of the face, result only from a sound understanding, and a good heart. This most worthy man, and excellent poet, who died in the year 1769, next goes on to combat some objections to the science of Physiognomy, and then proceeds to observe, that experience evinces that certain irregular and vicious propensities impress very sensible traces on the countenance; and concludes this part of his valuable Lessons of Morality, from which these meagre extracts are made, with some admirable exhortations to those who wish to diffuse over the physionomy a character of dignity, and to render it expressive and interesting. I regret exceedingly my inability to extend these extracts in this place. 12. LA CHAMBRE. Nature has not only bestowed on man voice and a tongue, to be the interpreters of thought; but, in the apprehension that these might be abused, she has written a language in the forehead, and in the eyes, to testify against them should they dare to be unfaithful. In a word, she diffused the whole of man over the whole of his outside, and there is no occasion for a window to transmit his emotions, his inclinations, and habits; for they appear on the face engraven in characters, perfectly manifest and legible.—The Art of knowing Man. 13. HERDER. The work of this excellent writer, entitled De la Plastique: Observations upon the Form and Figure; taken from Pygmalion's Dream, published in the year 1778, is of itself almost a complete system of Physiognomy. The various parts of the human physionomy are depicted by a masterly hand. The head, the hair, the forehead, the eyes, the eye-brows, the nose, the ear, the lips, the mouth, the teeth, the jaw-bone, the chin, have each their appropriate qualifications assigned them. But it is impossible I should select from so great a mass of beauty and excellence, where every thing is so grand, so just, and so accurate. 14. DOCTOR SAUNDERS. It is a wonder, if possible, beyond a wonder, to consider so many faces that are in the world, and yet we never meet with two exactly alike, but some difference is discernible; from whence arises such great difficulty in judging the qualities and dispositions of the persons. The complication in the compositions of the tumours, are so various, that he who will be curious therein, cannot safely pronounce judgment without an exceeding hard study upon various objects and situations.-Secrets of Physiognomy Disclosed, 12mo. published in 1669. 15. DRYDEN. The king arose, with awful grace; Deep thought was in his breast, and counsel in his face. Pallas & Arc. Big was he made, and tall; his port was fierce; Sate in his front, and darted from his eyes, Edipus. His awful presence did the crowd surprise, Pallas & Arc. He looks, as man were made, with face erect, That scorns his brittle corpse, and seems asham'd He's not all spirit: his eyes with dumb pride, Accusing fortune, that he felt not warm: Yet now disdains to live. Don Sebast. By his warlike port, His fierce demeanour, and erected love, He's of no vulgar note. All for Love. Methinks you breathe Another soul: your looks are more divine; 16. MILTON. Deep on his front engraven, Deliberation sate, and public care; And princely counsel in his face yet shone. Par. Lost. Care sat on his faded cheeks; but under brows Of dauntless courage and considerate pride, Waiting revenge. Cruel his eye, but cast Signs of remorse and passion. Ib. His grave rebuke, Severe in youthful beauty, added grace Invincible Par. Lost. 17. DRYDEN'S VIRGIL. The Trojan chief appeared in open sight, Had formed his curling locks, and made his temples shine; Had given his rolling eyes a sparkling grace, Amid the press appears the beauteous bay; Amidst the meaner foil of sable jet. |