PHYSIOGNOMY

PROGNOSTICS DRAWN FROM THE COLOUR AND NATURE OF THE HAIR OF MEN AND WOMEN, AS ALSO FROM THE FOREHEAD, EYEBROWS, EYES, NOSE, MOUTH, CHIN AND WHOLE ASSEMBLAGE OF FEATURES.

1. The gentlemen whose hair is very black and smooth, hanging far over his shoulders, and in large quantity, is mild but resolute; cool until greatly provoked; not much inclined to excess of any kind, but may be persuaded to it. He is constant in his attachment, and not liable to any misfortunes.

2. A lady of the same kind of hair is moderate in her desires of every kind addicted to reflection, and though not subject to violence in love, is steady in her attachments, and no enemy to its pleasures of a constitution neither vigorous nor yet feeble.

3. If the hair is very black, short and curling, the gentleman will be given to liquor, somewhat quarrelsome, and of an unsettled temper; more amorous and less steady in his undertakings, but ardent at the beginning of an enterprise. He will be very desirous of riches, but will often be disappointed to his wishes therein.

4. The same may be said of a lady.

5. A gentleman with dark brown, long and smooth hair is generally of robust constitution; obstinate in his temper, eager in his pursuits, a lover of the fair sex, fond of variety, in his ordinary pursuits exceedingly curious, and of a flexible disposition. He will live long, unless guilty of early intemperance.

6. A lady of the same kind of hair will be nearly the same as the gentleman, but more steady in her conduct and attachments, especially in love. She will be of a good constitution, have many children, be much respected, enjoy good health, and a reasonable share of happiness.

7. If the hair is short and bushy it will make very little alteration in the gentleman or lady, but that the gentleman will be more forward to strike when provoked, and the lady will be more of a scold.

8. A gentleman with light brown, long smooth hair is of a peaceable, even, and rather of a generous temper, will prevent mischief if in his power, but when very much provoked will strike furiously; but is afterward very sorry for his passion, and soon appeased; strongly attached to the company of ladies, and will protect them from any insult. Upon the whole, he is in general an amicable character, affable and kind.

9. A lady of the same kind of hair is tender-hearted, but hasty in temper; neither obstinate nor haughty; her inclinations to love never unreasonable; her constitution will be good, but she will be seldom very fortunate. If the hair is short and bushy, or apt to curl by nature, the gentleman will be more industrious, and the lady more sedentary.

10. A gentleman with fair hair will be of a weak constitution; his mind given much to reflection, especially in religious matters. He will be assiduous in his occupation, but not given to rambling; very moderate in his amorous wishes, but not live to an old age.

11. A lady of this coloured hair is, on the contrary, of a good constitution; never to be diverted from her purposes; very passionate in love affairs, never easy unless when in company, and delights in hearing herself praised, especially for beauty; delights in dancing and strong exercises, and commonly lives to a great age.

12. A gentleman with long, red hair is cunning, artful and deceitful; he is very much addicted to traffic of some kind, restless in his disposition, constantly roving, and desirous of enjoying the pleasures of love. He is covetous of getting money, though he often spends it foolishly; he is indefatigable, and no obstacle will induce him to forsake his enterprise until he has seen the issue of it. He is inclined to timidity, but by reflection may correct it, and pass for a man of courage.

13. A lady of the same kind of hair is glib of tongue, having words at will, talkative and vain; her temper is impatient and fiery, and will not submit to contradiction; she has a constant flow of spirits, and much given to the pleasures of love. However delicate her person may seem, her constitution is generally vigorous; but she seldom lives to see old age, for very obvious reasons; her promises are seldom to be depended upon, because the next object that engrosses her attention makes her forgetful of everything that preceded it, and will always resent any disappointment she may meet with. I will now proceed to give some few instructions concerning the hair in other particulars, by the following remarks.

