Scarcely any set of features exhibit anger, or hatred, affliction, or tranquillity alone; because no person is continually angry, or always tranquil and easy, whatever may be the general character of his disposition, or the prevailing habits and passions of his mind. His sensations being various at different times, his aspect presents the marks of that variety.

From this source frequently arises that mixture of character which we remark in the human countenance. Hence, the likeness, or unlikeness of persons in the same family, whose turn of mind being similar, or dissimilar, the family-resemblance has a corresponding variation of features.

But natural inclination, though a principle of great activity, is not unfrequently so controled by acquired habit, as to lie dormant, or nearly so, and seldom to manifest itself in demeanour, or action. A principle of good breeding will naturally check the ebullitions of the choleric person; and this habitual restraint will pro

duce, in some degree, a slight variation in the countenance. In like manner, the glutton and the sensualist, from mere shame, or from a natural sense of decency, will restrain the impetuosity of their native propensities; and this mixture of refined sense, and grossness of disposition, will produce that variety in the features which occasions no small difficulty to the student in this pleasing and most useful science.

The experienced eye, and discriminating mind will, however, seldom fail to discover those traits of natural disposition which no habit can eradicate, nor any art effectually conceal. The anecdote, already related, of Socrates and Hippocrates, affords ample proof of the truth of this reasoning. The vices, perhaps, more certainly than the virtues, exhibit their characteristics in the human face. There are few men of a radically bad disposition, whose physionomies do not, more or less, betray the secrets of their souls; but virtue retires from human observation. It is one of its main

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characteristics to shun the notice of the world.

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Thou, when thou fasteth," said the great founder of the Christian religion, "wash thy face, and appear not to men to fast." Native goodness of character, however, any more than native vice, cannot be entirely hidden. The soft and tender glance of affection-the silent tear of pity-the roseate glow of benevolence and the warm flushes of love, will, in spite of the most habitual modesty, frequently disclose the fact, that such indeed is the genuine character and disposition of those in whom such indications of goodness are observable.

On the other hand, the most studied hypocrisy cannot long conceal from the eye of the physionomist the true character of him, who assumes, for some selfish purpose, the signs of

virtue.

What would become of the high character which the cartoons of Raffaello have obtained, had the artist given that set of features to the beloved disciple John which belong

to those of Judas, the traitor? Yet both were disciples-both made the same professions of love and obedience. Jesus, who was the greatest physionomist, knew from the beginning, that when he had chosen twelve, "one of them was a devil." A similar observation may be made with respect to another expression in the New Testament, in which it is said of certain disciples, that they were taken knowledge of that they had been with Jesus." I will not assert, that this knowledge was not solely grounded upon an observation of their manners and conduct; as the speech of Peter "bewrayed him," and led to the accusation that he also was one of Christ's disciples; but who will venture to affirm, that even the physionomies of the followers of the meek and lowly Jesus had not certain peculiarities, indicative of that unshaken fidelity, and honesty of soul, which marked the character of those

intrepid and virtuous reformers? This we may assert, without fear of contradiction, having the testimony of every ancient and modern artist whose works have come down to

' persons, while they reject the favours of others? They do not reason from past experience, but from present aspect. Neither, perhaps, do animals follow such experience, when they select as friends, from a numerous company, those persons whose looks indicate natural benevolence. It is commonly said that dogs possess this sagacity in a high degree; and though common sayings are not always to be relied upon, it will hardly be denied that there is much truth in this particular observation.

By character we determine the sex, the time of life, the country or family, the mental disposition, the natural or acquired habit; and even, frequently, the profession and the pursuits of those with whom we are conversant.

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Let us trace the character of the countenance from infancy to old age. That kind of character which marks their years, is so dissimilar in children, that it admits of no dispute. The form of their features is as peculiar to them