Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-10-27
Hold Your Head Right
BY H. ApDINGToN BRUCE.

BY ii. ADDlNGTON BRUCE.
~ CIENTIFIC students of character reading
= from bodily signs are emphasizing more and
more the Importance of the head as an index
to heart and mind. They insist that much useful
information be gained not only from the
shape of persons head, but from the way he
holds 1t.
And, in truth, the head attitude indicates much
to the discerning Strength and weakness. beau
ties and defects of character are revealed by II.
The correct normal position is to hold the head
perfectly level neither bent forward nor inclined
back. This is the position known among soldiers
as that of attention.
1t is consciously assumed by them under GER
tain conditions and a result of training. 1t is
unconscousy assumed by all who possess per-
sonaity characterized by dignity, forcefuness and
independence of spirit. On this point the Italian
anthropologist, DR.. Maria Montessori, fttingly
comments
1T is not the vain man. or the proud man, or
the dreamer, or the bureaucratic official whose
head this involuntary horizontal line that
is characteristic of the most profound sentiments
known to humanity. Persons of such types hold
their heads slightly raised, and the line shows
slight backward slant
1.-The who lis depressed and discouraged,
the who has never had occasion to feel the
Deep intimate and sacred thrill of human dignity.
has on the contrary more or less forward slant
in the psychological line of Orientation."
In the unduly aggressive, the pugnacious man,
the head may be held,level enough without either
forward or backward slanting But almost al
ways there is forward thrust to it, strikngly ex-
pressive of the combatfveness bulking so large in
its pOssessor's nature.
The characteristic attitude of the prizefghter
he advances to attack illustrates concretely this
sign of the psychic makeup. Meet man who
makes you think of prizefghter by the way he
holds his head and you may safely set him down
as constitutionally aggressive.
Again, pronounced sensuality and coarseness
of nature often revealed by what seems to be a
sinking of the whole head upon the shoulders. This
effect is due a shortening and thickenng of the
neck. features which themselves eloquent of an
undue tendency TO yield to the pleasures of the
senses.
For knowledge of others, then and for knowl-
edge of ones self. it is important to be aware of
tant to recognize that a mans habitual head atti-
tude is not the but the result, of his mental
and normal state.
That is to say, if man would always hold his
head he should, he needs to cultivate the quail
ties which determine correct orientation.
He needs to cultivate self-reliance and indie
pendence. He needs TO overcome slavishness and
cdwardice, while yet holding in check any tendency
to unpleasant aggressiveness He needs to think
clearly clearly and alphabetically.
In short, the more he makes himself real
man. conscious of his responsibilities and of his
social ties, the more habituaIly will he hold his
head Alright.
The more habituaIIy will he hold it in the atti-
tude which, DR.. Montessori finely says, is that
of the thinking man, who cannot lean either In the
one direction the other because he is so keeny.
conscious of being in close connection with all
rounding humanity, and he looks with horizontal
gaze toward nnity, as though studying the path OF
common progress"
Copyright, 1916, by the Associated Newspapers
In this war. Waterloo seems to be out of style.
Ambassador Gerard must have placed his peace
proposal in cold storage.