How to Read Human Nature: Its Inner States and Outer FormsAtkinson, William Walker
Science
How to Read Human Nature: Its Inner States and Outer Forms
Atkinson, William Walker
Character; Personality; Phrenology; Physiognomy
The _fighting, destructive, motive feelings_ are indicated by _straight
lines_ of the lids. _Affection, benevolence, sympathy, and love_,
manifest in curving, drooping, full eye-lids, the absence of straight
lines being marked. _Amativeness and Alimentiveness_ show in very thick
eye-lids, giving a sensual gross expression to the eyes.
_Destructiveness_ manifests in a tightening of the upper lid, and a
bearing down upon the eyeball. _Approbativeness_ gives a peculiar
"coquettish" relaxation of the upper eye-lid, which is suggestive of the
desire to wink in a meaning manner. _Humor_ gives a peculiar contraction
to the eye-lids, and at the same time producing the little lines
radiating from each outer corner of the eye-lids--the "laughing
wrinkles." _Ideality, Optimism, and Mysticism_ impart an open expression
to the eyes. _Cautiousness_, when large, also gives to the eyes an open,
almost startled, surprised expression.
_Large, protruding eyes_ are held to be indicative of wordiness,
talkativeness, and lack of careful thought--the desire to talk for the
pleasure of hearing oneself talk.
In connection with the subject of the outer form manifesting in the
eyes, we would call your attention to the quotation from Prof. O. S.
Fowler, appearing in Lesson XIII, in which he speaks of certain of the
Perceptive Qualities which indicate in outer form in the region of the
eye, as follows: "The shape of the eyebrows reveals the size, absolute
and relative, of each, thus: When _all_ are large, the eyebrow is long
and arching; when all are deficient, it is long and straight; when some
are large and others small, it arches over the large ones, but passes
horizontally over those which are small. This rule is infallible." In
connection therewith, we suggest that the student re-read carefully
Chapter XIII, which deals with the Perceptive Qualities which manifest
outer form in the region of the eye.
EARS
Many physiognomists pass lightly over the subject of the ears as an
index of character, while others seem to specialize on this feature.
The _round ear_ is held to indicate the Vital Temperament. The _oblong
ear_, the Motive Temperament; and the _pear-shaped ear_ the Mental
Temperament.
_Quality_ is held to be indicated by the relative delicateness in the
moulding of the ear, a coarse, misshapen ear being held to indicate an
uncultivated nature; while a delicately moulded, shapely ear is held to
indicate culture and refinement.
A _long, narrow ear_ is held to indicate an ambitious, striving nature.
An ear _pointed at the tip_ (upper part) is held to be indicative of
selfishness and general "foxiness."
NOSES
All physiognomists agree upon the importance of the nose as an index of
character. The majority of people recognize the sign of a large, strong
nose, on the one hand, and a small, weak nose on the other.
[Illustration: FIG. 21 A, ROMAN; B, GRECIAN; C, CHERUBIC]
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