The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1874-10-23
JUDGING FROM FACES.
Lavater's Science as Laid Down h,


JUDGING FROM FACES.
Lavater's scIence as Laid Down by
HImseIfs
One having time and taste for curious
and profitable speculations, SAYS q cor
respondent of the Cincinnati CONNER
cial-possibIy, indeed, more curious
than notwithstanding leisure besides.
IN these galloping times, to read three
thick volumes, can snap his fingers at
the world, the flesh and the devil, and
be happy for at least two days by sitting
down and carefully peFusing a certain
very queer old book, which have Just
read for the first time. The name of
the qEeer, speculative old book is this
Essay on Physiognomy for the pro-
motion of the knowledge and the love
OF mankind. By John Caspar Lavater."
1t is now nearly hundred years since
the work was written, and no modern
clifton, think, has been printed. AT
any rate, the library copy which read
was printed in London, 1888, and con-
tlined the funny, long SIS which were in
our great grandmother's prayer-books.
Physiognomy, says Mr.. Lavater, sis
- the science or knowledge Of the cores
pondence between the external and in
ternal man."
Wise saws and sayings, and short
sentences containing much In little,
through this queer book. Here, for in
stance, are some Of his sayings
Be what thou art, and become what
thou canst."
Each man is a man of genius in his
large or small sphere"
When the father is considerably
stupid, the mother exceedingly the re-
verse, then will most of the children be
endued with extraordinary understand
ing"
= The wisest man, when languid. will
look like fool" (From Zimmerman.)
50 Threesthings appear to me to be
indispensable in a traveler-health,
money and physiognomy.
The rarest of all gifts is the gift of
critical, undivided attention"
In describing the physiognomy of Bal
thazar Becker, whosoever that may be,
our author uses this tremendous Ian
gpage; .
formed, I may say, TO terrify the devil"
Further on we find some comfort for
old people, in the shape of one of the
most beautiful thoughts ever penned
concerning old age:
cage never deforms the countenance.
Wherever age is exceedingly deformed,
the same deformity would have been
visible In youth to an attentive OBJ
server"
l am sure it is true. Here again is
some comfort for editors, quoted by
our author from another writer
''F Few men of great understanding
write fine hand"
But what will interest everybody
most viii be to llnow-according to Mr.
Lavater's glorious science of physiog-
E nouy, which he pronounces as infalli-
BILE as mathematics-what traits of
character certain given satures are the
signs of.
In the beginning, and on general prin-
ciples, our author remarks that one of
the most favorable possible moments for
Judging a mans physioguomy Is that
moment when he is in towering rage
aud his burst of passion is suddenly
interrupted by the entrance of some
respectable person, and the irate per-
sOn tries instantly to conceal his rage,
aud iron out his countenance and make
believe he wasn't angry at all. Of
course nice people, such as you and I,
were never caught in a pickle like that.
Oh, dear me, no buc sure enough it
would be a most admirable moment to
Judge other folks, wouldn't you think &?
"Physiognomy unites hearts," saws
Mr.. Lavater. When this infallible
science is properly understood and APP
preciated he thinks people will watch
themselves IN a mirror from time TO
time, to catch the signs of the spirits
progress or degeneration, and find out
how good or bad they are getting.
The high priest of physiognomy takes
each feature of the face and Analyses it,
and tells what it is the sign Of Dis
tent is visible IN hollowness of cheeks,
says Mr.. Lavater. That must be true
sign, should think, because I renaeu.
Der whole families of hoIlow-cbeeked
people, who were every one of them as
DISCONTINUED, restless and unsatisfied as
mortal man can be. The very manner If
holding ones teacup is an important in
dex to character, he continues.
"That is entirely true" remarks a
venerable, old school lady for whom I
have the highest respect, 'sbecause
A whenever q person keeps his teaspoon
in his emp. and there holds it back bv
putting his forefnger over the top edge
of the tea-cup, where his mouth goes,
it's sure sign the person wasn't brought
ND q gentleman and doesn't know nor
care what belongs to good manners"
A pouting under lip denotes ostenta-
ton and folly. Large ears betokeu
folly; inordinately small ears eppertain
to very weak, effeminate characters. At
least that is what the great physiogno-
mist assures us. Fortunately we are
not obliged to believe him unless
we choose. a strong, heavy under
4c4CtSh q HtLOLb eOGaAAG 81 Iia5-
tieatiOn, Hke-I beg your pardon, but
Mr.. Lavater says If like-come TO
think, I won't offend strengthened indi-
vidEals by writing it out plain, but like
a certain nameless brute which is the
repr sentative animal of Cincinnati.
A perfect forehead must equal the
nose in length. Big, bald foreheads
which form a half sphere in shape, are
usually the most stupid. " A ret eating
forehead IN general denotes superiority
of imagination, and acuteness." Strange
TO saw. MIR. Lavater considers a retreat
ing forehead superior TO all the rest. I
don't know how he makes If out, Tn
sure. He makes it a physiognOmical
axiom that the resemblance between
two faces depends on the resemblance
of the foreheads. Resembling fore
heads, resembling countenanees.
Benevo. encs is sometimes visible only
in the teeth Of people How about
false teeth, wonder? I suppose we