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/PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY
A SYNOPTICAL STUDY OF
The Science of the Hand
BY
/EDWARD HERON-ALLEN
II
AUTHOR OF "A RJAJJ.UAL OF CHEIROSOPHY," " THE SCIENCE OF THE HAND,'
"A DISCOURSE OF CHYROMANC1E," " CODEX CHIROMANTLE," ETC.
Explanatory Tlates and Diagrams
ROSAMUND BRUNEI, HORSLEY
NEW YORK AND LONDON
G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS(£fte ftmcfcerbocftet 5>re$tf
1887
/PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY
1
A SYNOPTICAL STUDY OF
T/ye Science cy" if/ae Hand
BY /
/EDWARD HERON-ALLEN
I \
AUTHOR OF "Q XVLQQUAL (lCHEIROSOPl-KY," "THE SCIENCE OF THE HA
A ISCOURSE OF CHYROMANCIE," "comix CHIROMANTI/E," ETC.
VVITH
Explfmafomf Tlaies and 'DiagramsBY
ROSAMUND BRUNEI, HORSLEY
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NEVV YORK AND LONDON
G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
(élbe ifinlckzrbucker ikresigi
1887
3^V
Copyright, 1887,
By G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
Press of
G. P. Putnam's Sons
New York
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_
COPYRIGHT, 1887,
G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
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Press of
G. P. PUTNAll'S SoNs
New Yor`k_
"%u ^itmaxi^m tr
To the Memory
Of days that are />ast, and of hours that have long gone by :
INSCRIBED
With the name of a Friend
Whose gentle hands have titrned the last leaf
Of a book that is etided
:
1T Dedicate
THESE LABOURS OF MINE IN A NEW WORLD
/*Vj>/ ^ J&\
" in Qilzmnriam "
Ta the 11/Iemory
Of days that are fast, and of hour.: that have lang gene by
INSCRIBED
ll/'il/L Ike name ofa Friemz'
Whose gentle /lands have lzzrned the [asf leaf
'
Ofa book 1/la! is ended."
'H Eeoicate
THESE LABOURS OF MINE IN A NEV /VORLD
/*°`2° J -- éi U
0^ ^v ^V^ *-* v9 y
J
wa/3 ~'*°/9 @/L' >="§"' W9~>5~3~C3' gsbé-/.J_, aashé
"T4
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Prefatory Excursion 9
Introduction . 13
Part I.— Hand Superstitions and Customs ... 23
Part II.— The Physiology of the Hand .... 33
Part III.— On the Shapes of Hands: Cheirog-
nomy 45
Part IV.— Cheiromancy or Palmistry 86
5
CONTENTS.
PREFATORY EXCURSION _ .
INTRODUCTION ............. _
PART I.--HAND SUPERSTITIONS AND CUSTOMS . _
PART II.-TI-IE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE HAND ....
PART III.-ON THE SHAPES OF HANDS: CHEIROG~
NOMY ............ ....
PART IV.--CHEIROMANCY OR PALMISTRY _ .
5
PAGE
9
13
23
33
45
86
LIST OF PLATES.
PAGE
I. The Bones of the Hand 39
II. The Thumb, the Joints, and the Lines in
the Hand 51
III. The Elementary Hand 63
IV. The Spatulate Hand 67
V. The Conic Hand 71
VI. The Square Hand 75
VII. The Knotty Hand 79
VIII. The Pointed Hand S3
IX. The Mounts of the Palm 93
X. The Lines and Mounts 97
XI. The Lines and Mounts 101
XII. Ages upon the Lines of Life and Fortune, 107
XIII. The Lines in
7
I
II.
III
IV
V
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X
XI
XII
XIII.
LIST OF PLATES.
PAGE
THE BONES OF THE HAND. . _ _ . _ . . 39
THE THUMB, THE JOINTS, AND THE LINES IN
THE HAND ............ SI
THE ELEMENTARY I-IAND . _ 63
THE SPATULATE HAND _ _ . 67
THE CoN1c HAND . _ . 7I
THE SQUARE IIAND . _ 7 5
THE KNOTTY HAND _ _ 79
THE POINTED HAND . . _ _ 83
THE BIOUNTS OF THE PALM _ . 93
THE LINES AND MOUNTS _ _ 97
THE LINES AND HIOUNTS _ . . . . _ _ _ IoI
AGES UPON THE LINES OF LIFE AND FORTUNE, IO7
THE LINES ..........___. I II
7
PREFATORY EXCURSION.
THE first lecture that I had the pleasure of giving
in the United States was delivered from the notes
from which, in turn, this little book has been written,
—
has been written in odd moments saved from the wreck
of time, amid the rapids of existence in New York. It
is therefore, perhaps, necessary that I should apologize
for the manner in which I have dealt with a subject
that stands in no need of any apology in itself, and
should offer this word of explanation of the style in
which this Opusculum has been prepared. In revising
the transcript of the stenographic notes which I caused
to be taken of that lecture, I have frequently been
astonished at my own temerity in attempting to dis-
cuss, within such narrow limits of time and space, a
subject so vast as that of The Hand ; were it not that
I had pledged myself to the preparation of this per-
manent record of the remarks I was enabled by the
time at my disposal to make, I should more than
once have laid down my pen in despair.
9
PREFATO RY EXCURSION.
HE first lecture that I had the pleasure of givingin the United States was delivered from the notes
from which, in turn, this little book has been written,-has been written in odd moments saved from the wreck
of time, amid the rapids of existence in New York. It
is therefore, perhaps, necessary that I should apologizefor the manner in which I have dealt with a subjectthat stands in no need of any apology in itselh and
should offer this word of explanation of the style in
which this Opusculurn has been prepared. In revisingthe transcript of the stenographic notes which I caused
to be taken 'of that lecture, I have frequently been
astonished at my own temerity in attempting to dis-
cuss, within such narrow limits of time and space, a
subject so vast as that of The Hand ; were it not that
I had pledged myself to the preparation of this per-
manent record of the remarks I was enabled by the
time at my disposal to make, I should more than
once have laid down my pen in despair.9
10 PREFATORY EXCURSION.
I have done what I could, during the process of
revision, to give to my work the semblance, at any
rate, of a completeness which it does not,— cannot,
possess ; but even now, at the moment that the sheets
are ready to leave the press, I am overwhelmed by
the knowledge of my inability to give completeness
even to a sketch of the subject which has been identi-
fied with my name in two continents. At the request,
therefore, of a number of those who were unable to
be present on that occasion, and whom I shall never
— in deference to a deeply rooted national aversion
to twice-told tales— be able to address to the same
effect in the future, I deliver these sheets to the
printer, "not as a guaranty of good faith, but for
publication," in the hope that in gratifying a widely
expressed curiosity with regard to that lecture, I shall
not offend those to whom, like myself, the Science
of Cheirosophy is a not un-important branch of the
great study of human nature,— a branch incapable of
being adequately honored between the covers of a
" Hand-book"— the term being used in the literary
and not the Cheirosophic sense.
I have taken advantage of the "cool reflection"
which has followed the delivery of my lecture, to add
a few passages, which I would fain have introduced
IO PREFA TOR Y EXCURSIOA/Y
I have done what I could, during the process of
revision, to give to my work the semblance, at any
rate, of a completeness which it does not,-cannot,
possess ; but even now, at the moment that the sheets
are ready to leave the press, I am overwhelmed bythe knowledge of my inability to give completenesseven to a skelfk of the subject which has been identi-
iied with my name in two continents. At the request,
therefore, of a number of those who were unable to
be present on that occasion, and whom I shall never
-in deference to a deeply rooted national aversion
to twice-told tales-be able to address to the same
effect in the future, I deliver these sheets to the
printer, "noi as a guaranty of good faith, but for
publication," in the hope that in gratifying a widely
expressed curiosity with regard to that lecture, I shall
not offend those to whom, like myself, the Science
of Cheirosophy is a not un-important branch of the
great study of human nature,-a branch incapable of
being adequately honored between the covers of a
" Hand-book"-the term being used in the literaryand not the Cheirosophic sense.
'
I have taken advantage of the "cool reflection "
which has followed the delivery of my lecture, to add
a few passages, which I would fain have introduced
PREFA TOR Y EXCURSION. I I
into my discourse, did I not hold it to be a lecturer's
duty to his audience, to be as brief as circumstances
will permit. I have also utilized the opportunities
thus offered me, to append a fairly complete system of
notes, which may help those of my readers who feel a
sufficient interest in the subject to probe the matters
referred to more deeply; and I have further made
reference, where it has seemed necessary or advisable,
to my larger works on the Science of Cheirosophy, so
that this little work may, as it were, serve for an ele-
mentary guide to the study of those larger volumes.
I claim the indulgence of the public for this little
book on one ground alone : that it may serve as an
introduction to the Science, for many whose attention
has not hitherto been called to its value as a practical
means of diagnosing the characters of our fellow-men.
May I hope, that in awakening a new interest in the
minds of some of my readers, I have acted for them
as pioneer along a path which may lead them— who
knows ?— to a solution of the intricate problem that
must so often have perplexed them,— I mean them-
selves !
ED. HERON-ALLEN.Everett House, New York,
Jan. 7, 1887.
PREFA TOR Y EXCURSIOM I I
into my discourse, did I not hold it to be a lecturer's
duty to his audience, to .be as brief as circumstances
will permit. I have also utilized the opportunitiesthus offered me, to append a fairly complete system of
notes, which may help those of my readers who feel a
sufficient interest in the subject to probe the matters
referred to more deeply; and I have further made
reference, where it has seemed necessary or advisable,to my larger works on the Science of Cheirosophy, so
that this little work may, as it were, serve for an ele-
mentary guide to the study of those larger volumes.
Iaclaim the indulgence of the public for this little
book on one ground alone: that it may serve as an
introduction to the Science, for many whose attention
has not hitherto been called to its valueas a practicalmeans of diagnosing the characters of' our fellow-men.
May I hope, that in awakening a new interest in the
minds of some of my readers, I have acted for them
as pioneer along a path which may lead them- who
knows?-to a solution of the intricate problem that
must so often have perplexed them,-I mean them-
selves lED. HERON-ALLEN.
Evansrr House., New Yom<,Jan. 7, 1887.
PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
INTRODUCTION.
THE pleasure with which I approach the task
which I have undertaken, in attempting to
record in this form the remarks I have been
privileged to make from the lecture-platform, is
sensibly modified by regret,— regret that the
space at my disposal is far too limited to enable
me to write a fractional part of what I should
wish to record upon a subject which has been
one of intense interest to me in the years that
are past, and which is one which touches us all
very nearly. The subject, however, has this
one great advantage : it stands in no need of
any preliminary apology ; its importance is its
own introduction ; and I will therefore address
myself at once to the subject that we have be-
fore us, and call your attention to some points
which I trust will interest you in connection
with the human Hand.13
PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPI-IY.
INTRODUCTION.
HE pleasure with which I approach the task
which I have undertaken, in attempting to
record in this form the remarks I have been
privileged to make from the lecture-platform, is
sensibly modified by regret,-regret that the
space at my disposal is far too limited to enable
me to write a fractional part of what I should
wish to record upon a subject which has been
one of intense interest to me in the years that
are past, and which is one which touches us all
very nearly. The subject, however, has this
one great advantage: it stands in no need of
any preliminary apology; its importance is its
own introduction ; and I will therefore address
myself at once to the subject that we have be-
fore us, and call your attention to some pointswhich I trust will interest you in connection
with the human Hand.
13
14 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
There is, I think, no need for me to lay em-
phasis upon the paramount importance of the
hand in the human economy. This has been
acknowledged ever since Aristotle, in the fourth
century before Christ, called it "the organ of
the organs," ' the active agent of the passive
powers of the entire human system ; and we, in
these latter days, shall hardly be prepared to
controvert this statement, when we reflect that
there exists no human action, and hardly any
rite or ceremony, in which the hand is not, if
not prime agent, at least an important actor.
Look only at the fountain-head of all knowledge,
— literature: is it not by means of the works
of their hands, by their writings, that we are en-
abled to hold, as Galen says, 2 converse with all
the venerable sages, both of remote antiquity
and of the recent past, with all those intellectual
heroes who have bequeathed to us in writing
the intellectual treasures of their own divine
imaginations ?
We have only to pass from this to the con-
templation of the manufactures (which it would
be impossible to conceive, were men created
without hands), to be brought to this inevitable
1 IIEPI ZfiQN MOPIfiN. Book iv. cap. 9.
2 De Usu Partium Corporis Humani. Book i. cap. 1.
I4 PRA CTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
There is, I think, no need for me to lay em-
phasis upon the paramount importance of the
hand in the human economy. This has been
acknowledged ever since Aristotle, in the fourth
century before Christ, called it "the organ of
the organs,"' the active agent of the passive
powers of the entire human system ; and we, in
these latter days, .shall hardly be prepared to
controvert this statement, when we reflect that
there exists no human action, and hardly anyrite or ceremony, in which the hand is not, if
not prime agent, at least an important actor.
Look only at the fountain-head of all knowledge,-literature: is it not by means of the works
of their hands, by their writings, that we are en-
abled to hold, as Galen says," converse with all
the venerable sages, both of remote antiquityand of the recent past, with all those intellectual
heroes who have bequeathed to us in writingthesintellectual treasures of their own divine
imaginations ?
We have only to'pass from this to the con-
templation of the manufactures (which it would
be impossible to conceive, were men created
without hands), to be brought to this inevitable
1 HEP! ZQQN MOPIQN. Book iv. cap. 9.2 De Usu Partium Corporis Humani. Book i. cap. I.
INTRODUCTION. I 5
conviction :— that (to borrow an illustration
from Darwin) it is by his hands that manhangs, monkey-like, from the branches of the
Tree of Knowledge.
Not only in writing and in manufactures, but
in verbal instruction, in the pulpit, in the senate,
and in the drama, the part which is played by
the human hand is one, the importance of which
has occupied the attention of the highest au-
thorities in these matters ; and the varied emo-
tions, expressions, and significations which maybe conveyed by the hands alone have been madethe subject not only of celebrated passages in
the works of such writers as Quintilian the
orator, 3 and Montaigne the essayist, 4 but of
entire works upon the movements and gestures
of the hands as an aid to oratory. 5 What could
be more significant as a practical confirmation
of what I say, than the fact that after the
murder of Cicero at Caieta, his hands as well
as his head were sent to be exposed in the
Roman Forum, as the means whereby he had
cajoled and deluded the Roman citizens ?
3 De Institutione Oratorica. Book xi. cap. 3.
4 Apologie de Raimond Sebond. Book ii. cap. 12.
5 Sc. J. Bulvver : Chirologia ; or the Naturall Language of the
Hand. (London, 1644.)
INTRODUCTION I5
conviction:-that (to borrow an illustration
from Darwin) it is by his hands that man
hangs, monkey-like, from the branches of the
Tree of Knowledge.Not only in writing and in manufactures, but
in verbal instruction, in the pulpit, in the senate,
and in the drama, the part which is played bythe human hand is one, the importance of which
has occupied the attention of the highest au-
thorities in these matters ; and the varied emo-
tions, expressions, and signilications which maybe conveyed by the hands alone have been made
the subject not only of celebrated passages in
the works of such writers as Quintilian the
orator,3 and Montaigne the essayist,4 but of
entire works upon the movements and gesturesof the hands as an aid to oratory.5 W`hat could
be more significant as a practical conlirmation
of what I say, than the fact that after the
murder of Cicero at Caieta, his hands as well
as his head were sent to be exposed in the
Roman Forum, as the means whereby he had
cajoled and deluded the Roman citizens?
3 De Institutione Oratorica. Book xi. cap. 3.4 Apologie de Raimond Sebond. Book ii. cap. I2.
5 Sc. Bulwer: Chirologia; or the Naturall Language of the
Hand. (London, I644.)
1
6
PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
The ancients were therefore actuated by the
keenest reasoning in looking upon the amputa-
tion of the hands as the severest punishment
which they could inflict upon their enemies
;
6
for a man without hands is not even the ninth
part of a man. He simply cumbers the earth, so
far as any practical utility is concerned : though
there have been recorded many instances of
curious and minute forms of workmanship, and
even the playing of such musical instruments
as the violin, being effected by persons whohave been either born without hands, or have
been deprived of them early in life ; even down
to the instance quoted by Sir Charles Bell, 7 of
the Russian beggar born without arms, who,
haunting a wood a short distance from Mos-
cow, used to murder wayfarers by stunning
them with a blow of his head, dragging them
into the wood, and despatching them with his
teeth.
Many celebrated men have been one-handed.
We know that Nelson lost his right arm at
Teneriffe, and Cervantes the use of his left at
the battle of Lepanto in 175 1 ; but these acci-
6 Xenophon: 'EAAHMKON. Book ii. cap. I (31).
7 The Hand: its Mechanism and Vital Endowments. (London,
1832.)
I6 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
The ancients were therefore actuated by the
keenest reasoning in looking upon the amputa-tion of thefhands as the severest punishmentwhich they could inflict upon their enemies ;'for a man without hands is not even the ninth
part of a man. He simply cumbers the earth, so
far as any practical utility is concerned: thoughthere have been recorded many instances of
curious and minute forms of workmanship, and
even the playing of such musical instruments
as the violin, being effected by persons who
have been either born without hands, or have
been deprived of them early in life ; even down
to the instance quoted by Sir Charles Bell/ of
the Russian beggar born without arms, who,
haunting a Wood a short distance from Mos-
cow, used to murder wayfarers by stunningthem with a blow of his head, dragging them
into the wood, and despatching them with his
teeth.
Many celebrated men have been one-handed.
/Ve know that Nelson lost his right arm at
Teneriffe, and Cervantes the use of his left at
the battle of Lepanto in 1751; but these acci-
6 Xenophon: 'E..HNIKON. Book ii. cap. I (31).7 The Hand: its Mechanism and Vital Endowments. (London
1832.)
INTRODUCTION. 1
7
dents did not, in the former case, interfere with
the talents of Horatio Nelson as Lord- High
Admiral of the Fleet, nor in the latter prevent
the evolution of those heroes of romance—Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. Still, all such
cases must be looked upon as historic excep-
tions ; and we come back to the original com-
ments of Anaxagoras and of Aristotle, to the
effect that man, being the wisest of all animals,
has alone, of all animals, been gifted with
hands, the instruments of his high intellectual
faculties. 8
To echo my words, I have said that manalone of all animals has hands : that is to say, in
no other creature do we find either extremities
so perfectly articulated, or mental powers so
highly developed ; and commencing at the low-
est forms of animal life, and progressing up-
wards along the scale of created beings, the
eminent natural historian, Milne Edwards, has
observed 9 that "the faculties of the mammaliaare elevated in proportion as their extremities
are the better constructed for prehension and
touch." And, to go a step farther, we find an
8 Aristotle and Galen: vide the passages quoted in notes 1
and 2.
9 A Manual of Zoology. (London, 1863.) §§306-343.
INTRODUCTIOM I7
dents did not, in the former case, interfere with
the talents of Horatio Nelson as Lord. HighAdmiral of the Fleet, nor in the latter preventthe evolution of those heroes of romance-
Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. Still, all such
cases must be looked upon as historic excep-
tions; and we come back' to the original com-
ments of Anaxagoras and of Aristotle, to the
effect that man, being the wisest of all animals,has alone, of all animals, been gifted with
hands, the instruments of his high intellectual
faculties.8
To echo my words, I have said that man
alone of all animals has hands : that is to say, in
no other creature do we find either extremities
so perfectly articulated, or mental powers so
highly developed ; and commencing at the low-
est forms of animal life, and progressing up-
wards along the scale of created beings, the
eminent natural historian, Milne Edwards, has
observed9 that "the faculties of the mammalia
are elevated in proportion as their extremities
are the better constructed for prehension and
touch." And, to go a step farther, we find an
3 Aristotle and Galen: vide the passages quoted in notes 1
and 2.
9 A Manual of Zoology. (London, 1863.) §§ 306-343.
1
8
PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
ascending scale of intelligence among the ani-
mals which are gifted with the nearest approach
to, and best substitutes for, hands ; as in the
case of the elephant, an instance which has
been cited both by Lucretius and by Cicero. 10
Sir Richard Owen, in a most interesting little
book "On the Nature of Limbs/' 11 has traced
step by step the homologies between the humanhand and the paws of the brute creation, with
the effect of demonstrating that the third fin-
ger is the one digit that no animal is without,
and that as the extremities become less and
less articulated, that is to say jointed, so as to
be capable of varied movement, it is the outer
fingers which we discover by comparative anat-
omy to be missing, and it is the third or middle
finger that represents in man the hoof of the
horse, and of such animals.
To man, then, and to man alone, is the per-
fect construction of the hand, as we see it,
peculiarly adapted ; and it is to man alone with
his varied mental and physical requirements,
that, as Galen remarked, the Creator has given,
in lieu of every other natural weapon or organ
10 Lucretius : De Rerum Natura. Book ii. line 536. Cicero : DeNatura Deorum. Book ii. s. 123.
11 London, 1849. p. 29.
I8 PRA CTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
ascending scale of intelligence among the ani-
mals which are gifted with the nearest approachto, and best substitutes for, hands; as in the
case of the elephant, an instance which has
been cited both by Lucretius and by Cicero."
Sir Richard Owen, in a most interesting little
book "On the Nature of Limbs,"" has traced
step bypstep the homologies between the human
hand and the paws of the brute creation, with
the effect of demonstrating that the third fin-
ger is the one digit that no animal is without,and that as the extremities become less and
less articulated, that is to say jointed, so as to
be capable of varied movement, it is the outer
lingers which we discover by comparative anat-
omy to be missing, and it is the third or middle
finger that represents in man the hoof of the
horse, and of such animals.
To man, then, and to man alone, is the per-
fectrconstruction of the hand, as we see it,
peculiarly adapted; and it is to man alone with
his varied mental and physical requirements,that, as Galen remarked, the Creator has given,in lieu of every other natural weapon or organ
'° Lucretius: De Rerum Natura. Book ii. line 536. Cicero: De
Natura Deorum. Book ii. s. 123.U London, 1849. p. 29.
INTRODUCTION. 1
9
of defence, that exquisite and universally en-
dowed instrument, the hand.
We know, that as different orders of created
beings have differently constructed extremities,
so various races of men, even various nations
of the same race, show marked varieties of
characteristic in the shapes of their hands. It
is my intention to carry the question farther
still, and to put before you the data upon which
I have formed my unalterable conviction that
not only do these clearly marked diversities of
characteristic occur between the hands of races
and of nations, but that in every community
of men and women certain physical and men-
tal characteristics are clearly signified by cer-
tain concomitant peculiarities in the formation
of the hands ; and that by observing these
characteristics of the hands, we may read off
those characteristics of the mind, by means
of the simple and physical science of Chei-
rosophy.
We are most of us prepared to admit, from
the sculptor's point of view, the grandeur and
beauty of a large and finely modelled male
hand ; but there are very few of us who do
not confess in our hearts a preference for the
smooth and small and gently moulded hand that
[NTRODUCTION I9
of defence, that exquisite and universally en-
dowed instrument, THE HAND.
Ve know, that as different orders of created
beings have differently constructed extremities,so various races of men, even various nations
of the same race, show marked varieties of
characteristic in the shapes of their hands. It
is my intention to carry the question farther
still, and to put before you theidata upon which
I have formed my unalterable conviction that
not only do these clearly marked diversities of
characteristic occur between the hands of races
and of nations, but that in every communityof men and women certain physical and men-
tal characteristics are clearly signified by cer-
tain concomitant peculiarities in the formation
of the hands; and that by observing these
characteristics of the hands, we may read off
those characteristics of the mind, by means
of the simple and physical science of CHEI-
ROSOPHY.