14. If the hair falls off at the fore part of the head, the person will be easily led, though otherwise rational, and will often find himself duped when he thinks he is acting right; he will likewise frequently meet with disappointments in money matters, which will either hurt his credit of force him to shorten his expenses.

15. If the hair falls off behind, he will be obstinate, peevish, passionate, and fond of commanding others, though he has no right and will grow angry if his advice is not followed. However preposterous, he will be fond of hearing and telling old stories, and tales of ghosts, goblins, and fairies, but will be a good domestic man, and provide for his family to the utmost of his power.

16. If the hair forms an arch around the forehead, without being much indented at the temples, both the gentleman and the lady will be innocent, credulous, peaceable, moderate in all their desires, and though not ardent in their pursuits, will stay persevering. They will be mild, modest, good-natured, prosperous and happy.

17. If the hair is indented at the temples, the person will be affable, steady, good-natured, prudent, and attentive to business, of a solid constitution, and long lived.

18. If the hair descends low upon the forehead, the person will be selfish and designing; of a surly disposition, unsociable, and given to drinking. He will also be addicted to avarice, and his mind will be always intent upon the means of carrying on his schemes etc.

19. The forehead that is large, round and smooth, announces the lady or gentleman to be frank, open, generous, and free; good-natured, and a safe companion; of a good understanding, and scorns to be guilty of any mean actions; faithful to his promises, just in his dealings, steadfast to his engagements, and sincere in his affections; he will enjoy a moderate state of health, etc.

20. If the forehead is flat in the middle, the gentleman or lady will be found to be vain-glorious, and but a little disposed to generosity; very tenacious of his honour, but brave; he will be fond of prying into the secrets of others, though not with an intention of betraying them; he will be fond of reading newspapers, history, novels, and plays; ardent, and very cautious of his own reputation.

21. If there is a hollow across the forehead in the middle, with a ridge as of flesh above, and another below, the gentleman will be a good scholar, the lady a great manufacturer, or attentive to whatever occupation she may be engaged in. They will be warm in argument or debate, they will be firm and steady in any point they fix their minds upon, and by their perseverance will generally carry their object; yet they will meet with many crosses, but will bear them with patience.

22. If the forehead juts out immediately at and over the eyebrows, running flat up to the hair, the gentleman or lady will be sullen, proud, insolent, imperious, and treacherous; they will be impatient when contradicted, apt to give great abuse, and to strike if they think they can do it with great advantage. They will also impose upon any person, never forgiving any injury, and by their misconduct make themselves many enemies.

23. If their temples are hollow, with the bones advancing towards the forehead on either side, so that the space between must be necessarily flat, with a small channel or indenture rising from the upper part of the nose to the hair, the gentleman or lady will be of a daring and intrepid temper, introducing themselves into matters wherein they have no business, desirous of passing for wits, and of a subtle and enterprising nature; greedy of praise, quick in quarrel and of a wandering disposition; very lewd, and full of resentment when they feel their pride hurt. In short, they delight in mischief, riots, etc.

24. If the eyebrows are hairy, and that hair long and curled, with several of the hairs starting out, the gentleman or lady is of a gloomy disposition, litigious, and quarrelsome, although a coward; greedy after the affairs of this world, perpetually brooding over some melancholy subject, and not an agreeable companion. He will be diffident, penurious, and weak in his understanding; never addicted t any kind of learning. He will pretend much friendship, but will make his affected passion subservient to his pecuniary designs, given to drinking, etc.

25. If the gentleman or lady has long eyebrows, with some long hairs, they will be of fickle disposition, weak-minded, credulous and vain, always seeking after novelties, and neglecting their own business; They will be talkative, pert and disagreeable in company; very fond of contradiction, but will not bear disappointment patiently; and will also be much addicted to drinking, etc.

26. If the eyebrows are thick and even, that is, without any or few starting hairs, the gentleman or lady will be of an agreeable temper, sound understanding, and tolerable wit; moderately addicted to pleasure, fearful of giving offence, but intrepid and persevering in support of right; charitable and generous, sincere in their profession of love and friendship, and enjoy a good constitution.

