, and compared with their own 
 fketches drawn from life. 
 
 After having thus improved in the art of faking 
 offXhQ folid parts and kriking differences between 
 models and copies, their next amufement might be 
 to fet up the buk of Locke, or New^ton, to exhibit 
 a contrak to another of an idiot, while they mea- 
 fured, copied, and conkdered both attentively ; and 
 if then, from their feelings, they knew themfelves 
 to be judges of faces, their faith in this fcience 
 would be a fure omen of greater advancement. 
 
 But they would make a kill quicker progrefs, 
 fliould the idea in contemplation be realized of 
 making a frontometre (an inkrument for meafur- 
 ing the front, or forehead), in order to dikinguiflr, 
 at one view, thofe collateral features w'hich are the 
 true kgns of lively, bafe, dull, and elevated mirids. 
 
 Nor would it be a matter of unpleafant confe- 
 quence to perform exercifes, or read leffures, upon 
 the fkulls of deceafed eminent perfonages, drawn 
 in fliadows or profiles, and placed in a row, 
 where their triangular form wmuld exhibit a llriking 
 obje£t of meditation j but, as either refpe6f for the 
 aflies of our ancekors, or falfe delicacy, forbids re- 
 fearches beyond the grave, we advife our difciples 
 to be very referved in their conduct and difcourfe, 
 
 until 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 145 
 
 until they fliall have found their judgement, in 
 matters of this nature, confirmed by evidence and 
 a train of concurring circumftances. Thus di- 
 vefting themfelves of vanity, beginners ought only 
 to try their fleiil at a proper time and place, with 
 equal diffidence and moderation, if they wuffi to 
 render Phyfiology one of the moft ufeful, pleafant, 
 and honourable fcienccs. 
 
 Another important refource is to be found in 
 thofe ancient and modern medals which exhibit a 
 curious variety of countenances, and difplay the 
 caprice of Nature, with an uniformity, however, of 
 virtues or imperfeflions. 
 
 A good Phyfiognomifl; ought to be a thinking 
 man, independent in fpirit, rich in ideas, and able 
 to exprefs them in the principal languages of 
 Europe ; nay, he fliould even be qualified to com- 
 pofe a new diftionary of words and technical terms 
 fuited to his profeffion. Thus he might keep a 
 regifter of extraordinary vifages, duly claffed and 
 fpecified, according to the moft approved fyftems j 
 nor ought he to be at a lofs to difti*nguiffi, at once, 
 the different degrees of paffions, affeftions ; reli- 
 gious, national, and profelhonal looks. 
 
 But, before attempting to give names to fenfa- 
 tions, fymptoms, and appearances, he ought to be 
 capable of reprefenting them juftly with his pen 
 and his pencil. 
 
 u 
 
 A know- 
 
146 
 
 ^ lavater’s 
 
 A knowledge of more than one foreign language 
 is of tne iitmoft importance tor opening a commu- 
 nication with thofe abfent or departed fpirits, whofe 
 congenial tlioughts pave the way to trace a fyftem 
 equally calculated for information and entertain- 
 ment, It is true, that many plain folks either do 
 not believe, or affea to ridicule, the fabric of opi- 
 nions defigned for thofe falutary ends; but, as they 
 pafs along^the crowded walks of both fexes,'let us 
 appeal to their feelings,. in order to know whether 
 they are not alternately imprelTed with love, re- 
 verence, admiration, envy, flight, and indifference. 
 
 Iffo, it is evident that they fee, read, and try to. 
 decypher the type of Phyfiography on every reflect- 
 ing mirror that they m.ect. Will it, then, be denied 
 that luch learning is moft excellent r 
 
 He is a falfe critic who praifes or condemns a book • 
 of which he has feen no more than the print, or 
 binding. A painter, however, draws the foldier, 
 juflly, with all his accoutrements and military airs! 
 
 But the Phyfiographer muft defpair of drawing 
 faithful piCturesCvhile he is biafled by partiality 
 ^rifing from the confideration of birth, wealth, and 
 power, or prejudiced by a fudden reverfe of fortune, 
 borne with humility, fortitude, and refignation. 
 
 A liff, 
 
 * As examples are better than precepts, we may eafily fuppofe a 
 cafe in* point We hear of two men fiifFering the fame fate in ^ dif' 
 
 ferent 
 
i;-00 KING-GLASS. 
 
 147 
 
 A lift, already procured, of four hundred differ- 
 ing human heads might be gradually increafed by 
 
 fnch 
 
 ferent manner. A venerable elder of the land, after having lived 
 
 in affluence, is brought down, by an adl of arbitrary government, 
 with his gray hairs in forrow to the grave ! We may obferve hiei 
 wearing apace 
 
 Half bent wirh worldly cares he moves along ; 
 
 His brows are overcaft, his vifige low’rs. 
 
 While heavily in tears his eyes look down 
 To fhun the flightful pity of a friend, 
 
 Who us’d to fliare his hofpitable houfe, 
 
 But feels no reverence for age opprefs’d 
 By war, the fcourge of nations, and his bane * 
 
 Nay, all Lavater fees at once denotes 
 
 A fpeedy diffolution with the caufe, 
 
 The plague incurable- A broken heart! 
 
 But under flmilar circumftances the companion of his youth is feen 
 to weather the fame florin with a fetene coi^ntjenance, looking up to 
 Heaven, enjoying life as it pafles, with ffllrits becoming a rational 
 creature. 
 
 Whence, then, arifes fuch a difference in^ellng and difcovering 
 their fecret emotions, If we imagine them both well born and bred in 
 \Vales, endowed with equal qualities of the licad and heart, and 
 vliflims to pride, deceit, or ingratitude? A comparifon of their 
 figures will folve this qucflion. We fliall find them pofl'dfing a de- 
 gree of conflitutlonal flrength, a frame of body, a nervous fyflem, 
 with a fet of features and complexion correfponding with the greater 
 and lefler vigour of mind difplayed on thofe occafions, under the vicif- 
 fitudes of fortune ; or the primitive, permanent, and Phyfiographical 
 ftamp on each of them will be found to tally with the rtfpedlive de- 
 
 L 2 grees 
 
148 
 
 L AV ATER’s 
 
 fuch comparlfons as we recommend to be made, in 
 various ranks and fituations of life, in order to at- 
 tain what we may juftly call a quick fixth fenfe of 
 comprehending with half an eye the fecret fign 
 peculiar to each llation, trade, country, talfe, reli- 
 gion, wit, raillery, comedy and tragedy, in every 
 real feene that we witnefs on this ftage of life. 
 
 In ftudying a vifage, painted or engraven, when 
 its proper title is found, the contour of the head 
 fhould be copied exactly, at lead on a rapid (ketch ; 
 but if a ftriking obje 61 : could not be penetrated by 
 a fuperficial look, a negative quality would furnifli 
 an index, by comparing it with other clafTes, until 
 either a refemblance or its peculiar originality was 
 afeertained. 
 
 The more difficulty there was in difeovering any 
 clafs to which fuch a new face belonged or rc- 
 fembled, fo much the greater right would the 
 (Indent have to call it an original that promifed 
 • him frefli difeoveries. Nature has formed mankind 
 in the fame perfeef mould, without deviating from 
 her juft proportions any more than a ftraight line, 
 
 grees exhibited of fenfibility. The refpeftablc and cenforioiis part 
 of the community ought, therefore, to be on their guard in judging 
 their neighbours by mere appearances, tvithout attributing to infen - 
 fibillty or improper affurance the bold looks of a man, who, under a 
 cloud, dares to read the faces of his fuperiors in riches, — his equals 
 only in honeft pride and integrity. 
 
 notwith- 
 
LOOKING-GL ASS. 
 
 149 
 
 inotwithfLanding an infinite variety of forms and 
 complexions. Thus every individual v.diofe figure 
 differed, upon the whole, from that general ftand- 
 ard, would be a monfter, unlefs fuch a difference 
 proceeded from accident. On the other hand, ac- 
 cording as a human figure is found proportioned to 
 Nature’s rule, fo muft we call it perfea in the fame 
 degree. 
 
 A deformed outfide may cover the flrongcfl fa- 
 culties, — juft as Genius and Virtue are often con- 
 cealed in a mean cottage ; yet, fince there are 
 houfes unfit to receive human creatures, we like- 
 wife find fuch forms as are not calculated for the 
 reception of fhining talents and noble fentiments. 
 
 Confequently we ought ftudioufly to enquire into 
 - what kind of temporary dwelling is bed adapted to 
 fuperior beings on earth, while we view with pity 
 the inferior rank of other difproportioned frames, 
 which ftill admit the greateff powers of the mind 
 and goodnefs of heart, to be difplayed with fo much 
 the greater energy from the confined accommodation 
 given to thefe qualities. 
 
 When a leading feature of the face is cxpreffive, 
 the companion 40 it will be found equally figni- 
 ficant ; for both are formed agreeable to the fame 
 wife fyftem. 
 
 There is nothing without a caufe, or all things 
 muff be attributed to general caufes. 
 
 L 3 
 
 Whoever 
 
150 
 
 tAVATER’s 
 
 Whoever doubts this principle need give himfelf 
 no turther pains to learn Phytiology. 
 
 rile handtoinefl: face is liable to be injured, and 
 the uglieft w'ill admit of embellifliments ; while 
 neither lofcs by thefe changes that primitive ftamp 
 by which it was lirll diflinguiflied. 
 
 Wdnle a promifing youth fiudies thofe variations, 
 for the better or worth, let him connefl; the idea of 
 a good adtion with an ugly countenance, and con- 
 ceive beauty fpoiled by vice. 
 
 The motl expreffive traits indicate ftrong facul- 
 ties i but the want of fuch outward figns afford no 
 proofs of weaknefs. 
 
 , Whenever a very difproportioned vifage comes 
 in OLii way, we fliould perufe every line in it care- 
 fully, cfpccially if we could match it with another 
 of an oppofite defcription, fo as to furnifh at once 
 the two extremes of perfcflion and deformity, 
 .which would be a pleafing fight to a curious 
 Phyfiognomifi:, who might then truft to the firfl 
 impreflions that they made on his mind, rather than 
 to his own obfervations on fo ill-matched a couple ‘ 
 yet, whatever he felt on feeing them together, and 
 reading over the leffon that fuch confrafted traits 
 prefented, it would be incumbent on him to trace 
 his emotions to their pure fource at the fame time ; 
 that, by drawing every feature, form, and mien, he 
 might appeal to feveral judges, from his owm felf- 
 evidence or confcious knowledge of Nature’s lan- 
 guage. 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 151 
 
 guage, expreffed in too plain terms to be mifun- 
 derllood or called otherwife than infpiration. 
 
 In this ftudy there is no remark too triBing to be 
 made upon the difference of ftature, and other dif- 
 ■ timSlions of the human race, peculiar to various 
 countries and claffes. Nor muft the voice pafs un- 
 noticed ; for, as the Italians mention it in their de- 
 fcription of a perfon in paffports, fo ought we to 
 diflinguifli a fweet or harfli founds in order to dif* 
 cover what particular voices are fuited to particular 
 beads, difpofitions, and characfers. 
 
 Every Phyfiognomy has its own peculiar expref- 
 fion, in addition to general charadferiftic figns : — 
 for inftance j all thinkers have not fuch fedate 
 countenances as clearly announce ferious refledfion, 
 except by knitting their brows ; nor even is be- 
 nevolence expreffed by fome people otherwife than 
 by a fmile, or a grin, while they mark difpleafure 
 only by triangular lines in the cheeks, &c. 
 
 But, in attending to appearances of fatisfa6Hon 
 or difcontent, we fhould diftinguifh between natural 
 and forced, or accidental diffortions. 
 
 Accidents have been reprefented as forming an 
 infurmountable bar to the fludy of Phyfiography ; 
 but furely a child knows natural marks from others, 
 — as in the fmall-pox, a diforder that fpoils fome 
 fair faces, without injuring the form. 
 
 Indeed, in fome cafes, a fall has been attended 
 with mental derangement, but no flriking deformity ; 
 
 L 4 yet 
 
153 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 yet the confequent ftate of mind was vifible in the 
 countenance^ and fome change in the body. 
 
 On many occafions a man may be known by one 
 expreffive chara£lerif}ic fign at leafl j his leading 
 teatLires are fuPnciently plain to denote his ruling 
 palhon ; for often the forehead, nofe, lips, and eyes 
 alone, or Avell-aflbrted with other traits, exprefs 
 either folidity or inconflancy, vivacity or coldnefs, 
 ' fagacity or ftupidity, love or hatred. 
 
 But, as we have before obferved, every trial of 
 ikill in penetrating a man’s charadler ought to be 
 attended with continual examinations of the mofl 
 diminutive parts of his Phyfiognomy, which muft 
 be feparately compared with the whole and corref- 
 ponding appendages, or the moft minute exprelTions 
 of mother Nature. 
 
 In learning early to diftinguifli candour from du- 
 plicity, a good pupil will be foon enabled to 
 fee through thofe faces which, like wax, admit 
 every frefli impreffion ; and fince they are fo foft 
 and pliable, it mull; be lefs difficult for him to fore- 
 tel the changes incident to them according to cir- 
 cumftances. In the mean time, he will fav to him- 
 felf,— That face was formed to wear perpetual 
 fmiles ; and another does not fit fuch a man, as, 
 from his infancy, has lucked the milk of human 
 kindnefs. 
 
 To this it might be faid, — The moll: quiet man 
 ).iving is fometimes fubjefl to fits of paffion, like 
 
 another 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 15S 
 
 feUGtlier who is continually violent : thus the fame 
 Phyfiognomy may exprels, by turns, both anger 
 and good-nature. But it muft be likewife admit- 
 ted, that there are features on which the damp of 
 thefe oppofite tempers are too deeply imprclTed to 
 be effaced by trantient impreffions. 
 
 In this cafe, the Phyfiognomill: will difccrn every 
 kind of natural didinftion, far dilferent from thofe 
 eruptions of a moment which leave no trace be- 
 hind j for whatever change, for the better or vvorfe, 
 may originate from the manner of thinkings habit, 
 and good or evil communication, a man’s foul is to 
 be feen through the veil, without the polith or 
 brutality received in fociety. 
 