Ve are most of us prepared to admit, from
the sculptor's point of view, the grandeur and
beauty of a large and finely modelled male
hand; but there are very few of us who do
not confess in our hearts a preference for the
smooth and small and gently moulded hand that
20 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
characterizes for us, what has been called justly
the softer, and unjustly the weaker, sex, favor-
ably contrasting such hands with the rough and
red fist, which, according to Sir Philip Sidney, I2
indicates " robust health, a warm heart, and
distance from the metropolis," or, according to
Don Quixote, great strength. 13 It is interesting
to note, that some of the keenest and cleverest
men that history has known have been re-
nowned for the elegance,— the womanliness, of
their hands. Among such I may quote the
great Sultan Mahmoud II., Lord Byron, and
Pope Leo X.
In Persia, the hawthorn blossom is called the
" white hand of Moses/' I4 and "the white hand"
is always looked upon as the symbol of inno-
cence and of gratitude
;
I5 whence, conversely,
our expression, "red-handed," as the synonym
of guilt. I shall have something to say later
on about the importance attached to the hand
among Oriental nations, at present I have said
12 Vide Ed. Heron-Allen : The Science of the Hand. (London,
1886.) 1[io.
13 Don Quixote : Part ii. chap. 23.
14 Rubaiy£t of Omar-i-Khayyam. Nicolas' text and translation
(Paris, 1867), 1 86th quatrain. Fitzgerald's translation (Boston, 1886)
fourth verse.
xs Arabian Nights (Burton), vol. iv. p. 185. Ed. Heron-Allen:
The Science of the Hand, If 11.
20 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
characterizes for us, what has been called justlythe softer, and unjustly the weaker, sex, favor-
ably contrasting such hands with the rough and
red list, which, according to Sir Philip Sidney,"
indicates " robust health, a warm heart, and
distance from the metropolis," or, according to
Don Quixote, great strength." It is interestingto note, that some of the keenest and cleverest
men that history has known have been re-
nowned for the elegance,- the womanliness, of
their hands. Among such I may quote the
great Sultan Mahmoud II., Lord Byron, and
Pope Leo X.
In Persia, the hawthorn blossom is called the
"white hand of Moses," '4 and "the white hand"
is always looked upon as the symbol of inno-
cence and of gratitude;'5 whence, conversely,our expression, "red-handed," as the synonymof guilt. I shall have something to say later
on about the importance attached to the hand
among Oriental nations, at present I have said
'2 Wde Ed. Heron-Allen: The Science of the Hand. (London,l8S6.) TIIO.
'3 Don Quixote: Part ii. chap. 23.14 Rubaiyét of Omar-i-Khayyam. Nicolas' text and translation
(Paris, 1867), 186th quatrain. Fitzgerald's translation (Boston, x886)fourth verse.
'S Arabian Nights (Burton), vol. iv. p. 185. Ed. Heron~AlIen:
The Science of the Hand, 1] Il.
INTROD UCTION. 2
1
enough to serve as an introduction to a con-
sideration of the bases upon which a complete
science of— shall I call it divination ? — has
been raised, having the Human Hand as its
point of departure.
Indeed, indeed, have I not some right to
claim a hearing for the science of cheirosophy ?
The labors of Johann Kaspar Lavater have cul-
minated in the establishment of the science of
physiognomy. 16 The untiring researches and
efforts of Franz Joseph Gall and Johann Kaspar
Spurzheim I7 have secured a place among the
sciences of to-day for that of phrenology. Now,
I claim your attention for a space whilst I bring
before you a science many centuries older than
either of these, — a science which I trust I shall
be able to prove to you to be more easy in ap-
plication, more simple in acquisition, and more
certain in its results, than either or both.
I am not going to bore you with theories. I
have done that enthusiastically in my two larger
works on the hand. 18I ask your attention now
16J. K. Lavater : Physiognomische Fragmente zur Beforderung
der Menschenkenntriss und Menschenliebe (Leipzig, 1775-78).17 F. J. Gall : Anatomie et Physiologie du systeme nerveux, et du
cerveau en particulier (Paris, 1809-19).18 Ed. Heron-Allen: A Manual of Cheirosophy (London, 1885).
The Science of the Hand (London, 1886). New York: G. P. Put-
nam's Sons, 27 West 23d St.
INTRODUCTION 21
enough to serve as an introduction to a con-
sideration of the bases upon which a completescience of - shall I call it divination ? - has
been raised, having the Human Hand as its
point of departure.Indeed, indeed, have I not some right to
claim a hearing for the science of cheirosophy?The labors of Johann Kaspar Lavater have cul-
minated in the establishment of the science of
physiognomy." The untiring researches and
efforts of Franz joseph Gall and Johann KasparSpurzheim 'Y have secured a place among the
sciences of to-day for that of phrenology. Now,I claim your attention for a space whilst I bringbefore you a science many centuries older than
either of these, -a science which I trust I shall
be able to prove to you to be more easy in ap-
plication, more simple in acquisition, and more
certain in its results, than either or both.
I am not going to bore you with theories. I
have done that enthusiastically in my two largerworks on the hand. '8 I ask your attention now
'° ]. K. Lavater: Physiognomische Fragmente zur Befiirderungder Menschenkenntriss und Menschenliebe (Leipzig, i775-78).
17 F. ]. Gall: Anatomie et Physiologie du systeme nerveux, et du
cerveau en particulier (Paris, 1809-19)." Ed. Heron-Allen: A Manual of Cheirosophy (London, 1885).
The Science of the Hand (London, 1886). New York: G. P. Put-
nam's Sons, 27 West 23d St.
22 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
to a few notes upon the hand, which I trust
will interest you as much as they have inter-
ested me, and to a short exposition of the actual
principles and practice of my science, which
may help you to understand the strange prob-
lems which must often have perplexed you, —namely, yourselves.
22 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
to a few notes upon the hand, which I trust
will interest you as much as they have inter-
ested me, and to a short exposition of the actual
principles and practice of my science, which
may help you to understand the strange prob-lems which must often have perplexed you,-
namely, yourselves.
HAND SUPERSTITIONS AND CUSTOMS. 2$
PART I.
HAND SUPERSTITIONS AND CUSTOMS.
I
HAVE, before this, had occasion to say that
I believe there exists no symbolical action,
adopted by the human race, in which the hand
does not play a— or the— principal part. In
proof of this, let us revert to simplicity.
How many times a day do we shake hands
with our friends ! Sometimes this action is
quite mechanical and meaningless ; sometimes
it is quite the reverse : but, however we perform
the ceremony, I do not think there are many of
us who remember that people only go through
it with one another to emphasize the fact that
they are not concealing a weapon wherewith to
surreptitiously murder the person with whomthey are shaking hands. Yet such was the
origin of hand-shaking. Now, indeed, that the
custom has become, as I say, mechanical and
universal, it is quite a study by itself,— the
various methods in which people go through
this ceremony, from the dreaded individual who
HAND SUPERSTITIONS A/VD CUSTOMS. 23
PART I.
HAND SUPERSTITIONS AND CUSTOMS.
HAVE, before this, had occasion to say that
I believe there exists no symbolical action,
adopted by the human race, in which the hand
does not play a-or THE-principal part. In
proof of this, let us revert to simplicity.How many times a day do we shake hands
with our friends! Sometimes this action is
quite mechanical and meaningless; sometimes
it is quite the reverse : but, however we performthe ceremony, I do not think there are many of
us who remember that people only go throughit with one another to emphasize the fact that
they are nal concealing a weapon wherewith to
surreptitiously murder the person with whom
they are shaking hands. Yet such was the
origin of hand-shaking. Now, indeed, that the
custom has become, as I say, mechanical and
universal, it is quite a study by itself,-thevarious methods in which people go throughthis ceremony, from the dreaded individual who
24 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
shakes hands with you "like that" (as Gilbert
says), to the haughty person of whom the poet
has written,—" With finger-tips he condescends
To touch the fingers of his friends,
As if he feared their palms might brand
Some moral stigma on his hand !
"
Closely allied to this, is the custom, which
obtained among the nations of classical anti-
quity, and which, indeed, still exists among sav-
age tribes, of holding up the hands as a sign of
peace before coming to close quarters for the
purposes of palaver ; and among modern civil-
ized nations, those of us who know the lonely
moor districts of England, and the still more
lonely prairie roads of North America, may per-
haps have been disconcerted by the sudden
direction, " Hold up your hands!
" from the
mouth of the casual footpad : the signification
in each case being to demonstrate the fact that
the person so placed is unarmed, or at any rate
powerless to resist.
Following the like analogy,— the abrogation
of all power, and the consequent supplication
for mercy,— we have the custom of folding the
hands in prayer, a custom which has prevailed
24 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
gg ))
shakes hands with you like that (as Gilbert
says), to the haughty person of whom the poethas written, -
" Vith finger-tips he condescends
To touch the fingers of his friends,As if he feared their palms might brand
Some moral stigma on his hand ! "
Closely allied to this, is the custom, which
obtained among the nations of classical anti-
quity, and which, indeed, still exists among sav-
age tribes, of holding up the hands as a sign of
peace before coming to close quarters for the
purposes of palaver; and among modern civil-
ized nations, those of us who know the lonelymoor districts of England, and the still more
lonely prairie roads of North America, may per-
haps have been disconcerted by the sudden
direction, "Hold up your hands!" from the
mouth of the casual footpad: the significationin each case being to demonstrate the fact that
the person so placed is unarmed, or at any rate
powerless to resist.
Following the like analogy, -the abrogationof all power, and the consequent supplicationfor mercy, -we have the custom of folding the
hands in prayer, a custom which has prevailed
HAND SUPERSTITIONS AND CUSTOMS. 2$
since the earliest historic times; 19 and allied
with this is the Oriental rule which ordains
that the hands shall be hidden in the presence
of a superior, by crossing the arms, or by hid-
ing the hands in a fold of the robe. So, again,
in giving the hand, as the bride does in the
marriage ceremony, or as the vassals did to their
lords in the mediaeval ceremony of the homage,
the like abrogation of will is intended to be
symbolized. From this we get to the kissing
of hands— perhaps the most abject expression
of humility that is known to civilization,20 being
reserved solely for princes and fair women, to
whom in this manner we signalize our allegiance
and submission. Of course I do not overlook
the kissing of the priest's hands in the celebra-
tions of the Roman-Catholic Church, but this is
more a matter of ritual than of personal homagefrom man to man. 21
It is said that the practice
of kissing one's hands to people, by way of salu-
tation, is a relic of the Parsee fire-worship ; the
ancient Persian custom being to place the hand
upon the mouth, and raise it towards the sun. 22
x9 Aristotle: Ilepi Koa-fxovl Ke<£ Z'.
20 Ed. Heron-A lien : A Manual of Cheirosophy. Iffl 18, 19.
21 F. Rous: Archeologicae Atticae (London, 1685), p. 278.22
J. Brand: Popular Antiquities of Great Britain. Hazlitt's edi-
tion (London, 1870).
r
HAND SUPERST/TIONS AND CUSTO/I/S. 25
since the earliest historic times;'9 and allied
with this is the Oriental rule which ordains
that the hands shall be hidden in the presence
of a superior, by crossing the arms, or by hid-
ing the hands in a fold of the robe. So, again,in giving the hand, as the bride does in the
marriage ceremony, or as the vassals did to their
lords in the medimval ceremony of the homage,the like abrogation of will is intended to be
symbolized. From this We get to the kissingof hands -perhaps the most abject expressionof humility that is known to civilization," beingreserved solely for princes and fair Women, to
whom in this manner we signalize our allegianceand submission. Of course I do not overlook
the kissing of the priest's hands in the celebra-
tions of the Roman-Catholic Church, but this is
more a matter of ritual than of personal homagefrom man to man." It is said that the practiceof kissing one's hands to people, by way of salu-
tation, is a relic of the Parsee fire-worship; the
ancient Persian custom being to place the hand
upon the mouth, and raise it towards the sun."
19 Aristotle: Ilept Knapwv: Kerb Z'."° Ed. Heron-Allen: A Manual of Cheirosophy. 11 18, lg.2* F. Rous: Archeologiczrc Attica: (London, 1685), p. 278.22 J. Brand: Popular Antiquities of Great Britain. Hazlitt's edi-
tion (London, 1870).
26 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
These instances are sufficient to point the
fact that the hand is more or less universally re-
garded as a symbol of power. To such a point
is this carried by the Moslem races, that in
Morocco even the number five is never men-
tioned in the presence of the Emperor, and the
fingers of the hand represent a rosary of the
five precepts of Islam ; viz., " Belief in Allah and
in Muhammad his prophet," " Prayer," "Alms-
giving," " The holy pilgrimage to Mecca," and
"The Fast of Ramadan."
Again, we find traces of the same recognition
in a thousand different words and phrases bring-
ing in the word "hand," in its Latin, Greek, or
English forms, with the signification of power
or initiative force. 23 Thus we have many such
lines in Shakspeare, as, " He is a tall man of
his hands;" and in Bacon, as, "At an even
hand" signifying equality.
Nothing was more common, at one time, than
the oath by the hand, which was either held up,
as is still the custom in Scotch and French
courts of law, or laid upon the altar or Bible
;
customs which bring us to the various religious
rites, such as the laying-on of hands in the
consecration of priests, and in the confirmation
23 A Manual of Cheirosophy. ^•j 14, 15.
26 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHJ/I
These instances are sufficient to point the
fact that the hand is more or less universally re-
garded as a symbol of power. To such a pointis this carried by the Moslem races, that in
Morocco even the number live is never men-
tioned in the presence of the Emperor, and the
Fingers of the hand represent a rosary of the
live precepts of Islam; viz., "Belief in Allah and
in Muhammad his prophet," "
Prayer," "Alms~
giving," "The holy pilgrimage to Mecca," and
"The Fast of Ramadan."
Again, we find traces of the same recognitionin a thousand different words and phrases bring-ing in the word "hand," in its Latin, Greek, or
English forms, with the signification of power
or initiative force," Thus we have many such
lines in Shakspeare, as, "He is a tall man ¢y'his ha/zds,"' and in Bacon, as, "At an even
kami" signifying equality.Nothing was more common, at one time, than
the oath by the hand, which was either held up,
as is still the custom in Scotch and French
courts of law, or laid upon the altar or Bible;customs which bring us to the various religiousrites, such as the laying-on of hands in the
consecration of priests, and in the confirmation
23 A Manual of Cheirosophy. 11] 14, 15.
HAND SUPERSTITIONS AND CUSTOMS. 27
service. The episcopal blessing, which is given
with the thumb and first two fingers only ex-
tended, is most interesting to us ; for its signifi-
cation is thus laid down in works upon the
ritual.24 The thumb is the representative of
Unity in the Godhead— the cross, by the by,
in baptism is directed to be traced upon the
child's forehead with the thumb ;— the first fin-
ger is the emblem of Christ, the indicator of
God's will, and its revealer to mankind. So,
too, the first finger was held by the older chei-
romants to be the representative of Jupiter.
The second finger represents, in the ritual, the
Holy Ghost. So that the three digits held thus
represent the Trinity, which is invoked in the
blessing. The ring in the marriage-service is
placed upon the third finger, in token that after
the Trinity the man's eternal allegiance is given
to his wife, — the ring being the symbol of eter-
nity. In the old marriage service, the ring
used to be placed on the thumb and the first
two fingers in turn, and then left upon the
third finger of the woman's hand. This also is,
of course, the origin of the position of the fingers
in the little coral or metal hands worn in the
24 Gulielmus Durandus : Rationale Divinorum Officiorum (Ven-
ice, 1589), p. 140, verso.
HAND SUPERSTIT./'OI\'.$` AND CUSTO/IIS. 27
service. The episcopal blessing, which is givenwith the thumb and first two fingers only ex-
tended, is most interesting to us; for its signifi-cation is thus laid down in works upon the
ritual."4 The thumb is the representative of
Unity in the Godhead-the cross, by the by,in baptism is directed to be traced upon the
child's forehead with the thumb ;-the first fin-
ger is the emblem of Christ, the indicator of
God's will, and its revealer to mankind. So,too, the first finger was held by the older chei-
romants to be the representative of Jupiter.The second finger represents, in the ritual, the
Holy Ghost. So that the three digits held thus
represent the Trinity, which is invoked in the
blessing. The ring in the marriage-service is
placed upon the third Hnger, in token that after
the Trinity the man's eternal allegiance is givento his wife, -the ring being the symbol of eter-
nity. In the old marriage service, the ringused to be placed on the thumb and the first
two fingers in turn, and then left upon the
third finger of the woman's hand. This also is,ofcourse, the origin of the position of the fingersin the little coral or metal hands worn in the
24 Gulielmus Durandus: Rationale Divinorum Oiiiciorum (Ven-ice, 1589), p. 140, versa
28 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
south of Italy to avert the evil eye, the hand
being cast either in the position prescribed for
the blessing, or in that known as "the devil's
horns." 25 The most potent of these charms is
that known as the Mano Pantea, in which the
hand is embossed with various symbols of occult
meaning but infallible power
!
Closely connected with "the laying-on of
hands" was the old ceremony of "touching for
the king's evil." On a given day, people
afflicted with particular diseases used to as-
semble at Whitehall ; and the sovereign used
either to touch them personally, or used to have
distributed to them pieces of money, or rings,
which had been hallowed by the royal touch. 26
Many authentic accounts of this ceremony are
to be found in contemporary literature. Thecustom is of the highest antiquity. Suetonius
and Tacitus record instances of cures performed
in this manner by the Emperor Vespasian at
Alexandria, cures which are wholly marvellous
in the recital
;
27 and as late as the reign of
25 A Manual of Cheirosophy. fl 23, 24.
26 Gentleman's Magazine. 1747, p. 13; 1751, p. 414; 1829 (ii.),
p. 499.27 Godwin's Lives of the Necromancers (London, 1834), p. 155.
Hume's Essays, Part III., sect. x.
28 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
south of Italy to avert the evil eye, the hand
being cast either in the position prescribed for
the blessing, or in that known as "the devil's
horns."'5 The most potent of these charms is
that known as the Mafzo Pafziea, in which the
hand is embossed with various symbols of occult
meaning but infallible power!Closely connected with "the laying-on of
hands" was the old ceremony of "touching for
the king's evil." On a given day, peopleafflicted with particular diseases used to as-
semble at Whitehall; and the sovereign used
either to touch them personally, or used to have
distributed to them pieces of money, or rings,which had been hallowed by the royal touch."
Many authentic accounts of this ceremony are
to be found in contemporary literature. The
custom is of the highest antiquity. Suetonius
and Tacitus record instances of cures performedin this manner by the Emperor Vespasian at
Alexandria, cures which are wholly marvellous
in the recital," and as late as the reign of
25 A Manual of Cheirosophy. 111 23, 24.2° Gentleman's Magazine. 1747, p. 13; 1751, p. 414; IS29 (ii.),
P- 499-27 Godwin's Lives of the Necromancers (London, 1834), p. 155.
I-Iume's Essays, Part III., sect. X.
A I
HAND SUPERSTITIONS AND CUSTOMS. 29
Queen Anne, Dr. Johnson was touched for
some real or fancied ill by the sovereign. Her-
rick has beautifully recorded such a cure in the
lines :—
" Oh, lay that hand on me,
Adored Caesar, and my faith is such,
I shall be cured, if that my king but touch.
The evil is not yours, my sorrow sings,
Mine is the evil, but the cure the king's."
Hesperides.
What I have now said sufficiently demon-
strates the importance with which the hand has
always been invested, and gives us some insight
into the atrocity of the punishment of cutting
off the hands, which was so much in vogue
among the ancient Greeks and Romans, which
has been largely practised in our own country
[England], and which exists still as a favorite
form of punishment among Oriental nations ; a
punishment which is the most horrible that it
is possible to conceive, for it entirely and per-
manently precludes the possibility of the suf-
ferer ever making his own living honestly in
the future. As late as the seventeenth cen-
tury, this punishment was inflicted in England
upon persons who should commit any assault
in a court of justice ; and Mr. Pepys refers
HAND SUPERSTITIO/VS AND CUSTOMS. 29
Queen Anne, Dr. Johnson was touched for
some real or fancied ill by the sovereign. Her-
rick has beautifully recorded such a cure in the
lines :-" Oh, lay that hand on me,
Adored Cmsar, and my faith is such,l shall be cured, if that my king but touch.
The evil is not yours, my sorrow sings,Mine is the evil, but the cure the king's."
Hexperides.
What I have now said suliiciently demon-
strates the importance with which the hand has
always been invested, and gives us some insightinto the atrocity of the punishment of cuttingoff the hands, which was so much in vogue
among the ancient Greeks and Romans, which
has been largely practised in our own country[England], and which exists still as a favorite
form of punishment among Oriental nations; a
punishment which is the most horrible that it
is possible to conceive, for it entirely and per-
manently precludes the possibility of the suf-
ferer ever making his own living honestly in
the future. As late as the seventeenth cen-
tury, this punishment was inflicted in Englandupon persons who should commit any assault
in a court of justice; and Mr. Pepys refers
30 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
graphically and quaintly to an occasion of the
kind. 28
From the cutting-off of hands to the cutting-
off of thumbs is but a short step ; and from the
Roman coward, who by cutting off his thumbs,
lest he should be sent to the wars, produced
the modern word " poltroon" (from the words
pollice truncatd), to the invention of the thumb-
screw by the Spaniards, the amputation or
mutilation of the thumb, as being the most
important digit of the hand, has been awarded
as a punishment for felonies and political of-
fences of various degrees.
Upon the importance of the thumb in the
study of the hand, too much stress could not
possibly be laid. It was with the thumb that
the Romans spared the fallen gladiator's life,
or condemned him to death ; it is by licking
his thumb that the Ulster man clinches his
bargains ; whilst it was by biting his thumb at
Abram that Sampson, in "Romeo and Juliet,"
engaged the adherents of the Montagues and
Capulets in a street brawl. 29 It is by the prick-
ing of her thumbs that the witch in " Macbeth "
knows that "something evil her way comes,"—28 Science of the Hand, Index : sub Amputation of the Hand.29 Act I., scene 2.
30 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
graphically and quaintly to an occasion of the
kind."
From the cutting-off of hands to the cutting-off of thumbs is but a short step; and from the
Roman coward, who by cutting off his thumbs,lest he should be sent to the wars, producedthe modern word "poltroon" (from the words
po!/ire frzzzzcato), to the invention of the thumb-
screw by the Spaniards, the amputation or
mutilation of the thumb, as being the most
important digit of the hand, has been awarded
as a punishment for felonies and political of-
fences of various degrees.Upon the importance of the thumb in the
study of the hand, too much stress could not
possibly be laid. It was with the thumb that
the Romans spared the fallen gladiator's life,or condemned him to death; it -is by lickinghis thumb that the Ulster man clinches his
bargains ; whilst it was by biting his thumb at
Abram that Sampson, in "Romeo and Juliet,"engaged the adherents of the Montagues and
Capulets in a street bravl.29 It is by the prick-ing of her thumbs that the witch in "Macbeth"
knows that "something evil her way comes,"-
28 Science of the Hand, Index: .mb Amputation of the Hand.
29 Act I., scene 2.
HAND SUPERSTITIONS AND CUSTOMS. 3
1
a peculiarity of this digit which was shared, weare told, by the Irish hero Fingal.
Who is there who has never heard of the
itching palm 3° as a sign of avarice ? Stevens
has truly observed that all sudden pains of the
body, which cannot immediately be accounted
for, were anciently assumed to be presages of
events about to happen. This theory con-
cerning the itching palm has been developed
from a much older one, which lays it downas an axiom that an itching palm is the fore-
runner of a coming legacy, or gift of money,— a superstition which came originally from
Persia. 31
Is there any one among us who has not heard
a score of jingles and superstitions concerning
finger-nails ? Even as I write, there come flit-
ting through my mind the old rhymes as to the
days for cutting them, and the white spots which
we find in them. As to what are the right days
on which to pare the nails, the superstitions are
innumerable and extremely antique. No Romancitizen would ever pare his nails save upon the
Ferice Nundince, which recurred at intervals of
30 Science of the Hand. *~ 4.
31 G.Atkinson: Customs and Manners of the Women of Persia.
(London, 1832.)