27. If the eyebrow is small, thin of hair, and even, the gentleman or lady will be weak-minded, timorous, superficial, and not to be depended on; they will be desirous of knowledge, but will not have patience and assiduity enough to give it the necessary attention; they will be desirous of praise for worthy actions, but will not have spirit or perseverance enough to perform them in that degree of excellence that is requisite to attract the notice of wise men. They will be of a delicate constitution, etc.

28. If the eyebrow is thick of hair towards the nose, and goes off suddenly very thin, ending in a point, the gentleman or lady will be surly, captious, jealous, fretful, and easily provoked to rage; in their love they will be intemperate.

29. The eye that is large, full, prominent, and clear, denotes a gentleman or lady to be of an ingenious and candid disposition, void of deceit, and of an even, agreeable, and affable disposition; modest and bashful in love, though by no means an enemy to gratification; firm though not obstinate; of a good understanding, of an agreeable but not brilliant wit; but clear and just in argument, inclined to extravagance, and easily imposed upon.

30. The eye that is small, but advanced in the head, shows the gentleman or lady to be of a quick wit, sound constitution, lively genius, agreeable company and conversation, good merals, but rather inclined to joalousy; attention to business, fond of frequently changing his place, punctual in fulfilling his engagements, warm in love, prosperous in his undertakings, and generally fortunate in most things.

31. The gentleman or lady whose eyes are sunk in the head is of a jealous, distrustful, malicious, and envious nature; deceitful in their words and actions, never to be depended upon; cunning in over-reaching others, vain, glorious, and associated with lewd and bad company, etc.

32. The gentleman or lady who squints, or have their eyes turned awry, will be of a penurious disposition, but punctual in their dealings.

33. A black eye is lively, brisk and penetrating, and proves the person who possesses it to be of a sprightly wit, lively conversation, not easily imposed upon, of a sound understanding, but if taken on the weak side, may be led astray for a while.

34. A hazel eye shows the person to be of a subtle, piercing and frolicsome disposition, rather inclined to be arch, and sometimes mischievous, but good-natured at the bottom. He will be strongly inclined to love, and not over delicate in the means of gratifying that propensity.

35. A blue eye shows the person to be of a meek and gentle temper, affable and good-natured, credulous, and incapable of violent attachments; ever modest, cool, and undisturbed by turbulent passions, of a strong memory, in constitution neither robust or delicate, subject to no violent impressions from the vicissitudes of life, whether good or bad.

36. A grey eye denotes the person to be of weak intellect, devoid of wit, but a plain, plodding, downright drudge, who will act as he is spirited up by others. He will be slow in learning anything that requires attention; however, he will be just to the best of his understanding.

37. A wall eye denotes the person to be of a hasty, passionate, and ungovernable temper, subject to sudden and violent anger; haughty to his equals and superiors, but mild and affable to his inferiors.

38. A red, or as it is vulgarly called, a saucer eye, denotes the person to be selfish, deceitful and proud, and furious in anger, fertile in the invention of plots, and indefatigable in his resolution to bring them to bear. Imperious in his family, anxious for riches, and suspicious that others are forming designs against him, is ardent in love, but strongly attached to the first object that catches his fancy.

39. A nose that comes even on the ridge, flat on the sides, with little or no hollow between the eyes, declares the man to be sulky, insolent, disdainful, treacherous, and self sufficient; if it has a point descending over the nostrils, he is avaricious and unfeeling, vain-glorious and ignorant; peevish, jealous, very quick in resentment, yet a coward at the bottom.

40. A nose that rises with a sudden bulge a little below the eyes, and then falls again into a kind of hollow below, is petulant and noisy, void of science, and of very light understanding.

41. The nose that is small, slender, and peaked, shows the person to be of a fearful disposition, jealous, fretful and insidious, ever suspicious of those about him, catching at every word that he can interpret to his own advantage to ground his dispute upon, and also very curious to know what is said and done.

