The Washington herald., 1913-08-24
Much Of Ones Character and
Life History Can Be Read
by Close Study Of the
Lines.

Most people who have had their hands
read by an expert palmist have been
filled with wonder at the accuracy OF
the reading, not only in regard to de-
lineation of character, but also to the
detailing of events in their past lives
and prophecies about the future.
Palmistry-or cheirosOphy, to call 1t by
its scientific name-is of great antiqu .ty.
In olden times it was looked upon as
Witchcraft and it was only surrepti-
tously that the pianist could practice her
art. Nowadays, even, people are only
too ready to condemn what they do no.
understand, and so it is that we often
hear the words "chicanery" and trick
ery'' applied to what in the opinion of
many is entitled to rank as a science.
1t is generally admitted that mans
character and temperament leave their
traces upon his face. The bon-yivant, the
thinker, the athlete all have distinctive
points of physiognomy which indicate
the nature of their pursuits and ayOce-
tions. The votaries Of palmistry Claim
that in the same way as many points Of
character are displayed in our faces,
our history is writ large on the lines
of our hand, and can be read there by
the initiated like an open book. Whas
is more, not only by the lines of the
hand, but by its burrows and folds, by
its degree OF hardness or softness, can
a persons habits, character, and his s)-
cial position be told.
Have Lines from Birth.
It is a curious thing that no two hands
are found with similar markings, con-
'tinues an English writer. This is the
reason why finger prints are so efficacious
in the detection of crime.
The lines on our hands we have from
our birth. 1t is a mistake to think that
Il
fact, as a rule, the working classes have
fewer lines on their palms than the
idle rich" On the hand, the lines are
affected by mental causes, and can be
developed to a considerable extent by
mental exercise In lunatics, as a rule,
the lines on the palm are uncertain and
indistinct. Selfish people, whose one aim
is the qualification of their own needs,
and who are little impressed by the wor-
Ties OF those near and dear to them,
show, as a rule, very few OF the finer
lines on their palms.
. There is no doubt that a great deal
Of ones life history can be read by the
hand, for great events and happenings
leave indelible marks upon it Quite
recently a skeptic in regard to palm
Istry was induced to consult a famous
palmist. He did so in a spirit of de-
rision, but his attitude was soon changed
to one Of awed surprise. The paimist
detailed events in his life which were
known to himself alone. He had spent
ten years OF his youth in America. There
he had married unhappily and divorced
his wife. When he returned to England
he determined to look upon that part of
his life as a closed book, and so his
friends over here, without exception, were
ignorant of the fact that he had mar
ried. The palmist not only read about
HE marriage in his hand but gava tba
exact year in which it took place the
events which led up to it and those which
led to its dissolution. After this strik-
ing demonstration of the art of palm
istry the skeptic was constrained to ad-
nit that there was great deal in it,
after all.'
1t Is claimed BY those who study