The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-11-08

The theories for determining personal
traits from manifestations made in
shaking hands must include many of the
principles underlying the art of palmistry,
which, without studying it seriously, has
had strong fascination for me, as it has
for most persons when their attention is
once attracted TO 1t. 1t is an ancient art.
The Gypsics have had some knowledge Of
II from time immemorial, and yet it is still
older than this singular race. Those vcrscd
in its recondtc lore state that it was pursl,-
ed in connection with magic, alchemy, and
other occult sciences; by the priesthood of
early Egypt. An intelligent Jew has in
formed nc that among his people are many
traditions referring TO its practice by them
in remote ages. AS one interesting legend
runs, Moses mastered its secrets while
dwelling at the Court of tho Pharoahs, and
when leading the hosts Of Israel out Of bon
dage made continual use of the knowledge
it gave him. Thus no Hebrew was install
led into al office of trust under him until
the great commander had read from his
hand that he was worthy of confidence. 1t
is claimed that al allusion is made to palm
istry in the thirty chapter of Job,
seventh verse, which reads: Gle scalcth
up the hand of every man, that all men
may know his work, the Interpretation
being that token of every act which
man commits is sealed or stamped by the
Creator upon his hand, in order that his
record may there be open to the world.
From the Egyptians the principles of palm
istry passed to the Greeks and Romans,
and from them on down TO later nations.
Among the literary treasures of ancient
and medieval times still preserved to us,
there are some 400 or 500 volumes which
treat of the science, and generally i'll con-
junction with astrology. When at the
revival of learning the "black arts" as they
are called, fell into disrcputc, palmistry went
with them as consequence Of having SO
closely kept them company. During the
last century it was once more recovered
from oblivion through the accidental in
quirits of Il French military officer. This
gay man Of the world happened to have
exceedingly handsome hands, of which he
was immensely vain, seeking every occa
sion to display them. A habitual attendant
at the salons of his cultivated Partisan
friends, he there, rs everywhere, devoted
himself to the inspection Of the hands OF
his ncighbors to bring out in comparison
the superior beauty of his own. The most
famous pianist of the present day is Monsi-
cpr Desbarallcs, whose manuals are accepted
as the first authorities on the subject. His
residence is in Paris, where he follows The
profession of hand-rcading, rs the Mcssrs
Fowler do that of phrcnolGgy. With
microscope he scarchingly examines the
palms of his clients, discerning in the finest
lines imprinted..t there, records Of incidents
making up their life history. Ii is testified
by those knowing his skill, that he does
not miss an event in ones whole past cx-
pcrcnce, however crowded il may have
been with vicissltudcs. The future of an
individual the palmst cannot pretend to
unfold, except rs he may shrcwdly predict
from what has gone by, that which is likely
to be its sequel. Miss Clara Louise Kellogg
possesses considerably knowledge of palm
istry, and have seen her interpret charac-
ter by its indications with untlcninbe
accuracy. ''rhc first thug l notice. was
her remark, con meeting stranger is the
hand. That tells me more of an individual
in moment than | could otherwise learn
in years of acquaintance. Her own hands
are noted for their comclincss, but she
frankly pointed out certain defects in their
shape, which, however,, would scarcely be
discovered, except by an educated eye.
''Ihcrc must be something very narrow
AIM HSah III hiJ iutuit, Slc S'tli Ill pluSlul
humOr, "for my hands arc quite too small
to accord with the rest of my Frame"
Palmistry contradicts number of popular
notions with regard to the hand. ii dc
clarcs that a large hand is to be admired rs
token of a strong character, and that the
delicate, pointed fingers which artists have
made the model of beauty, are generally
indications of weakness. 1t is well to have
the fingers taper, for this marks quiclncss
of insight, but they should be blunt or
broad at the ends, as sign of practical
talent Note the dcxtcrous manipulator,
who docs any and every sort of handiwork
well, and If you find tho fingers pointed in
any case, why, then, palmistry Is out of
joint, that is all.