42. The nose that is small, tapering round the nostrils, and cocked up, shows the person to be ingenious, smart, of a quick apprehension, giddy and seldom looking to consequences; but generous, agreeable, so as to carefully avoid giving offence, but firm and resolute in doing himself justice when he receives an injury.

43. The lips that are thick, soft, and long, announces the person to be of weak intellect, credulous, and slightly peevish; but by a little soothing easily brought back to a good humour. He is much addicted to the pleasures of love, and scarcely moderate in his enjoyment of them; yet he is invariably upright in his conduct, and of a timorous, bashful temper.

44. If the under lip is much thicker than the upper, and more prominent, the person is of a weak understanding, but artful, knavish, and given to chicanery to the full extent of his ability. He is of a cowardly nature, unless strongly excited by another.

45. The lips that are moderately plump and even declare the person to be good-humoured, humane, sensible, judicious, and just, neither giddy nor torpid, but pursuing in every particular a just a medium.

46. The lips that are thin, show the person to be of a quick and lively imagination, ardent in the pursuit of knowledge, indefatigable in labour, not too much attached to money, eager in the pursuit of love, more brave than otherwise, and tolerably happy in life.

47. The lips that are thin and sunk inwards denote the person to be of a subtle and persevering disposition, everlasting in hatred, never sparing any pains to compass his revenge; in love or friendship much more moderate and uncertain.

48. The chin that is round, with a hollow between it and the lip, shows the person to be of a good-humoured disposition, kind and honest; he is sincere in his friendship, and ardent in his love; his understanding is good, and his genius capacious. If he has a dimple, it makes him better.

49. The chin that comes down flat from the edge of the lip, and ends in a kind of chisel form, shows the person to be silly, credulous and ill-tempered, and greedy of unmerited honours; capricious, wavering, and unsteady; he will affect great modesty in the presence of others, though he will not scruple to do the vilest actions when he thinks himself secure form discovery. A dimple makes no alteration.

50. The chin that is pointed upwards shows the person to be much given to contrivances. However fair he may speak to you, you can never depend on his friendship, as his purpose is only to make you subservient to his own designs. In love his generosity will be of the same stamp.

51. Of the face in general, I shall say that the person whose features are strong, coarse, and unpleasant to the eye, is of a selfish, brutal, rough, and unsociable disposition; greedy of money, harsh in expression, but will sometimes fawn with a bad grace to gain his ends.

52. The face that is plump, round, and ruddy, denotes the person to be of an agreeable temper, a safe companion, hearty and jovial, fond of company, of sound principles and a clear understanding, faithful in love etc.

53. The face that is thin, smooth, and even, with well-proportioned features, shows the persons to be of a good disposition, but lively, penetrating and active; somewhat inclined to suspicion, yet of an agreeable conversation; assiduous in the pursuits of knowledge, and strongly addicted to the delights of love.

54. A face whose cheek bones jut out with thin jaws is of a restless and thinking disposition; fretful, and apprehensive of what may happen on the slightest cause, or what may never happen at all; always foreboding evil without any plausible reason for such fears; more disposed than capable of enjoying the pleasures of love.

55. The face that is pale by nature, denotes a timorous disposition, but greatly desirous of the pleasures of love.

56. A face that is unequally red, whether streaked or appearing in spots, shows the person to be weak both in mind and body, yielding easily to affliction and sickness.

57. A face that is blotched shows the person to be addicted to drinking and vice, and not free from any vice, though they have frequently the art to conceal the inclination.

58. The head that is large and round shows the person has a tolerable understanding, but not near so good as he imagines; however, upon the whole, he is rather harmless, and not so much given to vice.

59. The head that is small and round, or if the face comes tapering, shows the person of an acute, penetrating disposition, much given to bantering and humour, but of very great sensibility; sometimes hurried by caprice, but commonly faithful in love.

