The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-08-25
TOLD BY THE FEET.
Character AS Read in the Peda
Extremities.
A Mans Peculiarities May BE Detected
by Careful Study of His Manner
of WallSiag-Some Things
Worth Knowing.

In the form of the foot the sexes diff
fer as much or even more than in that
of the hand. A woman's foot is usual
ly narrower in proportion than that of
a mans, while he will be considerably
stronger in the ankle and more power
full in the formation of the toes, espe-
cially of the ball of the great toe.
When woman owns a strong, firm,
wide foot many of us experience no
sensation of surprise at finding her
''strongminded;" when man trips
along on delicate little foot people
instinctively believe him to be lacking
In power and often put him down as
effeminate. If instead of the cramp-
ing Imprisonment of boots and shoes
the foot from infancy were allowed
free and natural development it is
likely that under such conditions it
might be rendered capable of perform
ing other functions besides those of
locomotion and sustaining the weight
of the body. Certainly it is, says the
Boston Herald, that some unlucly
mortals born without arms have man
aged to use a knife, fork, spoon, pen,
paint brush and even a violin 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 fire.
quent exertion on this side were it not
that the popularity is said to extend
itself even to the constitution, and the
left eXtremities are asserted to be
more liable to disease than the right.
The most difficult movements in stage
dancing are usually executed upon the
right foot and it is generally consid-
cred that unless double practice be ac-
corded to the left leg an ungraceful
preference for the right will be shown
by the dancers in their public per-
Torrance.
Many people tread more firmly with
the right than with the left 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 play
hops naturally on his left foot, To the
attentive eye none Of the ordinary
gestures pr movements betray pecul-
iarities of individual character more
plainly than the gait-the sailors roll
ing, the soldiers stiff, the country
mans jolting gait are Immediately
recognized. Slow steps, whether long
or short, suggest gentle or reflective
sort of mind, as the case may be,
while, on tho contrary, quick steps
seem TO speak of agitation and energy.
Reflection is revealed in frequent
pauses and walking to and fro, back
ward and forward; the dNection of the
steps, wagering and following every
changing impulse of the mind, inevita-
bly, betrays uncertainty, hesitation
and indecision, The proud step is slow
and measured, the toes are conspicu-
ppslY turned out, the leg is straight
ened. In vanity the toes are rather more
gracefully turned, the stride little
shorter and there is often an affecta-
tion of modesty. Tiptoa walking sym
bolizes surprise, curiosity, discretion
or mystery. Obstinate people who, in
an argument, rely more on museularity
than on intellectual power, rest their
feet fiat and Arm on the ground and
stand with the legs firmly planted and
far apart. Turned-in toes are often
found with unoeeupied, absent-minded
persons, The toes pointed and dragged
ON the ground with slow, meas
ured step give pompous appearance.
Perplexity occasions irregular steps
and abrupt movements, The prudent
walk is measured ana regular entirely
free from hurry, agitation or precipi-
tation. The miser's walk is represent
ii 90 Il
nervous, anxious steps. In joy the walk
is lively, for lightness, grace, supple.
ness characterize happy mind, al
though the walk here is often modi-
fed, in harmony with the cause of the
Joy; the joy of gratifed ambition, for
example, betraying itself by different
outward semblance than the Joy OF a
happy love. Disappointment walks
heavily with slow and irregular steps