HAND SUPERSTITIONS AND CUSTOJIS. 31
a peculiarity of this digit which was shared, we
are told, by the Irish hero Fingal.Who is there who has never heard of the
itching palm 3° as a sign of avarice? Stevens
has truly observed that all sudden pains of the
body, which cannot immediately be accounted
for, were anciently assumed to be presages of
events about to happen. This theory con-
cerning the itching palm has been developedfrom a much older one, which lays it down
as an axiom that an itching palm is the fore-
runner of a coming legacy, or gift of money,-a superstition which came originally from
Persia."
Is there any one among us who has not heard
a score of jingles and superstitions concerningFinger-nails? Even as I write, there come flit-
ting through my mind the old rhymes as to the
days for cutting them, and the white spots which
we find in them. As to what are the right dayson which to pare the nails, the superstitions are
innumerable and extremely antique. No Roman
citizen would ever pare his nails save upon the
Feriw _/Wmdzhe, which recurred at intervals of
3° Science of the Hand. '"4,
3* G. Atkinson: Customs and Manners of the Vomen of Persia.
(London, 1832.)
32 . PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
nine days;
32 and I have come across old ladies
in country districts who not only choose care-
fully the days upon which to cut their own and
their children's nails, but even make a point of
cutting them over the leaves of the Bible, to
insure their continuance in the paths of honesty
and of virtue. 33
32 Ausonius : Eclogarium, 373.33 Brand's Popular Antiquities of Great Britain. (London, 1870.)
32 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
nine days ;5' and I have come across old ladies
in country districts who not only choose care-
fully the days upon which to cut their own and
their children's nails, but even make a point of
cutting them over the leaves of the Bible, to
insure their continuance in the paths of honestyand of virtue."
32 Ausonius: Eclogarium, 373.33 Brand's Popular Antiquities of Great Britain. (London, 18:/0.)
THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE HAND. 33
PART II.
THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE HAND.
LET us devote a few moments to the consid-
eration of the exquisite construction of the
member with which we are concerned at this
present.
The first thing which cannot fail to strike us
at once, concerning the hand, is its complete
perfection. In no other combination of bones,
muscles, and nerves, and in no other animal,
do we find a perfection which results in such
superiority with regard to strength, variety,
rapidity, and extent of motion ; and this perfec-
tion resulting, as it undoubtedly does, from
the intimate relations which exist between the
hand and the intellect, we are irresistibly com-
pelled to ask with Sir Charles Bell, "Is it noth-
ing to have our minds awakened to the percep-
tion of the numerous proofs of design which
present themselves in the study of the hand, to
be brought to the conviction that every thing in
its structure is orderly and systematic, and that
THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE HAND. 33
PART II.
THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE HAND.
ET us devote a few moments to the consid-
eration of the exquisite construction of the
member with which we are concerned at this
present.The first thing which cannot fail to strike us
at once, concerning the hand, is its completeperfection. In no other combination of bones,muscles, and nerves, and in no other animal,do we find a perfection which results in such
superiority with regard to strength, variety,rapidity, and extent of motion ; and this perfec-tion resulting, as it undoubtedly does, from
the intimate relations which exist between the
hand and the intellect, we are irresistibly com-
pelled to ask with Sir Charles Bell, "Is it noth-
ing to have our minds awakened to the percep-
tion of the numerous proofs of design which
present themselves in the study of the hand, to
be brought to the conviction that every thing in
its structure is orderly and systematic, and that
34 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
the most perfect mechanism, the most minute
and curious apparatus, and sensibilities the
most delicate and appropriate, are all combined
in operation that we may move the hand." 34
And further, we are bound to say, with Galen, 35
that its entire structure is such that it could
not be improved by any conceivable alteration.
In the human hand, each part is subordinated
to a harmonious combination of function with
another part, and each by a special modification
of its own, so that every single bone is distin-
guishable from another. Each digit has its ownpeculiar character and name ; and the thumb,
which among the lower animals is the least
important and constant of the five digits, be-
comes in man the most important of all, making
the member "a hand," properly so called, as
Professor Sir Richard Owen has justly re-
marked;
36 the hand, which characterizes manalone, in justification of the words of the Persian
poet, Omar-i-Khayyam, —" Ten Powers and nine Spheres, eight Heavens made He,
And Planets seven of six sides we see;
Five Senses, and four Elements, three Souls,
Two Worlds, but only one, O Man ! like thee." n
34 op. cit. 3S op. cit.
36 On the Nature of Limbs. (London, 1S49.)
37 Whinfield's translation, verse 12c. (London, 18S3.)
34 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
the most perfect mechanism, the most minute
and curious apparatus, and sensibilities the
most delicate and appropriate, are all combined
in operation that we may move the hand."34
And further, we are bound to say, with Galen, 35
that its entire structure is such that it could
not be improved by any conceivable alteration.
In the human hand, each part is subordinated
to a harmonious combination of function with
another part, and each by 'a special modification
of its own, so that every single bone is distin-
guishable from another. Each digit has its own
peculiar character and name; and the thumb,which among the lover animals is the least
important and constant of the tive digits, be-
comes in man the most important of all, makingthe member "a hand," properly so called, as
Professor Sir Richard Owen has justly re-
marked;35 the hand, which characterizes man
alone, in justification of the words of the Persian
poet, Omar-i-Khayyam, -" Ten Powers and nine Spheres, eight Heavens made He,
And Planets seven of six sides we see ;
_Five Senses, and four Elements, three Souls,Two Vorlds, but only one, O MAN! like thee."37
54 op. fit. 35 op. eil.36 On the Nature of Limbs. (London, 1S49.)37 Whiniield's translation, verse 120. (London, .18S3.)
THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE HAND. 35
And when we come to consider the question,
it is the thumb, and the thumb alone, that
gives to the hand the finishing touch of its per-
fection. Without the thumb, how impotent,
comparatively speaking, the grasp of the. fin-
gers ! but let the thumb be brought into oppo-
sition and action, and the fingers find a fulcrum
whence to apply their tremendous leverage,
and the hand becomes, for its size, the most
powerful mechanism of the human body.
" But," people have said to me, " I can never
see any difference between the hands of differ-
ent people." That this should be literally the
case, seems to me to be impossible, regard be-
ing had to the fact that man is a sentient being,
endowed with powers of observation. But a
very little experience will enormously increase
the acuteness of those powers of observation.
And just as the specialist and the connoisseur
come to distinguish infinitesimal variations in
works of art, just as the banker's clerk detects
the forged bank-note after it has deceived
many people less accustomed to handling such
things, the cheirosophist very soon comes to
compare mentally the hands which he sees,
with all those that he has ever seen before, until
the classification of hands, according to the
THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE IIA./VD. 35
And when we come to consider the question,it is the thumb, and the thumb alone, that
gives to the hand the finishing touch of its per-fection. Without the thumb, how impotent,comparatively speaking, the grasp of the.fin-
gers! but let the thumb be brought into oppo-
sition and action, and the fingers Find a fulcrum
whence to apply their tremendous leverage,and the hand becomes, for its size, the most
powerful mechanism of the human body."But," people have said to me, "I can never
see any difference between the hands of differ-
ent people." That this should be literally the
case, seems to me to be impossible, regard be-
ing had to the fact that man is a sentient being,endowed with powers of observation. But 'a
very little experience will enormously increase
the acuteness of those powers of observation.
And just as the specialist and the connoisseur
come to distinguish infinitesimal variations in
works of art, just as the banker's clerk detects
the forged bank-note after it has deceived
many people less accustomed to handling such
things, the cheirosophist very soon comes to
compare mentally the hands which he sees,
with all those that he has ever seen before, until
the classification of hands, according to the
36 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
leading types to which I am about to draw your
attention, becomes a purely mechanical opera-
tion, and it becomes a familiar fact, that, just as
our faces and characters present infinite varia-
tions, so no two hands, or pairs of hands, are
identical.
There exists a very interesting account of a
man discovering a murderer solely by the con-
volutions of the skin upon the ball of the
thumb.
Visiting the scene of the murder shortly after
its committal, the detective found upon the sill
of the window by which the murderer had es-
caped, an imprint of the spiral lines of the ball
of his thumb left in blood. Tracing this care-
fully, he tracked the murderer gradually from
place to place, taking impressions of the balls
of hundreds of thumbs on his way, under the
pretence of telling men's fortunes by this means
;
but he never found a figure to correspond with
the one traced in blood at the scene of the mur-
der, until he found the murderer himself, and
then, suddenly accusing him, brought him to
confession and the scaffold.
This infinite variation is still more perceptible
in the general formation of the hands ; and by
a careful study and comparison the cheirosophist
36 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
leading types to which I am about to draw your
attention, becomes a purely mechanical opera-
tion, and it becomes a familiar fact, that, just as
our faces and characters present infinite varia-
tions, so no two hands, or pairs of hands, are
identical.
There exists a very interesting account of a
man discovering a murderer solely by the con-
volutions of the skin upon the ball of the
thumb.`
Visiting the scene of the murder shortly after
its committal, the detective found upon the sill
of the window by which the murderer had es-
caped, an imprint of the spiral lines of the ball
of his thumb left in blood. Tracing this care-
fully, he tracked the murderer gradually from
place to place, taking impressions of the balls
of hundreds of thumbs on his way, under the
pretence of telling men's fortunes by this means;
but he never found a figure to correspond with
the one traced in blood at the scene of the mur-
der, until he found the murderer himself, and
then, suddenly accusing him, brought him to
confession and the scaffold.
This infinite variation is still more perceptiblein the general formation of the hands; and bya careful study and comparison the cheirosophist
THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE HAND. 37
is enabled, as I shall presently show, to pro-
nounce upon the capacities of the owner of the
hand, just as the sportsman can tell from the
foot of the dog or the horse the breed and capa-
bilities of the animal. " Ex pede Herculem" is
the motto upon which we proceed in cheiroso-
phy, as in most other sciences ; and by studying
the infinite variations of hands, you will come
imperceptibly, and by degrees, to a perfect
understanding of the varied characteristics of
man.
The gradual and perfect development of the
hand is one of the most interesting studies of
the physiologist. In the human embryo, whenthere appears no definite bodily formation, the
rudimentary hand is plainly distinguishable.
At birth, save for the disproportion of the palm
to the fingers, the hand is perfectly formed,
and the main osseous construction is complete
at about the age of fourteen ; so that at four-
teen the permanent shape given to the hand by
the mental capacities may be read like an open
book, by the expert in cheirosophy. This per-
fected development of the hand is what must
next occupy our attention ; though, be it under-
stood, I do not propose to discourse here at
length as I have done in " A Manual of Chei-
THE PHYSIOLOGY OF TIIE [IA/VD. 37
is enabled, as I shall presently show, to pro-
nounce upon the capacities of the owner of the
hand, just as the sportsman can tell'from the
foot of the dog or the horse the breed and capa-
bilities of the animal. "
Expede He1'cz/lem," is
the motto upon which we proceed in cheiroso-
phy, as in most other sciences ; and by studyingthe infinite variations of hands, you will come
imperceptibly, and by degrees, to a perfectunderstanding of the varied characteristics of
man.
The gradual and perfect development of the
hand is one of the most interesting studies of
the physiologist. In the human embryo, when
there appears no definite bodily formation, the
rudimentary hand is plainly distinguishable.At birth, save for the disproportion of the palmto the fingers, the hand is perfectly formed,and the main osseous construction is completeat about the age of fourteen; so that at four-
teen the permanent shape given to the hand bythe mental capacities may be read like an open
book, by the expert in cheirosophy. This per-fected development of the hand is what must
next occupy our attention; though, be it under-
stood, I do not propose to discourse here at
length as I have done in "A Manual of Chei-
38 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
rosophy," and in- "The Science of the Hand,"
upon the anatomy of the member. Still it is ne-
cessary that, before impressing upon your minds
the leading types of hands, you should be in a
position to understand by the development of
what tissues the variations of those types are
produced.
The skeleton of the hand consists of twenty-
seven bones, eight composing the carpus or
wrist, five composing the metacarpus or palm,
twelve forming the phalanges of the fingers,
and two forming the thumb. (Plate I.) Thesmall bones of the carpus, fitting exquisitely
into one another as they do, have their articu-
lating surfaces covered with a layer of cartilage,
so that the whole forms a quasi-solid and
highly elastic mass, which is gifted with enor-
mous strength, and which forms, as it were, a
"buffer" which is capable of resisting a very
powerful jar indeed. This mass of bones is
not completely developed until the twelfth year,
which accounts for the fact that until this age
the wrist is comparatively weak.
The five long bones of the metacarpus are
slightly incurved, which imparts the familiar
hollowness to the palm. At the lower ends of
these bones, a little mass of bone, termed an
38 PRA CTJCAL CHEIROSOPHK
rosophy," and in-"The Science of the Hand,"
upon the anatomy of the member. Still it is ne-
cessary that, before impressing upon your minds
the leading types of hands, you should be in a
position to understand by the development of
what tissues the variations of those types are
produced.The skeleton of the hand consists of twenty-
seven bones, eight composing the carpus or
wrist, five composing the metacarpus or palm,twelve forming the phalanges of the fingers,and two forming the thumb. (Plate I.) The
small bones of the carpus, fitting exquisitelyinto one another as they do, have their articu-
lating sur-faces covered witha layer of cartilage,so that the whole forms a quasi-solid and
highly elastic mass, which is gifted with enor-
mous strength, and which forms, as it were, a
"buffer" which is capable of resisting a very
powerful jar indeed. This mass of bones is
not completely developed until the twelfth year,which accounts for the fact that until this agethe wrist is comparatively weak.
The five long bones of the metacarpus are
slightly incurved, which imparts the familiarhollowness to the palm. At the lower ends of
these bones, a little mass of bone, termed an
Plate I.— THE BONES OF THE HAND.
(From a male adult skeleton.)
'HP
-ei?`
E 5
,;+'
xbigf þÿ�'�:�1�'�§�.�~�s�;�' ¬ 4,
"'
,Y_
J'
9*ff
,_
__
1 T21
_
'-U @ - "s'* `
_EF ,L_ _,
1'
1
Q "fé F* A
Ji F Ji'
' ;i »i -_£ 1 f
=~ > wir.
*_ -I J,`~
` fl.
iv* __ 1..¢ ,
`_.`ff_,£,; ~"'_ dv(
'
¥
Plate L - THE BONES OF THE HAND.
(From a male adult skeleton.)
THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE HAND. 4
1
epiphysis, becomes gradually developed, and at-
taches itself to the shaft at about the twentieth
year. This adds enormously to the strength of
the hand, so that it may be said that the perfect
ossification of the hand does not take place until
that time.
The fingers consist, as we see, of three pha-
langes, and the thumb of two, which correspond
with the first and third of the fingers, the mid-
dle phalanx being absent. Besides the little
masses of bone to which I have alluded in the
metacarpus, we often find among the tendons
at the joint of the thumb, little embedded
bones termed " sesamoid bones :" these enor-
mously increase the strength, the leverage, of
the joints ; so that where you see prominent
joints upon the thumbs, you may always be sure
of finding great manual strength.
There are two principal layers of muscles in
the hand, a superficial and a deep layer ; they
are attached to the ends of the bones by meansof the tendons and the little ridges called pro-
cesses ; and the point concerning them, to which
I desire to call your attention, is the exquisite
mechanism and enormous strength of these
tendons, which, radiating from the wrist, give
unlimited variety, and almost unlimited force,
TIIE PIIYSIOLOGY OF THE IIA./VI). 4I
cpz}>h_;/sz`s, becomes gradually developed, and at-
taches itself ttlthe shaft at about the twentieth
year. This adds enormously to the strength of
the hand, so that it may be said that the þÿ�f ¬�7�f ¬�6�fossification of the hand does not take place until
that time.
The fingers consist, as we see, of three pha-langes, and the thumb of two, which correspondwith the First and third ofthe fingers, the mid-
dle phalanx being absent. Besides the little
masses of bone to which I have alluded in the
rnetacarpus, we often Hnd among the tendons
at the joint of the thumb, little embedded
bones termed "sesamoid bones 2" these enor-
mously increase the strength, the leverage, of
the joints; so that where you see prominentjoints upon the thumbs, you may always be sure
of Hnding great manual strength.There are two principal layers of muscles in
the hand, a superficial and a deep layer; theyare attached to the ends of the bones by means
of the tendons and the little ridges called pro-ces.ve.f,~ and the point concerning them, to which
I desire to call your attention, is the exquisitemechanism and enormous strength of these
tendons, which, radiating from the wrist, giveunlimited variety, and almost unlimited force,
42 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
to the movements of the muscles of the hands.
You see these particularly when the back of
the hand is made rigid. Observe also the
powerful tendon of the thumb.
The hand is perhaps more liberally supplied
with arteries and veins than any other memberof the body. It is, to a great measure, this fact
which gives to the hand its intense keenness
of sensibility of touch. There used to exist an
interesting old superstition (which is, I regret
to say, without foundation) to the effect that
the third finger was connected directly with the
heart by means of a vein. 38
I should greatly like to discuss the nervous
system of the hand, but the space at my disposal
renders such a discussion impossible. We must,
however, bear in mind that the nerves are more
numerous, more delicate, and more highly de-
veloped in the hand, than in any other part- of
the human body, excepting perhaps the lips.
In the hands and lips, the nerves are first de-
veloped in the human subject; and it is for
this reason that a baby always grasps with that
nervous infantile clutch any thing which pre-
sents itself, and carries it instinctively and im-
mediately to its mouth for identification. This
38 A Manual of Cheirosophy. ^37.
42 PRA CTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
to the movements of the muscles of the hands.
You see these particularly when the back of
the hand is made rigid. Observe also the
powerful tendon of the thumb.
The hand is perhaps more liberally suppliedwith arteries and veins than any other member
of the body. It is, to a great measure, this fact
which gives to the hand its intense keenness
of sensibility of touch. There used to exist an
interesting old superstition (which is, I regretto say, without foundation) to the effect that
the third finger was connected directly with the
heart by means of a vein.38
I should greatly like to discuss the nervous
system of the hand, but the space at my disposalrenders such a discussion impossible. We must,
however, bear in mind that the nerves are more
numerous, more delicate, and more highly de-
veloped in the hand, than in any other part- of
the human body, excepting perhaps the lips.In the hands and lips, the nerves are first de-
veloped in the human subject; and it is for
this reason that a baby always grasps with that
nervous infantile clutch any thing which pre-
sents itself, and carries it instinctively and im-
mediately to its mouth for identification. This
3° A Manual of Cheirosophy. 1 37.
THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE HAND. 43
nervous system reaches, as you know, its high-
est development in the skin ; and it is the rows
of touch corpuscles, the bulbs at the ends of
the nerves, and the little sensitive heads called
" pacinian bodies," which form the lines in the
palms, with which we have presently to deal.
These lines are formed by the culminating
points of the sensory apparatus, and not, as
people are so fond of saying, by the mere fold-
ing of the hands. If proof were required of
this statement, we should find it in the fact
that these lines are found in the palms of the
hands at birth, and even long before birth, in
the human infant. 39
Concerning the physiology of the hand, I have
done. I particularly wanted, however, to give
you a few leading facts in this connection, be-
cause the formation, the physical composition,
of the hand, like that of every part of the body,
depends entirely upon the uses to which it is
put, the circumstances and physical conditions
which surround it ; in a word, upon the mental
characteristics which prompt and direct those uses
to which it is put. It is a well-known physio-
logical fact, that upon the duties imposed upon
39 Science of the Hand, p. 70, note 91 ; and Quain's Anatomy,
vol. ii. p. 214.
THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE HAND. 43
nervous system reaches, as you know, its high-est development in the skin; and it is the rows
of touch corpuscles, the bulbs at the ends of
the nerves, and the little sensitive heads called
"pacinian bodies," which form the lines in the
palms, with which we have presently to deal.
These lines are formed by the culminatingpoints of the sensory apparatus, and 1z0z', as
people are so fond of saying, by the mere fold-
ing of the hands. If proof were required of
this statement, we should find it in the fact
that these lines are found in the palms of the
hands at birth, and even long before birth, in
the human infant."
Concerning the physiology of the hand, I have
done. I particularly wanted, however, to giveyou a few leading facts in this connection, be-
cause the formation, the physical composition,of the hand, like that of every part of the body,depends entirely upon the uses to which it is
put, the circumstances and physical conditions
which surround it ; in a word, zyban the mefztal
chrzmc!e1'z`sZ'z`cs which f7'07i{Df (l7Z6Z7 þÿ�6�l�7�Z�.�7�' ¬�¢�`�fZhose uses
to which it is pal. It is a well-known physio-logical fact, that upon the duties imposed upon
39 Science of the Hand, p. 70, note 91; and Quain's Anatomy,vol. p. 214.
44 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
the limbs, their constitution and forms depend;
a fact of which I have treated at much length in
"A Manual of Cheirosophy." I am therefore
about to explain to you the science of cheiroso-
phy by reading these data backward : that is
to say, I am not going to tell you that certain
mental and physical peculiarities will produce
certain given forms of hand, but I am going to
show you certain types of hands, and tell you
what are the mental characteristics which have
brought about the formation of those types, so
that, by looking at the hand, you can tell at a
glance the character, the instincts, the habits,
and the intellectual faculties of such people as
you may be thrown into contact with.
This is what I have been leading up to ; this
is the science of cheirosophy ; and this is the
art of which I am about to lay before you what
have been erroneously called "the secrets.''
44 PRACTICAL CHEJROSOPHK
the limbs, their constitution and forms depend;a fact of which I have treated at much length in
"A Manual of Cheirosophy." I am therefore
about to explain to you the science of cheiroso~
phy by reading these data backward: that is
to say, Iam not going to tell you that certain
mental and physical peculiarities will producecertain given forms of hand, ézzil am going to
show you certain types of hands, and tell youwhat are the mental characteristics which have
brought about the formation of those types, so
that, by looking at the hand, you can tell at a
glance the character, the instincts, the habits,and the intellectual faculties of such people as
you may be thrown into Contact with.
This is what I have been leading up to ; ikzk
is the science of cheirosophy; and Ibis is the
art of which I am about to lay before you what
have been erroneously called "the secrets."
ON THE SHAPES OF HANDS. 45
PART III.
ON THE SHAPES OF HANDS:CHEIROGNOMY.
THAT man should be ever striving to attain
to that class of knowledge which is knownas "divination," is hardly strange; man's na-
ture, as we know (alas, too well!) being ever
to progress. How many are there to-day, whofrom their hearts would say, like Democritus,
" I would rather be the possessor of one of the
cardinal secrets of nature, than of the diadem
of Persia."
The time has passed when such studies as
this should be met only with derision. Modern
science has established the doctrine of the fixity
of the Laws of Nature. We know that the
events of our lives succeed one another in con-
sequence of one another ; that the whole system
of human existence obeys the great law of cause
and effect; and judging a man's character by
means of a glance at his physical peculiarities
is, after all, merely placing implicit faith in what
ON THE SHAPES OF HANDS. 45
PART III.
ON THE SHAPES OF HANDS:
CHEIRQGNOMY.
HAT man should be ever striving to attain
to that class of knowledge which is known
as "divination," is hardly strange; man's na-
ture, as we know (alas, too welll) being ever
to progress. How many are there to-day, who
from their hearts would say, like Democritus,"I would rather be the possessor of one of the
cardinal secrets of nature, than of the diadem
of Persia."
The time has passed when such studies as
this should be met only with derision. Modern
science has established the doctrine of the {-ixityof the Laws of Nature. We know that the
events of our lives succeed one another z`1z con-
sequence qf one mzo¢%e¢f,~ that the whole systemof human existence obeys the great law of cause
and effect; and judging a man's character bymeans of a glance at his physical peculiaritiesis, after all, merely placing implicit faith in what
46 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
Newman Smyth has called " the divine veracity
of nature." 40 The law of continual development,
which has evolved astronomy out of astrology,
chemistry out of alchemy, and craniology out of
metoposcopy, has derived yet another science
from an original, which was in its inception
hardly more than the hap-hazard and conjectural
vaticinations of the impudent charlatan ; has
brought the Science of Cheirosophy out of the
ruins of the ancient and mediaeval Palmistry.
