The age-herald., 1897-12-28
The Life Story That
Is Told By the Hand

In this age of brain investigation and of character reading. when mans nature is deciphered by lines in his tel-tale palm, according to chronological bumps and unconscious movements thinking men and women have recognized the importance of hand action as a means of diagnosing the temperament and attributes of mankind.
 A year or two ago Rev. Dr. H. A. Tup- per of Richmond, Va, father of Mrs. Thomas Hamilton of this city, delivered beautiful and eloquent lecture upon "fhe Hand" before the young ladies of Woman's college Richmond, in which he gave classic resume of the various uses of the hand, the intricate and diverse meanings of gesticulaton and the startling revela- tions of characteristics made by those ges- ticuations.
 Cheiro is, of coruse, the great modern apostle of palmestry, and his teachings and doctrines have generally been accepted by those persons who feel any concern in char acter-reading by bodily signs A recent ex- change gives the following data regarding the significance of the movements of the hand:
 Precise emphatic movements denote pre- cision, and the gestures of the practical person are much the same. He will point out a direction or object for you, using his first finger as an indicator, but this must not be confused with the use that the dictatorial person makes of this finger, which he does continually while talking, often fourishing it in his neighbours face in very unpleasant manner. The intolerant individual lays the forefnger of one hand in the palm of the other, tapping it at in- terValS. The business man, Who owing to his limited time, is often the direct man, will when he places his hand on his knee, have the first finger separated from the rest, at some little distance. To impress upon you a certain thing he will strike his knee with the palm of his hand. He shows himself willing then to hear your opinion, while if he strikes with his closed fist he admits of no adverse argument, but Is positive and even antagonistic.
 closed hand does not always indicate the same thing. It is usually the accom- panment of a mean nature or habit of concealment, but during excitement it merely means an effort to control the nerves. Watch the avaricious man; see whether he does not hold his fingers curved almost shaping a sem-circle, while the generous man talks with hands wide open
 A tendency to high hand movement shows a sanguine, hopeful charac cter; the gesture denoting domination is also high one, the arm being extended from the shoulder and the position of the hand slightly downward. The broad sweep of the arm suggests magnanimity and large views, and the man who crosses his arms behind his back portrays self-confidence and prosperity. Impulsive natures have quick, jerky movements. The nervous per son uses his hand from the wrist and the confident one with the palm down. The hand lying loosely in the lap with the palm up indicates moral laXity.
 The gesture and habitual pose of each finger has its special meaning. For in- stance, when the small finger naturally separates from the rest 1t bespeaks inde- pendence of thought, and you may rely upon the strength of a woman's mentality who grasps an object firmly. A supple finger movement is sugge tive of an artis- tic temperament and adaptahlity and a certain curious use of these long fingers indicates dishonesty.
 The artist will gesture with his thumb outlining invisible objects. and will also continually touch his face. The lover of form will in the use of his hands portray the circumference of things-the sculptor being the best example of this. Do we not remember the man who gesticulates pro- fusely while talking at the telephone? He is thoroughly unconscious and oredulous.
 The gentleman who presses his thumb against the inside tips of his fingers, with an even pressure. is cruel; and the shape of his fingers is usually square: and the old saying that a liar q person who has much to conceal will keep the hand, is easily verified.
 The man who grasps his hand firmly and warmly you may judge straightforward and frank, but the deceitful man will al- LOW ms Dalu lD lie lOcSely III yours. NO moro annoying experience than to encoun- ter the indifferent handshake, the limp movement, giving the impression of insuf- , ferable boredom. There is a certain snalIe- like supple movement of the body that in- variahly accompanies sensual being. straight direct action, and the erect head carriage indicates truthfulness.
 Occasionally these movements are hered itary. and under those conditions do not portray the individual personality. but such nrat The SOrn1 restraints and consciousness of surround irgs often interfere with an impulsive gest- ure: so 1t has been said the truest expo ncnts are the ,incuitured and the children.