Physiognomy illustrated

Front matter

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Class

Preface

The work here given to the public is the fruit of nearly twenty years' observation and study, in the course of which the discoveries have been made which are herein revealed and formed into a new system of Physiognomy, strictly in accordance with the anatomical structure of the human body. While I am convinced c£ the vast importance of the study of Physiognomy, I am further persuaded that if these principles were fully understood and practised, the consequence would be, not only a regeneration of the human beings now living in the world, but the generation of others far superior to those who now inhabit the earth, and many of whom have come upon it as unwelcome guests. Yice, easily detected, would hide its head, and gradually disappear; while the human race would become refined and ennobled, mentally, morally, and physically, by a true understanding of that which improves it on the one hand, and deteriorates it on the other. The love which I bear towards my species, my intense desire to see the human race what it ought to be, and is capable of becoming, has prompted me to give this publicity to these discoveries in Physiognomy. They

VI PREFACE.

include the mental, moral, and volitive dispositions of mankind, as manifested in the human form and countenance, together with the signs and principles of each faculty; and they are illustrated by two hundred and fifty Engravings.

It has been necessary to coin a number of new words to designate newly discovered faculties, seeing that the English language contained no single terms to express them. To Americans it is necessary also to explain that the work having been printed and stereotyped in Britain, the old style of spelling used in that country has necessarily been employed.

Preface To The Sixth Edition

The large sale of the present work, which has been before the public since 1874, has encouraged me to issue a new edition to meet the demand.

It need scarcely be told that the physiogmonical system of Lavater, taking cognizance only of the facial developments and the head, is quite exploded ; and that phrenology, founded on the structure of the cranium according to Lavater' s ideas has proved fallacious. It is my undoubted claim that the system which I have elaborated is the only one now extant that finds any favor among scientific men; proceeding as it does, on the principle that the soul, pervading the human frame throughout, manifests itself in the face, hands, neck, ears, hair, voice, all parts and every habitual movement. These I have been observing and comparing during thirty years of travel in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, Great Britain, and Australasia, where I have successfully laboured as a lecturer and examiner of character. Many of the results are embodied in the present work ; but I have in preparation another to contain several new discoveries, which, however, cannot be ready for publication for two or more years. I am also preparing a resume" of some recent discoveries respecting the human skull and its connection with the brain and the mental powers, the design being to correct the fallacies which have been taught by men ignorant of anatomy and guided by partial observations to some lucky guesses amid numerous mistakes.