The morning call., 1893-04-02
TALES TOLD BY THE FEET.
Points of Human Character Revealed
by the Pedal EXtremities.

Boston Herald
In the form OF the foot the sexes differ as
much or even more than in that of the hand
A woman's foot is usually narrower in pro-
portion than a mans, while his will be con-
sderably stronger In the ankle and more
powerful in the formation Of the toes, es-
pecially of the ball OF the great toe. When a
woman owns a strong, firm, wide foot many
Of us experience no sensation of surprise at
finding her strong minded; when a man
trips along on delicate little foot people
instnctively believe him TO be lacking in
power and often put him down as effeml-
nate. If, instead of the cramping i'm
pTisonment Of boots and shoes, the foot
from infancy were allowed free and
natural development 1t is questioned
whether, under such conditions, it
might not be rendered capable of per-
forming other functions besides those of
locomoton ana sustaining the weight of
the body. Certain at least is IL that some
unlucky mortals born without arms have
managed to use a knife. fork, spoon, pen,
palnt-brush and even violin-bOw. That
the right foot is, like the right hand, ordi-
narily more mobile and at the same time
stronger than the left might be at
tributed to the more frequent exer.
tion of this side were 1t not that the
popularity is said to extend itself even
to The constitution, and the left extremties
are asserted to be more liable to disease
than the right. The more difficult move
ments in stage dancing are usually executed
upon the right foot, and it is generally con-
sl6ered that unless double practice be ac-
corded to the left leg an ungraceful prefer
ence for the right will be shown by the
dancers in their public performances
Most people tread more firmly with the
right than with the left foot There seems
body with the right foot; from this the
horseman springs, with his left foot in
the stirrup; and, unless left-handed,
no boy In his play hops naturally on his
left foot. To the attentive eye
none of the ordinary gestures. or
dlvidual character more plainly than the
gait-the sailors rolling, the soldiers stiff
and the countryman's 1olting gait are inn
diately recognized. Slow steps, whether
long or short. suggest a gentle or reflective
sort OF mind, as the case may be, while,
on tile contrary. quick steps seem to
speak of agitation and energy. Reflection
is revealed in frequent pauses and walking
to and fro. backward and forward; the
direction of the steps, wayering and follow
ing every changing impulse of the mind, in
eYitably betrays uncertainty, hesitation and
indecision. The proud step is slow and
measured, the toes are conSpicuOusy turned
out, the leg is Slaughtered. In vanity the
toes are rather more gracefully turned, the
stride q little shorter, and there Is very
walking symbOlzes surprise, curiosity, dis
erection or mystery. Obstinate people, who,
in an argument, rely more on muscularity
than on intellectual power, rest the feet
fiat and firm on the ground and stand
with the legs firmly planted and far
apart. Turned-in toes are often found
with unoecupied. absent-minded persons.
The toes pointed and dragged on the
ground with slow, measured step give
pompous appearance. Perplexity occa-
sions irregular steps and abrupt move
ments. The prudent walk is measured and
regular, entirely free from hurry. agita-
.tion or precipitation. The miser's walk
is represented as STOPPING, noiseless, with
short. nervous anxious steps In Joy
the walk is lively, for lightness. grace,
suppleness characterize a happy mind,
although the walk here is often modified in
harmony with the cause of the joy; the Joy
of gratified ambition. tor example, betray-
ing itself by different outward semblance
from the joy of happy love. Disappoint-
ment walks heavily and with irregular
step. Where a revengeful purpose be
hidden under feigned smile the step will
be sinking and noiseless.