 It is from a perfect harmony between the lead- 
 ing features that conclufions are to be drawm with- 
 
 O 
 
 out rifv]ue. If from the form of a mouth, or the 
 found of a voice, we cannot foretel exadfly what a 
 poet born is going to fay, it will not be difficult to 
 form a juft conjecture refpefting what b.e would be 
 capable of expreffing under fuppofed circuraftances. 
 
 With a view to difeoveries, every interefting 
 fituation muft be clofely obferved, — 1‘uch as an un- 
 forefeen meeting, and firll appearance of a ttranger, 
 or his departure from any circle. 
 
 We Ihould likewife feize thofe moments for ftu- 
 dying faees, when palTion is Gn the point of break- 
 ing out into violence, then reftrained, and at laft 
 fuppreffed, by the prefeace and influence of a re-, 
 
 fpectable 
 
154 
 
 LAVATER S 
 
 fpe6table peifonage. In fuch a fcene, the united 
 effecls of diflimuiation would be feen mingled with 
 the parting traces of indignation. 
 
 In other cafes, a fimple motion proceeding from 
 tendernefs, grief or rage, zeal or envy, will fufhce 
 to exhibit an unknown character in a true light j 
 nay, we need only fet a perfedl calm in oppofition 
 to the ftorm of paffions, in order to judge what any 
 individual is or is not, and may or may not be- 
 come at a future period of his life, by comparing 
 him, at his eafe with himfelf, ruffled by flrong agi- 
 tations of mind. 
 
 In the courfe of our Phyfiographical ftudies, 
 fflould we cafually meet with a perfon who pof- 
 feffed the rare gift of liftening with a tender con- 
 cern to another’s ftory, from beginning to end, be- 
 fore fpeaking a word, we ought, furely, to read 
 every line of his countenance with that intereft 
 wfflich he infpired ; at the fame time that we ad- 
 mired his eafy manner of anfwering with dignity, 
 but without affluming any imperious airs of fupe- 
 riority. 
 
 Certainly attention is a fign that denotes not 
 only goodnefs of heart, and a degree of judgment^ 
 but likewife a great and fteady mind ; for he who 
 cannot bear patiently to hear others fpeak firft, has 
 no pretenfions to true merit ; but a man who re- 
 mains filent till a fit opportunity offers for him to 
 ^ deliver 
 
LOOKIKG-GLASS. 
 
 deliver his fentiments deliberately, may expe£l: 
 fuccefs from his bolded enterprife. 
 
 A punftiial plain dealer in bufinefs is no lefs de- 
 ferving of our notice, while he attends affiduoufly 
 to one thing at a time. Every motion indicates his 
 folid turn; nor is there any fear of mifleading the 
 rifing youth, if we declare that circumfpe6tion, in 
 the fmalleft affairs, is a fure fign of the fame pru- 
 dence in matters of the greateft confequence. 
 
 If the following traits correfponded with each 
 other in one face, they would form a model of per- 
 fe6tion 
 
 The forehead, nofe, and c:hin ought to be in a 
 juft relative proportion. 
 
 The front, or upper ftory, of this noble ftru6fure, 
 ftiould be fixed upon a bafe almoft even on an hori- 
 zontal line, with clofe, full, and ftraightifli eye- 
 brows. 
 
 We might prefer either fky-blue, or fuch darkifli 
 eyes as appear black at a ftiort diftance, with wmll* 
 proportioned eye-lids, covering only the fourth or 
 fifth part of the ball. 
 
 A prominent becoming nofe ftiould be placed on 
 what is called a large bridge, equal on the fides, 
 with a flight bent. 
 
 A mouth, elegantly flit, fhould have the upper 
 lip Hoping downwards to match the lower one, of 
 equal breadth, adjoining to a round-peaked chin. 
 Another principal ornament to fuch a head would 
 
 be. 
 
156 
 
 LAVATER'S 
 
 be, fhort auburn or chefnut hair, growing out into 
 large flowing and natural ringlets. 
 
 Such a vifage, with eyes (hut, ought to be fludied 
 in five different w^ays ; — in profile, a full face in 
 front, three-fourths, feven-eighths, and, laftly, in a 
 perpendicular attitude from the crown downwards 
 in a direft line. 
 
 When the whole Phyfiogncmy is prefented to 
 the obferver at one full view, it diflrafits his atten- 
 tion by too many objeffs, which are beft examined 
 fucceflively on both fides. 
 
 A knowledge of drawing is abfolutely neceffary 
 for the art of reading and copying faces ; but whe- 
 ther a learner copies from Nature, flatues, paint- 
 ings, or engravings, he ought to confine himfelf to 
 take fleetches, or outlines, in a manner adequate to 
 the purpofe of diftinguifhing, abftradling, Amply- 
 fying, and explaining confufed or intricate fea- 
 tures. 
 
 Thofc fine drawings, the celebrated PaflTions of 
 Le Brun, afford fufficient proofs of the neceffity 
 and utility of this After art as a companion to paint- 
 ing, and a guide to Phyfiography, although it has 
 been negledtcd, as much as Lavalers fcience, by 
 feveral profeffors. 
 
 But, while the ftudy of paintings in oil may be 
 fafely recommended to the young Phyfiognomifl:, 
 we cannot too ferioufly warn him againft the abufe 
 of defigns drawn with bladk-lead pencil, and mi- 
 niatures, 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 157 
 
 I'liatures, becaufe they lead to that loofe and incor- 
 rc6t method, which, inftead of pictures, produces 
 mere caricatures of Nature. Red lead and Indian 
 ink would form more handing colours for iketching 
 profiles, in a pretty dark apartment, with a fmall 
 liffht received from a hole of one foot diameter 
 above the head to be drawn, and placed fidew'ays. 
 
 A fky-light, falling perpendicular, might anfwer 
 better for fiat or delicate vifages, but not for thofe 
 with fuch ftrong mufcles as would baffle the im- 
 prefiion of a fliadow in that w^ay. 
 
 A camera ohfcura might be adapted to the 
 other method pointed out, by which the' object 
 would be diminifiied three-fourths of its fize ^ and 
 if the defign could not be fo compleated, on ac- 
 count of the motion, it would ferve to produce a 
 juft Iketch of the outlines/ 
 
 ESSAY 
 
}58 
 
 lavater’'s 
 
 ESSAY XVII. 
 
 On the Uje of Fainting^, Poj'trails, SCc. ; xv'tfh a 
 Jhort Account of the beji Painters and Profejfors 
 of Phyfiology . 
 
 HISTORICAL paintings and portraits of the 
 firft matters cannot be too diligently ttudied. 
 
 The great defe6t in this profctTion, has been the 
 Ilightingof thofe trivial peculiarities which diftinguiflr 
 every individual, as much as his fliape or com- 
 plexion. Confecjiiently the Phytiologer mutt not 
 be contidered as a lervile copyitt, if he hides no flaw, 
 nor pafles over the lead fpeck that indicates a de- 
 viation from the paths of Virtue ; — fuch as the in- 
 habitants of great towns quickly difcover, from their 
 habits of viewing and comparing the frail part of 
 the fair creation with modett matrons. 
 
 Titian is a model for the molt excellent copies 
 of blooming beauties. His Venus, in the Grand 
 Duke’s Gallery at Florence, is ficfli and blood. 
 
 Michael Angelo’s deligns contain the juftcfl; ex- 
 preffions of imperial power, eafy dignity, prefump- 
 tuGus confequcnce, proud difdain, and undaunted 
 courage. 
 
 Rubens 
 
LOOKING GLASS. 
 
 151> 
 
 Rubens excelled in reprefenting fury, drunken- 
 nefs, and other exceifes. He and Van Dyke have 
 left us mailer-pieces in the higheft ftyle. 
 
 Raphael painted, in a Hill more majellic manner, 
 both divine and noble figures, with thought, image, 
 and fentiment inimitable. — Guido’s heads are love- 
 ly, correal, and noble. 
 
 Salvator Rofa needs only to be named in the firll 
 rank of Italian painters. 
 
 Pouffin, Le Sueur, and Le Brun, did honour to 
 France. Others, from Kneller to Reynolds, gain- 
 ed fame and riches in England. 
 
 Teniers ftill Hands foremoft in repute, for having 
 reprefented national humour, innocent fports, and 
 gambols. The Flemifh fchool, likewife, produced 
 Gerard Dow, who drew rogues as they are, and 
 true pictures of low life. 
 
 Holbein excelled them in expreffing candour and 
 fimplicity. Hogarth followed him in the fame line 
 with equal or greater fuccefs. His Harlot's Pro- 
 grefs, and March of the Guards^ prove him to 
 have been a Phyfiognomifl, who did not omit a 
 fingle trait that expreffed vulgarity, ridicule, and 
 the horrors of diffipation. 
 
 For harmony, compofure, and ferenity, Mengs, 
 his wife, and children, will be remembered fo lone- 
 
 O 
 
 as their piftures, drawn by him for celellial beings, 
 exift as ornaments to the Vatican. 
 
 Weft 
 
lavater's 
 
 JnO 
 
 Weft feems to be endowed wbh the fame pacific 
 genius as diitinguitlies that religious fociety of which 
 he is fo eminent a member. 
 
 (ballot, Bath, Golthius, De Vos, Leyde, -Brandt, 
 Scullenberg, La Fage, and Rembrandt, were excel- 
 lent painters of droll, comic, and convivial feenes. 
 
 For tender mothers, fine children, and attentive 
 fervants, we refer the ftudent to Chodowiecke’s 
 works, containing a reprefeiatation of tbofe fafliion- 
 able airs and geftures which prevail in courts, 
 camps, and cities. 
 
 Fufeli paints giants, and every gigantic object, 
 in a manner that preferves his name from oblivion. 
 
 Superior to many, inferior to none, Annibal Car- 
 racci excelled in the fame way, particularly in re- 
 prefenting mirth and jollity*. 
 
 To Flivfiognomills we recommend the portraits 
 of Morin, with the modefi fuffering countenances 
 drawn by LairelTe. Wilkenboon Oiould be con- 
 fulted for tlie jufi traits of irony j and Spranger 
 for expreihons of rage. 
 
 It 
 
 * Jenkins, of Rome, took up the pallet in his younger years with 
 a degree 'of reputation that paved the way to eminence in another 
 career. His portraits are fcarce but fltould his colledions of every 
 kind be preferved, they would form a valuable inheritance, wherever 
 the fate of war might decide, without impoveiifldng his arniabltj 
 uiece, or neareft relatives ; becaufe, happily for them, he adted, as 
 a banker, upon this wife principle,— that the walls of Temple Bar 
 
 were 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 161 
 
 It would be fuperfluous to dwell on the advan- 
 tages to be derived from the ftudy of fuch inva- 
 luable mailer-pieces as are known to every eminent 
 artift that has feen a little of the world. Let it 
 fuffice to add, what an ingenious ftudent will feel 
 as he proceeds, that there is no walk in life wherein 
 a penetrating eye may not fee through the malk 
 that education or hypocrify throws over a counte- 
 nance and character, when both are duly compared, 
 with a diftin 61 ion betwixt the original face and 
 acquired appearance : thus he may learn to judge 
 how much outward figns correfpond with fecret 
 inclinations. At firft fight, he will know fuch a 
 man as is degraded by imprudence or excelTes, not 
 only in his own eftimation, but in the opinion of 
 his neighbours, whofe eyes he conllantly avoids. 
 
 were the fafeft rampart that the ChiUs could throw around his well- 
 earned fortune. He is now no more, having died at Harwich, ©n 
 landing with a part of the treafures brought from the Roman Mu- 
 feums. While he lived, — as the needle points to the North, fo 
 did his Britiflr heart point towards his native home, after an abfence 
 frorti it of half a century. A furviving friend and correfpondent pays 
 this tribute due to his memory with the tear of fenfibility. 
 
 Poor Jacob More’s departed fpirlt has a claim to equal homage 
 from the fame friendly pen, although his genius was of a different 
 caft. His Ryle of painting was generally confined to ruins, land- 
 fcapes, and the grandeft feenes : his Eruptions of Vefuvius, drawn 
 on the fpot, will have a place in the beft cabinets of Europe, fo long 
 as burning mountains flrall leave a trace behind. 
 
 M 
 
 But, 
 
162 
 
 iavater’s 
 
 But fhould he meet with vifages imprelTed with 
 marks of paft lives, or fenfations unknown to him, 
 a reference to his models at home would foon 
 enable him to unravel the myflery, by a compa- 
 rifon with fome of Le Brun’s, or other profiles in 
 his colleflion. However that may be, it is incum- 
 bent on the Phyfiognomift to pronounce his judg- 
 ment upon any one’s good name and private con- 
 duct, only from proofs, and with great caution. 
 
 The number of good writers on this fubj-eft is 
 inconfiderable : a fortnight would fuffice for the pe- 
 rufal of all their works, which deferve praife or 
 comment. 
 
 Porta has collefled the moft effential obfervations 
 of ancient authors, but not with a due diftin£lion 
 between truth and vifionary notions. His reflec- 
 tions, however, are interefting, and explained by 
 the faces of celebrated charaffers. 
 
 Peufchel and Pernetti followed Porta’s example, 
 without determining precifely the features of a face 
 diftinguiflied from cafual appearances. This difcri- 
 mination is..fo neceflary, that, without it, we might 
 juftly apply to Phyfiography what Pope has faid— 
 
 “ A little learning is a dangerous thing.” 
 
 Helvetius, in his 'Phyjiognomia Medicinalis ^ has 
 treated different conftitutions with great propriety ; 
 and, notwithftanding his partiality for aftrology, he 
 
 is 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 163 
 
 is entitled to the firft place among the profeffors of 
 Phyfiology. 
 
 Huart’s work, with all his undigefted ideas, is worth 
 readings for, if he makes no frefh difcoveries, fe- 
 veral excellent paffages, taken from Ariftotle, Ga- 
 len, and Hippocrates, are produced by him in fup- 
 port of his curious remarks, 
 
 Philip May gave few intimations. 
 
 But La Chambre was a judicious writer, who 
 fucceeded in defcribing pailionate characters fo 
 well, that, while reading his defcriptions, we cannot 
 help regretting the omiffion of proper engravings. 
 
 Jean de Hagen’s portrait in the frontifpiece of 
 his Treatife makes an impreffion. We need fay 
 no more, than that both are worth a glance, efpe- 
 cially as he has copied from other matters. 
 