60. The head that is flat on either side, and deep from face to the back, shows the person to be of a good understanding, deep penetration, great memory, and of an even and agreeable temper, but slow of belief, and not easily imposed upon. He is warm in his affections, just in his dealings, laborious in his profession, and much addicted to sobriety.

We shall conclude this division of our work by presenting our readers with the following curious and instructive information in Physiognomy:-

STRENGTH OF BODY is known by a stiff hair, large bones, firm and robust limbs, short muscular neck, firm and erect, the head broad and high, the forehead short, hard, and peaked, with bristly hair, large feet, rather thick than broad, a harsh unequal voice, and choleric complexion.

WEAKNESS OF BODY is distinguished by a small ill-proportioned head, narrow shoulders, soft skin and melancholy complexion.

THE SIGNS OF LONG LIFE are strong teeth, a sanguine temperament, middle stature, large, deep, and ruddy lines in the hand, large muscles, stooping shoulders, full chest, firm flesh, clear complexion, slow growth, wide ears, and large eyelids.

SHORT LIFE may be inferred from a thick tongue, the appearance of grinders before the age of puberty, thin, straggling, and uneven teeth, confused lines in the hand, of a quick but small growth.

A GOOD GENIUS may be expected from a thin skin, middle stature, blue, bright eyes, fair complexion, straight and pretty strong hair, an affable aspect, the eyebrows joined, moderation in mirth, an open, cheerful countenance, and the temples a little concave.

A DUNCE may be known by a swollen neck, plump arms, sides and loins, a round head, concave behind, a large fleshy forehead, pale eyes, a dull heavy look, small joints, snuffling nostrils, and a proneness to laughter, little hands, an ill-proportioned head, either too big or too little, blubber lips, short fingers, and thick legs.

FORTITUDE is promised from a wide mouth, sonorous voice, grave, slow, and always equal, upright posture, large eyes, pretty open and steadfast, the hair high above the forehead, the head much compressed or flattened, the forehead square and high, the extremities large and robust, the neck firm though not fleshy, a large corpulent chest, and brown complexion.

BOLDNESS is characterised by a prominent mouth, rugged appearance, rough forehead, arched eyebrows, large nostrils and teeth, short neck, great arms, ample chest, square shoulders, and a forward countenance.

PRUDENCE is generally distinguished by a head which is flat on the sides, a broad, square forehead, a little concave in the middle, a soft voice, a large chest, thin hair, light eyes either blue, brown, or black, large ears, and an aquiline nose.

A GOOD MEMORY is commonly attached to those persons who are smaller, yet better formed in the upper than the lower parts, but not fat but fleshy, of a fair delicate skin, with the poll of the head uncovered, crooked nose, teeth thick set, large ears and plenty of cartilage.

A BAD MEMORY is observable in persons who are larger in their superior than inferior parts, fleshy though dry and bald. N.B. This is expressively contrary to the opinion of Aristotle, who says that the superior parts, being larger than the inferior, signify a good memory and vice versa.

A GOOD IMAGINATION AND THOUGHTFUL DISPOSITION is distinguished by a large prominent forehead, a fixed and attentive look, slow respiration, and an inclination of the head.

A GOOD SIGHT is enjoyed by those persons who have generally black, thick, straight eye-lashes, large, bushy eyebrows, concave eyes, contracted, as it were inwards.

SHORT SIGHTED PEOPLE have a stern, earnest look, small, short eyebrows, large pupils, and prominent eyes.

SENSE OF HEARING Those who possess the same in perfection have ears well furnished with gristle, well channelled and hairy.

A SENSE OF SMELLING is most perfect in those who have large noses, descending very near the mouth, neither too moist nor too dry.

A NICE FACULTY OF TASTING is peculiar to such as have a spongy, porous, soft tongue, well moistened with saliva, yet not too moist.

DELICACY IN THE TOUCH belongs to those who have a soft skin, sensible nerves, and nervous sinews, moderately warm and dry.

