The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-05-16
TOLD BY THE FEET.
foinss OF Human Character Revealed BY
the Pedal Extremisies.


| the Pedal Extremisies-
In the form of the foot the sexes differ
as much or even more than in that of
i the hand 4 woman's foot is usually
/ narrower in proportion than fiat OF a
/ mans, while his viii be considera bl y
I stronger in the ankle and more power
ful in the formation of the toes, espe-
cially OF the ball of the great toe. When
a woman owns strong, firm. wide foot
many of Us experience no sensation of
surprise AZ finding her strong minded:
when man trips along on delicate
little foot people instinctively believe
/ him TO De lacking in power and often
put him down as effeminate. II instead
OF the cra.nping Imprisonment of boots
and shoes the foot from infancy were
allowed a free and natural develop
ment II IS questioned under such con-
dltions IL might not be rendered capa ble
of performing other functions besides
those OF locomotion and sustaining the
weight OF the body. Certain il is that
some unlucky mortals born without
arms have managed TO use knife. fork,
spoon. pen, paint brush and even vio-
lin bow. That the right foot is, like
the right hand. ordinarily more mobile
and at the same time stronger than the
left might be attributed to the more
frequent eNertion on this side were il
not that the popularity is said to ex-
tend Itself even 20 the constitution. and
the lett eNtretnit;es are asserted To be
more liaole 70 disease than the right
The more difficult movements in stage
dancing are usually executed upon the
right foot and ii is generally considered
that unless double practice be accorded
TO the left leg an ungraceful prefer
ence for the right will be shown bv
the dancers in their public perform
anceS.
Most people tread more firmly with |
the right than with the lett foot. |
There seems to be a greater capacity |
for propelling the 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 plav
hops naturally on his left foot. To the
attentive eye none of the ordinary ges-
lures or movements betravs peculiari-
N'NHf VI A-4N<A' ~ dt4
than the gait-the sailors rolling. the
soldiers stiff the countryman's iolting
gait are immediately recognized. Slow
steps, whether long or short suggest a
gentle or reflective sort of mind, as the
case may be, while. on the contrary,
quick steps seem 20 speak of aCita ton
and energy. Reflection is revealed in
frequent pauses and walking to and
fro, backward and forward: the direc-
tlon of the steps, wsvering and fol-
lowing every changing impulse of the
mind, inevitably betrays uncertainty.
hesitation and indecision The proud
step Is slow and measured. the toes ara
turned ont, the leg is
In vanity the toes are
'ather more gracefully turned, the stride
/ little shorter. and there is very often
IN affectation of modesty. Tiptoe walk
ng symboliZes surprise. curiosity. dis
'retion or mystery Obstinate people.
Who, in an argument rely more on
nuscularity than on intellectual power,
est their feet fiat and firm on the
rround and stand with the legs firmly
planted and far apart. Turned-in toes
re often found with unoccupied. alb
persons. The toes pointed
nd dragged on the ground with slow
neasured step give pompous appear
nee Perpleaity occasions irregular
teps and abrupt movements. The pru
ent walk is measured and regular. en-
irely free from hurry, agitation or pre-
ipitation. The miser's walk is repre-
ented as STOPPING, noiseless, with
hort, nervous, anxious steps In ioy
he walk is lively. for lightnesS. grace.
uppleness characterize happy mind,
Though the walk here is often modi-
ed in harmony with the cause of the
0y; the JOY of Cratified ambition. for !
xample, betraying itself by a different
senblance from the JOY OF u
appy love. Disappointment walks
eavily and with irregular steps Where
revengeful purpose be hidden under
,igned smile the step will be Sinking |
nd noiseless. Boston Herald. r