 Marbitius attempted to found a new fytlem for 
 the arrangement of human features, which, abfurd 
 as it appears, has been adopted by a modern writer. 
 His Etfay is entitled, De Varietate Facei Humance ; 
 and printed at Drefden in 1675. 
 
 Parfons is a claffic author, whofe works Buffon 
 and Haller took the trouble to abridge ; for, not- 
 withftanding any imperfeClions, nobody has excel- 
 led him in treating the moveable traits, — the muf- 
 cles of the face, and language of the paffions. 
 
 Jacob Bohme, an obfcure Deift, was a clofe ob- 
 ferver of Nature, whofe expreffions were familiar 
 to him 5 and he knew how to lift into the meaning 
 
 M2 bf 
 
164 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 of every minute diftinguifliing trait. His EfTay on 
 the Four Kinds of Complexion is a jewel in the 
 eyes of a good Phyfiognomift. 
 
 Guglielmo Gratarole, a Phyfician of Bergamo, 
 likevvife tranfmitted his name with honour to pof- 
 terity, in a book wbofe title is, De Pradictione 
 Morum N aiurar unique Hominum^ 8Tc. 
 
 Scipio Claramontius, likewife, wrote with eafe 
 and elegance, as a man who had probed the inmoft 
 receffcs of the heart, and ftudied the mental facul- 
 ties, in a manner that proved his informations de- 
 rived from the pureft fources. Some errors of his 
 predecelTors have, however, crept into his valu- 
 able Treatife, De Conjectandis cujufque Moribus (ST 
 Lalitantibus Animi Affectibus, which deferves to be 
 perfeftly underftood by every one who ftudies the 
 ufeful art of reading human faces ; but, with all 
 his fcholaftic reafoning, we muft give him credit for 
 new original ideas, and judicious remarks, written 
 in a ftyle that exhibits a noble and liberal way of 
 thinking. 
 
 The comparifon of great men with their lives and 
 pidlures, as they ftrike us in hiftory, or act their 
 parts before us, would afford a perpetual fund of 
 knowledge and entertainment, adapted to a falutary 
 end. But the bed fchool, and where the young 
 Phyfiognomift ought to finifh his ftudies, is the fo- 
 ciety of honeft men, whofe virtues and perfe£fions 
 
 he 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 165 
 
 he would find out, by fearching with friendly eyes 
 and a pure heart. 
 
 Let him, then, fhew a cool indifterence for the 
 idle queftions of bufy-bodies, who appeal to his 
 opinion with no better view than to render him an 
 objeft of ridicule. His Ikill will not be diminifhed 
 by referve ; nor ought any fiudent to give himfelf 
 up to thefe purfuits, without feeling this felf-perfua- 
 fion, — that he is endowed with the qualities re- 
 quired for fuch a fcience. In this cafe, he would 
 anticipate the pleafure of difcovering wonders, as 
 a fufficient recompenfe for the troublefome but 
 delightful talk of reading the book of Nature, 
 and ftudying the features of all Having creatures, 
 from man to plants. 
 
 M 3 
 
 ESSAY 
 
166 
 
 lAVAT ER’s 
 
 ESSAY xvni. 
 
 On the Features of Animals. 
 
 BRUTES differ from each other in chara£ler 
 aiid difpofition, as much as they do in ftature and 
 the conftrudlion of their bones. 
 
 Every fpecies has a peculiar fet of features that 
 didinguiflies them all, — from the imperial eagle 
 down to the weakeft infeft, or from the creeping 
 worm up to the formidable lion and gigantic ele- 
 phant. 
 
 At the firfl: fight of thefe creatures, or on feeing 
 the lamb, the ferpent, and butterfly, without the 
 leafl knowledge of their names and power, would 
 a child be at a lofs to attribute to them their re- 
 fpeftive degrees of ftrength and courage ? 
 
 Among animals, that clafs is the weakeft, and 
 leaft capable of receiving ideas, which differs the 
 moft from mankind in their outward form. This 
 affertion may be proved by a glance at the various 
 claffes; or even a comparifon of their figures, in 
 idea, fuffjces for a demonftration. 
 
 Through the whole range of animal creation not 
 a fingle brute is to be found, that is not quite dif- 
 ferent from man in exterior appearance and inward 
 4 ftrufture j 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 167 
 
 ftru6lure ; for every kind has received from the 
 Supreme defigner a fet of invariable lines, as we 
 fhall hereafter demonflrate, after o’bferving, that it 
 would have been an operation becoming fuch en- 
 lightened men as Buffon, Linnceus, Camper, and 
 Euler, to have afcertained the forms of heads by a re- 
 gular ftandard fixed on mathematical principles. 
 
 For inftance j the ftriking diftin£lion in a man’s 
 face from all others, is the regular proportion of 
 the fore-part, which forms a perfect oval, w^hofe 
 parts, being regularly divided, are preferved in 
 equal fymmetry. 
 
 It is in that refpeft that brutes are infinitely in- 
 ferior to us, although they refeinble in the hind 
 part of the fkull. 
 
 Thus in paffing a line from the root of the teeth 
 of the upper jaw, through the moft forward bone of 
 the forehead, to crofs another horizontal line on the 
 whole cheek, from the root of the nofe to the lower 
 end or orifice of the ear, thefe two lines united 
 would form an angle of about eighty to ninety de- 
 grees. 
 
 From the baboon downwards on the fcale of 
 beings, all animals differ from that form more or 
 lefs j and their inftin6f appears to be fo much the 
 more limited, according as the union of thofe two 
 lines forms in them a more pointed angle. 
 
 Confequently, as mother Nature feems to have 
 fixed a vifible connection between exterior forms 
 
 M 4 and 
 
168 
 
 LAVATER S 
 
 and extent of faculties, it is eafy for a naturalift to, 
 judge of any animal’s degree of reafon, or inllin6l, 
 from the form of the bones in his head. Accord- 
 ingly hflies, who are the fiatteft living creatures, 
 have faces, which prefent a more pointed angle by 
 the junffion of two fuch crofs lines, 
 
 The human face furniflies the form of an egg, 
 rather wider above than below. If we divide 
 this oval figure into two diameters, the largefi; will 
 fplit into two equal parts the forehead, nofe, mouth, 
 and chin ; the fmallefi; will likewife divide the head 
 into two portions, alike at the root of the eye-browns. 
 Thefe parts being again divided, will produce, in 
 regular portions as before, one the root of the 
 hair, and the other the tip of the nofe. 
 
 The fourth divifion, by being divided into three 
 parts, will contain the mouth and fource of the 
 chin. 
 
 The bafe of the nofe, wdth its tip, forms a tri- 
 angle of equal fides, of the fize of the mouth or 
 eye. 
 
 Between both eyes there is fufficient fpace for 
 a third, or a nofe. The nofe and forehead fiiould 
 be feparated only by a flight and almoft impercep- 
 tible bent. 
 
 Monkeys come nearefl to the human figure : the 
 ouran-outang bears the ftrongeft refemblance to man ; 
 but the fuppofed likenefs will not appear well-found- 
 ed i nor.can this wild creature’s pretenfions hand the 
 
 tefl: 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 169 
 
 left of examination ; for his natural brutality breaks 
 out under the maik that Nature gave him to conceal 
 his inferior rank. 
 
 His real chara£l;er is known by his narrow fore-^ 
 head, fo different from a man’s, as well as from the 
 want of white in his eyes ; or, at lead, it is imper- 
 ceptible. 
 
 He is likewife diflinguifhed by the near approach 
 of his eyes, or fockets; and this proximity is more 
 ftriking when the fkull-bones are ftripped of their 
 flefh and mufcles. 
 
 His nofe is exceffively flat, too fmall above, and 
 cruflied down below. While a man’s ears are 
 placed on a level with the nofe and eye-brows, 
 the monkey has the fame parts nearer the crown of 
 his head. The fpace between his nofe and mouth 
 is almoft the whole length of his chin ; but in a 
 human being it is generally but half fo long. 
 
 His lips are faftened to his teeth, forming the 
 key of an arch, as in other brutes. 
 
 It is unneceffary to pufli this comparifon any 
 further; but it muff be granted, that this animal 
 has a ferlous gait, and a melancholy look. He is 
 good-natured and thoughtful, having neither the 
 impatience of a baboon, nor does he play the mif- 
 chievous tricks of other apes. 
 
 After the man of the wood, the gibbon is the 
 next refembling the human being in fome degrees, 
 particularly in the fkull ; but notwithftanding his 
 
 mild 
 
170 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 jTiild difpofition and gentle manners, bis figure, 
 upon the whole, is materially difierent from our’s ; 
 for, even as he hands, his difproportioned arms 
 reach the ground, while the brute appears, either 
 by the wide diftance between his mouth and nofe, 
 or by. the nearnels of thefe two parts, without any 
 fymrnetry of features. 
 
 Some of thefe brutes, how^ever, arc not fo ugly 
 as they generally appear ; nor would it be proper 
 to difguft our leaders wdth their particular defcrip- 
 lion ; but, palfing over various kinds who inhabit 
 the coaft of Africa, we mufi: mention the Chinefe 
 bonnets, or monkeys, who can only be half tamed ; 
 yet they catch crabs or lobfiers very dexteroufly, 
 by entangling their tails with the claws of fliell- 
 filh. 
 
 In the clafs of four-footed animals, the horfe is 
 moft eminently diftinguifiied for his beautiful figure, 
 courage, firength, docility, and ufe to mankind : 
 he unites with a regular lhape both elegance and 
 juft proportion in all parts of his body. Who 
 better than the Sacred Writer* could defcribe this 
 noble animal, the friend and companion of man 
 
 Compared 
 
 THE HORSE. 
 
 * Haft thou given the horfe ftrength ? Haft thou clothed his 
 neck, with thunder ? Canft thou make him afraid as a grafhopper ? 
 
 The 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 171 
 
 Compared with other brutes, he rifes far fupe- 
 rior to moft of them in the fcale of creation. What 
 
 an 
 
 The glory of his noftrlls is terrible. He paweth in the valley, and 
 rejoiceth in his ftrength. He goeth on to meet the armed men. 
 He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted ; neither turneth he back 
 from the fword. The quiver rattleth againft him ; the glittering 
 fpear and the fhield. He fwalloweth the ground with fiercenefs 
 and rage ; neither believeth he that it is the found of the trumpet. 
 
 He faith among the trumpets — Ha, ha! and he fmelleth the 
 
 battle afar off ; the thunder of the captains, and the fliouting ! 
 
 Here, then, are the moft fprightly images of this generous beaft 
 exprefled in fuch energetic language as would have furnifhed models 
 of the fublime to thofe ancient writers who were unacquainted with 
 the book of Job. Thus the facred Poet makes all the beauties to 
 flow from an inward principle in the creature that he defcribes ; but 
 the beft claflic poets have confined their following defcriptions of 
 him to his outward figure, lineaments, and motions. — In Homer’s 
 Iliad there is this beautiful fimile, to which an Englifh Bard has done 
 juftice ; 
 
 Freed from his keepers, thus, with broken reins. 
 
 The wanton courfer prances o’er the plains j 
 Or in the pride of youth o’erleaps the mounds, 
 
 And fnuffs the females in forbidden grounds ; 
 
 Or feeks his watering in the well-known flood, 
 
 To quench his thirft, and cool his fiery blood. 
 
 He fwims luxuriant in the liquid plain. 
 
 And o’er his fhoulders flows his waving mane ; 
 
 He neighs, he fnorts, he bears his head on high, 
 
 Before his ample cheft the frothy waters fly. 
 
 Virgil's 
 
11 '2 
 
 L AVATER’S 
 
 an air of dignity there is in his head and neck ! — > 
 But the rhinoceros and elephant are clumfy and 
 
 unwieldy j 
 
 Virgil’s defeription has been thus tranilated ; — 
 
 The fiery courfer, when he hears from far 
 The fprightly trumpets, and the fhouts of war. 
 
 Pricks up his ears, and, trembling with delight, 
 
 Shifts pace, and paws, and hopes the promis’d fight. 
 
 On his right fhoulder his thick mane reclin’d. 
 
 Ruffles at fpeed, and dances in the wind. 
 
 1 1 is horny hoofs are jetty black, and round ; 
 
 His chin is double ; — fiarting with a bound v 
 
 He turns the turf, and lhakes the folid ground. J 
 
 Fire from his eyes, clouds from his noftrils flow ; 
 
 He bears his rider headlong on the foe ; 
 
 And in his noftrils rolls collefted fire. — 
 
 Lucan exprefles the circumflance of fhouting with great Ipirit : 
 
 So M'hen the ring with joyful fliouts rebounds, 
 
 With rage and pride th’ imprifon’d courfer bounds : 
 
 He frets, he foams, he rends his idle rein, 
 
 Springs o’er the fence, and headlong fecks the plain. 
 
 Pope, in his Windfor Foreft, has feized the true fublimity of the 
 ancients, thus : 
 
 Th’ impatient courfer pants in every vein, 
 
 And, pawing, feems to beat the diftant plain ; 
 
 Hills, vales, and floods, appear already croft. 
 
 And, ere he ftarts, a thoufand fteps are loft. 
 
 However familiar thefe extrafls may be to fome readers,' it is to 
 be hoped that they will admit them as better than any vain at- 
 tempt 
 
lOGKING-GLASS. 
 
 173 
 
 imwieldy > the camel is deformed j the lion thick- 
 headed j the afs ill-lhaped ^ and the ox fhort-footed. 
 
 A horfe’s tail ought to be long, waving, and 
 proportioned to his lize. A right medium guards 
 him againft thofe inconveniences to which every 
 rider is no ftranger. 
 
 His head ought to be dry and Aim, without being 
 too long j his ears, not diftant from each other, 
 fmall, Ifraight, fixed, flender, and placed high on 
 his head. The forehead fhould be narrow, and a 
 little convex, or rifing in a circular form like the 
 outfide of a globe j with plump cheeks, thin eye- 
 lids, clear, lively, and fparkling eyes, pretty large, 
 and even with his head, with a large ball or apple 
 of the eye : his nether jaw lean and Aim ; the nofe 
 a little bent ; a thin partition ; open and well- 
 cloven noArils; delicate lips, with a middling Ait; 
 high and Aiarp withers ; dry, Aat, and pretty broad 
 Aioulders ; his back fmooth, but Aoping infenfibly 
 lengthways, and riAng on both Ades of the fpine 
 or back-bone, which ought to appear' as if it were 
 driven into his body. 
 
 tempt to convey the fame ideas in a modern flile, adapted to the 
 more refined or corrupted tafte of the times : nay, had Dr. Sue been 
 converfant with Pope’s writings, he likewife would have quoted and 
 admired the preceding fublime lines on this noble animal, the fa- 
 vourite friend of man. 
 
