The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-24
MYSTERIES OFTHEHAND
WHAT A PALMISTER SAYS OF ONE OF
THE OLDEST OF OCCULT ARTS.
Character Determines the Hand.
The Hand True Index to
the Mind = Hands Of
Successful Men.
ESPECIAL Correspondence.l

order of humanity were discussing the re-
vival of occultism in spirited manner.
"Tell us something about palmistry," said
one of the ladies.
The man appealed to, Mr.. r. A. Camp
bell. had written a book called Mysteries
Of the Hand" ard took great pride in his
knowledge of palmistry. He smilingly and
confidently rose and launched into his sub
ject:
"Palmistry, f. rmerly called chiromancy,
is" said he, lone Of the oldest of the occult
arts. 1t once ranked among the learned arts,
and was recognized as one of the sacred and
peculiar gifts. Priests, philosophers and
oracles studied and practised it as an esoteric
accomplishment Then, within the present
century, when we began to think ourselves
SO wise that we had no longer any use for
souls, palmistry as well as many other things
fell into disrepute. 1t was relegated to
charlatans and tricksters, and lived only
among the class of people that respectability
cuts
Now, however, it is having a revival
among the intellectual, who take it up as an
amusement or new interest. As we all know,
queer theories OF all kinds are coming into
favor. To apply term of the fashion
writer's to mental clothing, we might say
that theories are cut particularly broad this
spring, and 'isms' never were SO much worn
nor so profusely garnished."
l will interrupt the palnister long enough
to say that this assertion is true twice over.
The reaction from the aSsertive materialism
OF the few past years has begun very active
ly, and promises to be warm and prolonged.
Anything that leans toward faith and away
from the grim theories of what we call
science is taken up with delight by science
worn people Then, the beauty of the
human hand is only now becoming generally
appreciated. The manicure has done some
thing toward giving the hand its rightful
place. She has made them so beautiful that
they have an artistic as well as industrial
value
The palmister went on and quoted from
the Bible to show that Job believed that a
mans character is written in his hand. 1.-THE
palms of the hands He covers over with
Light Then he continued
1.-THE Egyptians believed in palmistry, and
the Greeks copied it from them. Josephus
refers to the art with respect. Socrates,
Aristotle, Plato and other eminent Greeks
were palmisters. The Romans took it from
the Greeks and became experts in it; but in
their hands it degenerated into disreput-
able art. Quite a revival Of it took place in
the Seventeenth century.
1.-THE two ablest opponents of modern
palmistry are Captain D'Arpentigney and
Professor Desbarrolles, both Frenchmen.
D'Arpentigney discards the idea of divina-
ton or astral influence merely reading
from the hand the character of the owner,
as its shape and physiognomy reveals it.
Desbarrolles pursues the art as profession.
and believes in planetary influence"
How did you learn it, Mr.. Campbellr'
''From gypsy, originally, when was a
boy. Then seemed to have what they call
gift for it, and when l grew older
studied it from books and observation.
don't pretend to tell by reading the hand the
events that are going to happen to any one.
tell the traits, characteristics, tastes, physi.
cal and mental capacities"
What class of people show the most inter.
est and faith In palmistryT
The speaker smiled rather knowingly, but
said: "You would be surprised IL were to
tell you that the intelligent class take more
interest In IL than tho ignorant You can't
satisfy an ignorant person by telling him, as
n phrenologist would, what his capabilities
are, what special line of usefulness he can
pursue with the best prospect Of success. He
wants TO have HIS fortune told'-to know
when and how often he will marry, II he
will get rich, when he will die, and NIL that.
An intelligent person knows that the art. OF
palmistry doesn't go 40 far, and Is satisfied
with tho character reading"
''Do Intelligent men and women believe
that n phrcnologist or palmister can tell
them more about themselves than they al.
ready know"
Tho speaker smiled again significantly.
ut In curious, but nevertheless truc," no
said, ''that nothing Ii no interesting 10 NOR.
tai man m himself lie may think hc knows
himself thoroughly, but no likes 10 have his
own opinions confirmed. IL gives him q
thrill of pleasure TO hcar some ono else OK.
press opinions n 10 his ability whicA no has
secretly cherished. II builds up ais SELF.
confidence, aud In that way actually helps
~ develop his latent qualities.
''Aiark you, d, not say that a man II O
poet, musician, orator or artisan because he
has certain features. lines or mounts In hL,
hands, but, being Of certain character,
and In possession Of certain powers, Ia,
hands revealing that character and bcst
adapted 10 usc these powers, The soul In the
real man and tho body il tho material mani.
festation OF the man. Tho body exists and
subsista from the spirit, and for its use, and
changes naturally, only and solely In obe
dienee 10 tho power and direction Of the
spirit II can bo changed mechanically by
outside forces, but II can be developed only
by tho spiritual and vital forces working
within H. Tho soul h constantly developing
it. body OF flesh. Every outline and 20
culiarity not the result Of some objective OPP
position or injuring accident ID the result Of
tina chafactar and dovclopmont of tina innay