For the same reasons that the Snub prevails among children, the same
form prevails among savage nations and the uneducated classes of
civilized states. The Noses of nations very low in the scale of
civilization are for the most part of a very flat and mean formation, of
which several instances will be adduced in a subsequent chapter; and the
Noses of the uneducated classes in every country exhibit for the most
part a greater proportion of Snubs and Celestials than the Noses of the
more highly educated portions of the community: and this is more marked
when the want of education has subsisted for several successive
generations.
From fictitious works, which have raised to celebrity imaginary
characters of every mental calibre, innumerable examples might be
adduced; for all accurate observers, whether ancient or modern,
have—without being professed Nasologists—unconsciously verified our
hypothesis, and associated the Nose with character.
The inimitable Dickens, and his equally clever illustrator Cruikshank,
both of whom owe their power to their correct observation and
delineation of character, afford many well-known examples. Had the
hypothesis been founded on Oliver Twist and its illustrations, it could
not have been more strikingly substantiated by them, than it is—thus
proving that if we err, we err in company with observers of more than
common accuracy, and whose observations have been verified by the
applauses of all. In that work we have the shrewd penetrative Jew with
his Hawk-nose; the mild, but high-minded Oliver Twist, with his fine
Greek Nose; the Artful Dodger and his brother-pals with their
characteristic Snubs and Celestials. A reference to the plates, and the
author’s pen-and-ink portraits, in this and other works, will confirm
our right to claim these artists in pen and pencil as Nasologists.
The same remarks would be equally applicable to Hogarth’s illustrations
of life in every grade. Observe the important use he makes of the Nose
to elevate or degrade his characters. Compare for this purpose the
Romano-Greek Nose of the Industrious Apprentice with the
Snubbo-Celestial Nose of the Idle Apprentice. Nor does Hogarth fall into
the vulgar error of ridiculing rank and station by features; with him
features indicate mind only. He used them to exhibit intellect and
honesty, or imbecility, vice, and vulgarity, in whatever station. The
Distressed Poet in his garret has a more intellectual nose and
countenance than the vicious and noble in Marriage à-la mode, or the
imbecile fop in the Rake’s Progress.
Raffaelle likewise avails himself of the Nose to give intellectual power
and dignity to the Apostles, Peter and John, in contrast with the
uneducated beggar whose lameness they miraculously cured at the
beautiful gate of the Temple.
Even the distinctive characters of the two Apostles are developed in
their Noses; the loving, confiding, gentle John by a Greek Nose, the
energetic and fiery Peter by a Roman Nose.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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