 His 
 
174 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 His flanks fhould be full and fliort y the buttocks 
 round and plumps the haunch well-garnilhed j the 
 flump of his tail thick and ftrong j his legs and 
 gafcoins large and fiefhy ; knees round in the fore- 
 part ; wide ham 3 the bit fmall forward, and large 
 on the fidesj [lender joints at the fliin 3 loofe flnews; 
 thin fetlock ; large and longifh paftern 3 his coronet 
 a little raifed 3 hoofs high, with black, fmooth, and 
 Alining horn 3 the hind-part round, with large and 
 pretty high fides 3 the fruAi thin and lean, with 
 thick and hollow foies. 
 
 The horfe’s mane is fuited to his head, adorns 
 his neck, and gives him a flately look 3 while his 
 bufliy and trailing tail fets off to advantage the hind 
 parts of his body. This ornament conAfls of thick 
 and long hair, which feems to grow out of his back, 
 becaufe the rump, where it originates, is very fliort 3 
 and although he cannot raife it, as the lion does, 
 it is no lefs ufeful to him, fince he can ufe it fide- 
 ways to keep off troublefome flies. 
 
 The greatefl conqueft ever made by man, W’as 
 in forcing this high-mettled animal to fliare with 
 him the toils and glories of war, the [ports of the 
 chace, the race, or the tournament. Brave as his 
 mafter, he flies in the face of danger, takes de- 
 light in the din of arms, and, like a gallant foldier, 
 he advances or retreats at the word of command, 
 having no other will of his own than to difcharge 
 his duty, fubjeff to military difcipline : nay, after 
 
 having 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 175 
 
 having flrained every nerve in executing orders 
 with equal docility and exaftnefs, he takes pride 
 in anticipating the pleafure of his fuperior, and 
 even rejoices to meet a glorious death in the field. 
 
 In fhort. Nature has infpired the horfe with love 
 and fear of man, together with a due fenfe of his 
 dependence, and want of our protection. 
 
 The dog is another domeftic animal, equally at- 
 tached to the human fpecies. 
 
 He furpaffes others in his high, but difpropor- 
 tioned, forehead, for the advantage of that feature 
 is loft by other deformities ; particularly the brutifti 
 fhape of his fnout, adapted to the ftrong fenfe of 
 fmellingi and accompanied with fallen chaps, or 
 rather no chin at all. — Buffon’s opinion is, that a 
 dog’s dangling ears are charafleriftic figns of his 
 flavery. 
 
 The hare and rabbit have every appearance of 
 that exceflive lechery, and low gluttony, by which 
 they are diftinguiflied. — What a contraft there is 
 between their fhape, and a man’s regular fide-face 
 and majeftic figure ! 
 
 The goat* appears to be, in fome meafure, a 
 caricature of the flieep j an emblem of avarice, and, 
 in every refpeff, a mean, if not a defpicable brute. 
 
 Who 
 
 * Dr. Sue’s defcription of the goat is, —— ** La chevre paroit etre 
 en quelque forte une caricature de la brebis : ou croit y voir I’em- 
 
 bleme 
 
176 
 
 t avater’s 
 
 Who can look at the hog without perceiving all 
 the figns of meannefs from his ears to the tip of 
 his fnout, with a treacherous eye, and a mifchievous 
 grunt ? 
 
 The mouth of an afs retraces every idea of ftu- 
 pidity and ftubbornnefs j his heavy and flovenly 
 head is the type of his charafter. 
 
 The camel and dromedary rank as if they were 
 a compofition of the horfe, (beep, afs, and monkey^ 
 without having inherited their nobleh features. 
 Differing from other ufeful animals, they have 
 no mouths calculated for the bridle ; nor is the 
 fpot where they can bear it marked with any fign 
 of fpirit and mettle. Their other features are equal- 
 ly mean, and expreffive of their fervility. 
 
 bleme de I’avarice : un caractere de batreffe femble percer au travers 
 de I’enfemble, & de chaque panic confiderde feparement.” 
 
 It is true, that the goat appears to be, in fome meafure, a cari- 
 cature of the theep. Poor, and ill-fed,' he bears the ftartip of avarice, 
 with fomething of that beggarly poverty which prevails in thofe 
 highlands where he is bed known ; but when the female has fared 
 funiptuoufly in the valley, die looks as plump as an Englilh matron. 
 Indeed, all mountaineers profefs the greated refpedt for this animah 
 whofe milk they drink from their infancy. In their partial eyes, 
 his whititli beard refembles thofe gray hairs which formerly didin- 
 guiflied the Druids and elders of the land. Even that mifery, which 
 a high-bred naturalid may defpife, Ihews the fpirit of independence 
 peculiar to Wales, where he dill browfes like St. David’s fon, an 
 Ancient Briton, who prefers the humble fare of his native rocks, to 
 all the luxuries of England without his liberty. 
 
 The 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 177 
 
 The bear’s looks announce his ferocity and de- 
 ftruftive power. Fond of deferts, he avoids the 
 bufy walks of men. 
 
 The boar is equally remarkable as a wild beaff, 
 whofe coarfe afpe61: announces his vile and voracious 
 difpofition. The hedge-hog, likewife, bears the ftamp 
 of his charafter for diflruft, malice, and gluttony. 
 
 The lion’s profile is fuited to his high rank as 
 the king of animals. His majefty appears in a 
 ftriking manner, when we obferve the contour of 
 his forehead, with a ftraightifli ailgle which the out- 
 line exhibits from his moft prominent feature down 
 to the lower jaw. His other traits are equally ex- 
 preflive of power and dignity. 
 
 A man who refembled this animal in the face 
 would certainly pafs for an extraordinary character; 
 but we doubt that fuch a perfe6f likenefs will ever 
 be found. 
 
 Tieachery and blood-thirfly rage are flaraped in 
 legible charafters on the tiger’s eyes and muzzle. 
 
 Cats are tamed tigers, of a fmaller fize ; weaker, 
 but no better natured, except fo far as their man- 
 ners are poliflied. Thus they furpafs the largeft 
 fpecies in refined cruelty towards birds and mice, 
 
 by taking plcafure to prolong the fufferings of their 
 vi6lims. 
 
 The buffalo’s frightful figure indicateis his brutal 
 Inclinations to ftrike and throw down whatever 
 comes in his way. 
 
 N 
 
 The 
 
178 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 The head of an ox has every line that marks his 
 flupidity, patience, and obftinacy ; particularly the 
 diftance of his eyes, awry, as they are, in this direc- 
 tion ^ ^ ; with the crooked traits of his 
 
 muzzle. 
 
 The bull appears to poTefs a greater fpirit, a 
 livelier eye, and a higher brow. 
 
 The ftag in his prime of life, and the roe, are. 
 both on the fcent and liftening, with every fign of 
 fwiftnefs, circuinfpeftion, and peaceful innocence. 
 There is in the corner of their eyes a fliarp point 
 that indicates a quick fenfe of hearing, and watch- 
 ful ears. 
 
 The wild goat has prodigious ftrength in his 
 nerves to bear, as he does, an enormous weight 
 of horns. There is, however, a degree of delicacy 
 in the corner of his eyes, confident with his timid 
 and refpeflable appearance, in comparifon with 
 more ferocious brutes. 
 
 For indance 3 is not the wolf eafily known in his 
 true lizht, from his formidable teeth, furious, treache- 
 rous, daring, and fanguinary look ? 
 
 Nor can we be midaken in attributing to the fox 
 that low cunning, weaknefs, and rapacity, which 
 his countenance expreffes. 
 
 The weafel’s form indicates bis art and agi- 
 lity. 
 
 We 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 119 
 
 We need only view the lynx for a moment, at 
 the crooked line his muzzle, and the 
 
 ruffled brows, added to the fwiftnefs of his motions, 
 in order to be convinced of his cruel defigns. 
 
 The beaver poffleffes lefs courage than ingenuity : 
 he is armed with teeth fitter to gnaw than devour. 
 
 The powerful elephant is of an overbearing cha- 
 Tafler, fuch as agrees with his gigantic figure.— 
 Well-turned and hollow bones mark his fagacity. 
 His embonpoint is proportioned to that luxurious 
 ftyle of living, of which he is fo fond. The 
 fupple trunk difcovers prudence and craftinefs; 
 while the length and compafs of his brow are figns of 
 that retentive memory for which he is diftinguifhed. 
 
 Were it not for the ftriking fitQation of his fore- 
 head, with refpeft to his eyes and mouth, we might 
 difcover a greater refemblance of a human being 
 than is vifible in any other creature. But it is a 
 man’s brow alone that always forms a right angle, 
 more or lefs regular, with the axis of the eye, and 
 line of the mouth. In fliort, every glance of an 
 elephant’s eye proclaims his fuperior abilities. 
 
 The bat expreffes in all his diminutive body a 
 vile and violent paffion, that he dares not indulge 
 in the face of day ; nor are his hidden eyes adapted 
 to light. His form indicates agility ; while the tail, 
 adjoining to his wings, is the type of his mifchievous 
 difpofition. 
 
 N 2 
 
 Essay 
 
180 
 
 LAVATER S 
 
 ESSAY XIX. 
 
 On Birds. 
 
 NATURE has likewife drawn on birds a true 
 picture of their different charadlers, according to 
 their fpecies and place in the fcale of beings. 
 
 Were we only to confider their tender conttitu- 
 tution, delicate form, and fuperior faculties, confin- 
 ed within a narrow compafs, in a comparative view 
 with other living creatures, it might be juftly faid, 
 that, next to man, the feathered race is belt entitled 
 to our admiration. 
 
 Their little bodies contain more flrength than has 
 fallen to the lot of the moft formidable four-footed 
 animals, with a greater degree of nimblenefs, by 
 means of wings, which are marks of their inde- 
 pendence. Thus, having the power to vifit all 
 parts of the world, they fly from one climate to 
 another, according to thofe changes which inflinft 
 teaches them to forefee 5 fo that the whole univerfe 
 is their countr}^, or wherever they can foar under 
 the great canopy of Heaven. 
 
 They are of a lighter form than quadrupeds, hav- 
 ing a more pliant neck, and a fmaller head, wdth a 
 pointed beak, inftead of a mouth. To them be- 
 4 longs 
 
LOOKING GLASS. 181 
 
 longs an almoft defpotic power over the inhabitants 
 of three elements, — the air, earth, and water ; toge- 
 ther with an exclufive right to rule over the whole 
 tribe of infers, who feem to have been created for 
 no other purpofe than to nourifli their voracious 
 rnafters. 
 
 Nor do they fear the poifon of reptiles; while 
 fifh at fea, and four-footed beafts on land, become 
 alternately the devoted prey for fowls of the air. 
 
 A hawk attacks the fox ; the falcon feizes the 
 antelope ; the griffin devours a wild goat. 
 
 Superior to them all, the imperial eagle takes a 
 bolder flight, defying the rays of the fun, looking 
 with his piefrcing eyeS over extenfive dominions, 
 and difcovering at a diftance in a retired fpot, on 
 the wnng, or perched upon a tree, the feeble animal 
 that is doomed to fatisfy his craving appetite. 
 
 Suddenly the proud tyrant pounces on his prey, 
 grafps it in his claws, and carries it in tiiumph 
 cither to a folitary rock or a deferted village, where 
 he foon enjoys a delicious repafl. 
 
 Is it, then, poffible for us to confider that king 
 of birds, wnthout feeling how much his form and 
 features correfpond wnth his majeftic authority .? Is 
 not his fparkling eye like lightning? Who elfe 
 but he dares foar fo high to view the brilliant 
 ftar of day ? 
 
 What other fight, like his, from the mole up- 
 wards, is formed to furvey at once the firmament, 
 
 N 3 and 
 
182 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 and the whole range of creation ? Indeed, not 
 only that commanding feature, but every other, 
 announces his power to dart the wrath of Heaven 
 on every creature that falls within his arbitrary 
 gripe. 
 
 Inferior to him, the vulture may boaft of a more 
 fupple neck and bill, with a graceful mien. 
 
 The owl is likewife a voracious bird of the 
 loweft clafs, equally weak and timorous. 
 
 The Englifti fighting cock has a beak proportion- 
 ed to his weaknefs j but, notwithftanding his pride, 
 prefumption, and jealoufy, he is inferior to birds of 
 his fize, and probably more amoroiis. 
 
 The parrot prates and aflTumes confcquence with 
 no better pretenfions than his fpeech and feathers. 
 
 But the pigeon is a juft emblem of peace, mo- 
 defty, and timidity. 
 
 Neither the dove’s good-nature, nor the wild 
 duck’s revengeful look, is vifible in the pelican’s 
 finall head, and long bill, by which he is, in fome 
 meafure, deformed, or, at leaft, has an unmeaning 
 appearance. 
 
 The fwan looks nobler than a goofe, is weaker 
 than the eagle, lefs tender-hearted than the dove, 
 and more graceful than the oftrich. 
 
 The wild duck has a fiercer air than the fwan 9 
 but however big he may be, compared to an eagle, 
 his ftrength is not in proportion to his fize. 
 
 As 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 183 
 
 As the oftrich is faid to grind glafs, and digeft 
 iron, he was not formed to feel compaflion ; yet 
 the crofs lines in his face exprefs more tendernefs 
 than the ftraight and pointed traits. For the fame 
 reafon, the long line, that divides the clofe beak of 
 this bird, indicates clearly the hardnefs of his heart, 
 in fuch a manner as forms a contrail between him 
 and a man in that particular feature. 
 
