New-York tribune., 1901-02-27

Practical treatise on the Art C.mmony
oalled PalTissry BY ,roy Mdham nfs ocsTo enhIP pP
rxiv ss5. g. p. Putnams Sons
r,e, none think that palmistry is an anluse-
vnent. or a subject to engage the attention Of
eranks OF an occult speculation These more
than six hundred solid pages are devoted 10
proving II a science, wrapped up in the theory
of the universe founded on a logical basis-"a
study worthy Of the hest efforts of the best
minds" The Creator. we learn from them. has
NOT plunged US into this world in Ignorance of
ourselves without knowledge Of the future He
has written what We want know in our hands.
and only human ignorance and folly have re-
fused 10 read IT or allow IT 10 be read If
human ignorance and folly not hereafter
negligible quantities it shall not be Mr. Ben
hams fault Properly understood. their hands
will tell our sons and daughters what sphere IN
life they are best fitted TO occupy, what studies
they can best master and will prevent the un-
happiness OF in assorted marriages. Mr.. Ben
ham has covered the whole subject. in theory
and practice, with particular advice TO the
practitioner. For those whose natural qualif-
cations lead them 10 this study the advice is
eound and should lead 70 success For instance;
Always remember that if you fail 20 verify in
dications you have not judged the case cor
rectly The fault is not with the science, but
with your application Of it,
No mere experimental science can be estab-
lished so firm basis this. and the palmist
may go forward with confidence. He would
better practise in daylight. many palmists alb
solutely refuse read by gaslight" The tenn
perature should be 30 degrees Fahrenheit. II is
better to have the visitor remove hat coat and
gloves. and il will aiH materially IL the attend
ant has the tact say pleasant word 50 that
as the client enters he or she may carry the
hands in natural manner. Much may he
learned by watching this manner. You should
make your client comforta ble. but the perfect
palmist is competent 20 give him uncomfort
sble quarter Of an hour after he has read" him,
UNLESS he is of Just the right You must
always give tho hypocrite the plain truth about
himself do not fear "a wound him, and do not
re disappointed II he declares that YOU have
,nisjudged him. '"The fault is not with the sci
ence" and he is a hypocrite. anyway. To the
hruiser YOU must he exceedingly firm" no
rhapsody must he INDUCED i'm to the dense and
coarse. who viii only "blanky stare at you"
With the cool. investigating mind deal gently:
he means well. but is suspicious and for per
sons of refinement you must be informed on all
subjects pertaining proper form. of etiquette.
etc"
n the preliminares thus complicated
sor the practitioner, what shall say of the
science itself whose details and difficulties the
suthor unfolds at such great length. and with
such wealth of illustration? II is founded
the very nature of the human race. which, it
eeems undoubtedly constructed by the
Creator under a definite plan"-namely. IN seven
distinct types. Conformity one Of these types
is all there IS in destiny fate. though few
people may be pure specimens OF any one To
determine the type is the most important func-
rion Of the scientific palnnist, and he does il by
an inspection Of the mounts" OF which there
arc, fortunately, places the hand for jus.
seven. These monentous signboards Of fate
arc balls or pads of flesh. which bulge up from
The palm at the base of the fingers" The study
Of them reveals the Creators original inten-
lions in regard 10 the type Of the individual but
the individual may modify these intentions by
strong desire and firm resolution do H.
What may have been accomplished thus is
shown by the lines" which form a map Of the
course Of the subjects life. Thereby the past
is revealed. We arc surrounded. we learn. by
sn atmosphere charged with some imponderable
force. which. If actually electricity is still
very like il in action and results" II enters the
hodN AT birth through the ends OF the fingers
'Sorne have called II Buddha, some Ether some
Electricity, some God. some the influence Of
fhe planets. Whatever fl is IL passes through
the lines IF the hand controlling the life Of
the subject. and leaving its record II is a great
rehei N meet it, for il is OF invaluable assist
en"s in referring this work TO its proper nIace
In the category Of mystical balderdash 10 which
u belongs. Electricity" is the final resort of
eli the pseuoo-scientists, and il looks out az us
IRON Mr. Benham's futile array Of crinkled
palms grotesaue diagrams and fantastic nomen-
olature with friendly assurance that we are
really On familiar ground