New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-30

emily formed hands indicate different dispositions
and temperaments which are likely to lead 10 GER
tain results. A nervous. sinewy hand betokens
nature prone to effort, while fat, feshy hand indi-
Gates tendency to idleness and self-indulGence.
1t eems to DO fact that the spatulous finger, or
one in which the flesh seems to overlap the nail is
generally found in persons capable of executive
talent be it in painting, music, embroidery or any
other art. The long. narrow, pointed nail and the
finger narrowing from the root TO the point
betoken n selfish, proud and idle temperament
will no talent and a low intellectual type But
these characteristics imply no magic. pianist,
harpist OF modeller will naturally spread out the
points of the fingers in his work, and slight charac
teristics of this kind are Immediately hereditary.
There are other points which insisted on. such
as the expression of the thumb. Enthusiasts claim
that the thumb is the great key to the system. IL
consists of three phaanges first from the nail to the
Joint THIS represents the first world OF chiromancy
or the divine. The first phalange betokens the VIII
power inventive, creative and initiative powers NO
man with a small thumb is said to pos
sess the power of ruling another; indeed, so
far has the system been carried that one
writer has suggested that persons proposing TO
marry should compare thumbs. And, just as 1t
is said that persons with small noses have rarely
large brain-power is equally claimed that WILL
power generally goes with large hand and thumb,
and particularly with the length of the first pha-
Ianoe. The next phalange, from the joint to
the knuckle betOkens TeasOnng-power and Judg-
ment This is called the second OF abstract world.
In this instance there is no reason why
the physical and psychical facts should always
combine in the same subject, although as
fact they frequently do When the first phalange
is long and the second short it indicates
an ungovernable will but vice versa, the intellect
so overaps the will and both sides OF question
that the policy of the individual is shittless ana
uncertain. The third part of the thumb, beng is
root is considered to be tie criterion of the senses.
Where it is leshy large and broad, 1t betokens tnac
the individual will be largely under the cohrol Vi
his appetites but where it is thin and narrow IL Is
a sign of pure and unsensuous nature open u oil
the influences of morals and religion
But side by side with this unknown field of specu-
lation society is also engaged in exploring another
interesting inquiry, and that is the power, If any,
of transmitting thought and will by touch
only. Messrs. Barrett, Swiney and Myers
have in the June number of The Nineteenth
Century given number of instances
which Il correct 90 to show some occult power OF
Transmitting thought without words. That many
insects and especially ants possess such power
naturalists have always believed and that man
also possesses it, but by reason OF the perfection u
sDeech has allowed ii to remain uudeVeiopeu' IL
now boldly enumerated. In answer u TINS III the
July number of the same periodical, PROFESSOR
Donkin endeavors to expose the folly OF the inquiry
and the dishonesty and fraud that are practlseu'
Here is one If the instances quoted; " On one oc-
cason young Peruvian lady sitting with pie OF
ivory letters before her selected from among them
with great rapidity The letters which formed Ger
tam words chosen by one of U.s. he standing oehlhu
her with his fingers ligntly touching her shoulder.
Take another instance: The mAid-seTvant Oevi-
IDENTIFY an Irish gIrD having left the room' Michael
Dlvitt was written on piece of paper, shown, ana
put by one of the party in his pocket The gIrl
came into the room ard at once gave the name cor
city" In both these nstan es the Professor charges
fraud or COLLISION The enthusiasts profess to give
very learned explanation Of the facts They sug-
rest that the mole ule of BRAIN stuff may be COM
mupicated to an intervening medium, and so pass
uudcr certain circumstances from one BRAIN TO an
other with corresponding simutaniety OF I'M
nressionsw Whether the inquiry leads 10 new
theories and discoveries leaves us where we are
London, at all events has subject OF interesting
conversation which, if II does no good. can at all
events result IN no great harm.