The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-01
LITERATURE.


philosopher, the Spectator, the theorist, OF
tile civilized and of the savage from the be-
ginning Of time. The subject has been
arranged under 50 many heads, and called
by so many different names, that the ordl,
nary reader. or thinker, becomes involved
in a maze of conflicting emotions and drops
the whole subject with the exclamation,
81 give it up" 1t appears strange that
while those authors who treat OF the sublert
are in perfect accord with reference to all
abstract matters, they differ in essentials.
With one, influences govern; with another,
influences are simply subjective. Ana the
result of these cegnate ideas, similar III
their conception, but diSsimilar IN their de-
velopment, are books after DOCKS, telling
one of the how and the why.
And now another candidate for the
student appears. 1t is called "a System of
Practical and Scientific Physiognomy; or.
How to Read Faces. Being Manual of
Ins truction in the knowledge of The
Human PhyslogBomy and Organism, En-
bTacng the Discoveries CT Located Signs of
Character in the Body and Face, as shown
in the Five Natural Divisions of the Coun-
tenance." BY Mary Olmsted Stanton of
San Francisco. 1t is in two volumes, con-
tanning 1909 pages, and is embellshed with
$50 Illustrations. many Of them being the
pictures OF the most celebrated men and
women OF ancient and modern times. The
who lie constitutes work of which mere
curSory examination creates desire to
compare facts obtained from actual observa-
ton with theoretical statements. The sub
Ject-maUter appears really under two dis
tlnct headS-Speculatlve and liked facts
arising out of organic law - but it
is subdivided into others, which, arranged
under tN 0 distinct forms or systems, give
comprehensive view of the entire matter
under consideration. The first of these is
the theoretical undtr which is treated the
basic principles of scientific physiognomy:
tha Cttl, acia n of no a.
basic principles Of form; the five systems
which create form and character, anu last,
the theories of the actions OF the passions,
The second is called the practical, and eX-
plains the Eve subdivisions of The face; the
localities and descriptions of faculties; the
human face in outline. motion, feature, ex-
preston and color the signs CT health and
disease in the face, and last, the choice of
vacations.
The argument opens with the statement
that its theories are all based upon the uni
Vtrsal laws OF form, as expressed by the
CONTINUATION Of the face, the features, the
body, the limbs and other functions and
that the human face is the index of all
nature. Rotary motion being the origin of
form, The movement of the earth has a di-
rect bearing on the form and destiny of all
created beings. Briefly stated, man is con-
structed on the stlictest lines OF geometri-
cal and mathematical precision. III his en-
bryotic state lie is perfect, and perversiun
comes IN the order OF development. Disease
Is simply temporary return 10 abnormal
or perverted types, and straightness OF the
bones indicates similar condition of the
MIND. There are five organic systems
which create form and character, namely,
the vegetative, the thoracic, the muscular,
the osSeouS, and the brain or nervous sys-
TEN. In The Sub-baSlc system it is argued
that large head is DO Indication OF superior
intelligence, but that the nose is the best
indication OF power. Taking the form and
structure Of man in its connection til in
telllgence, fine hair and skin signify quality
ana mental power; persons of round form
have superior creative or constructive
minds; the particular arch. curve,
circle, oNold, square or straight line
each illustrates different phase of char
acter, while color and heat emanate from a
universal source. The law of PROPORTION
governs the character. In treating of health
the author takes the broad ground that the
hrst step toward the saving of souls is to
save the bodies, ard dissentS from Hannah
M0re's opinion that "a low fever was a
marvellous means of grace" The first law
0f sound and true religion should be the
incubation Of sound health, and all religious
tenets should be based upon a regard for
fresh air, proper food and drink. suitable
Clothing, exercise, rest, pure amuSements
ana sanitary regulations, and naturally the
use Of drugs IS condemned and pure air rec
Onmended. The effect of different treat
ments upon different organisms is cited by
mentioning by name and describing the pc
cullarlties OF number of men and women
and precocious children, and recommending
Buffers and DR.. Dio Lewis directions.
Proceeding with the rationale OF the phys-
cal functions and mental ia ulties, together
with their signs in the face, the author gives
the reader 10 understand that great mis-
take has been made by most writers in es-
tabShlng the brain as the sole seat of the
mind. Hope Is directly related to the liver
hlch is the scat OF moral power. The kid
neys create aud evolve cOnseientiousness,
Integrity and morality. The excessive AMI
habltual use Of lntoXicants, through their
effect upon the kidneys, viii eVentuate in the
utter absence of moral sense and self-cOn-
troll. Ii person would be truly religious, and
truly conscientious, he will eat and drink
and order his habits in such a manner as
will lead to line and strong DEVELOPMENT
of the kidney system, and in order to
do this he must avoid the use of all
peppers, spices, intoxicating liquors, tea,
coffee, meGicated food. drugs, soda,
saleratus and similar substances. No
man with weak or disordered kidneys
can expect to live to old age, and the face is
certain index of its presence. The glandu-
lar system exercises a powerful influence
and from its condition the character Of the
individual can be determined. These, to-
gether with the intestinal system, establish
tie economy of nature, which is lavish in
its gifts by reason of Its economy.
All OF these things and more, which can
not be referred to here, have their direct in
Huences on the reproductive system. 1t is
the normal development of this phase of
humanity from which the moral, beautiful,
aspiring, social and artistic spring The
author styles 1t as being the highest and
hottest, as well as the most constructive
and creative condition OF man. All we'll
sexed men and women inspire more at
tention and exert more influence in
their communities than do those who
are more feebly endowed in this respect.
The local sign for love of children,
love OF pets and animals is visible in every
face when it exists. 1t is not confined 70
humanity, but shows itself in the lower
animals. The economy Of nature esab-
fishes the grade of intellectual development
possessed by the individual; hospitality. So
liability, friendship, benevUlence, mirIhful-
ness, love of home, patriotism, love of young,
love OF the sexes, appreciation, and many
other things mentioned are influenced or
governed by digestion, and this in turn is
influenced or governed by the condition of
the liver OF kidneys. A disorganiZed liver
is not necessarily the result of organic dis
ease. 1t may be produced by mental
shock, or long-contmued anxiety or grief;
but i'll such cases it is often, where death
has ensued. seemed to appear as if some
Vlrulent poison had generated In the liver,
which had first deranged and then paralyZed
the brain; the two being nearly related.
The argument is, that the BODY is the manu-
=
t0graphing apparatus, and the face the
index or dial OF all existing states and condi-
tons.
The analysis is continued through every
phase and condition of life, showing the
various organs and functions from which no
less than fifty of the mental faculties derive
their power, the object being TO show that
if as much care were taken to perpetuaie a
fine race of men as is done TO prevent the
mixture of gnoble blood in horses and dogs,
the genealogy of every one would be written
on his face and displayed in his manners.
The next feature of the book is an analytical
description of practical pbysiognomy, and
for this purpose the human face is divided
into five practical subdivisions which form a
base for all deductions as to character. In
order to fully explain this portion of the
work numerous Illustrations are introduced,
including portraits of the most eminent men
and women OF the past and present ages,
giving their peculiar characteristics and
showing III what manner they are related to
their facial or cranial developments. The
entire work is an interesting study, if for