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PHYSIOGNOMY.

CHAP. I.

INTRODUCTION..

Physiognomy a Science. The Truth of Physiognomy. The Advantages of Physiognomy.-Its Disadvantages. The Ease and Difficulty of studying Physiognomy.-A Word concerning the

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It has been asserted by thousands, that "though there may be some truth in physiognomy, still it never can be a science." These assertions will be repeated, how clearly soever their objections may be answered, and however little they may have to reply. Physiognomy is as capable of becoming a science as any one of the sciences, mathematics excepted. It is a branch of the physical art, and includes theology and the belles lettres. Like these, it may, to a certain extent, be reduced to rule, and acquire an appropriate character, by which it may be taught.

Whenever truth or knowledge is explained by fixed principles, it becomes scientific, so far as it can be imparted by words, lines, rules, and defini

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tions. The question will stand simply thus: whether it be possible to explain the undeniable striking differences which exist between human faces and forms, not by obscure and confused conceptions, but by certain characters, signs, and expressions? Whether these signs can communicate the strength and weakness, health and sickness of the body; the folly and wisdom, the magnanimity and meanness, the virtue and vice of the mind? This is the only thing to be decided; and he who, instead of investigating the question, should continue to declaim against it, must either be deficient in the love of truth, or in logical reasoning.

The experimental philosopher can only proceed with his discoveries to a certain extent; only can communicate them by words; can only say, "Such and such are my experiments, such my remarks, such is the number of them, and such are the inferences I draw: pursue the track that I have explored." Yet, will he not be unable, sometimes, to say thus much? Will not his active mind make a thousand remarks, which he will want the power to communicate? Will not his eye penetrate recesses, which he shall be unable to discover to that feebler vision that cannot discover for itself? Is any science brought to perfection at the moment of its birth? Does not genius continually, with eagle eye and flight, anticipate centuries? How long did the world wait for Wolf? Who, among the moderns, is more scientific than Bonnet? Who more accu

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