PREFACE. THERE is undoubtedly no subject in the science of Natural History more curious, entertaining, and instructive to the human race in general, than that which respects the variety of complexion and figure among mankind. Though much has been written to point out the sources from whence these varieties arise, and to investigate the causes which certainly produce them, yet hitherto but little accurate information has been derived from the most arduous and laborious researches of the first abstract philosophers of the age. The same thing has happened to Physiognomy as to Astronomy. They have both been degraded and disgraced by the intrigues and artifices of interested knavery. The first has been connected to Palmistry, by a notorious set of dusky impostors, who, roving up and down in the world, have made a prey of every credulous person they could meet with; and the other has been travestied in the art of divining future events. Hence have arisen conjurors; the most notorious of which, combining the whole together, have not only found admirers in the less informed ages of the world, but are even daring enough yet, at the latter end of the eighteenth century, to hold up their arguments in defiance of experimental philosophy. Confused and sophisticated with falsehoods, termed occult reasonings, the noble science of Physiognomy has been neglected for near a century, and deemed by the judicious a mere farcical contrivance to fleece the pockets, and disturb the brains of the unwary. Thus even those, who have suspected there might be some rational grounds to build hypothesis upon, have been fearful of venturing to appear even in the slender form of an essay. From an accurate survey of all that has hitherto been written upon this subject by the soberest authors of the preceding age, it will appear, that very little knowledge of man has been derived; and the falsehoods and errors with which their writings abound, are daily becoming more evident. Those systems which were established on authorities so extremely weak, are now falling into that contempt and neglect, which must necessarily await every mode of reasoning, whose axioms are not founded on obvious and derivative facts, and supported by physical causes. The noble ardour for discovering and investigating the connexion between the inward and outward operations of nature in man, gave rise, in a neighbouring nation, to a splendid and expensive work, an epitome of which is here offered to the public, arranged (the editor hopes he may say without presumption) with more order and method, and divested of the numerous repetitions, which the worthy and amiable, but too often rhapsodical LAVATER, in the warmth of a disinterested love of mankind, introduces at every turn. In the present state of our knowledge, a systematical view of the physiognomonical science can hardly be expected: a collection of observations arranged but with little attention to method, is all the industrious Lavater promises, and all we can reasonably expect. However, he furnishes us with an instance, how much may be accomplished, even by an individual, in a subject replete with difficulties, when genius and judgment are aided by labour, and when the object is pursued with a steady regard to truth and veracity. However, it is not the editor's intention to enter into any panegyric upon the labours of M. Lavater: the public will ever judge for themselves, and pay the tribute of applause where it is due. To preserve the spirit of Lavater's reasoning, inspire the enthusiasm of his feelings, and the sublimity of his conceptions, has been the endeavour of the editor of the present volume, within the small compass of which, he flatters himself, he has concentrated, as in a focus, all the discoveries and truths contained in the original work. CONTENTS. 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 con- cerning the Author .... .Page 1 CHAP. II. On the Nature of Man, which is the Foun- dation of the Science of Physiognomy.-Difference between Physiognomy and Pathognomy CHAP. IV.—The Congeniality of the Human Form 39 CHAP. V.-Description of Plates I. and II.......47 |