IRASCIBILITY is accompanied by an erect posture, a clear skin, a solemn voice, open nostrils, moist temples, displaying superficial veins, thick neck, equal use of both hands, quick pace, blood-shot eyes, large, unequal, ill-ranged teeth, and coleric disposition.

TIMOROUSNESS resides where we find a concave neck, pale colour, weak, winkling eyes, soft hair, smooth, plump breast, shrill tremulous voice, small mouth, thin lips, broad, thin hands, and small, shambling feet.

MELANCHOLY is denoted by a wrinkled countenance, dejected eyes, meeting eyebrows, slow pace, fixed look, and deliberate respiration.

AN AMOROUS DISPOSITION may be known by a fair, slender face, a redundancy of hair, rough temples, broad forehead, moist, shining eyes, wide nostrils, narrow shoulders, hairy hands and arms, well shaped legs.

GAIETY attends a serene open forehead, rosy, agreeable countenance, a sweet musical tone of voice, an agile body, and soft flesh.

ENVY appears with a wrinkled forehead, frowning dejected, and squinting look, a pale, melancholy countenance, and a dry, rough skin.

INTREPIDITY often resides in a small body, with red, curled hair, ruddy countenance, frowning eyebrows, arched and meeting, eyes, blue, or yellowish large mouth, and red lines on the hand.

GENTLENESS OF COMPLACENCY may be distinguished by a soft moist palm, frequency of shutting the eyes, soft movement, slow speech, soft, straight and lightish-coloured hair.

BASHFULNESS may be discovered by moist eyes, never open wide, eyebrows frequently lowered, blushing cheeks, moderate pace, slow and submissive speech, bent body, and glowing ears of purple hue.

TEMPERANCE OR SOBRIETY is accompanied with an equal respiration, a moderate-sized mouth, smooth temples, eyes of ordinary size, either fair or azure, and a short, flat body.

STRENGTH OF MIND is signified by light, curled hair, a small body, shining eyes, but a little depressed, a grave, intense voice, bushy beard, large, broad back and shoulders.

PRIDE stands confessed with arched eyebrows, a large prominent mouth, a broad chest, slow pace, erected head, shrugging shoulders, and staring eyes.

LUXURY dwells with a ruddy or pale complexion, downy temples, bald pate, little eyes, thick neck, corpulent body, large nose, thin eyebrows, and hands covered with a kind of down.

LOQUACITY may be expected from a bushy beard, broad fingers, pointed tongue, eyes of a ruddy hue, a large, prominent upper lip, a sharp pointed nose.

PERVERSENESS may be dreaded when we perceive a high forehead, firm short, thick, immovable neck, quick speech, immoderate laughter, fiery eyes, and short, fleshy hands and fingers.

IMPUDENCE may be inferred from fiery, staring eyes, eager look, circular forehead, round, ruddy countenance, elevated chest, a flat nose, and loud laughter etc.

As connected with this part of our subject, we subjoin the following rules.

THE PHYSIOGNOMICAL SIGNS OF A GOOD GENIUS

A straight, erect body, neither over tall or short, between fat and thin, the flesh naturally soft, the skin neither soft nor rough, but a medium between; the complexion white, verging to a blush of redness, the hair between hard and soft, usually of a brown colour, the head and face of a moderate size, the forehead rather high, the eyes manly, big and clear, of a blue or hazel colour, the aspect mild and humane, the teeth so mixed that some are broad and some are narrow, a subtle tongue, and the voice between intense and remiss, the neck comely and smooth, the channel bone of the throat appearing and moving, the back and ribs not over fleshy, the shoulders plain and slender, the hands indifferently long and smooth, and equally distant, the nails white, mixed with red, and shining, and the carriage of the body erect in walking.

Sources and Credits:
Converted to internet format by ORRAR 2004
Walker's Fortune Reader - Wm Walker & Sons (Otley) Ltd.

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