 But, upon the whole, and generally fpeaking, if 
 we confider all the advantages that birds enjoy over 
 every fpecies of animals on earth, they will be 
 found entitled to the next place, for pre-eminence, 
 after mankinds particularly from their undifputed 
 perfeaions, — fuch as a {lately gait, upright walk on 
 two feet, imitation of mufical founds, wedded love, 
 motherly affeflion, and focial virtues, added to the 
 invaluable gift of flying to an immenfe dillance, 
 much fooner than the fwiftell four-footed animal 
 could perform a fliorter race on his more folid 
 element. 
 
 Nor has Art been able to copy, much lefs excel, 
 Nature’s choicell colours laviflied with profulion 
 upon the plumages of thofe little amiable creatures, 
 who daily difplay fuch a fplendid fliow as lurpalfcs 
 the pomp of drefs at court, or a coronation, and in 
 a llyle that beggars all defcription j nay, were their 
 lives to be traced from the neft up to the fummit 
 of domellic happinefs, there would be a wide field 
 open for inftruflive contemplation, with a plealant 
 
 N 4 fubjecl 
 
184 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 fubjeft for a moft interefting hiftory. But we mull: 
 wave It, with fo much the lefs regret, as ftudents 
 will find that this matter alone has already employ- 
 ed the pens of eminent writers in all j»ges and 
 countries. 
 
 ESSAY 
 
?.OOKING-GLASS. 
 
 185 
 
 ESSAY XX, 
 
 On Fijhes. 
 
 IT is evident, that every Phyfiognomy bears a 
 fignificant mark, exprefling the degree of faculties 
 affigned to each animal on the fcale of creation. 
 
 For inftance ; how widely different is a fifli com- 
 pared with man, the lion, and other creatures, par- 
 ticularly in profile, or his fide-face ! His capacity 
 is at the fame proportionable difiance from fuperior 
 underfianding j for he has not fufficient fenfe to 
 think, refleH, acf, and contrive a way to efcape 
 from the net : he can neither fiiut nor cover thofe 
 dull and globular eyes, which differ much from the 
 fame organ of fight in the fox and elephant, — two 
 beafis remarkable for cunning, proportioned to 
 their features. 
 
 Many fiflies feem defiitute of every quality ne- 
 ceffary for living either in fociety or with any kind 
 of communication with each other; fince, like ty- 
 rants, the great ones defiroy the lower clafs for 
 food, with a total indifference about the manner of 
 devouring them, rather than indulging the tafie 
 while they fatisfy their ravenous appetites; yet 
 finny tribes of this defeription poffefs more than 
 
 half 
 
186 
 
 lavater's 
 
 half the globe in brooks, rivers, lakes, and feas, 
 in an incalculable number, and witli an infinite 
 variety of forms, powers, habits, and complexion. 
 
 But, much as this matter exceeds the compre- 
 henfion of vulgar minds, it is ftill big with difcove- 
 ries, expe6ted from the united labours of enterprif- 
 ing men. In the mean time, it is fufficient to add, 
 that every library contains valuable treatifes on the 
 numerous inhabitants of the ocean, and others who 
 live at home for our fupport and pleafure. 
 
 ESSAY 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 187 
 
 ESSAY XXI. 
 
 On Amphibious Animals. 
 
 THIS clafs of animals, partaking of two natures, 
 is lefs numerous than the laft j but, fmce they are not 
 fo well known, it is our duty to mention fome parti- 
 culars refpedting their exiftence. They are either 
 naked, or covered with fcales ; being called amphi- 
 bious, not becaufe they live alike on land or in 
 water, but from the circumftance of their breathing 
 at unequal intervals, and not regularly, as other 
 creatures do. It is true, that they can exift for 
 fome time in the air, but not under water fo long, 
 without perifhing. Their blood is not warmer than 
 that intermediate fpace which they fill. Ihus a 
 touch of their cold bodies makes an unpleafant im- 
 preffion, added to the horror that they infpire by 
 their offenfive fmell, fuppofed poifon, and ghaftly 
 figures. 
 
 Some of them are four-footed, — fuch as the tor- 
 toife, the toad, the frog, the cameleon, the fala- 
 mander, the lizard, &c. 
 
 Others have no feet, — fuch are vipers, ferpents, 
 ‘ adders, &c. Tortoifes are quiet, mild, and cool, 
 being feemingly affected by no ftrong paffions. 
 
 Spallanzani 
 
188 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 Spallanzani having had the cruelty to behead 
 the male while he was caretfing his love, he 
 continued, for fome time, to hatch her eggs, and 
 lived four-and-twenty hours after having fufFered 
 that fatal operation. Another of the fame fpecies, 
 being deprived of his brains, has been known to re- 
 tain all the figns of life for fix months. After being 
 feparated from the body, his head undergoes no 
 Itriking change for fome hours, and his blood con- 
 tinues to circulate during twelve days, or longer. 
 A frog’s heart has been feen to pant a fortnight 
 after the lofs of his bowels. Free tortoifes live up- 
 wards of a century, and tw^cnty years before they 
 come to their full growth. 
 
 The toad’s body is greenilli, and ill-fhaped, with 
 fmall puftules or fw’ellings like biles, moidened 
 with a kind ot glue. This animal lives in the mod 
 unwholefome fpots, taking delight to diminifh the 
 caufes of infection. He dares at a man, and Ihoots 
 cm him his dimy venom, which, however, is not 
 dangerous. 
 
 The trog is oblong, fmooth, and hump-backed. 
 H is hoarfe croak proceeds from bladders, fixed 
 near his wind pipe, which he fills and empties 
 contiuuall}'". 
 
 The crocodile is of a longidi form, covered with 
 fcales, and adorned wdth a tail, being armed with a 
 faw^ on his back, befides terrible teeth fuited to his 
 voracity. He cannot be attacked without rifque ; 
 
 but. 
 
Look iNG'GL AS£. 
 
 189 
 
 bntj luckily, fome other creatures, by dekroying his 
 eggs, diminifli the breed. 
 
 The cain'eleon is a fmgular creature, whofe body 
 is compacl, and partly corapofed of lhagreen, with 
 large and fparkling eyes. He changes colour from 
 ficknefs and vexation ; but it is not true that he 
 takes the complexion of furrounding objefts, ac- 
 cording to that vulgar opinion which has rendered 
 him the emblem of flattery. He is found in Afia 
 and Africa. 
 
 The lizard is a fmall, pretty, and amphibious 
 animal, with a long and pointed tail, full of little 
 fcales 5 with a long body, like a cylinder, flxed to his 
 head; and without a member fit for motion. 
 
 The ferpent Aides along the ground wfith fuch velo- 
 city as renders him almoft invifible, till he has climbed 
 on a tree, or leaped over a precipice, with equal rapi- 
 dity. Inftead of fupporters on the lower part of their 
 bodies, ferpents have large moving blades, rifing 
 and falling by means of a particular mufcle. Be- 
 fides this lever, they have the power of bending 
 the middle of their trunk into a bow, from which 
 they ftioot thcmfelves out like an arrow, after 
 having ufed their two waving fides as elaftic 
 fprings, which fpend their force in puffiing them 
 forward to an incredible difiance.* 
 
 Serpents 
 
 * What a leffon is here for the (tudy and application of mechanic 
 powers ! Nature furnifiies fuch a model as has not been excelled in 
 
 the 
 
190 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 Serpents have a very fmal], but mofl expreffive 
 face, ftamped vi^ith all the traits of malice and im- 
 pofture. Their wiles are beyond conception, not- 
 withdanding their evident want of judgment, re- 
 flection, and memory. 
 
 Their variegated fpots and colours imprefs us 
 with a fufficient idea of deceit to put every man on 
 his guard ; and were we to rove through all the 
 wilds of America, not one ferpent would be found 
 capable of infpiring with his looks either affeCtion 
 or confidence. Let us fuppofe fuch features as his 
 in a human countenance ; — we fliould turn from it 
 with horror. 
 
 Sly people, indeed, have their eyes funk deep in 
 the focketsj but the ferpent has his fight on a level 
 with the head, as a mark of malicious defigns : he 
 refembles only that defpicable defcription of men 
 whofe low cunning is a fubftitute for wifdom. 
 Without any of that fprightlinefs which diflin- 
 guiflies other brutes in their enjoyments, ferpents 
 difcover no marks of love and harmony, nor any 
 turn for innocent recreation among themfelves j but. 
 
 the machine at Marly, for conveying the water of the Seine acrofs 
 a hilly ground to Verfailles. Although that was once the wonder 
 of a Iplendid age, yet fo great are the improvements fince made in 
 this art, particularly in England, that were the iron-work in it de- 
 livered to Bolton and Watt, of Soho, they would probably under- 
 take to make a better mill for the fame purpofe, without requiring 
 ^ny other compenfation for their trouble. 
 
 in 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 191 
 
 in melancholy mood, they lie down on the brink of 
 a pool, in hollow rocks, or under barren bulhes. 
 However, as every link in the chain of creation de- 
 ferves notice, fo, with all their imperfections, thefe 
 animals excite a degree of intereit in the mind of 
 a naturalift, who fees with pleafure their admi- 
 rable ftruCture rendered ufeful to them upon the 
 principles of mechanifm. 
 
 ESSAY 
 
192 
 
 LAVATER*9 
 
 £ssay xxii. 
 
 On Infects. 
 
 INSECTS form a world feparate from otiief 
 beings ; and, far as they are removed from the 
 human fpecies, the Phyfiognomift will find them fit 
 obje6ls of meditation. This truth muft inflantly 
 ftrike him — that the figure of every creature indi- 
 cates its aftive and pafTive power, or in what degree 
 it can enjoy or deftroy, fuffer or refill:. 
 
 For inflance ; is it not clear, that an infeff with 
 hard and clofe wings appears much fuperior to the 
 puny butterfly, who has not the fame advantage ? 
 At the fame time,, does it not ftrike a fuperficial 
 obferver, that the fofteft fubftance muft be the 
 weakeft, and, confequently^ moft liable to be de- 
 ftroyed ? 
 
 Another remark will be made, — that the total 
 want of brains renders thefe creeping creatures a 
 direft contrail to man, who is fo abundantly fup- 
 plied with that neceffary article. 
 
 Befide^ is there not among their various claffes 
 a material difference confident with their chara£ler ? 
 
 The wafp difcovers more fpirit than the cater- 
 pillar, who crawls as if he had fcarce a breath of 
 
 life 
 
JLOOKING-GL ASS. 
 
 193 
 
 jite more than that dry branch of a tree which he 
 rcfembles. 
 
 The butterfly’s delight to fuck at every flower 
 correfponds with his tender frame, formed to en- 
 joy the fweets of the garden, and perifli with a 
 blight like the rofe. His pliimt trunk marks his 
 harmlefs weaknefs. 
 
 The bee revels in luxury, with a fixed plan of 
 living, above the fly, who is free and eafy, but with- 
 out any fixed obje6t of his deflres.* 
 
 Compared with butterflies, fpiders are fwifter, 
 more alert in feizing, and more voracious in de- 
 vouring the fmaller brood. 
 
 But, above them all, the ant fets an example of 
 fore fight, courage, and perfeverance, beyond any 
 idea that we could conceive of this poor pifmire 
 from her weak appearance. 
 
 * F. Hubert has lately publifhed at Geneva feme new and curious 
 Ohfervations on Bees. 
 
 1 his author, being born blind, but with a Itrong paffion for fcience, 
 fucceeded in making improvements of hives, and fuch difeoveries as 
 had efcaped the penetrating eyes of Reaumur, Bonnet, and Svvani- 
 merdam ; particularly concerning the queen's propagation ; mifearriage 
 of drones; the change of government during her majedy’s retirement ; 
 the manner in which their worms fpin lilk from the cods ; and other 
 experiments, made by him in the courfe of his dudies, ailldied by a 
 faithful fervant, to whom he communicated the fame turn of mind. 
 — What a pity it is that fo few men are difpofed, or qualified, to 
 follow thefe ufeful and laudable purfuits ! 
 
 o 
 
 Covered 
 
194 
 
 lavater’s - 
 
 Covered with a coat of mail, and dreffed in a 
 llrong fuit of armour, the may-bug takes pride in 
 difplaying his power to do mifchief and defend 
 himfelf. 
 
 The gnat’s grinders are adapted to his character 
 for gnawing, and eating greedily, whatever comes 
 in his way. 
 
 The grafshopper difcovers the fame ravenous ap- 
 petite, by his open and menacing mouth. 
 
 The horn-beetle, or bull-fly, appears cruel and 
 ferocious. Like him, there is a fwarm of reptiles 
 whofe united features might ferve to furnifli a pic- 
 ture of the greateft wickednefs, were it not unfor- 
 tunately found in the faces of nobler creatures. 
 
 "^True it is, however, that much as they vary in 
 fliape, colour, and inclinations, we find them all 
 wifely formed by the Creative hand to anfwer the 
 fecret views of Providence. 
 
 ESSAY 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 195 . 
 
 ESSAY XXIII. 
 
 0?i Worms. 
 
 AMONG all living creatures, worms are thofe 
 whofe defcription forms the moft difficult talk, on 
 account of their incalculable number and infinite 
 varieties, abounding in all parts of the univerfe, in 
 every element, as well as in animals and vege- 
 tables, for the wifeft purpofe as if they were 
 the principal agents employed by Nature to deftroy, 
 corrupt, or purify her glorious works. 
 
 They are generally divided into fix clafles, de- 
 fcribed according to their refpe6tive forms and qua- 
 lities, viz. — 
 
 ifl. Microfcopic worms, refembiing vegetables, 
 — fuch as the polypus, the proteus, and others 
 which are not familiarly known to us, on account 
 of the changes that they undergo ; but they are all 
 equally diftinguiffied by one common trait, — their 
 voracity in deftroying whatever (olid body comes 
 within their reach, except their own fpecies 
 as if they had no other faculty than tp digcll, as 
 they do, in their imperfedt (late of exigence. 
 
 They polTefs the furprifing power to reproduce 
 themfelves, not only from their eggs, but likewife 
 
396 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 out of the divided parts of their bodies, whatever 
 way the feparation be made, length wife or crolf- 
 wife, in a iingle or double divifon. 
 
 2dly. Inteftine worms are ealier to be diftinguifli- 
 ed, as their bodies are harder, longer, and more 
 regular. They live in the bowels of animals, by 
 fea and land. Being produced by eggs, they have 
 alfo the fame regenerating faculty as others for re- 
 viving out of their mutilated parts. Their Phyfiog- 
 nomy infpires fear and melancholy j nay, the very 
 thought of fome grubs, like thefe, fuffices to make 
 unpleafant impreffions. We fhall not, therefore, 
 extend this defcription at the rifque of giving pain 
 to delicate minds. 
 