No one will deny that the use of an organ or
member is indicated by its aspects ; and from
the use indicated by the aspects, what is more
easy to deduce than the mental characteristics
which prompt that use ? (Lavater told Goethe,
on one occasion, that when in the practice of
his priestly office he held the bag in church, he
tried to observe only the hands ; and he fully
satisfied himself that in every individual the
shape of the hand and of the fingers, and their
action, were distinctly different and individually
characteristic.)
Again, it has been said that forced labor of a
particular kind will entirely alter the shape of
the hands. Now, this is not the case. Labor
diametrically opposed to the inclinations of the
40 Old Faiths in New Light (New York, 1879), P* 2 52 »
46 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
Newman Smyth has called "the divine veracityof nature."'*° The law of continual development,which has evolved astronomy out of astrology,chemistry out of alchemy, and craniology out of
metoposcopy, has derived yet another science
from an original, which was in its inceptionhardly more than the hap-hazard and conjecturalvaticinations of the impudent charlatan ; has
brought the Science of Cheirosophy out of the
ruins of the ancient and medimval Palrnistry.No one will deny that the use of an organ or
member is indicated by its aspects; and from
the use indicated by the aspects, what is more
easy to deduce than the mental characteristics
which prompt that use? (Lavater told Goethe,on one occasion, that when in the practice of
his priestly office he held the bag in church, he
tried to observe only the hands; and he fullysatisfied himself that in every individual the
shape of the hand and of the fingers, and their
action, were distinctly different and individuallycharacteristic.)
Again, it has been said that forced labor of a
particular kind will entirely alter the shape of
the hands. Now, this is not the case. Labor
diametrically opposed to the inclinations of the
4° Old Faiths in New Light (New York, 1879), p. 252.
ON THE SHAPES OF HANDS. 47
mind, if forced upon an individual, will often
modify the outlines of a hand ; but it will never
alter the shape, so as to render it uncertain
what was the natural bent of the inclination.
The hand cannot alter. And it is here that I
claim for cheirosophy an advantage over every
other science of the kind. The phrenologist
may be deceived by the growth of the hair ; the
physiognomist may be led astray by a fixed and
unnatural expression of the face : but the chei-
rosophist finds in the hand an unvarying and
unalterable indication of the character, a mirror
whose images the bearer is powerless to distort.
The science of Cheirosophy is divided into
two great branches, — Cheirognomy, or the sci-
ence of deducing the characteristics of manfrom the shape of his hands ; and Cheiromancy,
or the art of expounding to man the events of
his life, and the inner shades of his character,
by an inspection of his palms. The latter of
these two branches is of incomparable antiquity,
but has been reduced within reasonable bounds,
and invested with all the attributes of an exact
science, only within the last fifty years, by
Adrien Desbarrolles. The former is a compar-
atively new science, having been formulated at
the beginning of this century by M. le Capi-
ON THE SZ]/IFES OF HANDS. 47
mind, if forced upon an individual, will often
modify the ozn'!z`1zes of a hand; but it will never
alter the shape, so as to render it uncertain
what was the natural bent of the inclination.
The hand cannot alter. And it is here that I
claim for cheirosophy an advantage over everyother science of the kind. The phrenologistmay be deceived by the growth of the hair; the
physiognomist may be led astray by a fixed and
unnatural expression of the face: but the chei-
rosophist finds in the hand an unvarying and
unalterable indication of the character, a mirror
Whose images the bearer is powerless to distort.
The science of Cheirosophy is divided into
two great branches, - Cheirognomy, or the sci-
ence of deducing the characteristics of man
from the shape of his hands; and Cheironiancy,or the art of expounding to man the events of
his life, and the inner shades of his character,
by an inspection of his palms. The latter of
these two branches is of incomparable antiquity,but has been reduced within reasonable bounds,and invested with all the attributes of an exact
science, only Within the la_st fifty years, byAdrien Desbarrolles. The former is a compar-
atively new science, having been formulated at
the beginning of this century by M. le Capi-
48 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
taine Casimir Stanislas d'Arpentigny, whose
book, "La Science de la Main/' it has been
my most interesting task and labor of love to
translate and to annotate.
M. d'Arpentigny first had his thoughts turned
in this direction whilst serving with his regi-
ment in the Peninsular war in the year 1820.
One day, walking along one of the highroads of
Andalusia, he was accosted by a gypsy woman,
who offered to read for him his fortune upon
his palm in exchange for the ordinary douceur.
The language in which she clothed the indica-
tions which she expounded, struck him pro-
foundly ; and from that day forth he commencedto study the works of the older cheiromants,
and* to observe carefully the hands of all with
whom he was thrown in contact. Near where
he lived in the country stood the house of
a celebrated mechanician and mathematician,
whose wife was imbued with a strong taste for
art. The result of this opposition of taste in
husband and wife was that they gave a series
of alternately artistic and scientific receptions,
to which Captain d'Arpentigny went indiffer-
ently. By degrees, he found that he could class
the various guests of his host and hostess by
the aspects of their hands; and going a step
48 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
taine Casimir Stanislas d'Arpentigny, whose
book, "La Science de la Main," it has been
my most interesting task and labor of love to
translate and to annotate.
M. d'Arpentigny first had his thoughts turned
in this direction whilst serving with his regi-ment in the Peninsular war in the year ISZO.
One day, walking along one of the highroads of
Andalusia, he was accosted by a gypsy woman,
who offered to read for him his fortune upon
his palm in exchange for the ordinary doucewc
The language in which she clothed the indica-
tions Which she expounded, struck him pro-
foundly; and from that day forth he commenced
to study the works of the older cheiromants,and' to observe carefully the hands of all with
whom he was thrown in contact. Near where
he lived in the country stood the house of
a celebrated mechanician and mathematician,Whose wife was imbued with a strong taste for
art. The result of this opposition of taste in
husband and wife was that they gave a series
of alternately artistic and scientific receptions,to which Captain d'Arpentigny went indiffer-
ently. By degrees, he found that he could class
the various guests of his host and hostessibythe aspects of their hands; and going a step
ON THE SHAPES OE HANDS. 49
farther, he found that hands might be classed,
for practical purposes, under eight categories,—hands which belonged to any one of seven
clearly accentuated and distinguished types, or
to an eighth class consisting of hands which
could not be properly placed in any of the
preceding seven.
The construction of these seven types, upon
which I am about to embark, composes the
science of Cheirognomy. Firstly, however, I
will draw your attention to a few general indi-
cations with regard to the hand considered as
a whole.
If the palm of the hand is narrow and skinny,
it denotes always timidity, a feeble mind, and
want of moral and intellectual force. If, on the
other hand, it is too thick and big and strong,
it denotes a low intelligence, and a tendency to
brutality. A hollow, deep palm always signifies
misery, ill-luck, and failures in life.
Fingers are divided into two great classes :
these are, fingers which are smooth, i.e., whose
joints are not prominent ; and fingers which
are knotty, i.e., whose joints stand out and are
clearly visible. These latter, again, are subdi-
vided into fingers with one joint only prominent,
and those with both.
ZZ]
01V THE Sl!/IFES OF [I/1./VDS. 49
farther, he found that hands might be classed,for practical purposes, under eight categories, _
hands which belonged to any one of seven
clearly accentuated and distinguished types, or
to an eighth class consisting of hands which
could not be properly placed in any of the
preceding seven.
The construction of these seven types, uponwhich I am about to embark, composes the
science of Cheirognomy. Firstly, however, I
will draw your attention to a few general indi-
cations with regard to the hand considered as
a whole.'
If the palm of the hand is narrow and skinny,it denotes always timidity, a feeble mind, and
want of moral and intellectual force. If, on the
other hand, it is too thick and big and strong,it denotes a low intelligence, and a tendency to
brutality. A hollow, deep palm always signifiesmisery, ill-luck, and failures in life.
Fingers are divided into two great classes:
these are, fingers which are smooth, i.e., whose
joints are not prominent ; and fingers which
are knotty, i.e., whose joints stand out and are
dearly visible. These latter, again, are subdi-
vided into fingers with one joint only prominent,and those with both.
50 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
Fingers which are smooth always denote a
tendency to act upon instinct, upon impulse,
upon intuition, rather than by reason, cal-
culation, or deduction. If your fingers are
smooth, you are highly endowed with more
natural tact and grace than your knotty-fin-
gered fellows.
Fingers which are knotty denote always a
tendency to order and arrangement. If your
fingers are such, you will be gifted with good
taste, which is born of reason, rather than
with natural tact, which is instinctive. If the
upper joint (A in Plate II.) is developed, it de-
notes a well-ordered mind, a neat, administra-
tive disposition, and reason in the ideas. If the
loiver joint (B in Plate II.) is developed, this
order and reason applies itself to things mate-
rial rather than to things mental and psycho-
logical. The lower joint, therefore, is termed
the joint of material order; the upper one is
termed the joint of philosophy. The material
and worldly mind is denoted by a development
of the lower, whilst the philosophic mind is
denoted by a development of the upper.
Both joints developed indicate the most
pronounced instincts of order and philosophy.
Such hands denote science, analysis, and a
SO PRACTICAL CIYEIROSOPHK
Fingers which are smooth always denote a
tendency to act upon instinct, upon impulse,upon intuition, rather than by reason, cal-
culation, or deduction. If your fingers are
smooth, you are highly endowed with more
natural tact and grace than your knotty-fin-gered fellows.
Fingers which are knotty denote always a
tendency to order and arrangement. If your
lingers are such, you 'will be gifted `with goodtaste, which is born of reason, .rather than
with natural tact, which is instinctive. If the
Wiper joint (A in Plate ll.) is developed, it de-
notes a well-ordered mind, a neat, administra-
tive disposition, and reason in the ideas. If the
þÿ�[�U�I�Q�/ ¬�7�'joint (B in Plate II.) is developed, this
order and reason applies itself to things mate-
rial rather than to things mental and psycho-logical. The lower joint, therefore, is termed
the joint of material order; the upper one is
termed the joint of philosophy. The material
and worldly mind is denoted by a developmentof the lower, whilst the philosophic mind is
denoted by a development of the upper.
Both joints developed indicate the most
pronounced instincts of order and philosophy.Such hands denote science, analysis, and a
Plate II. - THE THUMB, THE JOINTS, AND THELINES IN THE HAND.
'IP
,_.
"ir
Ai
nt' 3;
_B ¢2: _il
- EQ
":;_ -§
C' ' 6'4
`
"»,» CQ
D 5 ,§
"
J
LZ -e'.
i *`
0 %
§U
.f
6 (Jr,-"',
,I
_/irx gf, .
i :Z
7; _/=/-" _ 7;
E' THUMB, THE JOINTS, AND THE
LINES IN THE HAND.
07/ THE SHAPES OF HANDS. 53
strong love of and search after abstract and
absolute truth.
Art is the domain of smooth, science is the
domain of knotty fingers. These facts must be
clearly laid hold of at the outset, for they are
the very corner-stones of cheirognomy. Ajointed hand can never become smooth, but
with age and experience a smooth hand maybecome knotty. This change takes place when
our minds have become more sceptic, more rea-
sonable, and more mechanical than they were
when the illusions of youth tinged all things
with the roseate tints of poetry and of inspira-
tion.
A hand is either long or short by comparison
with its fellows, and the indications afforded by
these peculiarities are of synthesis or of analy-
sis. To explain : People with short fingers are
quicker, more impulsive, act more on the spur
of the moment, than people with long fingers;
they prefer generalities to details, jump at once
to conclusions, and are quick at grasping all
the bearings of a subject or scheme. Their
judgment is quick, and their action is prompt,
making up their minds the moment a subject
presents itself to them. If, however, the fingers
are very short, it results in cruelty and want
02V TIIE SHAPES OF HA1VD.SY 53
strong love of and search 'after abstract and
absolute truth.
Art is the domain of smooth, science is the
domain of knotty fingers. These facts must be
clearly laid hold of at the outset, for they are
the very corner-stones of cheirognomy. A
jointed hand can never become smooth, but
with age and experience a smooth hand maybecome knotty. This change takes place when
our minds have become more sceptic, more rea-
sonable, and more mechanical than they were
when the illusions of youth tinged all thingswith the roseate tints of poetry and of inspira-tion.
A hand is either long or short by comparisonwith its fellows, and the indications afforded bythese peculiarities are of synthesis or of analy-sis. To explain: People with short fingers are
quicker, more impulsive, act more on the spurof the moment, than people with long iingers;they prefer generalities to details, jump at once
to conclusions, and are quick at grasping all
the bearings of a subject or scheme. Their
judgment is quick, and their action is prompt,
making up their minds the moment a subjectpresents itself to them. If, however, the fingersare wig/ short, it results in cruelty and want
_'_.¢
54 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
of tact. Joints will assist the promptitude of
short fingers, for the calculation of the joints
will combine itself with the quickness of the
short fingers.
With long fingers, on the contrary, we find
a love of detail, an instinct of minutiae, and a
punctilious carefulness, which amounts some-
times even to frivolity. Such persons are tidy
as to their appointments, dignified, easily put
out, and very careful about trifles. These char-
acteristics will be intensified by a development
of the upper joint in the fingers. Such people
elaborate detail at the expense of the mass, are
distrustful, and continually seek for inner mean-
ings to things. M. d'Arpentigny himself had
fingers of this description ; and the result was,
that his book on the hand is filled with an elab-
orate mass of details and side-issues, which is
most distracting to the reader, unless his fin-
gers harmonize with those of the author. Such /
fingers often also betray cowardice, deceit, and
affectation.
Thus, therefore, large-handed people love
details, and like things to be small and exqui-
sitely finished and perfect, whilst small-handed
people love masses, and like things to be large
and grandiose. Minute workers always have
54 PRA CTICAL CHE[A)0SOPHK
of tact. joints will assist the promptitude of
short fingers, for the calculation of the jointsivill combine itself withlthefquickness of the
short fingers.i
A
With long fingers, on the contrary, we find
a love of'detail, an instinct of minutiae, and a
punctilious carefulness, which amounts some-
fimes even to frivolity. Such persons are tidyas to their appointments, dignified, easily putout, and very careful about trilies. These char-
acteristics vill be intensified by a developmentof the upper joint in the lingers. Such peopleelaborate detail at the expense of the mass, are
distrustful, and continually seek for inner mean-
ings to things. M. d'Arpentigny himself had
fingers of this description; and the result was,
that his book on the hand is filled with an elab-
orate mass of details and side-issues, which is
most distracting to the reader, unless his lin-
gers harmonize with those of the author. Such
fingers often also betray cowardice, deceit, and
affectation.
Thus, therefore, large-handed people love
details, and like things to be small and exqui-sitely finished and perfect, whilst small-hand,ed
people love masses, and like things to be largeand grandiose. Minute Workers always
ON THE SHAPES OF HANDS. 55
large hands, whereas the constructors of colos-
sal works always have small hands. Thus,
small-handed people always write large, whilst
large-handed people always write small.
It is only the medium hand that can appre-
ciate, at the same time, the mass and the details
of a subject.
Thick fingers, especially at their bases, invari-
ably denote luxury, and, when highly developed,
sensuality. Twisted and malformed fingers,
with short nails, denote cruelty, tyranny, and a
worrying, teasing disposition. If a hand is stiff
and hard, opening with difficulty to its fullest
extent, it betrays stubbornness of character,
and avarice. If, on the contrary, the fingers,
being very supple, have a tendency to turn back,
they denote, as a rule, cleverness and inquisi-
tiveness, nearly always generosity, ending in
extravagance.
If the fingers fit close together, it is a sign of
avarice ; if they are very smooth and transpa-
rent, they betray indiscretion and loquacity. If
very twisted, so as to show considerable chinks
between them, it is always a sign of that excess
of sympathy, which is known to the vulgar as
curiosity.
In examining the hand, observe particularly
ON THE SH/IFES OF HA1VDS.
large hands, whereas the constructors of colos-
sal works always have small hands. Thus,small-handed people always writeflarge, whilst
large-handed people always write small.
It is only the 'medium hand that can appre~
ciate, at the mme time, the mass and the details
of a subject.Thick lingers, especially at their bases, invari-
ably_denote luxury, and, when highly developed,sensuality. Twisted and malformed lingers,with short nails, denote cruelty, tyranny, and a
worrying, teasing disposition. If a hand is stiff
and hard, opening with difficulty to its fullest
extent, it betrays stubbornness of character,and avarice. If, on the contrary, the lingers,being very supple, have a tendency to turn back,
they denote, as a rule, cleverness and inquisi-tiveness, nearly alvays generosity, ending in
extravagance.If the fingers Ht close together, it is a sign of
avarice; if they are very smooth and transpa-rent, they betray indiscretion and loquacity. If
very twisted, so as to show considerable chinks
between them, it is always a sign of that excess
of sympathy, which is known to the vulgar as
curiosity.in examining the hand, observe _particularly
56 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
whether or no the tips of the fingers are fur-
nished with little fleshy protuberances, which
stand out from the curved surfaces of the fin-
ger-tips. These, when present, always denote
sensitiveness, which is more or less keen as the
protuberance is more or less developed.
Beyond this, the tips of the fingers present
four principal appearances. They are either
spatulate (i.e., clubbed and broad), square, conic
(or rounded like a thimble), or pointed. Weshall consider the indications afforded by these
formations, at greater length, when discussing
the leading types of hands ; shortly, their sig-
nifications are as follows :—
If your fingers are broad— i.e., spatulate—at the tips, your main desire in life will be for
action, activity, movement, locomotion, and
manual exercises;you will love things from the
utilitarian point of view;you will have tastes
for agriculture, commerce, mechanics, indus-
tries, and the applied sciences. Bearing in
mind what has been said concerning the joints,
if your spatulate fingers are smooth, you will do
these things spontaneously; if knotty, reason-
ably and by calculation.
If your finger-tips are square, your prevailing
characteristics will be symmetry and exactitude
56 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
whether or no the tips of the fingers are fur-
nished with little fleshy protuberances, which
stand out from the curved surfaces of the fin-
ger-tips. These, when present, always denote
sensitiveness, which is more or less keen as the
protuberance is more or less developed.Beyond this, the tips of the fingers present
four principal appearances. They are either
spatulate (i.e., clubbed and broad), square, conic
(or rounded like a thimble), or pointed. We
shall consider the indications afforded by these
formations, at greater length, when discussingthe leading types of hands; shortly, their sig-nifications are as follows 1-
If your fingers are" broad-i.e., spatulate-at the tips, your main desire in life will be for
action, activity, movement, locomotion, and
manual exercises ; you will love things from the
utilitarian point of View ; you will have tastes
for agriculture, commerce, mechanics, indus-
tries, and the applied sciences. Bearing in
mind what has been said concerning the joints,if your spatulate Fingers are smooth, you will do
these things spontaneously; if knotty, reason-
ably and by calculation.`
If your linger-tips are square, your prevailingcharacteristics will be symmetry and exactitude
ON THE SHAPES OF HANDS. 57
of habit and thought. You will have tastes for
philosophy, languages, and logic ; in literature,
you will require analysis and arrangement.
You will be imbued with respect for established
authority, and with a love of theories, of rheto-
ric, and of order and tidiness : but, unless your
joints be developed, this love of tidiness will go
no further; i.e., it will not be practical. Both
joints highly developed give one the most
advanced passion for symmetry, regularity, and
discipline. Square-fingered people are always
musical : brilliant executants are always spatu-
late-finge'red, but the most thorough musicians
have always square hands. Singers, on the
other hand, have always conic or pointed
fingers.
With conic fingers, all your instincts will be
artistic, your whole soul will be given over to a
love of the beautiful, and you are certain to be
enthusiastic and romantic. Joints give a cer-
tain moral force to such fingers as these, as also
does a good-sized thumb.
If your fingers are pointed,— i.e., long and
finely drawn out,— yours will be exclusively the
domain of idealism, of religious fervor, and of
indifference to worldly interests.
It must be borne in mind, that an exaggera,-
ON THE sf/APES OF HA/vos: 57
of habit and thought. You will have tastes for
philosophy, languages, and logic; in literature,
you will require analysis and arrangement.You will be imbued with respect for established
authority, and with a love of theories, of rheto-
ric, and of order and tidiness: ézzl, unless your
joints be developed, this love of tidiness will go
no further; i.e., it will not be practical. Both
joints highly developed give one the most
advanced passion for symmetry, regularity, and
discipline. Square-fingered people are alwaysmusical: brilliant executants are always spatu-
late-lingered, but the most thorough musicians
have always square hands. Singers, on the
other hand, have always conic or pointedfingers.
W'ith conic lingers, all your instincts will be
artistic, your whole soul will be given over to a
lbveiaf the beautiful, and you are certain to be
enthusiastic and romantic. joints give a cer-
tain moral force to such fingers as these, as also
does a good-sized thumb.
If your fingers are pointed,-i.e., long and
nnely drawn out, -yours will be exclusively the
domain of idealism, of religious fervor, and of
indifference to worldly interests.'
It must be borne in mind, that an exaggeraf
l
58 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
tion of any of these formations indicates an
excess, a diseased condition of the instincts indi-
cated by the formation. Thus, an exaggerated
pointedness will indicate excessive romanticism,
folly, and imagination, which develops into the
wildest eccentricity and into deceit.
The color of the hands varies so continually
with the temperature, that it is practically im-
possible to lay down definite readings for it.
But this one indication is infallible : if the hands
are always white, never or hardly ever changing
color, it is a sure sign of egoism, of selfish-
ness, and of a want of real sympathy with the
troubles of others.
As in physiology, so in Cheirosophy, the
thumb is by far the most important part of the
hand. It is divided into three parts : the root,
or Mount of Venus ; the second phalanx (C in
Plate II.), which is that of logic ; and the first
(D in Plate II.), which is that of will. The
second phalanx indicates our greater or less
amount of perception, judgment, and reasoning
power ; the first, by its greater or less develop-
ment, indicates the strength of our will, our
decision, and our capacity for taking the initia-
tive. If the nailed phalanx is short, weak, and
58 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
tion of any of these formations indicates an
excess, a diseased condition of the instincts indi-
cated by the formation. Thus, an exaggeratedpointedness will indicate excessive romanticism,
folly, and imagination, which develops into the
wildest eccentricity and into deceit.
The color of the hands varies so continuallyvith the temperature, that it is practically im-
possible to lay down definite readings for it.
But this one indication is infallible : if the hands|are always white, never or hardly ever changingcolor, it is a sure sign of egoism, of selfish-
ness, and of a want of real sympathy with the
troubles of others.
As in physiology, so in Cheirosophy, the
thumb is by far the most important part of the
hand. It is divided into three parts: the root,or Mount of Venus; the second phalanx (C in
Plate II.), which is that of logic; and the first
(D in Plate II.), which is that of will. The
second phalanx indicates our greater or less
amount of perception, judgment, and reasoningpower; the first, by its greater or less develop-ment, indicates the strength of our will, our
decision, and our capacity for taking the initia-
tive. If the nailed phalanx is short, weak, and
1
l
Q
ON THE SHAPES OF HANDS. 59
thin, it betrays feebleness of will, want of decis-
ion, and of promptitude in action, with want
of self-reliance and constancy. With such a
phalanx of will, if the lower phalanx (of logic)
is long and strong, you will be able to give ex-
cellent reasons for your lack of decision. Your
common-sense will be excellent, but you will not
have sufficient strength of will-power to put
your common-sense into practice, and act boldly
on the suggestions of your better judgment.
If, on the contrary, the phalanx of will be
long, and that of logic be short, you will be
quick, active, impulsive, and tenacious of opin-
ions and purpose ; but, lacking the logic to guide
your will aright, you will run into the danger
of unreasoning obstinacy.
1 If the phalanx of will is not long, but broad,
it indicates always obstinacy ; and if this breadth
is excessive, it betrays passion, furious impulse,
tyranny, brutality, and even a tendency to
murder.
