The San Francisco call., 1904-02-28

~ - 40 n ever occurred 10 you IN
watching the movements Of the
- human hand TO be struck by
4 a vague resemblance to some
- wondrous flower, whose calyX-
depths open and shut at Will, as the
nNe rosy-upped petals unfold or close
over them? Five is a favorite number
IN the flower world-dog roses and
IorEet-me-n meadow sweet the
modest little eyebright and the blood
red pimpernel, all these have five
petals neither more nor less-and the
blossoms OF the hemlock and the elder
flower, too. If We 90 but carefully
examine each separate one, OF which
The whole beautiful little fairy-li1e
parasol is composed, we soon perceive
-that every single blossom consists Of
nFe delicate petals, ranged round
heart-shaped center, generally Of a
oluerent hue. Every campanula, even,
mas i've points or tips TO each one Of
us bells, and as for the buttercups
they have simply turned yellow with
envy at seeing themselves restricted
% the I'VE broad plaits or folds Of
Sneir homely rufies, while their neigh
Dors, the daisies, great and small
glory In full white ruffs. such as in the
olo days our great grandfather and
Our hand then has been formed on
%ne self-same pattern as all these, in
accordance with that universal prin-
clple Of harmony by which il would
seem that all things on the same
planet are intended TO live together
sloe by side TO their mutual advan-
laSe and 10 work together 10 a com
mon END. Like their flower models
therefore our hands should serve as
the chalice that collects dew and
money 10 nourish the whole frame. and
also IN order 10 distribute TO other be-
lngs who stand in need Of such. For
lnls reason the liberal hand is ever
the most beautiful-the hand that
lreely DestOWs on others for their
pront and enjoyment the blessings Of
Wnlcn the accumulated knowledge
and skill Of many generations have
MADE Il partaker- And because the
nand IS the most perfect instrument
devised by Providence as a gift TO
man II must be wOrthily employed, in
me rhythmic grace Of every movement
give signs of its divine origin: hence
the delight we feel in watching the
true artist ~ his work. And is there
any thing lovelier than to see a baby
stretch out its tiny hands, with their
sweet shell-like palms and exquisite
rose-leaf fingers 10 grasp and clutch
AT vacancy?
n now. as il pleases me TO fancy, the
hanQ-thar truest friend and most trus-
fy servant 10 man-dO really in its
general outlines recall the image Of
earths fairest and most fragile orna-
ments- Ue may surely conclude that
me UoWer-fOrm was chosen as its mod
el Tor the purpose of ennObling its ges-
lures ana keeping every action pure
Had lt been designed for utility alone
mere strength would have sufficed:
cousicera bic dexterity even might quite
f--I H.
of shat Ishtness Of structure which
o lends Erace TO every movement and is
"a perpetual satisfaction TO our esthet-
lc sense. no hand. however hardened
by exposure or deformed by toll. that
does not STILL in its conformity TO the
patlern-type, in this characteristic
blending Of force with suppleness re-
tain traces Of its noble origin and point
triumphantly 70 higher aims. Is not
the wondrOus mechanism the same in
al the hands that are at work all over
the world, each in its own appointed
way2
And II we consider the mechanism
are We not puzzled TO decide which part
Of IL 70 admire most. whether the long
1.-THE fingers in their restless activity,
or the ingenious contrivance by which
the thumb, though furnished with one
joint less than the rest, becomes by
reason Of adaptability and position the
most indispensable member of the
whole group2 The wrist, too-is there
IN the anatomy Of the whole human
frame any detail more marvellous and
perfect than that on which depends
the delicate play Of the wrist-whose
heKibilty lends distinction and charm
20 the gestures OF the orator and
actor. and is 10 the musicians touch
the source Of inenable sweetness and
fullness Of tone, while in Il resides
also the secret Of the sl5iIlfuI handling
OF his weapon, the swiftness and pre-
cision Of the fencer's thrust and parry.