 Sdly. Glow-worms are hitherto very little known, 
 except from the quality peculiar to them of fa- 
 vouring the benighted traveller with their dazzling 
 light, particularly on the fca-fliore, in different parts 
 of the globe. We can only add, that thefe finning 
 worms are of various kinds, differing much in their 
 form and qualities. 
 
 4thly. This fourth clafs, called by the French 
 echinodernes, is equally beyond human comprehen- 
 lion for defcribing it properly, fo far as to form a 
 right judgment of all its traits. We know that, 
 like others, they reproduce themfelves out of their 
 feparated members. 
 
 5thly. Teftaceous worms are covered with fliells, 
 like the fnail. They open a larger field for obfer- 
 . . vation. 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 J97 
 
 Vation, as not only their heads, but other parts, are 
 vifible to the naked eye ; even growing mufcles are 
 to be Teen in fome of them, with a full growth of 
 fliells in fpires, by which the grub’s age may be 
 afcertained ; but men have generally admired more 
 this worm’s cabin than himfelf, on account of its 
 gaudy colours, and beautiful ftru6ture. The ad- 
 mirers of Nature, after having done juhice to his 
 tafte and ingenuity, will, however, indulge a train 
 of thoughts about the method ufed by fuch a puny 
 creature, to execute that mafter-piece of architec- 
 ture in a llyle of elegance and inimitable perfec- 
 tion. 
 
 6thly. The zoophytes, or fea-polypufes, have been 
 confidered as vegetables for many ages ; but fome 
 naturalifts now pronounce them to be the inter- 
 mediate link in Nature’s chain between the animal 
 and vegetable worlds. Be that as it may, we la- 
 ment that this branch of natural hiftory has not 
 been cultivated with fuch fuccefs, as to excite a 
 ftronger intereft, that might tend equally to gratify 
 curiohly, and produce ufeful difcoveries. 
 
 O 3 
 i 
 
 ESSAY 
 
198 
 
 LAVAtER’s 
 
 ESSAY XXIV 
 
 On Vegetables. 
 
 A THINKING man cannot look about him 
 without feeling curious to know the fates of all 
 living creatures, particularly thofe who contribute 
 moft to his comfort and entertainment. Hence 
 arifes an anxious concern to penetrate the fecrets 
 of Nature upon an extenfive fcale ; but let not felf- 
 love miflead us to conceive too high an opinion of 
 ourfelves, when we confider the various furrounding 
 obje 61 s which attract our attention, and deferve ad- 
 miration. 
 
 Thus, if plants do not poffefs all the moving figns 
 or geflures peculiar to animals, they fpeak an elo- 
 quent language at every period when they renew 
 their exillence, and difplay frefli beauties in tender 
 branches, leaves, or bloffoms, proclaiming their re- 
 fpeftive parents. We need not dwell on the many 
 changes that they undergo. Let it fuffice for 
 us to retrace fome of the fenfations raifed by 
 this lovely part of the creation, already divided into 
 thirty thoufand claffes, and diftinguiflied by the 
 different impreflions which they make on our 
 minds. 
 
 Do 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 1^9 
 
 Do not our wearied eyes find gentle repofe, and 
 our troubled hearts derive frefh fpirits, from the 
 fight of a foft verdure ? 
 
 Are we not ftruck. with noble and awful fen- 
 timents on treading the footfteps of our forefathers, 
 at an early hour, in that facred grove whofe lofty 
 branches waft a gentle zephyr, while the hollow 
 trunk betrays the marks of ages paft; or the more 
 pleafmg effufions of a tender heart, in a few poetic 
 lines, carved on the rind by a conitant lover, who 
 is now no more ? 
 
 How pleafant is a botanic garden, where tranf- 
 planted Ihrubs of every growth, country, and cli- 
 mate, meet in clofe ranks, ready to ferve us in a 
 thoufand ways 1 
 
 The rofe is like a beautiful coquette, who difplays 
 her charms to all the world y but the tuberofe 
 appears more coy. The violet and panfy exhibit 
 equally their modefty ; the flower-de-luce difcovers 
 majefty, while fweetnefs breathes in the jonquille 
 and jafmine j the pink, tulip, and others, join 
 their fragrant fmells to fuch allurements as tempt 
 us to enjoy the pleafures of a parterre glittering 
 with full-blooming flow^ers. 
 
 What expreflions of good-will towards mankind 
 do we not fee or conceive in thofe precious trees, 
 which, waving with the leaft breath of air, drop or 
 olfer us their favoury fruits ! 
 
 O 4 
 
 Some 
 
200 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 Some vegetables will weather the liorm, with- 
 out falling, till they are ripe, and fit to be gather- 
 ed for our refrefliment ; while many a wholefome 
 plant is doomed to grow iinfeen, and wafte its 
 goodnefs on the craggy cliff; nay, there is an 
 infinity of others, pofTeffing the moll: healing qua- 
 lities, or formed to lull our fouls to reft, which are 
 produaions either of the higheft mountains, or of 
 the deep ocean, deferted vales, Jakes, rivers, and 
 mineral fprings. 
 
 If we refledf, for an inftant, on their tender frames, 
 compared with the folid conftitutions of living crea- 
 tures, a ftriking difference between fome of them 
 will be difcovered, in a deviation from the general 
 order of Nature ; becaufe the ftalks or branches of 
 a plant may be feparated, without deftroying its 
 whole exiftence ; while the ftream of life has not 
 one common centre, but animates alike every part 
 of the vegetative fyftem. 
 
 Vegetables pufli their growth by three principal 
 ways,— abforption or fucking up, circulation or 
 motion of the fluid, and nourifliment ; and by the 
 fecondary operations of generation and fecretion ; 
 for the a6fs of budding, grafting, tranfpiring, &c. 
 may be called mere modes of accompliftiing the 
 fame purpofe of vegetating. 
 
 Their outward parts exhibit only a fuller difplay 
 of that interior fubftance and compofition, in which 
 they would probably be found to differ materially 
 
 from 
 
looking glass. 
 
 201 
 
 from each other, were fuch able naturalifts as 
 Desfontaines to continue refearches after the dif- 
 tin^ion of fcxes, families, and colonies, in the ve- 
 getable world. In the mean time, thofe plants 
 which live more than one year anfwer the two 
 following defcriptions, viz. — 
 
 irt. Monocotyledones have no diftincl concentric 
 fprigs or layers pointed towards the middle : their 
 juice runs through the fibres or filaments, without 
 any ramifications tending to, or from, one point. 
 
 2dly. The Dicotyledones are of a defcription op- 
 pofite to the laft, agreeable to the circulating fyfiem 
 of the blood and fluids in other animals. 
 
 In the firfl clafs we reckon the palm, cow-grafs, 
 afparagus, fern, the daffodil, mofs, &c. &c. 
 
 On the other hand, hart- wort, houfe-leek, Indian 
 fig, and others, with two feminal leaves, are of the 
 fecond order already defcribed. 
 
 Thefe two claffes are invariable, and infeparable 
 from every partial variation difcovered in the uni- 
 verfal fyfiem : the firft is pliant or tender, and the 
 fecond of a harder or more durable kind. Thus, 
 at firfi fight, we difiinguifli the flender palm-tree 
 from the beech, the fir, the elm, or other trees 
 difiinguifhed by a double feminal leaf. Indeed, fo 
 nicely do we find their kindred marked by fuch 
 Phyfiognomical figns, that, after a feries of years, 
 when only the remains of a trunk are brought to 
 
 light. 
 
202 
 
 LAVATEft’s 
 
 light, there is no doubt or difficulty in afcertaining 
 to which family it belongs. 
 
 In obferving the palm, we can eafily make the 
 additional difcovery of its age, from the circular 
 lines with which the furface of the flock is furrow- 
 ed over, even fo far as to afleft the whole outward 
 compafs. 
 
 Befides thefe natural diftindlions, there are accb 
 dental differences or difformities" to which a plan- 
 tation is fubjeft from an interruption of growth, 
 fuch as has fallen within the limits of every man’s 
 obfervations at Paris, as we (hall prove by the fol- 
 lowing cafe in point : — —We may fee there, in the 
 King’s, or National Garden, a palm confiderably 
 (hrunk in the middle, from a caufe well known, 
 and hereafter explained. 
 
 This plant was carried to the Ifle of France in a 
 fmall chefl, and fliipped off for Europe in the year 
 1789 ; but, notwithftanding the care taken of it 
 upon the paffage, and afterwards, it continued long 
 in a languifhing condition. At lafl, as the vege- 
 tation had been entirely flopped, the flalk grew up 
 feme inches, with this difference, — that the fecond 
 growth was much fmaller than the former; and, 
 although thefe frefh flioots have gradually rifen coii- 
 fiderably, there flill are, and ever will be, vifible 
 figns of that contraction ; for where this defeCt ap- 
 pears, the circumference is thirteen inches, twenty- 
 one lower, and eighteen above. This tree grew 
 
 about 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 203 
 
 about a foot in eight years. The additional height 
 is a regular cylinder, and not fo thick as from the 
 contrafted part down to the root, becaufe its vege- 
 tation was not fo much forced in a temperate 
 climate as in the native foil where it firft grew, 
 under the torrid zone. 
 
 But fimilar effects cannot poffibly proceed from 
 the fame caufes in trees differently defcribed, which 
 grow up with uniform ftalks dire£fed to one central 
 point ; fo that, however they may vegetate in dif- 
 ferent countries, the trunk will preferve its pri- 
 mitive form : yet, notwithftanding this affinity be- 
 tween them all, in fome refpe£ts, if we confider at- 
 tentively the fcattered colonies tranfplanted all over 
 the globe, the refult of our refle^fions will be a 
 conviftion, — that thefe living, creatures (plants) have, 
 like others, an original race, from which they are 
 defcended, and a mother-country, beft fuited to 
 their refpefUve conftitutions. 
 
 This truth muff appear in a ftronger light, from 
 a comparative review of fhch as are called branches 
 of the natural families of plants. 
 
 Muflirooms, and their relatives, grow regularly 
 upon one fcallion, with a ftalk terminating in a 
 chapiter, or like the top of a pillar. They are all 
 of a fpungy fubftance, porous, cracked, and m 
 pointed blades, growing on putrified wood. 
 
 Mofs confifts of feveral fmall leaves, growing fe- 
 parately upon one ftem, and blooming in winter. 
 
 4 Inftead 
 
204 . 
 
 lavater’s 
 
 Inftead of piftils, and a ftamlna of flowers, the mate 
 kind of this herb produces nothing but dufl:. A 
 naturalifl; has, however, difcovered the female with 
 feeds in fliells properly preferved. 
 
 Fern has generally long leaves, like a plume of 
 feathers, rolled up in a fpiral form till they flioot 
 out, being covered with fliells or pods, and produc- 
 ing grain on the back part of each leaf, as in the 
 polypode, or on particular blades, as in the ofmonde. 
 
 Corn, fuch as wheat and barley, grows on hollow 
 ftalks, each knotted, and bearing: a fliell for grain, 
 found at the bottom of a covered chalice. They 
 have generally three ftamina. 
 
 The palm is of a cylindrical form, terminating at 
 top in a tuft of lively-coloured leaves, parting from 
 the centre, and never dropping till others have 
 grown in their place. The plants of this family 
 are dioiqueSy or monoiqucs. 
 
 The flower-de-luce has a coloured chalice, or 
 cup, with fix rows, and ftamina; a pod in three 
 divifions, with alternate leaves on the ftalk, form- 
 ing a flieath at bottom, with fliells for the feed 
 opening above. 
 
 The daffodil has fix ftamina, like the lily, but 
 differs from that fpecies, in having the ovarium for 
 feed below. 
 
 The iris has only three ftamina, and is like the 
 daffodil in other elfential parts. , 
 
 Sage 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 205 
 
 Sage and nettles have fquare blades ; oppohte 
 leaves, with flowers in ringlets j a cup, or chalice, 
 riling like a faw, with live edges ; four ftamina, but 
 only two in a perfeQ ftatc. Their flyle refembles 
 a fork with two prongs, and their ripe truit is with- 
 out a hulk. 
 
 CalPs-muzzle, flax, &c. differ from the laft- 
 mentioned fpecies, in having the grain in a fliell, 
 called the pericardium. 
 
 Tarnfol, borage, &c. bear alternate leaves, chec- 
 quered with glands, or rough hair ; ftiff chalice, with 
 five deep rows j a regular chaplet Tiiouopctcilj or 
 formed of one petal ; but in the viperina, or viper’s 
 herb, it is irregular, like a wheel, or a funnel. This 
 kind of plant has five ftamina, or threads. 
 
 The apocina and periwinkle have a five-edged 
 cup, from which a double follicle, or veffel for the 
 feed, Ihoots out ; with a Angle wreath of five rows, 
 five ftamina, and grain with or without an aigrette, 
 like a heron’s cap. 
 
 Some of this kind are poifonous, or, at leaft, un- 
 wholefome ; and even the laurel-rofe is dangerous. 
 
 The three following kinds are of the compojite 
 order, having feveral diftindt flowers united in a 
 common chalice ; Angle-leaved garlands fixed upon 
 one ovarium, or veffel, for the feed ; bare grain j five 
 threads, or ftamina, united on the Aides with al- 
 ternate leaves, in general \ apd other flight fhades 
 
 of 
 
206 
 
 LAV ATER’s 
 
 of diiference, too well known to require a fuller 
 explanation, namely : — 
 
 1ft. Tht femi-flofcular, fuch as the lettuce and 
 piftabed, which confift of flat flowers in long blades, 
 like demi-flower-work. 
 
 2dly. The flofcular kind has a perfedl flower- 
 work, as we fee in the artichoke, heart’s-eafe, or 
 the trinity. 
 
 odly. Radiant herbs have a complete flower- 
 work in the centre, and demi-fleurons, or blades, 
 like tongues, in the circumference,— juft as we find 
 the virga aurea, or the golden rod, and the do- 
 ronica. 
 
 The fcabious herb differs only in not having the 
 fides united. 
 