When the upper joint of the thumb turns
back, it is always a sign of extravagance, of lux-
ury, and of generosity carried to an extreme. It
will therefore be understood, as a generality,
that a large or long thumb indicates strength of
character, and individuality, whilst a small or
ON THE SHAPES OF IIANDS
thin, it betrays feebleness of will, want of decis-
ion, and of promptitucle in action, with want
of self-reliance and constancy. With such a
phalanx of will, if the lower phalanx (of logic)is long and strong, you will be able to give ex-
cellentireasons for your lack of decision. Your
common-sense will be excellent, but you will not
have sufficient strength of will-power to put
your common-sense into practice, and act boldlyon the suggestions of your better judgment.
If, on the contrary, the phalanx of will be
long, and that of logic be short, you will be
quick, active, impulsive, and tenacious of opin-ions and purpose; but, lacking the logic to guideyour will aright, you will run into the dangerof unreasoning obstinacy.
If the phalanx of will is not long, but broad,
lit indicates always obstinacy; and if this breadth
I' is excessive, it betrays passion, furious impulse,tyranny, brutality, and even a tendency to
i murder._
When the upper joint of the thumb turns
back, it is always a sign of extravagance, of lux-
ury, and of generosity carried to an extreme. It
will therefore be understood, as a generality,that a large or long thumb indicates strength of
character, and individuality, whilst a small or
`
60 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
short thumb indicates the reverse. I have dis-
cussed all the minutiae of the combinations of
large and small thumbs, with other formations
of the hand, in my book, " A Manual of Chei-
rosophy."
The consistency of hands is a great point
to be noticed ; indicating, as it does, the taste
which the subject possesses for physical exer-
tion. Soft hands are the indications of a quietj
temperament, inclining to laziness and even to
lethargy; whilst hard hands denote always an
imperious desire for action, and a love of hard
physical exercise or manual labor. These dif-
ferences show themselves in the way various
subjects put their tendencies into action. Thus
an artist with hard hands will depict scenes of
action, of real life, of movement, rather than the
ideal, imaginative pictures of the soft-handed
artist. The soft spatulate hand will love the
spectacle of action, and appreciate physical ac-
tivity in others, rather than practise it himself.
Soft-handed subjects are always greedy of the
marvellous, and fond of occult sciences, from
their love of contemplation : whereas very hard
hands are always superstitious, by reason of
their want of reflection to make them other-
wise. Soft hands are more capable of tender-
6o PIE/1 CTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
short thumb indicates the reverse. I have dis-
cussed all the minutix of the combinations of
large and small thumbs, with other formations
of the hand, in my book, "A Manual of
rosophy."The consistency of hands is a great
to be noticed; indicating, as it does, the
which the subject possesses for physicaltion. Soft hands are the indications of a quiettemperament, inclining to laziness and even to
lethargy; whilst hard hands denote always ani
imperious desire for action, and a love of hardjphysical exercise or manual labor. These dif-
ferences show themselves in the way various
subjects put their tendencies into action. Thus
an artist with hard hands will depict scenes of
action, of real life, of movement, rather than the
ideal, imaginative pictures of the soft-handed
artist. The soft spatulate hand will love the
spectacle of action, and appreciate physical ac-
tivity in others, rather than practise it himself.
Soft-handed subjects are always greedy of the
marvellous, and fond of occult sciences, from
their love of contemplation : whereas very hard
hands are always superstitious, by reason oftheir want of reflection to make them other-
wise. Soft hands are more capable of tender-
Chei-
pointtaste
exer-
lP
ON THE SHAPES OF HANDS. 6
1
ness and affection than of true love, but hard
hands are more capable of lasting affection than
of tenderness or passion.
Smoothness and a gentle firmness of the
hands always indicate delicacy of mind, whilst
dryness and roughness always denote rudeness
and insensibility of mind. A wrinkled hand, if
it is soft, denotes sensitiveness and uprightness,
,
but if it is hard it betrays pugnacity and irrita-
bility.
The gestures of the hand speak a language of
their own, which I have made the subject of a
complete section in my " Manual of Cheiroso-
phy." To keep the hands always closed, de-
notes secretiveness, and often untruth. If you
think a man is telling you a lie, look at his
hands ; he cannot lie with his hands open.
The same remark applies when the hands are
kept studiously quiet and impassive : this also
denotes vanity and self-consciousness.
But little can be learned from the nails, but a
few of their aspects have very marked and
infallible significations. Nails which are short
and broad indicate a spirit of criticism and pug-
nacity, a love of domination and control, and a
tendency to fidgetiness and a meddlesome dis-
ON THE SHAPES OF 11,4N/Ds. 61
ness and affection than of true love, but hard
hands are more capable of lasting affection than
of tenderness or passion.Smoothness and a gentle firmness of the
hands always indicate delicacy of mind, whilst
dryness and roughness always denote rudeness
and insensibility of mind. A wrinkled hand, if
it is soft, denotes sensitiveness and uprightness,but if it is hard it betrays pugnacity and irrita-
bility.
The gestures of the hand speak a language of
their own, which I have made the subject of a
complete section in my "Manual of Cheiroso-
phy." To keep the hands always closed, de~
notes secretiveness, and often untruth. If youthink a man is telling you a lie, look at his
hands; he cannot lie with his hands open.The same remark applies when the hands are
kept studiously quiet and impassive: this also
denotes vanity and self-consciousness.
But little can be learned from the nails, but a
few of their aspects have Very marked and
infallible signiiications. Nails which are short
and broad indicate a spirit of criticism and pug-
nacity, a love of domination and control, and a
tendency to fidgetiness and a meddlesome dis-
I
62 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
position. Women with short nails are gener-
ally inclined to be termagants. The good
points of short nails are, of course, quickness
of intellect, and perspicuity ; in a good hand
they will merely denote a spirit of sarcasm
and of good-humored irony.
Long, curved nails betray cruelty of disposi-
tion. The finer and more delicate the shape of
the nails, the finer and more delicate the mind
indicated by them. The habit of biting the
nails, it is hardly necessary to remark, results
from nervousness and a self-worrying disposition.
These are the main indications which may be
read in a moment from a casual glance at the
hands. We will now pass shortly in review
the seven leading types of hands.
The seven types of hands are the elementary,
the spatulate, the conic, the square, the knotty,
and the pointed, with a seventh hybrid type
which I have called the mixed hand. The Ele-
mentary hand (Plate III.) is so called from its
belonging exclusively to the lowest grade of
human intelligence, and argues merely sufficient
intellect for the support of human life. Thefingers are short, and thick, and stiff ; the thumb
is short, and slightly turned back ; the palm is
62 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
position. Vomen with short nails are gener-
ally inclined to be termagants. The goodpoints of short nails are, of course, quicknessof intellect, and perspicuity; in a good hand
they will merely denote a spirit of sarcasm
and of good-humored irony.Long, curved nails betray cruelty of disposi-
tion. The finer and more delicate the shape of
the nails, the liner and more delicate the mind
indicated by them. The habit of biting the
nails, it is hardly necessary to remark, results
from nervousness and a self-worrying disposition.These are the main indications which may be
read in a moment from a casual glance at the
hands. We will now pass shortly in review
the seven leading types of hands.
The seven types of hands are the elementary,the spatulate, the conic, the square, the knotty,and the pointed, with a seventh hybrid typewhich I have called the mixed hand. The Ele-
mentary hand (Plate III.) is so called from its
belonging exclusively to the lowest grade of
human intelligence, and argues merely sufficieiit
intellect for the support of human life. ThE!`fingers are short, and thick, and stiff; the thumb
is short, and slightly turned back; the palm is
Plate ni. — THE ELEMENTARY HAND.
Denoting the lowest grade of intelligence, sloth,
dulness, and coarseness.
(From the cast of an Esquimau hand.)
ON THE SHAPES OF HANDS. 65
large and thick and hard, and, #s a rule, longer
than the fingers, as is the case in an infant's
hand.
Such hands are very rare indeed in England
or America, and, indeed, are hardly to be met
with at all in the pure state in latitudes as south-
ern, and in climates as clement, as ours. Theybetoken a crass and sluggish intelligence. Theyhave no imaginations or passions beyond the
merely brutish ones, no instincts of cultivation,
and hardly the instincts of human society,
Though, as I have said, the pure elementary
type does not exist among us, we often find
hands that come within measurable distance of
it, and then we find a very distinguishable tend-
ency to the characteristics which I have named.
The next type, the Spatulate (Plate IV.), or
Active hand, is very much more common amongus. This hand has the tips of its fingers slight-
ly flattened out like the spatula with which the
chemist mixes his drugs, and from this it de-
rives its name. The thumb is rather large, and
the whole hand has a tendency to hardness.
The main characteristics of the type are action,
movement, energy. Such subjects are resolute,
self-confident, active, rather than delicate-mind-
ed ; constant and faithful, but unromantic in
ON THE SHAPES OF //A//Ds. 65
large and thick and hard, and, as a rule, longerthan the fingers, as is the case in an infant's
hand.
Such hands are very rare indeed in Englandor America, and, indeed, are hardly to be met
with at all in the pure state in latitudes as south-
ern, and in climates as element, as ours. Theybetoken a crass and sluggish intelligence. Theyhave no imaginations or passions beyond the
merely brutish ones, no instincts of cultivation,and hardly the instincts of human society,Though, as I have said, the pure elementarytype does not exist among us, we often find
hands that come within measurable distance of
it, and then we find a very distinguishable tend-
ency to the characteristics which I have named.
The next type, the Spatulate (Plate IV.), or
Active hand, is very much more common amongus. This hand has the tips of its fingers slight-ly flattened out like the spatula with which the
chemist mixes his drugs, and from this it de-
rives its name. The thumb is rather large, and
the whole hand has a tendency to hardness.
The main characteristics of the type are action,movement, energy. Such subjects are resolute,self-confident, active, rather than delicate-mind
ed ; constant and faithful, but unromantic in
66 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
love. If such a subject has a small thumb,
much of his energy and activity will be mis-
directed or aimless, though a long phalanx of
logic will go far towards remedying this defect.
Smooth fingers will give him elegance and spon-
taneity in his active pursuits, and inspiration in
the direction of his exertions. Spatulate sub-
jects make the best colonists, as they only look
at the useful side of things, attaching themselves
to countries only for the useful things they de-
rive from them. They are very slightly sensual,
and like travelling about and shifting for them-
selves. They like colossal architecture rather
than beauty of design, wealth rather than luxury,
quantity rather than quality. People talk a good
deal of nonsense about a fine hand as an indica-
tion of ancient race. As a matter of fact, the
pure descendants of the old fighting Saxon nobil-
ity are always distinguishable by their spatulate
hands. In religion, spatulate-handed subjects
are conventional above all things, Protestants
rather than Catholics. It is thus that these
hands are in a majority in Northern latitudes;
whereas in Southern climes, where the atmos-
phere produces a more romantic turn of mind,
the Catholic religion, and pointed or conical
hands, have the numerical advantage. Promi-
66 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
love. If such a subject has a small thumb,much of his energy and activity will be mis-
directed or aimless, though a long phalanx of
logic will go far towards remedying this defect.
Smooth fingers will give him elegance and spon-
taneity in his active pursuits, and inspiration in
the direction of his exertions. Spatulate sub-
jects make the best colonists, as they only look
at the useful side of things, attaching themselves
to countries only for the useful things they de-
rive from them. They are very slightly sensual,and like travelling about and shifting for them~
selves. They like colossal architecture rather
than beauty of design, wealth rather than luxury,quantity rather than quality. People talk a gooddeal of nonsense about a fine hand as an indica-
tion of ancient race. As a matter of fact, the!
pure descendants of the old lighting Saxon nobil-lity are always distinguishable by their spatulate hands. In religion, spatulate-handed subjectsare conventional above all things, Protestants
rather than Catholics. It is thus that these
hands are in a majority in Northern latitudes;whereas in Southern climes, where the atmos-
phere produces a more romantic turn of mind,the Catholic religion, and pointed or conical
hands, have the numerical advantage. Pro
Plate TV.— THE SPATULATE HAND.
Denoting action, movement, energy, self-reliance,
and locomotion.
(The hand of the " great" Duke of Wellington.)
5n
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Q- 3 o'T.-_f3_?z1§§'s _ -J'A- :_ 'o
f ;1 A
f f_= A Q' '.~
_ ,,3§e'f'5f Ziff' f._ 5 f__ þÿ� �1�'�:�_�v�_�_�:�_�_�¥ ¬�-�_�F _
,_.
'zu : _-_fe _'lg 'fa
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þÿ� �.� �=�' ¬�L�'�,�"�1�=�L�7�3�1�i� J
Q `, ,_3"*'é§_,w1>5§ J ¥_
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-». ~_ §> .,__ii_? + rflfi ,i"
»' 1__ WS' .4
réglg ,,-" f
~ _
,_ ____ A _
,_
_ -Er a;1; ,a
f<_%é f'
Plate IV. - THE SPA
ating action,
,_ (The hand of
TULA TE' HAND.
movement, energy, self-reliance,
and locomotion.
the "
great"
Duke of Ve1lington_)
E7
ON THE SHAPES OE HANDS. 69
nent joints give an intense love of science to
these hands, and make them expert in all
mechanical or applied sciences. Such men are
the best engravers, and the readiest inventors
in mechanical arts and sciences. Softness, of
course, as I have said, greatly modifies the
active qualities of the type.
Next to this, and by way of contrast, we have
the Conic, or Artistic hand (Plate V.). Of this
hand the fingers are always slightly broad at
the lower phalanges, diminishing gently to the
tips, which are conic or rounded. The joints
are not prominent, the thumb is generally small,
and the palm fairly developed. If your hand
presents these peculiarities of formation, you
are ruled by impulse and instinct, rather than
by reason or calculation;you are attracted by
the beautiful, rather than by the useful, aspects
of life and matter;you are attracted by ease,
novelty, and liberty. Enthusiastic and impul-
sive, rather than forcible or determined, you
are at heart a pure Bohemian, and your imagina-
tion is as warm as your heart is cold !
If the formations of your type are still more
accentuated, that is, if the palm is larger, the
fingers more drawn out, the thumb still smaller,
you are still more the slave of your passions
0./v THE S11/:PES OF 11/1/vos. a 69
nent joints give an intense love of science to
these hands, and make them expert in all
mechanical or applied sciences. Such men are
the best engravers, and the readiest inventors
in mechanical arts and sciences. Softness, of
course, as I have said, greatly modifies the
active qualities of the type.Next to this, and by way of contrast, we have
the Conic, or Artistic hand (Plate V.). Of this
hand the fingers are always slightly broad at
the lower phalanges, diminishing gently to the
tips, which are conic or rounded. The jointsare not prominent, the thumb is generally small,and the palm fairly developed. If your hand
presents these peculiarities of formation, youare ruled by impulse and instinct, rather than
by reason or cadculation ; you are attracted bythe beautiful, rather than by the useful, aspectsof lifefand matter; you are attracted by ease,
novelty, and liberty. Enthusiastic and impul-sive, rather than forcible or determined, youare at heart a pure Bohemian, and your imagina-tion is as warm :TQ your heart is cold !
If the formations of your type are still more
accentuated, that is, if the palm is larger, the
lingers more drawn out, the thumb still smaller,
you are still more the slave of your passions
70 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
and your impulses. Your enthusiasm is higher,
your love warmer and shallower;you are gen-
erous to a fault, painfully sensitive, and easily
moved. With such a hand, you are right to
strew the pathway of your life with roses ; but
you must not forget that when the petals have
fallen from the wreath of roses, it becomes a
crown of thorns.
Unfortunately, if the thumb is very weak,
and other bad signs, which I shall presently
expound, appear in the hand, you will often
find in such subjects only the bad qualities of
the type, — sensuality, laziness, egotism, eccen-
tricity, dissipation, and deceit ; but a hand must
be very bad to show all this. The main char-
acteristics, the guiding principles, of the type
are, love of beauty and the beautiful, preference
of the ideal over the real, intuition, impulse, and
selfishness.
The next type is that of the Square, or Useful
hand (Plate VI.). This hand is generally large,
rather than small ; the palm broad ; the lower
joint, that of material order, developed : the
tips of the fingers square, i.e., neither pointed
nor spread out ; the thumb rather large ; the
palm thick, hollow, and rather firm.
The leading instincts on which this hand
70 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
and your impulses. Your enthusiasm is higher,your love warmer and shallower; you are gen-erous to a fault, painfully sensitive, and easilymoved. With such a hand, you are right to
strew the pathway of your life with roses; but
you must not forget that when the petals have
fallen from the Wreath of roses, it becomes a
crown of thorns. »
Unfortunately, if the thumb is very weak,and other bad signs, which I shall presentlyexpound, appear in the hand, you will often
find in such subjects only the bad qualities of
the type, - sensuality, laziness, egotism, eccen-
tricity, dissipation, and deceit; but a hand must
be very bad to show all this. The main char-
acteristics, the guiding principles, of the typeare, love of beauty and the beautiful, preferenceof the ideal over the real, intuition, impulse, and
selfishness.
The next type is that of the Square, or Useful
hand (Plate VI.). This hand is generally large,rather than small ; the palm broad; the lower
joint, that of material order, developed; the
tips of the fingers square, i.e., neither pointednor spread out; the thumb rather large; the
palm thick, hollow, and rather firm.
The leading instincts on which this hand
Plate V. - THE CONIC HAND.
Denoting art, brilliancy, love of beauty, enthusiasm,and genezvsity.
(The hand of Sir Frederick Leighton, P.R.A.)
E
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fix _-___
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__
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.
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-_
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=_ _
fy; lil' 7_7 L f=.
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-
'V' _ _7_. Q*-_ v
~ 'P ' ~' If i--#V-%»
2'-_m~ .f
'_ '-uf 'S' .,:r_ ~;>;e.;. .' ff- :_
;
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<_.1.~`1 .* _-_,, 5.
-'r= .feZ5,;1+- " l'
!T
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_
Plate V.- THE CONIC HAND.
`
mDenoting art, brzlliancy, love of beauty, enthuszas
and generosity
(The hand of Sir Frederick Leighton, P.R.A.)
ON THE SHAPES OF HANDS. 73
founds its characteristics are perseverance, fore-
sight, order, and regularity. To these hands,
the useful is far preferable to the beautiful.
Their great passions are for organization, ar-
rangement, classification, regularity of form and
outline, and the acceptation of things pre-
scribed and understood as customary. Theyare great disciplinarians, and are strongly im-
bued with a sense of the fitness of things;
they prefer privileges to complete liberty, and
have a passion for experiences of all kinds.
If your hands are of this type, you are a
slave to arrangement;you have a place for
every thing, and every thing is in its place.
Unless your joints are well developed, it is
quite possible that your drawers and cupboards
may be untidy ; but you will be outwardly in
perfect order, and, amid the chaos of your pos-
sessions, you will always know where to find
every thing, for memory is one of the most
precious attributes of the type. You will be
handy with your fingers, tidy in person, and
always most particular about your general
arrangements. You are suspicious, and quietly
cunning. Vigilant, and a complete master of
intrigue, you are a flatterer, and you like to be
flattered ; and you are also quietly and unosten-
tatiously ambitious.
ON THE SH/IFES OF [IA/VDS.
founds its characteristics are perseverance, fore-
sight, order, and regularity. To these hands,the useful is far preferable to the beautiful.
Their great passions are for organization, ar-
rangement, classification, regularity of form and
outline, and the acceptation of things pre-scribed and understood as customary. Theyare great Qsciplinarians, and are strongly im-
bued with a sense of the fitness of things;they prefer privileges to complete liberty, and
have a passion for experiences of all kinds.
If your hands are of this type, you are a
slave to arrangement; you have a place for
every thing, and every thing is in its place.Unless your joints are well developed, it is
quite possible that your drawers and cupboardsmay be untidyg, but you will be outwardly in
perfect order, and, amid the chaos of your pos-
sessions, you will always know where to find
every thing, for memory is one of the most
precious attributes ofthe type. You will be
handy with your fingers, tidy in person, and
always most particular about your generalarrangements. You are suspicious, and quietlycunning. Vigilant, and a complete master of
intrigue, you are a Hatterer, and you like to be
flattered ; and you are also quietly and unosten-
tatiously ambitious.
f
74 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
If the joint of order is absent, yours is a
most enviable mind ; for you have the strongest
aptitude for metaphysical and abstract sciences,
with a natural capacity for checking your tend-
ency to enthusiasm. This is the cleverest
hand that exists. Heaven help you if with a
square hand both your joints are developed!
you will be the most aggressively methodical
creature that ever existed, living by rote and
rule, and doing every thing by pre-arranged
order. Good sense and reasonable egoism are
the main features of the type.
The next is the Knotty or Philosophic type
of hand (Plate VII.) : its appearance is most dis-
tinctive. The palm is large and elastic ; both
joints are highly developed, especially the upper
one, which, with the half-conic, half-square for-
mation of the tips, gives a curious clubbed oval
appearance to the fingers. The thumb is large,
having its two phalanges of equal length.
The great characteristics of this hand are
analysis, meditation, philosophy, and deduction;
and these continually lead to deism and de-
mocracy. Their main and vital instinct is,
however, a love of and search after abstract and
absolute truth. The joints give to tKe hand
calculation, method, and deduction. The quasi-
74 PRACTICAL C/IEIROSOPHK
If the joint of order is absent, yours is a
most enviable mind; for you have the strongestaptitude for metaphysical and abstract sciences,with a natural capacity for checking your tend-
ency to enthusiasm. This is the cleverest
hand that exists. Heaven help you if with a
square hand b@ your joints are developed!you will be the mostpaggressively methodical
creature that ever existed, living by rote and
rule, and doing every thing by pre-arrangedorder. Good selpe and reasonable egoism are
the main features of the type.The next is the Knotty or Philosophic type
of hand (Plate VII.) : its appearance is most dis-
tinctive. The palm is large and elastic; both
joints are highly developed, especially the upper
one, which,`{7i'th"the half-conic, half-square for-
mation of the tips, gives a curious clubbed oval
appearance to the fingers. The thumb is large,having its two phalanges of equal length.
The great characteristics of this hand are
analysis, meditation, philosophy, and deduction ;
and these continually lead' to deism and de-
mocracy. Their main and vital instinct is,
however, a love of and search after a_`t&'g13ct and
absolute trigh. The joints give to the hand
calculation, method, and deduction. The quasi-
Plate VI.- THE SQUARE HAND.
Denoting1 order, arrangement, method, symmetryof form and outline, and discipline.
(The hand of the author.)
_ _'Eif A
_
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J )* 2; r?
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._ itz' V,
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T'=;'_-- ~=» K' ;;"'-1.13% »»:~_ þÿ�-�; ¬�4�"�' 1
*_
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¢1'fl '*"'Z_ `f_- V' L -. - 1- 3; _; ¢ 14 '
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.H _- ~', >
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"L-<»;-.---,~; _
~'
,
Plate VI.-THE SQUARE HAND.
Dezzoting order, arrangeznezxt, method, symmetryof form and outline, and discipline.
(The hand of the author.)
0
O.V THE SHAPES OF HANDS. J?
conic formation of the finger-tips give it the
instincts of poetry and real beauty, and the
thumb gives it perseverance. Such subjects
pay more attention to the significance of things
than to their appearances ; their literature,
therefore, is notable for its clearness and util-
ity, rather than for its form or literary style.
They require to account for every thing. Theyrequire reason in every thing. They form their
own opinions on all subjects, without reference
to those of other people, and form them after
the most careful analysis and consideration of
the questions involved.
Subjects of the philosophic type are essen-
tially sceptical in religion, for they refuse to look
at the emotional side of any thing. They are
therefore great advocates of social and religious
freedom, being moderate in all their pleasures.
The smaller the philosophic hand, the keener
its search after the attainment of truth ; the
larger it is, the more analytical it becomes.
The last type, the Pointed or Psychic hand
(Plate VIII. ), is the most beautiful and delicate,
but, alas ! the most ideal and useless of all.
Small and delicate, with a thin palm, and fine,
long and pointed fingers, its joints are barely
visible, and it has a pretty little thumb. Theonly thing to regret about it is its rarity.
