The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-10
A NEW PROBLEM.

The London Telegraph calls attention to
a curious theory which of late has been re-
vived and subjected to practical tests with
somewhat remarkable verifying results.
For q long time. at frequently recurring
intervals, it has been claimed by physiog-
nomists of speculative turn. that after a
long period of marital union the man and
wife in homogeneous countries grow to re-
semble each other, not only in moods and
temperament, but also in facial lines and
expression.
On the suggestion Of this theory the
Photographic Society of Geneva has been
at the pains to make q series of careful
experiments. seventy-eight photographs
were taken of aged couples who had been
welded for long terms of years. and an
equal number OF likenesses of adult BROTH
ers and sisters of nearly equal age. and
who bad been with but slight intermissions
subject to the same or like environments
and influences. 1t is declared that on
careful inspection it was found that the
resemblance was stronger between the
married couples than between the brothers
and sisters.
All who have observed with intelIigen.
interest and who have taken pains to test
the proclaimed tests of their theories by
ardent theorists. viii make allowance In
this case for the seldom absent inclination
of such theorists TO hunt up facts which
will fit and verify their theories. The dis
position to do so is rarely comfortable.
Innocently and unintentionally, as rule,
theory having been conceived and
nursed. testing investigation accepts favor
able and rejects unfavorable phenomena.
Moreover, it is evident that no such tests
as were made by the Geneva investigators
could be of any scientific value except upon
comparison of the present appearance of
the aged married couples with their APP
pearance before they became associated by
marriage. That a man should marry a
woman between whom and himself there
might be closer resemblance than be-
tween him and his sister would have no
bearing on this theory nor any general sig
nifcance. Men often marry women whom
they resemble. and there are many large
families with no observable resemblance
between the members.
But for all that, no close observer can
have failed TO notice that long and init
mate association as man and wife has a
tendency TO create a likeness, at least in
habits. of thought and in disposition, from
which 1t would follow, If there be anything
in the claims of physiognomy as a science.
that resem Alliance in the expression. IL not
in the lineaments of their faces would be-
come perceptihle. If the parties are well
and happily mated this assimilation will be
more rapid and perfect. but even in spite of
hahitual dissgreements their characters
viii assimilate sooner or later and to a
greater or less extent
But 1t Is more than doubtful that the
Telegraph is correct in assuming that in
this me,amorphosis the stronger must
mould the weaker character, will or dispo-
sition- In many cases this may be true.
perhaps in most. but not in all. Its be-
lieyed that the widest divergences from
this rule occur in cases of union between
the very strong and the very weak. the
former yielding ascendsncy TO the latter.
1t almost invariably occurs that when q
man of herculean frame. big brain and
strong viii is welded to q 6ny, frivolous
f,ippant. doll-esby wife-which is bv no
means unusral-she better and the nobler
be the more surely will be become as wax
in her little hands. The very nobility of
his nature, and her utter heiplessness,
makes il SO.
Dickens. that most acute student of
human character. has in dozens Of in