 Madder, and the milk-curdler, have ftiff blades, 
 with ftraight or crofs leaves ; intermediate bars be- 
 tween the buds or untimely fhoots; a fingle-leaved 
 chaplet j four or five ftamina; bare fruit, covered 
 with a bulk, or buried in the berry. 
 
 Parfley, carrots, and others, called omhellifer^ 
 bear flowers fhooting out from their centre like an 
 umbrella ; having a five-leaved garland, or chaplet ; 
 five ftamina, which fall early ; two ftiles or rows of 
 grain, which has a fmaJl thread in the middle, and 
 feparates itfelf in an upward direffion when it has 
 been prefled. 
 
 The cabbage is cruciform, with a four-leaved 
 cup, or chalice, decaying j four petals like a crofs ; 
 
 ' fix 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 207 
 
 itamina, of which two are Ihortj one ftile, and 
 one (hell for the feed. 
 
 Mallows are diftinguilhed by alternate leaves; 
 two petals, with knots or bars at the bottom ; fingle 
 or double chalice, complete ; a five-leaved chaplet 
 fixed on the bafe of a pillar formed by the union 
 of the different threads which compofe the ftamina ; 
 together with one or more ftiles, and either feveral 
 veffels placed in a circular row, each containing one 
 grain, or a fingle fhell holding feveral grains of feed 
 in feparate folds. 
 
 Thefe plants are flimy, and their bark is fuffi- 
 ciently hard to ferve for making ropes or paper. 
 
 The geranium differs from mallows principally in 
 having a hollow tube like a crane’s back, opening 
 from the bottom upwards. 
 
 Five branches of this fpecies fhoot out and form 
 a fmall ftar. The cup, or chalice, is plain, with 
 deep rows, five petals, and compaff or clofe threads, 
 or ftamina. 
 
 The pink has oppofite rows of leaves ; a folid, 
 longifh, and fingle-leaved chalice ; five petals, ter- 
 minathig in a point like a graver, fixed under the 
 piftil ; with ten ftamina, or branches ; feldom four, 
 two, or five ftiles ; and fruit that becomes a hulk 
 opening above. The grain flicks on a pyramid in 
 the middle of the fhell. 
 
 Apples 
 
208 
 
 L AVATER’s 
 
 Apples and pears are of that numerous clafs 
 which produces the mofi; pleafant fruit, partly dif- 
 tinguiflied by kernels. 
 
 They have alternate leaves, with a fingle tuft 
 divided into feveral parts; having five petals of 
 flowers, with from twenty to a hundred branches; 
 and feveral fmall twigs, all concentrating to give 
 thefe trees a mofi; fhowy appearance in full bloom. 
 
 They produce nothing but fuch falutary food as 
 a child may fafely eat, and foon know from any 
 other, by looking at the trees thus deferibed. 
 
 Pulfe, peas, and beans, bear alternate leaves, 
 with a cup of one piece, and an irregular crown of 
 various flowers, refembling a butterfly. 
 
 It is on account of fuch a likenefs, that gardeners 
 call the upper petal, the ffandard; thofe on the 
 fides, wings ; and the lower ones, flankers. The 
 latter is fornetimes but a fmgle leaf, and often found 
 to be formed by two united petals. 
 
 The fliells frequently grow together, fo as to be 
 only feparated with difficulty. 
 
 The willow, filbert, &c. confift of trees or fhrubs, 
 which produce alternate leaves fhooting out, or 
 concealed in pods ; with male flowers like the 
 collet of a ring ; and female ones, feparate by them- 
 felves, or united in circles about the fame ftalk that 
 generally produces both fexes. 
 
 We have already had occafion to mention that 
 clafs of plants which yield fruit like a cone, or a 
 
 fugar- 
 
LOOKING-GLASS. 
 
 209 
 
 fugar-loaf; — fuch as the pine and the fir, whofe 
 apples are familiar to every body. 
 
 Their leaves are alternate, fliooting out at once, 
 or penetrating through a pod, and yielding flowers, 
 of which each fex, by turns, embellifhes the dif- 
 ferent twigs from one feafon to another, in con- 
 tinual clufters, and never-ceafing fucceffion. 
 
 Thus have we reviewed many glorious works, 
 without wifhing to trefpafs on any reader’s pa- 
 tience. 
 
 But, however concife or imperfeft thefe fketches 
 may be, let us hope that they will enable a young 
 Undent to form a juft idea of all animals, by exa- 
 mining their faces, manners, complexion, and dif- 
 pofition, while, with reverence, he confiders thofe 
 wife views of Providence for which they were 
 defigned. 
 
 With thefe impreflions, afpiring to know more, 
 the liberal-minded fcholar will then conclude by 
 
 faying Such is the boafted privilege of man ; 
 
 the creature endowed with the greateft gifts of 
 Heaven, reafon, fpeech, and fuch fuperior inteh 
 le6l^ as render him the fovereign lord on earth ! 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 P 
 
 INDEX 
 
INDEX 
 
 TO 
 
 Laimier'‘s Looking Glafs. 
 
 Page. 
 
 
 Page, 
 
 A. 
 
 
 Apollo 
 
 20 
 
 ABYSSINIANS 
 
 72 
 
 Apollo di Belvedere, a Statue 22 
 
 Accidents no Bar to Phy- 
 
 Apple Trees 
 
 208 
 
 fiognomy 
 
 Adam’s Primitive State 
 
 151 
 
 Apprehenfions 
 
 44 
 
 J 2 
 
 Aquiline Nofe 
 
 89 
 
 Adam’s Apple 
 
 93 
 
 Arabs 
 
 22 
 
 Admiration 
 
 43 
 
 Armenians 
 
 22, 67 
 
 Africans 
 
 22 
 
 Arms, human 
 
 49 
 
 Age 
 
 ^9 
 
 Arrangement of Profiles 
 
 140 
 
 Age oppreffed 
 
 147 
 
 Ariftotle 
 
 163 
 
 Almonds 
 
 208 
 
 Arteries 
 
 1 15 
 
 Americans 
 
 68 
 
 Art defcribed 
 
 1 24 
 
 Amphibious Animals 
 
 187 
 
 Artichoke 
 
 206 
 
 Anatomy praifed in Poetry 
 
 12 
 
 Afiatics 
 
 69 
 
 Anatomy defended in Profe 
 
 32 
 
 Afs 
 
 176 
 
 Anatomical Explanations 
 
 1 1 1 
 
 Atlas, Mount 
 
 67 
 
 Ancient Britons like Goats 
 
 176 
 
 Attention a Sign of Wifdom i C4. 
 
 Ancients, Bunglers in paint- 
 
 Audacity 
 
 45 
 
 ing Infants 
 
 ^7 
 
 Awe 
 
 45 
 
 Ancient Greeks, their Syf- 
 
 
 B. 
 
 
 tems, &c. 
 
 29 
 
 Baboon 
 
 T67 
 
 Ankles 
 
 67 
 
 Barbary 
 
 72, &c. 
 
 Angelo Michael 9, 
 
 158 
 
 Pardon’s Paflions 
 
 43 
 
 Anger 
 
 45 
 
 Bailey 
 
 204 
 
 Animals 
 
 1 66 
 
 Bat 
 
 179 
 
 Antelope 
 
 *79 
 
 Bath, Painter 
 
 160 
 
 Antipathy 
 
 45 
 
 Beans 
 
 208 
 
 Antihelix 
 
 9 * 
 
 Beauty’s Claims, Introduftion 2 
 
 Antitragus 
 
 92 
 
 Beauty defcribed 1 3 , 
 
 22, 36 
 
 Anxiety 
 
 44 
 
 Beaver 
 
 *79 
 
 Ape 
 
 100 
 
 Beb6, the Dwarf 
 
 64 
 
 Apelles 
 
 37 
 
 Beech 
 
 201 
 
 ^ pocina 
 
 ■3 
 
 205 
 
 Bees 
 
 *93 
 
 Bengal 
 
INDEX. 211 
 
 Bengal 
 
 Page. 
 
 69 
 
 Childs, Bankers 
 
 Page. 
 
 l6t 
 
 Blackamoors 
 
 72 
 
 Chlnefe 
 
 25 » 27 
 
 Blumenbac 
 
 53 
 
 Cheeks 
 
 85, 14® 
 
 Bolton and Watt, of Soho, 
 
 Chin 
 
 91 
 
 near Birmingham 
 
 190 
 
 Congo 
 
 73 
 
 Boar 
 
 >77 
 
 Cock 
 
 182 
 
 Bonnet 
 
 170 
 
 Contempt 
 
 45 
 
 Borage 
 
 205 
 
 Cooke, Captain 
 
 70, 71 
 
 Boys defcrihed 
 Brains 
 
 17 
 
 Connor Bernard 
 
 59 
 
 1 12 
 
 Contradidion 
 
 45 
 
 Bread 
 
 50 
 
 Conlfere Plants 
 
 208 
 
 Brandt 
 
 16® 
 
 Commerfon 
 
 63 
 
 Bohme, Jacob 
 
 163 
 
 Coromandel 
 
 71 
 
 Bozandians 
 
 23 
 
 Corn 
 
 204 
 
 Brazilians 
 
 69 
 
 Complexions 
 
 66 
 
 Buffon 
 
 54 > 59 
 
 Courage 
 
 43 
 
 Bulkley 
 
 12 
 
 Copper-coloured 
 
 68 
 
 Buffalo 
 
 ‘77 
 
 Corpfes 
 
 >43 
 
 Bull 
 
 178 
 
 Corficans 
 
 66 
 
 Bufts 
 
 48 
 
 Cofmos 
 
 37 
 
 Butterfly 
 
 192 
 
 Crown-work 
 
 112 
 
 C. 
 
 
 Crocodile 
 
 188 
 
 Cabbages 
 
 206 
 
 Cupid 
 
 18 
 
 Caianus, the Giant 
 
 60 
 
 Cuiloms fatal 
 
 26 
 
 Caffraria 
 
 73 
 
 D. 
 
 
 CalPs-muzzle 
 
 203 
 
 Daffodil 
 
 204 
 
 Calicut 
 
 24 
 
 Danae’s Pidure 
 
 18 
 
 Callot 
 
 t6o 
 
 Dancing Hours, Introdiidion 3 
 
 Calmoucks 
 
 23 
 
 Danes 
 
 66 
 
 Campbell 
 
 12 
 
 Daubenton 
 
 6b 
 
 Camel 
 
 176 
 
 Davis’s Streight 
 
 23 
 
 Cameleon 
 
 187 
 
 Defcartes, IntrodiuSHon 
 
 4 
 
 Camera Obfcura 
 
 105, 157 
 
 Devos 
 
 1 60 
 
 Cambaye 
 
 7 ' 
 
 Derifion 
 
 43 
 
 Camper on Skulls 
 
 53 
 
 Dimples 
 
 86 
 
 Canada 
 
 70 
 
 Dicotyledones 
 
 201 
 
 Cardan 
 
 65 
 
 Dioiques 
 
 204 
 
 Carbuncles no Bar 
 
 84 
 
 Difappointment 
 
 45 
 
 Carrots 
 
 204 
 
 Diflike 
 
 45 
 
 Caterpillars 
 
 196 
 
 Difdain 
 
 45 
 
 Cats 
 
 ^11 
 
 Diftrufl 
 
 45 
 
 Ceylon 
 
 24 
 
 Doronic 
 
 201 
 
 Chamois 
 
 178 
 
 Dove 
 
 J82 
 
 Circaffians 
 
 20, 23, 67 
 
 Dominichlni 
 
 18 
 
 Childhood 
 
 16 
 
 Drawing 
 
 156 
 
 
 P 
 
 2 
 
 Dow, 
 
212 
 
 IliDEX 
 
 Page. 
 
 
 Page. 
 
 Dow, Gerard 
 
 >59 
 
 Flight 
 
 46 
 
 Dutchman’s Skull, Introduftion 6 
 
 Fly 
 
 193 
 
 Drefs dangerous 
 
 26 
 
 Forehead 
 
 78 ,120 
 
 Dwarfs 
 
 65 
 
 Foot 
 
 99 
 
 Dromedary 
 
 176 
 
 Foulefe 
 
 72 
 
 Ducks 
 
 182 
 
 Fox 
 
 178 
 
 E. 
 
 
 Frederick the Great 
 
 57 
 
 Eagle 
 
 j8i 
 
 Frogs 
 
 188 
 
 Ears 91, 
 
 105 
 
 Frontometre 
 
 144 
 
 Echlnodernes 
 
 196 
 
 French 
 
 66 
 
 Egyptians 
 
 72 
 
 French Women, Introdu( 51 :ion 4 
 
 Elephant 
 
 189 
 
 Friend of the Table 
 
 H 7 
 
 Elm 
 
 201 
 
 Fury 
 
 46 
 
 Englifh 
 
 66 
 
 Fufeli 
 
 160 
 
 Englifh KilTes 57, 
 
 ”7 
 
 G. 
 
 
 Englidr Language, in the 
 
 
 Galen, IntrodudHon 
 
 4 
 
 Addrefs 
 
 3 
 
 Gambia 
 
 72 
 
 Envy 
 
 45 
 
 Ganges 
 
 52 
 
 Engravings, Title-page, &c. 
 
 
 Garrick 
 
 107 
 
 
 179 
 
 Genius, Introduftion 
 
 2 
 
 Erlxeben 
 
 52 
 
 Genius defcribed 
 
 8 
 
 Efkimaux 
 
 70 
 
 Georgians and Germans 
 
 66 
 
 Ethiopians 
 
 72 
 
 Geranium 
 
 207 
 
 Euler 
 
 167 
 
 Ghaftlinefs 
 
 45 
 
 European Ladies 
 Eve’s Eye 
 
 28 
 
 Gibbon 
 
 169 
 
 79 
 
 Giants 
 
 60, 62 
 
 Eyes 
 
 80 
 
 Gilly 
 
 60 
 
 Eye-lids, &c. 
 
 80 
 
 Glow-worms 
 
 196 
 
 Expreffion in Painting, or 
 
 
 Goliath 
 
 60 
 
 in Phyfiography 
 
 39 
 
 Golthius 
 
 160 
 
 Extremities of the Body 
 
 96 
 
 Gnats 
 
 194 
 
 F. 
 