0/V THE SHAPES OF HA./VDS
conic formation of the finger~tips give it the
instincts of poetry and real beauty, and the
thumb gives it perseverance. Such subjectspay more attention to the significance of thingsthan to their appearances ; their literature,therefore, is notable for its clearness and util-
ity, rather than for its form or literary style.They require to zzccazmt for every thing. Theyrequire reason in every thing. They form their
own opinions on all subjects, without reference
to those of other people, and form them after
the most careful analysis and consideration of
the questions involved.
Subjects of the philosophic type are essen-
tially sceptical in religion, for they refuse to look
at the emotional side of any thing. They are
therefore great advocates of social and religiousfreedom, being moderate in all their pleasures.The smaller the philosophic hand, the keener
its search after the attainment of truth; the
larger it is, the more analytical it becomes.
The last type, the Pointed or Psychic hand
(Plate VIII.), is the most beautiful and delicate,but, alas! the most ideal and useless of all.
Small and delicate, with a thin palm, and fine,
long and pointed lingers, its joints are barelyvisible, and it has a pretty little thumb. The
only thing to regret about it is its rarity.
78 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
To these subjects belongs the domain of the
beautiful ideal. They have all the artistic in-
stinct of their conic-handed fellows, with none
of their bad points. They are guided entirely
by their idealism, their impulse, and their in-
stinct of abstract right. They never command,for they are above any such earthly aggrandize-
ment, or material interests of any kind ; but
they always inspire respect, if only on account
of the beauty of their brilliant incomprehensi-
bility. In politics and religion, they acknowl-
edge no leadership, being guided only by their
innate sense of right and wrong. Theirs is the|
talent of inspired lyric poetry, and they possess,
with this faculty, the more important one of
communicating their enthusiasm to others. It
is this that makes them such splendid orators
and preachers. These are the men who have a
real call to the ministry. I once heard the late
Henry Ward Beecher say, that when God calls
a man to preach, he generally calls a congrega-.
tion to listen to him ; when this happens, you
may expect to see pointed fingers. Other kinds
of men often say they have heard a call : maybe
they have, but it wasn't for them, it was for
somebody else ! A joint will sometimes appear
in a hand of this kind ; this is fatal. Such a
78 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
To these subjects belongs the domain of the
beautiful ideal. They have all the artistic in-
stinct of their conic-handed fellows, with' none
of their bad points. They are guided entirelyby their idealism, their impulse, and their in-
stinct of abstract right. They never command,for they are above any such earthly aggrandize-ment, or material interests of any kind; but
they always inspire respect, if only on account
of the beauty of their brilliant incomprehensi-bility. In politics and religion, they acknowl-
edge no leadership, being guided only by their
innate sense of right and wrong. Theirs is the
talent of inspired lyric poetry, and they possess, ywith this faculty, the more important one of
communicating their enthusiasm to others. It
is this that makes them such splendid orators
and preachers. These are the men who have al
real call to the ministry. I once heard the late
Henry Ward Beecher say, that when God calls
!
a man to preach, he generally calls a congrega- ,
tion to listen to him; when this happens, you
may expect to see pointed Fingers. Other kinds
of men often say they have heard a call : maybethey have, but it wasn't for them, it was for
somebody else ! A joint will sometimes appearin a hand of this kind; this is fatal. Such a
Plate VIL — THE KNOTTY HAND.
Denoting philosophy, analysis, logic, deduction, science,
research, and truth.
(The hand of Sir Richard Owen, F.R.S., K.C.B.)
S ` ¥. "'
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...__ ' f V .;.>_-'
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~ 2si2E:'
_ '." f.~£=:;1 _fn 1}f<?§§~».2=i`W 1`§li~ __ _sf
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31. .~ 5,, -_ _»
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? ?i.i:'.§f» » if-- `
[flPlate VIL-THE KNOTTY HAND.
Denoting philosophy, analysis, logic, deduction, science,research, and truth.
(The hand of Sir Richard Owen, F.R.S., K.C.B.)
ON THE SHAPES OF HANDS. 8
1
subject will be prone to rush from one extreme
to another ; he will be credulous, greedy of the
marvellous, discontented, and eccentric. Psy-
chic-handed people should never go beyond their
own intuitions, for they have not the gifts of
reason and of analysis. Sometimes, however,
both joints will appear in such a hand; this will
give doubt, fear, dejection, and revolutionary
ideas (but not practice). The only redeeming
point of such a hand is its capacity for inven-
tion, which is not, however, supported by the
necessary practical talents.
Finally, I must call your attention to the
hybrid type, known as the Mixed hand ; that
is to say, hands which being, as it were, inter-
mediate, so nearly resemble more than one type,
as to admit the possibility of their being mis-
taken for either. Thus a conic hand may be
nearly pointed, a square nearly spatulate, a
spatulate nearly philosophic, and so on. In
such cases the peculiarities of both types are
present in the character, and it is the task of
the cheirosophist so to combine them as to give
a true analysis of the subject under examina-
tion. Such subjects may generally be described
as " jacks of all trades, and masters of none;"
they attain to skill in a variety of pursuits, but
ON THE SHAPES OF IIA/VDS. 81
subject will be prone to rush from one extreme
to another; he will be credulous, greedy of the
marvellous, discontented, and eccentric. Psy-chic-handed people should never go beyond their
own intuitions, for they have not the gifts of
reason and of analysis. Sometimes, however,both joints will appear in such a hand ; this will
give doubt, fear, dejection, and revolutionaryzdeas (but not practice). The only redeemingpoint of such a hand is its capacity for inven-
tion, which is not, however, supported by the
necessary practical talents.
Finally, I must call your attention to the
hybrid type, known as the Mixed hand; that
is to say, hands which being, as it were, inter-
mediate, so nearly resemble more than one type,as to admit the possibility of their being mis-
taken for either. Thus a conic hand may be
nearly pointed, a square nearly spatulate, a
spatulate nearly philosophic, and so on. In
such cases the peculiarities of both types are
present in the character, and it is the task of
the cheirosophist so to combine them as to givea true analysis of the subject under examina-
tion. Such subjects may generally be described
as "jacks of all trades, and masters of none,"they attain to skill in a variety of pursuits, but
82 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
seldom to excellence in any one. They are gen-
erally amusing, but seldom instructive. Their
great advantage is their adaptability and readi-
ness to suit themselves to any company in
which they may find themselves ; but these
advantages £re generally combined with lack of
sincerity, application, or perseverance.
This is the Science of Cheirognomy. Fromwhat I have said, you ought now to be able to
tell, by a rapid glance at the hands, the char-
acter of any one into whose company you are
thrown. In my "Manual of Cheirosophy," I
have devoted a special section to the minutiae
of Cheirognomy, as applied to the hands of the
softer sex. It is, however, only necessary for
me to say here that the same remarks apply to
women as to men, save that the qualities of
the more robust types are less, and those of the
gentler types are more, developed among them
than among us. It should also be remarked,
that the motives of the action of women must
be sought for in instinct, impulse, and intuition,
rather than in calculation or reason. It is, I
think, very generally admitted, that the instinct
of a woman is far superior to any amount of
reason, and this is why they usually dispense
82 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
seldom to excellence in any one. They are gen-
erally amusing, but seldom instructive. ;I`heirgreat advantage is their adaptability and readi-
ness to suit themselves to any company in
which they may find themselves; but these
advantages are generally combined with lack of
sincerity, application, or perseverance.
This is the Science of Cheirognomy. From
what I have said, you ought now to be able to
tell, by a rapid glance at the hands, the char-
acter of any one into whose company you are
thrown. In my "Manual of Cheirosophy," I
have devoted a special section to the minutim
of Cheirognomy, as applied to the hands of the
softer sex. It is, however, only necessary for
me to say here that the same remarks apply to
women as to men, save that the qualities of
the more robust types are less, and those of the
gentler types are more, developed among them
than among us. It _should also be remarked,that the motives of the action of Women must
be sought for in instinct, impulse, and intuition,rather than in calculation or reason. It is, I
think, very generally admitted, that the instinct
of a woman is far superior to any amount of
reason, and this is why they usually dispense
Plate VIII. — THE POINTED HAND.
Denoting poetry, enthusiasm, idealism, abstract right,
impulse, and high ideals.
(The hand of " Violet Fane," the poetess.)
sf\,
_f Q, »'
~_ 'J
1"Q
I ,_ =_`* ' ":,_-*,f-SQ,-` Q"' E,
'
1 _ -
;,,_;,, fr fi; _ _
-
- §<¢.§ffi; 712 - _ A-'sfiffff 1
W " ~ '-"'2 if'
" 1,_ T; f
_ 2 ' » '"
-ffl f fi' ?'Ȣf"-_ 0:5 -1;:
_, ".f;T¢¢ _;_.` '-_ _~ _
1 _,,'-
»< '_-_ -.»=.(
7,M
_ _ __V ~n_
.,
_ffl . ,il
"g f Q».'
_"'- Q' E._
ff¢ "!§~,_ t
_ s- ,~1;~_i _2~
=;¢5~h*;,_g§>`§4.,_, ~,-
_ .'» ._
\ » ¢'
fu.»
5'Jr.
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5
'»
5? "_a'
.
4-Dx' EQ
k vu f
/
f'
P~ , _ ,
=*'
iq* x ;
5C I .*,,f QQ
\_ ¢; _ f; ~,{=»§$I z Q
4 x Q "
'f ` 'I tg# '
-, J
A¢~
wx; <_ , ,
-
5 Y~'
f fs;-j.. 1. 11 F-_
\
_T4
'
we '7"
1 .}4> EM"\'»= >
'< T J___
-u-< '_°'
, ____ _ ___»_=ff'._
"5 "rw "~ ml -51 ..,ff; w ;_ QQ: ¢§'§g/4 » __
_
, _ .» Q _
$l%'| }
K/¢ \
QT, s"
,"
.-
,
- ,sm' Q __
Ȣ.
LSIV I'%¢~|'|
|§\ . '
_ . 1I 1 z
~-, ~r~ W
'
» *Zz "'
'Q
f.. *1 =
D
t
"**"° ' gg, A
Plate VIH-THE POINTED HAND.
enotzlng poetry, enthusiasm, idealism, abstract right,Jznpulse, and high ideals.
(The hand of " Violet Fane," the poetess.)
F'
P
ON THE SHAPES OF HANDS. 85
with the latter commodity. A ribald friend of
mine used to say that he never knew but one
woman who could understand reason, and she
wouldn't listen to it. It will, therefore, strike
the observer as natural that smooth fingers are
in a majority among women, rather than promi-
nently jointed ones.
I turn now to a branch of the science which,
though not so useful, is perhaps even more inter-
esting than Cheirognomy. I mean, to Cheiro-
mancy, whereby, in examining the mounts and
lines of the palm, the past, the present, and even
the future, may be explained and foretold.
0./V THE SI/APES OF /[A/VDS. 85
with the latter commodity. A ribald friend of
mine fused to say that he never knew but one
woman who could understand reason, and :ke
wou1dn't listen to it. It will, therefore, strike
the observer as natural that smooth lingers are
in a majority among women, rather than promi~nently jointed ones.
I turn now to a branch of the science which,
though not so useful, is perhaps even more inter-
esting than Cheirognomy. I mean, to Cheiro-
mancy, whereby, in examining the mounts and
lines of the palm, the past, the present, and even
the future, may be explained and foretold.
86 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
PART IV.
CHEIROMANCY OR PALMISTRY.
THERE have not been wanting authorities
who have claimed for cheiromancy, or, as
it used to be called, " cheiroscopy," the support
of Scripture, basing their arguments upon that
oft-cited passage of the Book of Job, which I
have dissected and discussed at such length in
"A Manual of Cheirosophy," 4I and " The Sci-
ence of the Hand." The passage to which I
refer is cited in error, and there is no doubt
now that the science of cheirosophy is not
even remotely alluded to. But there is equally
no doubt that this science is of incomparable
antiquity; and Juvenal tells us, that in his
time,—" The middle sort, who have not much to spare,
To cheiromancer's cheaper art repair,
Who clap the pretty palm to make the lines more fair." 42
The works of Aristotle, as I said some time
ago, are full of references to the science ; and
41PP- 55—5S.
42 Satyra vi., 1. 5S1. (Dryden's translation.)
86 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
PART IV.
CHEIROMANCY on PALMISTRY.
HERE have not been wanting authorities
who have claimed for cheiromancy, or, as
it used to be called, "cheiroscopy," the supportof Scripture, basing their arguments upon that
oft-cited passage of the Book of job, which I
have dissected and discussed at such length in
"A Manual of Cheirosophy," 4' and "The Sci-
ence of the Hand." The passage to which I
refer is cited in error, and there is no doubt
now that the science of cheirosophy is not
even remotely alluded to. But there is equallyno doubt that this science is of incomparableantiquity; and _Iuvenal tells us, that in his
time, -
" The middle sort, who have not much to spare,To cheiromancer's cheaper art repair,Vho clap the pretty palm to make the lines more fair." 42
The works of Aristotle, as I said some time
ago, are full of references to the science; and
4*pp. 55-58. 42 Satyra vi., 1. 581. (Drydcn's translation.)
CHEIROMANCY OR PALMISTRY. 87
it is interesting to know that one of the first
block books ever produced by the printing-press
(before the introduction of movable types) was
"Die Kunst Ciromantia," written by Johann
Hartlieb in 1448, and published at Augsburg
in 1495.
The absolute origin of the art, panoplied, as
Mr. Edgar Saltus would say, "in the dim mag-
nificence of myth," was probably Oriental. Mr.
Herbert Giles, Her Majesty's consul at Shanghai,
than whom probably no greater authority on
Chinese culture exists, tells me that the science
was practised in China many centuries before
Christ. Philip Baldoeus alludes to its antiquity
in India, in the seventeenth century
;
43 and weknow that Apollonius of Tyana 44 studied magic
in the time of our Lord, among the Brahmins
in that country. Whatever its antiquity, the
more one studies it, the more one is amazed by
the truths — the inexplicable truths — which it
teaches us.
It is strenuously objected to this science,
that it professes to predict with certainty
future events. Now, this is what it does not do ;
43 Wahrhaftige aiisflirliche Beschreibung der ost-indischen Kiist-
en Malabar, etc. (Amsterdam, 1672), cap. v. p. 513.44 William Godwin: Lives of the Necromancers (London, 1S34),
p. 158.
CHEIRO/IIANCY OR PALZIIISTRK 87
it is interesting to know that one of the first
block books ever produced by the printing-press(before the introduction of movable types) was
"Die Kunst Ciromantia," written by JohannHartlieb in 1448, and published at Augsburgin 1495.
The absolute origin of the art, panoplied, as
Mr. Edgar Saltus would say, "in the dim mag-
nificence of myth," was probably Oriental. Mr.
Herbert Giles, Her Majesty's consul at Shanghai,than whom probably no greater authority on
Chinese culture exists, tells me that the science
was practised in China many centuries before
Christ. Philip Baldoeus alludes to its antiquityin India, in the seventeenth century;43 and we
know that Apollonius of Tyana 44 studied magicin theltime of our Lord, among the Brahmins
in that country. Whatever its antiquity, the
more one studies it, the more one is amazed bythe truths - the inexplicable truths -which it
teaches us.
It is strenuously objected to this science,that it professes to predict with certaintyfuture events. Now, this is what if does not do ,-
'3 Va.hrh§ftige ausfiirliche Beschreibung der ost-indischen Kiist-
en Malabar, etc. (Amsterdam, 1672), cap. v. p. 513.4* Vllliam G0dvin: Lives of the Necromancers (London, 1834),
p. 158.
88 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
but it teaches men to observe the great laws
of Cause and Effect so closely as to be able
to predict the almost inevitable results of exist-
ing circumstances. Cheirosophy aims at ascer-
taining the established conjunctions, which in
their turn establish the order of the universe.
They say it is impossible to predict a future
malady or death. What is more reasonable to
believe than that, of a future malady, the germ
already lurks in the system, which must ulti-
mately supervene, and may prove fatal ? Such
a germ as this must affect the universal nerve-
fluid, the vital principle ; and what is more
likely than that this affection should be visible
at the point where the nerves are most numer-
ous and apparent, and that is— in the palm of
the hand ?
Then, so surely as the future exists already
for us, let us minutely examine the present,
which is forming and modifying and developing
that future. Our thoughts are free, as Sir
Richard Owen has said, to soar as far as any le-
gitimate analogy may seem to guide them rightly
across the boundless ocean of unknown truth
!
Cheirosophy is not fatalism. It never says
what shall be, shall be : it merely warns us
of what will happen if we pursue the course we
88 PRA CTICAL C115/zeosof-*Hx
but it teaches men to observe the great laws
of Cause and Effect so closely as to be able
to predict the almost inevitable results of exist-
ing circumstances. Cheirosophy aims at ascer-
taining the established conjunctions, which in
their turn establish the order of the universe.
They say it is impossible to predict a future
malady or death. What is more reasonable to
believe than that, of a future malady, the germ
already lurks in the system, which must ulti-
mately supervene, and may prove fatal? Such
a germ as this must affect the universal nerve-
fluid, the vital principle; and what is more
likely than that this affection should be visible
at the point where the nerves are most numer-
ous and apparent, and that is-in the palm of
the hand?
Then, so surely as the future exists alreadyfor us, let us minutely examine the present,which is forming and modifying and developingthat future. Our' thoughts are free, as Sir
Richard Owen has said, to soar as far as any le-
gitimate analogy may seem to guide them rightlyacross the boundless ocean of unknown truth !
Cheirosophy is not fatalism. It never sayswhat shall be, shall be: it merely warns us
of what will happen if we pursue the course we
CHEIROMANCY OR PALMISTRY. 89
are adopting. If we neglect the warning, as
I have constantly known people to do, turn-
ing aside with a lofty smile, we have only our-
selves to blame when the events, which wemight easily have averted by an effort of will,
supervene to our harm and annoyance. It is
true, that certain signs have been handed downfrom generation to generation, such as the indi-
cations of coming accidents and sudden death;
and, in numberless instances, my own personal
experiences have proved the correctness of
these signs, for the explanation of which it is
impossible to hazard any reasonable conjecture.
These facts, of which I will shortly give you
a few instances, simply exist as facts, and as
such we are bound to accept them.
As to the expounding of the past, I would
argue, in the same way, that great events prin-
cipally affect our nerves, and this affection of
the nerves produces strange and infinitely varied
combinations of the lines in the palm. If trou-
ble can leave its marks upon the face, as Byron
says, —" The intersected lines of thought,—Those furrows which the burning share
Of sorrow ploughs untimely there
;
Scars of the lacerated mind,
Which the soul's war doth leave behind,"—
CHEIRO/IIAYVCY OR PAL/IIISTRK 89
are adopting. If we neglect the warning, as
I have constantly known people to do, turn-
ing aside with a lofty smile, we have only our-
selves to blame when the events, which we
might easily have averted by an effort of will,
supervene to our harm and annoyance. It is
true, that certain signs have been handed down
from generation to generation, such as the indi-
cations of coming accidents and sudden death ;
and, in numberless instances, my own personalexperiences have proved the correctness of
these signs, for the explanation of which it is
impossible to hazard any reasonable conjecture.These facts, of which I will shortly give youa few instances, simply exist as facts, and as
mc/z we are bound to accept them.
As to the expounding of the past, I would
argue, in the same way, that great events prin-cipally affect our nerves, and this affection of
the nerves produces strange and infinitely varied
combinations of the lines in the palm. If trou-
ble can leave its marks upon the face, as Byronsays,
-
"The intersected lines of thought,-Those furrows which the burning share
Of sorrow ploughs untimely there;Scars of the lacerated mind,
'
Which the soul's war doth leave behind,"-
90 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
why should not the same effect be produced
upon the hands, which are so much more sensi-
tive than the face ?
How continually one is told, by some one
who imagines he has discovered a brand-new
argument, that the lines are simply the result
of the folding of the hands! The evidence
against this is infinite. Quain has told us 45
that the lines are clearly traced even before
a man is born ; and it is easy to verify the fact,
that the hands of women, and of men whonever use their hands in active exercises, are
always covered with lines, whereas the hands
of labourers and men who work hard with them,
are nearly always almost destitute of lines at
all. It is activity of brain, and not of body, that
causes the lines to appear ; otherwise, how ac-
count for lines between the joints of the fin-
gers, and in directions in which no folding
could ever, by any possibility, take place ?
No : the hands fold, it is true, upon some of
the major lines, but the lines are not caused by
the folding. However, let us get on. Whyseek to account for facts, which, being existent,
need no proof? Let us accept the axiom laid
down by Herbert Spencer, by Henry Drum-
45 Ouain's Anatomy, vol. ii. p. 214.
QO PRA CTICAL CHEIROSOPHI/I
why should not the same effect be producedupon the hands, which are so much more sensi-
tive than the face ?
How continually one is told, by some one
who imagines he has discovered a brand-new
argument, that the lines are simply the result
of the folding of the hands! The evidence
against this is infinite. Quain has told us 45
that the lines are clearly traced even before
a man is born; and it is easy to verify the fact,that the hands of women, and of men who
never use their hands in active exercises, are
always coveredwith lines, whereas the hands
of labourers and men who work hard with them,are nearly always almost destitute of lines at
all. It is activity of brain, and not of body, that
causes the lines to appear; otherwise, how ac-
count for lines between the joints of the fin-
gers, and in directions in which no foldingcould ever, by any possibility, take place ?
No : the hands fold, it is true, upon some of
the major lines, but the lines are not caused bythe folding. However, let us get on. Whyseek to account for facts, which, being exisiefzl,need no proof ? Let us accept the axiom laid
down by Herbert Spencer, by Henry Drum-
45 Quain's Anatomy, vol. ii. p. 214.
CHEIROMANCY OR PALMISTRY. 9
1
mond, and by a host of the finest intellects of
the day, that all science is more or less a mys-
tery. 46 We can only tabulate facts, and, after
letting them speak for themselves, draw our
own deductions. I have advanced all the data
that can be necessary, in the introductory argu-
ments to my two larger works upon this science.
Now I propose to lay before you what actually
is the case, in the hope that you will not refuse
to believe acknowledged truth, as did the hard-
headed scientists of even so late as the end
of the last century, who denied that aerolites
either had fallen or could fall. This is not a
superstition, this science of mine. But, if it
were, superstition will only come to an end
when exact science— if such exists — will take
the trouble to examine without prejudice the
facts it has hitherto distinctly denied ; that is to
say, when it will approach them with the admis-
sion that things are not necessarily untrue be-
cause they are unexplained !
It is necessary to say, at the outset of the
study of this branch of the science of chei-
rosophy, that the names of the planets applied
46 Compare these passages: Herbert Spencer's Study of Sociology
(London, 1873), chap, iv., and Henry Drummond's Natural Law in
the Spiritual World (London, 1S84), pp. 28 and SS.
CHEIRO/TIANCY OR PAL/IIISTRK QI
mond, and by a host of the finest intellects of
the day, that all science is more or less a mys-
tery." We can only tabulate facts, and, after
letting them speak for themselves, draw our
own deductions. I have advanced all the data
that can be necessary, in the introductory argu-ments to my two larger works upon this science.
Now I propose to lay before you what actuallyis the case, in the hope that you will not refuse
to believe acknowledged truth, as did the hard-
headed scientists of even so late as the end
of the last century, who denied that aerolites
either had fallen or could fall. This is not a
superstition, this science of mine. But, if it
were, superstition will only come to an end
when exact science- if such exists - will take
the trouble to examine without prejudice the
facts it has hitherto distinctly denied ; that is to
say, when it will approach them with the admis-
sion that things are not necessarily untrue be-
cause they are unexplained !'
It is necessary to say, at the outset of the
study of this branch of the science of chei-
rosophy, that the names of the planets applied
45 Compare these passages: Herbert Spencer's Study of Sociology(London, 1873), chap. iv., and Henry Drummond's Natural Law in
the Spiritual Vorld (London, 1884), pp. 28 and SS.
92 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
to the mounts and some of the lines of the palm
are not astrological. When I speak of the mountof Jupiter, the plain of Mars, and the line of
Saturn, I do not mean that the planets have
as has been believed, and, I regret to say, writ-
ten — any thing to do with those parts of the
hand. The explanation of these terms is, that
on certain parts of the hand are found the indi-
cations of certain temperaments, which we have
come to look upon as peculiar to certain deities
of the heathen mythology : so that when I say
the mount of Venus, I mean that part of the
hand upon which are found the indications of
love ; the plain of Mars, the part denoting
audacity and warlike instinct ; the line of Saturn
indicates fate, and so on.
The five digits of the hand have, or may have,
at their bases, mounts ; i.e., little protuberances
of muscle, each of which has a certain signifi-
cation, and is called after a particular planet
(Plate IX.). They are as follows : under the
thumb, the mount of Venus (A) ; under the first
finger, the mount of Jupiter (B) ; under the
second, that of Saturn (C) ; under the third, that
of Apollo, or the Sun (D) ; under the fourth, that
of Mercury (E). Below this, on the hand, comes
the mount of Mars (F) ; below that, again, the
92 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
to the mounts and some of the lines of the palmare not astrological. When Ispeak of the mount
of jupiter, the plain of Mars, and the line of
Saturn, I do not mean that the planets have
as has been believed, and, I regret to say, writ-
ten -any thing to do with those parts of the
hand. The explanation of these terms is, that
on certain parts of the hand are found the indi-
cations of certain temperaments, which we have
come to look upon as peculiar to certain deities
of the heathen mythology: so that when I saythe mount of Venus, I mean that part of the
hand upon which are found the indications of
love ; the plain of Mars, the part denotingaudacity and warlike instinct ; the line of Saturn
indicates fate, and so on.
The five digits of the hand have, or may have,at their bases, mounts ; i.e., little protuberancesof muscle, each of which has a certain signiii-cation, and is called after a particular planet(Plate IX.). They are as follows: under the
thumb, the mount of Venus (A); under the first
finger, the mount of Jupiter (B) ; under the
second, that of Saturn (C); under the third, that
of Apollo, or the Sun (D) ; under the fourth, that
of Mercury Below this, on the hand, comes
the mount of Mars (F) ; below that, again, the
Plate IX. - THE MOUNTS OF THE PALM.
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Plate IX.-THE MOUNTS OF THE PALM.
CHEIROMANCY OR PALMISTRY. 95
mount of the Moon (G) ; and in the centre of
the hand, the plain of Mars (H). The hand is
crossed by six principal lines (Plate II.) : the
line of life, which surrounds the thumb (a a);
the line of head, which starts at the same point,
and goes to the mount of Mars (b b) ; the line of
heart, almost parallel above the line of head
(c c) ; the line of Saturn, or fortune, which goes
from the wrist to the mount of that name (d d);
the line of Apollo, or art, which goes from the
plain of Mars to the mount of Apollo (e e) ; and
the line of liver, or health, which goes from the
base of the line of life to the mount of Mars or
of Mercury (ff). To these are added two in-
ferior sets of lines : the girdle of Venus, which
encircles the mounts of Saturn and of Apollo
(g g) yand the rascettes, which appear at the
wrists (k k). These two latter are not invariably
found in the hands.
Every mount betrays certain characteristics
in a greater or less state of development, and
the mount which is highest in a hand gives
the keynote to the character of the subject. Ahand has seldom only one mount developed, and
any well-formed mount will modify the signifi-
cation of the principal one. Sometimes, instead
of being high in a hand, the mount is covered
CIJEIIEO./IIA./VCY OR PAL/IIISTR K Q5
mount of the Moon (G); and in the centre of
the hand, the plain of Mars (H). The hand is
crossed by six principal lines (Plate II.): the
line of life, which surrounds the thumb (zz zz);the line of head, which starts at the same point,and goes to the mount of Mars (6 6) ; the line of
heart, almost parallel above the line of head
(c c) ; the line of Saturn, or fortune, which goesfrom the wrist to the mount of that name (dd);the line of Apollo, or art, which goes from the
plain of Mars to the mount of Apollo (e e) ; and
the line of liver, or health, which goes from the
base of the line of life to the mount of Mars or
of Mercury (ff). To these are added two in-
ferior sets of lines: the girdle of Venus, which
encircles the mounts of Saturn and of Apollo(gg), and the rascettes, which appear at the
wrists (h h). These two latter are not invariablyfound in the hands.
Every mount betrays certain characteristics
in a greater or less state of development, and
the mount which is highest in a hand givesthe keynote to the character of the subject. A
hand has seldom only one mount developed, and
any well-formed mount will modify the signifi-cation of the principal one. Sometimes, instead
of being high in a hand, the mount is covered
g6 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
with lines (E, Plate IX.). This has the same
effect as high development, and makes a mount
the principal one in the hand. All the mounts
equally developed indicate an evenly balanced
mind, whilst no mounts at all betray a dull,
negative character. A mount displaced towards
another, instead of being immediately beneath
the finger, takes an influence from that mount
towards which it inclines. If, not only is it
absent, but a hollow occupies its place, it de-
notes the converse, the opposite, of the qualities
of the mount.
The lines in a hand should be, clear, red, and
apparently marked, not ragged, or broken, or
indistinct. Pale lines in a hand indicate a
phlegmatic disposition, and, in a man, effemi-
nacy. A sister line following the course of
a principal line (i i in Plate II.) will always
strengthen and support it. A tassel at the
end always indicates a disorder of the quality.
Ascending branches {a in Plate X.) always an-
nounce a favorable issue of the qualities of a
line; descending {b, Plate X.), the reverse. Achained formation indicates obstacles and worries
connected therewith (c in Plate X.).
Beneath the first finger we find the mount of
Jupiter. The predominance of this mount in
96 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
with lines (E, Plate IX.). This has the same
effect as high development, and makes a mount
the principal one in the hand. All the mounts
equally developed indicate an evenly balanced
mind, whilst no mounts at all betray a dull,
negative character. A mount displaced towards
another, instead of being immediately beneath
the finger, takes an influence from that mount
towards which it inclines. If, not only- is it
absent, but a hollow occupies its place, it de-
notes the converse, the opposite, of the qualitiesof the mount.
g
-
The lines in a hand should be_ clear, red, and
apparently marked, not ragged, or broken, or
indistinct. Pale lines in a hand indicate a
phlegmatic disposition, and, in a man, effemi-
nacy. A sister line following the course of
a principal line (i i in Plate Il.) will alwaysstrengthen and support it. A tassel at the
end always indicates a disorder of the quality.Ascending branches (zz in Plate X.) always an-
nounce a favorable issue 'of the qualities of a
line; descending (6, Plate X.), the reverse. A
chained formation indicates obstacles and worries
connected therewith (c in Plate X.).Beneath the first finger we find the mount- of
Jupiter. The predominance of this mou_
'
Plate X.-THE LINES AND MOUNTS.
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LITES AND MOUNTS.
CHEIROMANCY OR PALMISTRY. 99
a hand denotes ambition, honor, gayety, and
religion. It also, if very high, denotes love of
pomp and ceremony, with a certain amount of
pride ; and in excess the mount gives tyranny,
arrogance, and ostentation ; if the fingers are
pointed, ostentation. Complete absence of the^
mount betrays idleness, egoism, want of dignity,
and even vulgarity. Confused lines on the
mount indicate a continued and unsatisfied am-
bition. A cross on the mount denotes a happy
marriage (a in Plate XlJft If a star be there
as well (b in Plate XL), the ^marriage is also
brilliant and ambitious. A spot on the mount
indicates disgrace.
The next mount is that of Saturn (c, Plate IX.).
When this mount is the highest in the hand,
we find in the subject caution, prudence, and a
fatality either for good or evil. Such subjects
are sensitive and punctilious, given to occult
science, to incredulity, melancholy, and timid-
ity. They love solitude and a quiet life, taking
naturally to agriculture, mineralogy, and kin-
dred sciences. Developed to excess, the mountdenotes a profound melancholy and morose taci-
turnity, remorse and morbid imagination, fear
of death, and, at the same time, a tendency
to suicide. Absence of the mount denotes an
CIIEIRO/IIA/VCY 01' PALIIIISTR K Q9
a hand denotes ambition, honor, gayety, and
religion. It also, if very high, denotes love of
pomp and ceremony, with a certain amount of
pride; and in excess the mount gives tyranny,arrogance, and ostentation; if the fingers are
pointed, ostentation. Complete absence of themount betrays idleness, egoism, wantof and even evulgarity. Confused lines on the
mount indicate a continued and unsatisfied am~
bition. A cross on the mount denotes a happymarriage (zz in Plate XI. If a star be there
as well (6 in Plate XI.)(, t marriage is also
brilliant and ambitious. A spot on the mount
indicates disgrace.The next mount is that of Saturn (c, Plate IX.).
When this mount is the highest in the hand,we rind in the subject caution, prudence, and a
fatality either for good or evil. Such subjectsare sensitive and punctilious, given to occult
science, to incredulity, melancholy, and timid-
ity. They love solitude and a quiet life, takingnaturally to agriculture, mineralogy, and kin-
dred sciences. Developed to excess, the mount
denotes a profound melancholy and morose taci-
turnity, remorse and morbid imagination, fear
of death, and, at the same time, a tendencyto suicide. Absence of the mount denotes an
1
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IOO PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
insignificant, uneventful disposition. A single
line on the mount signifies good luck ; many(c
yPlate XI.) signify bad luck ; and a spot on
the mount denotes a great misfortune. Dis-
placed towards Jupiter, it argues a great good
fortune.
Under the third finger we find the mount of
the Sun. When it is prominent in a hand, it
argues a powerful love of art, and indicates suc-
cess, glory, brilliancy, good fortune, the results
of genius "and intelligence. Such subjects are
inventors and imitators, prone to shortness of
temper, pride, eloquence, and a tendency to
religion. In excess, the mount indicates love of
wealth, extravagance, luxury, fatuity and envy,
quick temper and frivolity. These subjects are
also boastful and conceited. Absence of the
mount denotes dulness, and a complete absence
of the artistic instinct. A single line on the
mount denotes fortune and glory ; two lines (d
in Plate XL) indicate talent, but probable failure
in life ; and a confusion of lines (e in Plate X.)
denotes a love of art as a science, and an ana-
lytical disposition. A spot on the mount always
announces a disgrace.
At the outside of the hand is the mount of
Mercury. Its prominence in a hand denotes
IOO PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHKI
insignificant, uneventful disposition. A singleline on the mount signifies good luck; many
(c, Plate XI.) signify bad luck; and a spot on
the mount denotes a great misfortune. Dis-
placed towards jupiter, it argues a great goodfortune. _
Under the third finger We find the mount of
the Sun. Vi/hen it is prominent in a hand, it
argues a powerful love of art, and indicates suc-
cess, glory, brilliancy, good fortune, the results
of geniusand intelligence. Such subjects are
inventors and imitators, prone to shortness of
temper, pride, eloquence, and a tendency to
religion. In excess, the mount indicates love of
wealth, extravagance, luxury, fatuity and envy,
quick temper and frivolity. These subjects are
also boastful and conceited. Absence of the
mount denotes dulness, and a complete absence
of the artistic instinct. A single line on the
mount denotes fortune and glory; two lines (rlin Plate XI.) indicate talent, but probable failure
in life; and a confusion of lines (e in' Plate X.)denotes a love of art as a science, and an ana-
lytical disposition. A spot on the mount alwaysannounces a disgrace.
At the outside of the hand is the mount of
Mercury. Its prominence in a hand denotes'
Plate XL-THE LINES AND MOUNTS.
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Elie XL- THE LINES AND MOUNTS.
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CHEIROMANCY OR PALMISTRY. IO3
science, spirit, eloquence, commercial capacity,
speculation, industry, invention, and agility.
Such subjects are always quick and clever at
occupations which require skill, and they are
selfishly good-natured ; i.e., they are good to
their fellow-men when it amuses them to be
so, not when it goes against their inclinations.
Excess of the mount is very bad, denoting theft,
cunning, deceit, and treachery. Such subjects
are always charlatans, and prone to the more
evil forms of occultism and superstition. Com-plete absence of the mount betrays inaptitude
for science, and no capacity for commerce.
Many lines on the mount (d, Plate X.) denote
science and eloquence ; little flecks and dashes
indicate a babbler and chatterer. Lines on the
percussion indicate liaisons and affairs of the
heart if horizontal (e, Plate XL), children if
vertical. A marriage line terminated by a star
proves that the love-affair has terminated, with a
death (/, Plate XL). A great star crossing the
vertical lines on the percussion indicates steril-
ity. If the mount is quite smooth, it announces
extreme coolness and sang-froid.
Below this we have the mount of Mars (F,
Plate IX.), and the immediately contiguous part
of the palm is called the plain of Mars (H, Plate
CHEIRO/IIANCY 0/8 PAL./IIISTIEYZ IO3
science, spirit, eloquence, commercial capacity,speculation, industry, invention, and agility.Such subjects are always quick and clever at
occupations which require skill, and they are
selfishly good-natured; i.e., they are good to
their fellow-men when it amuses them to be
so, not when it goes against their inclinations.
Excess of the mount is very bad, denoting theft,
cunning, deceit, and treachery. Such subjectsare always Charlatans, and prone to the more
evil forms of occultism and superstition. Com-
plete absence of the mount betrays inaptitudeforlscience, and no capacity for commerce.
Many lines on the mount (a§ Plate X.) denote
science and eloquence ; little llecks and dashes
indicate a babbler and chatterer. Lines on the
percussion indicate [Z'lZZ'5071.S` and affairs of the
heart if hofizontai (ff, Plate XL), children if
vertical. A marriage line terminated by a star
proves that the love-affair has terminated. with a
death (ji Plate XL). A great star crossing the
vertical lines on the percussion indicates steril-
ity. If the mount is quite smooth, it announces
pxtreme coolness and 56Z7Zg`:f7'0Z'l2{Below this we have the mount of Mars (F,
Plate IX.), and the immediately contiguous partof the palm is called the plain of Mars (H, Plate
104 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
IX.). The mount denotes resistance, the plain
aggression. If the mount is prominent, you are
defensive rather than offensive ; if the plain is
developed, we find an aggressive, encroaching
spirit. A subject with the mount of Mars high
in the hand is cool-tempered, magnanimous,
and generous. If it is excessive, i.e., spreading
into the plain of Mars, he is furious, brusque,
cruel, violent, and defiant in manner. Theabsence of the mount denotes cowardice and
childishness.
Lower still upon the hand we have the mount
of the Moon. This indicates imagination, poesy,
melancholy, a love of mystery, solitude, and
silence, and a tendency to%revery. Such sub-
jects love harmony, rather than melody, in
music ; they are capricious, changeable, and in-
clined to be idle ; fond of voyaging, mystical,
and void of self-confidence or perseverance. In
a hard hand we get a dangerous activity and
imagination. Excess of the mount gives irrita-
bility, discontent, superstition, fanaticism, and
error; absence argues want of imagination and
of poetry in the disposition. Lines on the mount
(g, Plate XI.) give prophetic dreams, visions, pre-
sentiments, and the like. These are also shown
by a curved line extending to the mount of Mer-
IO4 PRA CTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
IX.). The mount denotes resistance, the plainaggression. If the mount is prominent, you are
defensive rather than offensive; if the plain is
developed, we iind an aggressive, encroachingspirit. A subject with the mount of Mars highin the hand is cool-tempered, magnanimous,and generous. If it is excessive, i.e., spreadinginto the plain of Mars, he is furious, brusque,cruel, violent, and defiant in manner. The
absence of the mount denotes cowardiceand
childishness.
Lower still upon the hand We have the mount
of the Moon. This indicates imagination, poesy,
melancholy, a love of mystery, solitude, and
silence, and a tendency to_ revery. Such'sub-jects love harmony, rather than melody, in
music; they are capricious, changeable, and in-
clined to be idle ; 'fond of voyaging, mystical,and void of self-coniidence or perseverance. In
a hard hand we get a dangerous activity and
imagination. Excess of the mount gives irrita-
bility, discontent, superstition, fanaticism, and
error; absence argues want of imagination and
of poetry in the disposition. Lines on the mount
(g, Plate XI.) give prophetic dreams, visions, pre-
sentiments, and the like. These are also shown
by a curved line extending to the mount of Mer-
CHEIROMANCY OR PALMISTRY. 105
cury (/ in Plate X.). Horizontal lines from
the percussion (g in Plate X.) denote voyages;
terminating in a star (/i, Plate X.) these lines
indicate a voyage which will be terminated by
death. A large star on the mount (h9Plate XL)
denotes hysteria, and, with other concomitant
signs, madness. Many crossing lines (i, Plate
XL) betray self-torment and worry. An angle
or circle on the mount denotes a danger of
death by drowning.
The last mount with which we have to deal
is that of Venus, at the root of the thumb.
This mount gives to a subject beauty, grace,
benevolence, melody in music (as opposed to
harmony), and, indeed, all the more feminine
attributes of character. Such people are great
lovers of and seekers after pleasure, are gay
and always charming. In excess, the mountbetrays debauchery, effrontery, license, incon-
stancy, and other excesses. Absence of the
mount shows coldness, laziness, and selfishness.
Lines on the mount always indicate warmth of
passion and strong affection. A line extending
to the line of head indicates a worry (j, Plate
XL) ; extending to the mount of Mercury, it
denotes a marriage (k k in Plate XL), so does a
strong line coming from the phalanx of logic to
f
CHEIROJIIANCY OR PAL./IIIST/<`K IOS
cury (f in Plate X.). Horizontal lines from
the percussion (g in Plate X.) denote voyages;
terminating in a star (k, Plate X.) these lines
indicate a voyage which will be terminated bydeath. A large star on the mount (h, Plate Xl.)denotes hysteria, and, wiik oiker concomita/af
szlgws, madness. Many crossing lines (z`, Plate
XI.) betray self-torment and worry. An angleor circle on the mount denotes a danger of
death by drowning.The last mount with which we have to deal
is that of Venus, at the root of the thumb.
This mount gives to a subject beauty, grace,
benevolence, melody in music (as opposed to
harmony), and, indeed, all the more feminine
attributes of character. Such people are greatlovers of and seekers after pleasure, are gayand always charming. In excess, the mount
betrays debauchery, effrontery, license, incon-
stancy, and other ezigedsses. Absence of the
mount shows coldness, laziness, and selfishness.
Lines on the mount always indicate warmth of
passion and strong affection. A line extendingto the line of head indicates a worry (j, Plate
XI.); extending to the mount of Mercury, it
denotes a marriage (k k in Plate XL), so does a
ong line coming from the phalanx of logic to
106 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
the line of life (/ /, Plate XL) which surrounds
the mount of Venus. Islands on the mount(z, Plate X.) denote opportunities of marriage
which have been missed.
These are the interpretations of the mounts.
I shall conclude this opusculum by noticing the
principal lines and their significations.
The most important line in the hand is, of
course, the Line of Life {a a in Plate II.), which
surrounds the mount of Venus. Long, clear,
straight, and well-colored, it denotes long life,
good health, and a good character and disposi-
tion. Pale and broad, it indicates ill-health,
evil instincts, and a weak, envious disposition.
Thick and red, it betrays violence and brutality
of mind ; chained, it indicates delicacy ; and of
varying thicknesses, a capricious, fickle temper.
The ages at which events have happened to one
may be told by the points at which they have
marked the line ; for this purpose, it is divided
into segments of five and ten years, commen-
cing at the head of the line (Plate XII.), and
breaks and so on in the line indicate events at
the age at which the breaks occur. I have
treated of this subject very carefully in "AManual of Cheirosophy."
1o6 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK A
the line of life (Z L Plate XI.) which surrounds
the mount of Venus. Islands on the mount
(5, Plate X.) denote opportunities of marriagewhich have been missed.
These are the interpretations of the mounts.
I shall conclude this opusculum by noticing the
principal lines and their signiiications.
The most important line in the hand is, of
course, the Line of Life (az a in Plate II.), which
surrounds the mount of Venus. Long, clear,
straight, and well-colored, it denotes long life,good health, and a good character and disposi-tion. Pale and broad, it indicates ill-health,evil instincts, and a weak, envious disposition.Thick and red, it betrays violence and brutalityof mind; chained, it indicates delicacy; and of
varying thicknesses, a capricious, fickle temper.The ages at which events have happened to one
may be told by the points at which they have
marked the line; for this purpose, it is divided
into segments of five and ten years, commen-
cing at the head of the line (Plate XII.), and
breaks and so on in the line indicate events at
the age at which the breaks occur. I have
treated of this subject very carefully in "A
Manual of Cheirosophy."
Plate Xn.-AGES UPON THE LINES OFLIFE AND FORTUNE.
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P1a.teXlI.-AGES UPON THE LINES
LIFE AND FORTUNE.
OF'
CHEIROMANCY OR PALMISTRY. 109
The shorter the line, the shorter the life ; and
from the point at which the line terminates in
both hands, may be accurately predicted the
time of death. A break in the line is always
an illness ; if in both hands, there is a grave
danger of death, especially if the lower branch
turn in towards the mount of Venus. Ceasing
abruptly with a few little parallel lines (J in
Plate X.), the death will be sudden; a quantity
of little bars across the line (a in Plate XIII.)
denote continual but not very severe illnesses.
Broken inside a square (b, Plate XIII.), it is a
sign of a recovery from a serious illness, and a
bar across the broken ends (c, Plate XIII.) has
the same significance. However broken up the
line may be, a sister line (i i, Plate II.) will always
strengthen and mend it, and is a sign of excel-
lent good fortune. A tassel at the end (d, Plate
XIII.) is a sign of poverty in old age; and a ray
going to the mount of the Moon (e}Plate XIII.)
signifies that the head will be affected by these
troubles.
Rays across the hand from the mount of
Venus (j k, Plate XL) always denote worries,
and the age at which they occur is shown by
the point at which the rays terminate. Their
variation is infinite, and I have discussed them
CHEIROIIIANCY OR PALIPIISTRK IO9
The shorter the line, the shorter the life ; and
from the point at which the line terminates in
both hands, may be accurately predicted the
time of death. A break in the line is alwaysan illness; if in both hands, there is a grave
danger of death, especially if the lower branch
turn in towards the mount of Venus. Ceasingabruptly with a few little parallel lines (j in
Plate X.), the death will be sudden; a quantityof little bars across the line (a in Plate XIII.)denote continual but not very severe illnesses.
Broken inside a square (6, Plate XIII.), it is a
sign of a recovery from a serious illness, and a
bar across the broken ends (c, Plate XIII.) has
the same significance. However broken up the
line may be, a sister line (ii, Plate II.) will alwaysstrengthen and mend it, and is a sign of excel-
lent good fortune. A tassel at the end (d, Plate
XIII.) is a sign of poverty in old age; and a ray
going to the mount of thepl/Ioon (e, Plate XIII.)signifies that the head will be affected by these
troubles.
Rays across the hand from the mount of
Venus (jk, Plate XI.) always denote worries,andthe age at which they occur is shown bythe point at which the rays terminate. Their
variation is infinite, and I have discussed them
110 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
fully elsewhere. At the present moment I can-
not do more— or less— than refer to them.
A ray ascending to the mount of Jupiter (/,
Plate XIII.) indicates success.attained by merit
with lofty aims, ambition, and egoism. Branches
ascending from the line (a, Plate X.) denote
ambition, and nearly always riches.
If the three lines are all joined together (/z,
Plate XIII. ), it indicates grave danger of misfor-
tune and sudden death. If, on the contrary,
the line of head, instead of being joined to, is
separated from the line of life (kyPlate X.), it
indicates carelessness, extreme self-reliance, and
generally foolhardiness in consequence.
An island in the line of life (m, Plate XL) is
generally an indication of some mystery as re-
gards the birth of the subject, or else an illness
during the years which it covers.
The Line of Head, which is the next great line
in the hand, should be clear and well colored,
extending from the beginning of the line of life
to the base of the mount of Mars, without fork,
break, or ramification. Pale and broad, it de-
notes feebleness or lack of intellect ; short, it
argues a weak will ; chained, lack of fixity of
mind ; very long and thin, it denotes treachery
and avarice. A long line of head gives domi-
IIO PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
fully elsewhere. At the present moment I can-
not do more-or less-than refer to them.