 Goats 
 
 *75 
 
 Faces, their Form 
 
 131 
 
 Goree 
 
 72 
 
 Falcon 
 
 181 
 
 Grace 
 
 36 
 
 Fafhions 26 
 
 > 27 
 
 Grafshopper 
 
 194 
 
 Fear 
 
 46 
 
 Greeks 1 8 
 
 » 3 Sy 34 
 
 Feeling 
 
 105 
 
 Grecian Statues 
 
 * 5 » 57 
 
 Fern 
 
 204 
 
 Grecian Nofe 
 
 83 
 
 Filberts 
 
 208 
 
 Greenlanders 
 
 20 
 
 Fingers 
 
 125 
 
 Grief 
 
 46, 147 
 
 Finland 
 
 67 
 
 Griffin 
 
 1 82 
 
 Fir 
 
 209 
 
 Grins, &c. 
 
 46, 85 
 
 Filhes 
 
 185 
 
 Giulio Romano 
 
 9 
 
 Flax 
 
 203 
 
 Guido 
 
 •59 
 
 Flower-de-luce 
 
 204 
 
 Guiana 
 
 21 
 
 Guinea 
 
INDEX, 
 
 213 
 
 Page. 
 
 Guinea 24 
 
 Gratarole, Dr. 164 
 
 Gums 88 
 
 H. 
 
 Haller’s Eftimate 59 
 
 Haller’s odd Feature 135 
 
 Habicot’s Error 61 
 
 Hagen, J. De 163 
 
 Hands 97 
 
 Handel 107 
 
 Harlot’s Progrefs 159 
 
 Hare 175 
 
 Hawk 181 
 
 Hazel Trees 208 
 
 Heart’s-eafe 206 
 
 Helix 91 
 
 Head 47, 76, 86 
 
 Heels 50 
 
 Hemlock 201 
 
 Helvetius 42 
 
 Hiltory neceflary 146 
 
 Hog 176 
 
 Hogarth 159 
 
 Hoden 72 
 
 Holland, New 24 
 
 Hope 46 
 
 Homer 1 7 1 
 
 Horfe j 70 
 
 Hottentots 2 1 
 
 Houfe-leek 201 
 
 Hubert 193 
 
 Hudfon’s Bay 24 
 
 Hunter, Dr. 12 
 
 I. 
 
 Idiot 144 
 
 Imaus 5 2 
 
 Independence a Glualifica- 
 tion for Studying Faces 145 
 Indians 52 
 
 Indifference 45 
 
 Infancy 1 6 
 
 Infult 45 
 
 Irritation 45 
 
 Java 7! 
 
 Jaw-bone 
 
 Page. 
 
 133 
 
 J ealoufy 
 
 45 
 
 Jenkins, of Rome 
 
 161 
 
 J afmine 
 
 205 
 
 Jupiter 
 
 16, 18 
 
 Juniper 
 
 205 
 
 Jones, an honeft Refiner of 
 
 Drugs 
 
 12 
 
 K. 
 
 Kabarandilkis 
 
 67 
 
 Kant’s ClafTes of Mankind 52 
 
 King of Pruffia 
 
 57 
 
 Kifles 57, 
 
 
 Knees 
 
 50 
 
 Kneller 
 
 >59 
 
 L. 
 
 Labrador 
 
 24 
 
 La Condamine 
 
 56 
 
 Laocoon, a Trunk 
 
 95 
 
 Lavater’s Pidure 
 
 4 » >47 
 
 Lavaterian School 
 
 124, 140 
 
 La Chambre 
 
 164 
 
 La Fage 
 
 160 
 
 Laireffe 
 
 160 
 
 Laughter 
 
 no 
 
 Languor 
 
 44 
 
 Laplanders 
 
 65, 70 
 
 Larynx 
 
 93 
 
 Laurel 
 
 205 
 
 La Peroufe 
 
 7 ‘ 
 
 Leaping 
 
 103 
 
 Languages a Qualification 
 
 forStudyingPhyfiognomy 145 
 
 Le Brun 43, 
 
 108, 156 
 
 Legs 
 
 . 50 
 
 Le Sueur 
 
 >59 
 
 Leyde 
 
 160 
 
 Lily 
 
 199, 204 
 
 Lion 
 
 >77 
 
 Lips 
 
 88, 118 
 
 Locke 
 
 >44 
 
 Longing 
 
 46 
 
 Love, and its Effefts 
 
 45 
 
 Lucan 
 
 172 
 
 Lunatics 
 
214 
 
 INDEX; 
 
 Pag-e. 
 
 Lunatics 136 
 
 Lynx 179 
 
 M. - 
 
 Macreath 5 9 
 
 Madagalcar 73 
 
 Madder 206 
 
 Madnefs 36, 44, 136 
 
 Malabar 7 1 
 
 Malacca 73 
 
 Malaguatta 73 
 
 Malays 7 1 
 
 Maldivas 7 1 
 
 Mallows 207 
 
 Man 47, 119 
 
 Man of the Wood 169 
 
 Marbitius, Founder of a new 
 Syilem 163 
 
 Marne, River 76 
 
 Marly Machine 190 
 
 May-bug 1 94 
 
 Mechanic Principles taught 
 by Serpents 190 
 
 Medals 145 
 
 Melancholy 1 1 3 
 
 Mengs, Painter 159 
 
 Mexicans 53 
 
 Michael Angelo 9, 158 
 
 Miffiflippi 70 
 
 Microfcopic Worms 195 
 
 Milton 79 
 
 Mingrelians 67 
 
 Minerva 38 
 
 Mirth 44 
 
 Moguls 67 
 
 Moluccas 7 ^ 
 
 Mollufcular Worms 1 96 
 
 Monocotyledones 201 
 
 Montaigne 97 
 
 Monkey 167, 176 
 
 Morin 
 
 More, Jacob, of Rome 161 
 Morocco 67 
 
 Mofs 203 
 
 Mouth 87 
 
 Mountaineers 176 
 
 Mulattoes 74 
 
 Muralt 
 
 Page. 
 
 6 ; 
 
 M ufcles 
 
 ^7 
 
 Mufhrooms 
 
 203 
 
 N. 
 
 Nails 
 
 49 
 
 Narciflus 
 
 50 
 
 Natolians 
 
 67 
 
 Nature’s Book 
 
 11, 126 
 
 Necks 
 
 93, 120 
 
 Negroes 
 
 69, 72 
 
 Nerves 
 
 106, )o7 
 
 Nervous Syftem 
 
 1 19 
 
 Nettles 
 
 205 
 
 Newton’s Statue 
 
 144 
 
 Newland, Abraham 
 
 57 
 
 Neapolitans 
 
 66 
 
 Nigritia 
 
 72 
 
 Norfolk Dwarf 
 
 65 
 
 Nofe 
 
 82, 83 
 
 0. 
 
 Oats 
 
 204 
 
 Old Age 
 
 >9 
 
 Old Man abandoned 
 
 H 7 
 
 Olympic Games 
 
 34 
 
 Omaguas 
 
 21 
 
 Ombellifer 
 
 206 
 
 Opprefiion 
 
 45 » >47 
 
 Orator of the Heart 
 
 87 
 
 Otaheitans 
 
 7 « 
 
 Ofteology 
 
 132 
 
 Oftiacks 
 
 70 
 
 Oftrich 
 
 J83 
 
 Ouran-outang 
 
 108 
 
 Owl 
 
 182 
 
 Ox 
 
 178 
 
 P. 
 
 Painting, Introdndion, 
 
 &c. 
 
 Painters 
 
 40, 86 
 158 
 
 Palm of the Hand 
 
 49 
 
 Palm Trees 
 
 204 
 
 Panama 
 
 68 
 
 Pangs of Death 
 
 44 
 
 Panfy 
 
 207 
 
 Papous 
 
 24 
 
 Parrots 
 

 INDEX. 
 
 215 
 
 *• 
 
 Page. 
 
 
 Page. 
 
 Parrots 
 
 182 
 
 Raptures 
 
 44 
 
 Parfons 
 
 163 
 
 Rembrandt 
 
 160 
 
 Parfley 
 
 206 
 
 Reaumur 
 
 >93 
 
 Paffions 
 
 43 
 
 Regret 
 
 44 
 
 Paraguay 
 
 70 
 
 Reynolds, Sir Jofhua 
 
 159 
 
 Patagonians 
 
 65 
 
 Riolan 
 
 61 
 
 Peas 
 
 208 
 
 Rofa Salvator 
 
 159 
 
 Peruvians 
 
 71 
 
 Rofe 
 
 199 
 
 Perfians 
 
 7 ‘ 
 
 RouGeau, J. J. 
 
 4 * 
 
 Pear Trees 
 
 208 
 
 Rubens 
 
 158 
 
 Pelican 
 
 182 
 
 Running 
 
 103 
 
 Pemetti 
 
 162 
 
 S. 
 
 
 Phidias 
 
 16 
 
 Sage 
 
 205 
 
 Philippine Iflands 
 
 53 
 
 Samoyedes 
 
 70 
 
 PhyGographical Writers 
 
 162 
 
 Sardinians 
 
 66 
 
 PhyGognomy 124, 
 
 140 
 
 Savages 
 
 54 
 
 Pine 
 
 209 
 
 Satisfavflion 
 
 44 
 
 Plain-dealer 
 
 >55 
 
 Scullenberg 
 
 160 
 
 Plants 
 
 198 
 
 Senegal 
 
 72 
 
 Plato’s Eftimate 
 
 37 
 
 SenGbility 
 
 44 
 
 Poles 
 
 66 
 
 School for Students of Phy- 
 
 
 Polypodes 
 
 204 
 
 Gognomy 
 
 164 
 
 Polypufes 
 
 197 
 
 Senfes, Five 105, 
 
 107 
 
 Poetry 12, 57, 79, 86, 88, 
 
 106, 
 
 Sierra Leone 
 
 73 
 
 107, 122, 147, 171, 172 
 
 Serpents 
 
 190 
 
 Original 136 
 
 
 Sheep 
 
 '75 
 
 Quotations 42 
 
 
 Siamefe 
 
 22 
 
 — 
 
 
 Singing 
 
 44 
 
 Verfes 178 
 
 
 Shadows, or Silhouettes 
 
 >39 
 
 — 
 
 
 Silhouettes 
 
 >39 
 
 Pope, Alexander 
 
 '72 
 
 Sleep 
 
 >43 
 
 Pouffin 
 
 158 
 
 Skulls 6 j, 
 
 142 
 
 Poole 
 
 123 
 
 Sicilians 
 
 1 c 
 
 Porta 
 
 162 
 
 Shakefpeare 
 
 87 
 
 Proteus 
 
 195 
 
 Soles of the Feet 
 
 50 
 
 Pregnancy 
 
 28 
 
 Speech 
 
 1 s r 
 
 ProGles 
 
 137 
 
 Spallanzani 
 
 187 
 
 Q. 
 
 
 Spaniards 
 
 66 
 
 Quimos 
 
 63 
 
 Spine 
 
 82 
 
 R. 
 
 
 Smiles 
 
 86 
 
 Rabbit 
 
 '75 
 
 S wad dli n g -c 1 0 thes 
 
 26 
 
 Racine 
 
 54 
 
 Spranger 
 
 160 
 
 Rage 
 
 43 
 
 Stael, Baronefs De, Intro- 
 
 
 Raillery 
 
 45 
 
 dudion 
 
 4 
 
 Raphael 
 
 '59 
 
 Stupidity 
 
 85 
 
 Swammerdaifi 
 
216 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 
 
 Page. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Swammerdam 
 
 *93 
 
 Vegetables 
 
 198 
 
 Swarthy People 
 
 69 
 
 Venetian Ladies 
 
 27 
 
 Syftem of Nature 
 
 35 
 
 Venus 20, 
 
 ,58 
 
 Switzerland 
 
 59 
 
 Veins 
 
 I j 2 
 
 Swan 
 
 182 
 
 Vengeance 
 
 45 
 
 Swedes 
 
 66 
 
 V exation 
 
 44 
 
 T. 
 
 
 Violet 
 
 199 
 
 T artarians 
 
 23, 71 
 
 Vinci, Leonard de 
 
 10 
 
 Teeth 
 
 89, 90 
 
 Virtue’s Impreffions, &c. 
 
 
 Temple Bar 
 
 161 
 
 36, 
 
 . 49 
 
 Temple 
 
 79 
 
 Virgil 
 
 172 
 
 Teniers 
 
 159 
 
 Voice 
 
 151 
 
 Terra del Fogo 
 
 7 * 
 
 Vulture 
 
 182 
 
 Terror 
 
 45 
 
 W. 
 
 
 Teflaceous Worms 
 
 196 
 
 Walk 
 
 103 
 
 Teutobochus 
 
 60 
 
 Watelet’s Divifion of the 
 
 
 Thighs 
 
 50 
 
 Paffions 
 
 44 
 
 Thynne, Dr. 
 
 12 
 
 Wafp 
 
 192 
 
 Tiger 
 
 177 
 
 Weafel 
 
 178 
 
 Timidity 
 
 45 
 
 Wens 
 
 93 
 
 Titian 
 
 158 
 
 Weft, the Painter 
 
 160 
 
 Toads 
 
 188 
 
 Weft Indies ‘ 
 
 70. 
 
 Tongue 
 
 105 
 
 Wheat 
 
 204 
 
 Torfo il 
 
 94 
 
 Willows 
 
 208 
 
 Tortoife 
 
 189 
 
 Wild Girl of Chalons 
 
 54 
 
 Touch 
 
 105 
 
 Wilkenboon 
 
 l6o 
 
 Tuber ofe 
 
 199 
 
 Women 
 
 20 
 
 Tulip 
 
 199 
 
 Worms 
 
 *93 
 
 Tunis 
 
 72 
 
 Y. 
 
 
 Tunquinefe 
 
 22 
 
 Yellowilh People 
 
 6 
 
 T rinity 
 
 206 
 
 Y outh 
 
 37 
 
 Tragus 
 
 92 
 
 Z. 
 
 
 Turks 
 
 25 
 
 Zanbaga 
 
 72 
 
 V. 
 
 
 Zeuxis 
 
 *5 
 
 Van Dyke 
 
 *59 
 
 Zoophytes 
 
 *97 
 
 PRINTED BY M. RITCHIE* MIDDLE STREET* CIOTH FAIR.