A ray ascending to the mount of Jupiter (jiPlate XIII.) indicates success_attained by merit
with lofty aims, ambition, and egoism. Branches
ascending from the line (zz, Plate denote
ambition, and nearly always riches.
If the three lines are all joined together (k,Plate XIII.), it indicates grave danger of misfor-
tune and sudden death. If, on the contrary,the line of head, instead of being joined to, is
separated from the line of life (k, Plate X.), it
indicates carelessness, extreme self-reliance, and
generally foolhardiness in consequence.An island in the line of life (nz, Plate XI.) is
generally an indication of some mystery as re-
gards the birth of the subject, or else an illness
during the years which it covers.
The Line of Head, which is the next great line
in the hand, should be clear and well colored,
extending from the beginning of the line of life
to the base of the mount of Mars, without fork,break, or ramiiication. Pale and broad, it de-
notes feebleness or lack of intellect; short, it
argues a weak will; chained, lack of iixity of
mind; very long and thin, it denotes treacheryand avarice. A long line of head gives domi-
Plate XIII.- THE LINES.
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SZ'_/<,Z%' '
THE LINES.
O
CHEIROMANCY OR PALMISTRY. 113
nation and self-control to a character ; if it starts
from the line of life under the mount of Saturn,
it shows that the education has been acquired
comparatively late in life, having been neglected
in early youth. Such subjects are generally
benevolent, and are generally great theorists.
Stopping under the mount of Saturn is a sign
of a sudden check to the intellectual develop-
ment in early youth. Joined closely to the line
of life for some distance at its commencement,
it indicates timidity and want of self-confidence
in a weak hand, caution and circumspection in
a strong one.
Declining upon the mount of the Moon, it is
a strong sign of a wild imagination. Comingvery low (z, Plate XIIL), it leads to mysticism
and folly, often culminating in madness, to
which there is a strong tendency. In a strong
hand it gives a talent for literature ; but in
a weak one, if it terminates in a star, with
a star on the Mount of Saturn, it is a sign of
hereditary madness. Turning up towards the
line of heart {n> Plate XL), it denotes a person
with a weak mind, who lets his heart and pas-
sions domineer over his reason. If it touch the
line of heart, it is a sign of an early death. Abreak in the line indicates an accident to the
CHEIRO/IIANCY OR PAL./EIISTRK II3
nation and self-control to a character; if it starts
from the line of life under the mount of Saturn,it shows that the education has been acquiredcomparatively late in life, having been neglectedin early youth. Such subjects are generallybenevolent, and are generally great theorists.
Stopping under the mount of Saturn is a signof a sudden check to the intellectual develop-ment in early youth. joined closely to the line
of life for some distance at its commencement,it indicates timidity and want of self-confidence
in a weak hand, caution and circumspection in
a strong one.
Declining upon the mount of the Moon, it is
a strong sign of a wild imagination. Comingvery low (z`, Plate XllI.), it leads to mysticismand folly, often culminating in madness, to
which there is a strong tendency. In a stronghand it gives a talent for literature; but in
a weak one, if it terminates in a star, with
a Star on the Mount of Saturn, it is a sign of
hereditary madness. Turning up towards the
line of heart (zz, Plate XL), it denotes a personwith a weak mind, who lets his heart and pas-sions domineer over his reason. If it touch the
line of heart, it is a sign of an early death. A
break in the line indicates an accident to the
114 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
head, especially under the mount of Saturn;
under these circumstances, the break has been
said to be a sign that the subject will be hung.
Ragged, it denotes a bad memory. Forked at
the end, with one of the " prongs " descending
towards the mount of the Moon, is a sure indi-
cation of hypocrisy, lying, and deceit, (/, Plate
X.). Such subjects are clever sophists, always
on their guard, and ready with excuses when
necessary, reflecting that necessity is the mother
of invention. With a good line of Apollo, it is
a sign of great talent. If one " prong' ' go up
to the line of heart, it is the indication of a fatal
love-affair. A cross and a break in the line (/,
Plate XIII.) are a sure prognostic of a violent
death. An island on the line (£, Plate XIII.) is
a sign of acutely sensitive nerves. A star (a,
Plate XII.) is a sign of a wound. A ray going
to Jupiter (/, Plate XIII.) betrays extreme ego-
ism, and consequent good luck.
The next line is the Line of Heart. It should
extend clear, well traced, and of a good color,
from the mount of Jupiter to the base of that
of Mercury. According to the length of the
line we find stronger or weaker affections. If
it goes right across the hand, from side to side,
it indicates excessive affection, resulting in a
II4 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
head, especially under the mount of Saturn;under these circumstances, the break has been
said to be a sign that the subject will be hung.Ragged, it denotes a bad memory. Forked at
the end, with one of the "prongs" descendingtowards the mount of the Moon, is a sure indi-
cation of hypocrisy, lying, and deceit, (L Plate
X.). Such subjects are clever sophists, alwayson their guard, and ready with excuses when
necessary, reflecting that necessity is the mother
of invention. With a good line of Apollo, it is
a sign of great talent. If one "prong" go up
to the line of heart, it is the indication of a fatal
love-affair. A cross and a break in the line (j,Plate XIII.) are a sure prognostic of a Violent
death. An island on the line (k, Plate XIII.) is
a sign of acutely sensitive nerves. A star (a,Plate XII.) is a sign of a wound. A ray goingto _Iupiter (fl Plate XIII.) betrays extreme ego-
ism, and consequent good luck.`
The next line is the Line of Heart. It should
extend clear, well traced, and of a good color,from the mount of _Iupiter to the base of that
of Mercury. According to the length of theline we find stronger or weaker affections. If
it goes right across the hand, from side to side,it indicates excessive affection, resulting in a
CHEIROMANCY OR PALMISTRY. II5
morbid jealousy. If it is chained (c, Plate X.),
the subject is an inveterate flirt; bright red,
it denotes violence in affairs of the heart;pale
and broad, on the contrary, it indicates a cold-
blooded roue if not a worn-out libertine. Very,
very thin and bare, it is a sign of murder.
Turning up and disappearing between the first
and second fingers (0, Plate XL), it indicates a
long life of unremitting labor. Broken up, it is
a sign of inconstancy, and often of misogyny.
Forked, with one ray of the fork going on to
the mount of Jupiter (;;/, Plate X.), is a lucky
sign of great good fortune, and of subsequent
riches ; it also indicates enthusiasm in love,
while spots on the line denote conquests in
love, and according to the mount under which
you find the spot you can tell the nature of the
person with whom the love-affair has taken
place. Turning down to the line of head is a
sign of an unhappy marriage, or of very deep
griefs of the heart. Lines ascending from that
of the heart (b, Plate XII.) show curiosity, re-
search, and versatility, but very often useless-
ness.
The fourth great line in the hand is that of
Saturn, or of Fortune, which rises through the
whole hand, from the wrist to the mount of
CIJEIROJIA/VCY OR PALIIIISTR K I I5
morbid jealousy. If it is chained (c, Plate X.),the subject is an inveterate flirt; bright red,it denotes violence in affairs of the heart; paleandlbroad, on the contrary, it indicates a cold-
blooded rozze' if not a worn-out libertine. VFW,very thin and bare, it is a sign of murder.
Turning up and disappearing between the first
and second fingers (0, Plate XI.), it indicates a
long life of unremitting labor. Broken up, it is
a sign of inconstancy, and often of misogyny.Forked, with one ray of the fork going on to
the mount of Jupiter (nz, Plate X.), is a luckysign of great good fortune, and of subsequentriches; it also indicates enthusiasm in love,while spots on the line denote conquests in
love, and according to the mount under which
you find the spot you can tell the nature of the
person with whom the love-affair has taken
place. Turning down -to the line of head is a
sign of an unhappy marriage, or of very deepgriefs of the heart. Lines ascending from that
of the heart (6, Plate XII.) show curiosity, re-
search, and Versatility, but very often useless-
ness.
The fourth great line in the hand is that of
Saturn, or of Fortune, which rises through the
le hand, from the wrist to the mount of
Il6 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
Saturn. It may start from the wrist (/, Plate
XIIL), from the line of life (m, Plate XIIL), or
from the mount of the Moon, («, Plate XIIL).
If it start from the line of life, it shows that
one's fortune results from one's own deserts
;
rising from the wrist, it is always a sign of
good luck ; and starting from the mount of the
Moon, the fortune comes entirely from a caprice,
generally of the opposite sex. Sometimes it
turns off, and goes to some other mount, instead
of to that of Saturn : thus, if to Mercury, wefind success in commerce, eloquence, and sci-
ence ; if to Apollo, fortune from art ; if to Jupi-
ter, satisfied pride and realized ambition. If
the line cut through the mount, and extend
on to the finger (<?, Plate XIIL), we get a great
fatality, which is either good or bad, according
to the general appearance of the hand. If the
line of fortune is stopped at that of head, it
shows that an impulse of the head, or error of
calculation, has stopped one's fortune ; stopped
at the line of heart, the ill-luck results from a
love-affair.
Twisted or ragged at the base, it indicates ill
luck in early life. Split and twisted through-
out, it denotes ill luck and ill health through
abuse of pleasure ; or, at any rate, continual
II6 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
Saturn. It may start from the wrist (I, Plate
XIII.), from the line of life (azz, Plate XIII.), or
from the mount of the Moon, (11, Plate XIII.).If it start from the line of life, it shows that
one's fortune results from one's own deserts;
rising from the wrist, it is always a sign of
good luck; and starting from the mount of the
Moon, the fortune comes entirely from a caprice,generally of the opposite sei. Sometimes it
turns off, and goes to some other mount, instead
of to that of Saturn: thus, if to Mercury, we
find success in commerce, eloquence, and sci-
ence; if to Apollo, fortune from art; if to jupi-ter, 'satisfied pride and realized ambition. If
the line cut through the mount, and extend
on to the finger (0, Plate XHL), we get a greatfatality, which is either good or bad, accordingto the general appearance of the hand. If the
line of fortune is stopped at that of head, it
shows that an impulse of the head, or error of
calculation, has stopped one's fortune; stoppedat the line of heart, the ill-luck results from a
love-affair.
Twisted or ragged at the base, it indicates ill
luck in early life. Split and twisted through-out, it denotes ill luck and ill health throughabuse of pleasure; or, at any rate, continual
I
I
I
ll
nl
CHEIROMANCY OR PALMISTRY. \\J
quarrels arising therefrom. An irregular line
betrays irritability; cut by little lines on the
mount (p, Plate XIIL), it indicates misfortune
late in life. Forked at the base, the life is a
continual struggle of ambition and of love ; both,
however, will be successful and fortunate, if the
line go well up to the mount. Any cross upon
the line (;/, Plate X.) indicates a change in the
life or in the position of the subject. A star
at the base of the line (o, Plate X.) shows a
misfortune in early youth, happening probably
to one's parents ; especially if there is also a
cross on the mount of Venus (/, Plate X.),
when the misfortune arises through the death
of a relation.
An island on the line of fortune( q, Plate X.)
nearly always betrays a conjugal infidelity; and
if a star appear on the mount, it has brought
great misfortune in its train. A malformed line
with an island at its base is a sign of illegiti-
macy. If, however, the rest of the hand is
good, this island only shows a hopeless passion
;
if with a star on Jupiter, the passion has been
for some celebrated or exalted person.
Less important than these last four, but not
less interesting, is the Line of Apollo, or Bril-
liancy (e e, Plate II.), which rises from the plain
C[fE[1'0/IIA./VCY OR PALAIISTR K I I 7
quarrels arising therefrom. An irregular line
betrays irritability; cut by little lines on the
mount (p, Plate XIII.), it indicates misfortune
late in life. Forkcd at the base, the life is a
continual struggle of ambition and of love ; both,however, will be successful and fortunate, if the
line go well up to the mount. Any cross upon
the line (12, Plate X.) indicates a change in the
life or in the position of the subject. A star
at the base of the line (0, Plate X.) shows a
misfortune in early youth, happening probablyto one's parents; especially if there is also a
cross on the mount of Venus (p, Plate X.),when the misfortune arises through the death
of Ia relation.
An island on the line of fortune (g, Plate X.)nearly always betrays a conjugal infidelity; and
if a star appear on the mount, it has broughtgreat misfortune in its train. A malformed line
with an island at its base is a sign of illegiti-rnacy. lf, however, the rest of the hand is
good, this island only shows a hopeless passion;if with a star on Jupiter, the passion has been
for some celebrated or exalted person.
Less important than these last four, but not
less interesting, is the Line of Apollo, or Bril-
liancy (e e, Plate Il.), which rises from the plain
Il8 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
of Mars, or the mount of the Moon, and goes
to the mount of Apollo. Whenever it is pres-
ent to any marked degree, we find glory, celeb-
rity, art, wealth, merit, and success. It is
best when it is neat and straight, making a
clear cut upon the mount. Such subjects have,
in all their successes, the calmness of natural
talent, and the contentment of a proper self-
esteem. It must always appear more or less
in a lucky hand. If, however, the fingers are
twisted, and the palm is hollow, it is a bad thing
to have this line in the hand, for these indica-
tions show an ill use of the talents denoting it.
If it is absent from a hand, it denotes failures in
the undertakings of the subject. Visible, but
much broken up, it denotes a jack-of-all-trades,
and betrays an eccentricity in matters artistic.
Many little lines on the mount (e, Plate X.) de-
note an excess of the artistic qualities which
bring the subject to naught. If the line is
equally divided on the mount (d, Plate XL), it.
shows that the subject has two counterbalan-
cing artistic instincts ; if, however, the line forms
a trident (g> Plate XIII.), it is a sure sign of
glory and of success. Cross lines on the mount
(c, Plate XII.) signify obstacles to the success in
art. A star at the top of the line is a sign of
118 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHYZ
of Mars, or.the mount of the Moon, and goesto the mount of Apollo. Whenever it is pres-ent to any marked degree, we find glory, celeb-
rity, art, Wealth, merit, and success. It is
best when itis neat and straight, making a
clear cut upon the mount. Such subjects have,in all their successes, the calmness of natural
talent, and the contentment of a proper self-
esteem. It must always appear more or less
in a lucky hand. If, however, the lingers are
twisted, and the palm is hollow, it is a bad thingto have this line in the hand, for these indica-
tions show an ill use of the talents denoting it.
If it is absent from a hand, it denotes failures in
the undertakings of the subject. Visible, but
much broken up, it denotes a jack-of-all-trades,and betrays an eccentricity in matters artistic.
Many little lines on the mount (e, Plate X.) de-
note an excess of the artistic qualities which
bring the subject to naught. If the line is
equally divided on the mount (d, Plate XL), it
shows that the subject has two counterbalan-
cing artistic instincts; if, however, the line forms
a trident (g, Plate Xlll.), it is a sure sign of
glory and of success. Cross lines on the mount
(c, Plate XII.) signify obstacles to the success in
art. A star at the top of the line is a sign of
CHEIROMANCY OR PALMISTRY. 119
great good fortune. A black spot at the junc-
tion of the lines of heart and of Apollo indi-
cates blindness.
The Line of Liver, or Health (//, Plate II.),
comes from the base of the line of life, and goes
towards— but seldom as far as— the mount of
Mercury. Clearly traced, it seldom exists in a
hand ; but when it is found, it is a sign of good
health, gayety, and success, with long life if the
line extend up to the mount of Mercury. Com-plete absence of line, far from being a bad sign,
gives to a subject great vivacity both of man-
ner and of conversation. Any unevenness of
color in the line denotes bad health ; muchtwisted, it is a sign of biliousness ; much broken
up, of a weak or disordered liver. Forked at
the top, it gives a great capacity for occult
sciences (d, Plate XII.). A coming sickness
marks itself on this line by a little deep-red
cross-ray ; a past sickness leaves a gap. Well
joined to the line of head, it betokens a strong
aptitude for all kinds of natural magic or psy-
chology. An island in the line (e, Plate XII.)
denotes a somnambulist.
Of the girdle of Venus (gg, Plate II.), we can
dispose in a few words. Wherever you find it
in a hand, it is a sign of hysteria and emotion.
CHEIROMANCY OR PAL./IIISTRK I IQ
great good fortune. A black spot at the junc-tion of the lines of heart and of Apollo indi-
tcates blindness."
The Line of Liver, or Health (ff, Plate II.),comes from the base of the line of life, and goestowards-but seldom as far as-the mount of
Mercury. Clearly traced, it seldom exists in a
hand; but when it is found, it is a sign of goodhealth, gayety, and success, with long life if the
line extend up to the mount of Mercury. Com-
plete absence of line, far from being a bad sign,gives to a subject great vivacity both of man-
ner and of conversation. Any unevenness of
color in the line denotes bad health; much
twisted, it is asign of biliousness ; much broken
up, of a weak or disordered liver. Forked at
the top, it gives a great capacity for occult
sciences (a§ Plate XII.). A coming sickness
marks itself on this line by a little deep-redcross-ray; a past sickness leaves a gap. Well
joined to the line of head, it betokens a strong
aptitude for all kinds of natural magic or psy-
chology. An island in the line (e, Plate XII.)denotes a somnambulist.
Of the girdle of Venus (gg, Plate II.), we can
dispose in a few Words. V/herever you find it
in a hand, it is a sign of hysteria and emotion.
120 PRACTICAL CHEIR0S0PHY.
You may generally look upon it as a bad sign,
for these qualities in a bad or weak hand lead
very frequently to the lower forms of vice ; but
this is not invariable, especially if, instead of
being a complete semicircle, it goes off on the
mount of Mercury (n nyPlate XIII.), when it
becomes merely a sign of great energy and
enthusiasm.
If the girdle is much broken up, it is an in-
dication of the lower passions of our natures;
and as I have discussed the question in A Man-
ual of Cheirosophy, there is no need to allude to
it here. The curious are referred to that vol-
ume upon the point.
On the wrist are found certain lines which
are known as the Rascettes, or Bracelets of Life
(Ji h in Plate II.). Each of these represents from
five and twenty to thirty years of life. Thegeneral maximum is three of these lines ; and
when clearly traced, they denote health, good
luck, and a tranquil life. Chained, the rascettes
indicate a laborious but fortunate life ; very
badly formed, the lines are an indication of
extravagance. Broken in the centre, and turn-
ing up towards the line of fortune (r, Plate X.)
is a sign of vanity and of deceit. A star in the
centre of the rascette (s, Plate XIII.) is nearly
I2O PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
You may generally look upon it as a hm' sign,for these qualities in a bad or weak hand lead
very frequently to the lower forms of vice ; but
this is not invariable, especially if, instead of
being a complete semicircle, it goes off on the
mount of Mercury (fz 12, Plate XIII.), when it
becomes merely a sign of great energy and
enthusiasm.
If the girdle is much broken up, it is an in-
dication of the lower passions of our natures;and as I have discussed the question in A Man-
ual of Cheirosophy, there is no need to allude to
it here. The curious are referred to that vol-
ume upon the point.On the wrist are found certain lines which
are known as the Rascettes, or Bracelets of Life
(0 h in Plate II.). Each of these represents from
live and twenty to thirty years of life. The
general maximum is three of these lines; and
when clearly'traced, they denote health, goodluck, and a tranquil life. Chained, the rascettes
indicate a laborious but fortunate life; very
badly formed, the lines are an indication of
extravagance. Broken in the centre, and turn-
ing up towards the line of fortune (13 Plate X.)is a sign of vanity and of deceit. A star in the
centre of the rascette (J, Plate XIII.) is nearly
CHEIROMANCY OR PALMISTRY. 121
always a sign of unexpected good fortune.
Lines extending from the wrist to the mounts
always betoken long voyages and good luck.
These are the lines of the palms, as far as it
is possible for us to go into them. There exist,
of course, in every hand, lines which do not
come under any of these rules ; but the expert
in cheirosophy will have no difficulty in reading
these by reference to their position in the hand
with regard to the mounts and the principal
lines.
As to the signs which are to be found in
the hands, I have alluded to them from time
to time during the foregoing remarks, and their
significance will have been more or less gath-
ered.
A star is always an indication of some great
event beyond our own control, it may be either
good or bad ; but it is generally the latter.
A square is always protection from some
great danger ; a spot is generally, if not inva-
riably, a malady ; the island is always a mystery,
something secret, and generally a disgraceful
circumstance, connected with the line upon
which it is found. A triangle (/, Plate XII.)
is a symbol of a science.
CHEIRO/IIANCY OR PAL/IIISTRK I2I
always a sign of unexpected good fortune.
Lines extending from the wrist to the mounts
always betoken long voyages and good luck.
These are the lines of the palms, as far as it
is possible for us to go into them. There exist,of course, in every hand, lines which do not
come under any of these rules ; but the expertin cheirosophy will have no difficulty in readingthese by reference to their position in the hand
with regard to the mounts and the principallines.
As to the signs which are to be found in
the hands, I have alluded to them from time
to time during the foregoing remarks, and their
significance will have been more or less gath-ered.
A star is always an indication of some greatevent beyond our own control, it may be either
good or bad ; but it is generally the latter.
A square is always protection from some
great danger; a spot is generally, if not inva-
riably, a malady; the island is always a mystery,something secret, and generally a disgracefulcircumstance, connected with the line upon
which it is found. A triangle (jf Plate XII.)is a symbol of a science.
122 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
A cross is seldom favorable, signifying gener-
ally an obstacle ; but at the same time, it usually
highly accentuates the qualities of the mounts
and lines on which it is found. A cross, by-the-
bye, in the quadrangle, i.e., the space between
the lines of head and of heart, the consideration
of which the limits of space have compelled
me to omit (s in Plate X.), is always a sign
of superstition, and of a penchant to occult
science.
Cross lines on a mount {c, Plate XII.) are
always an obstacle to that mount, and accen-
tuate its bad qualities.
In the foregoing remarks, I have endeavored
to give you a short outline of some of the inter-
esting points to be noted in connection with
our hands. To hear the science ridiculed, I amperfectly prepared. It was the word "absurd,"
says Balzac, which condemned steam, which con-
demned the inventions of gunpowder, printing,
spectacles, engraving, and, more recently, aerial
navigation, and photography. The self-compla-
cent stolidity of lazy incredulity is invincible
;
but people who laugh- at the science are, to the
possessors of this knowledge, like the people in
the gallery at a theatre, who can find no means
122 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHYY
A cross is seldom favorable, signifying gener-
ally an obstacle , but at the same time, it usuallyhighly accentuates the qualities of the mounts
and lines on which it is found. A cross, by-the-bye, in the quadrangle, i.e., the space between
the lines of head and of heart, the consideration
of which the limits of space have compelledme to omit (5 in Plate X.), is always a signof superstition, and of a peizc/mmf to occult
science.
Cross lines on a mount (c, Plate XII.) are
always an obstacle to that mount, and accen-
tuate its bad qualities.
In the foregoing remarks, I have endeavored
to give you a short outline of some of the inter-
esting points to be noted in connection with
our hands. To hear the science ridiculed, I am
perfectly prepared. It was the word "absurd,"
says Balzac, which condemned steam, which con-
demned the inventions of gunpowder, printing,spectacles, engraving, and, more recently, aerial
navigation, and photography. The self-compla-cent stolidity of lazy incredulity is invincible;but people who laughat the science are, to the
possessors of this knowledge, like the people in
the gallery at a theatre, who can find no means
CHEIROMANCY OR PALMISTRY. 1 23
of expressing their disapproval save by whis-
tling and cat-calling. It is as if people who
were born blind laughed at people who could
see, not believing in the sense of sight. Nay,
more, it is the blindness of people who refuse
to see ; for here is the science, and any one
who will learn it may do so with the greatest
ease if he only have patience and intelligence.
There are even people who call it wicked ; as
if this intimate knowledge of one's fellow-men,
and the works of an omnipotent Creator, did
not tend to raise the hearts of men. They say
it is wicked to go beyond the limits which
nature has set upon our knowledge. Theymight as well condemn as wicked the use of
spectacles, of telescopes, of microscopes, and of
all instruments which tend to enlarge the field
of our research. But I quote once more the
words of Sir Richard Owen :" Our thoughts are
free to soar, as far as any legitimate analogy
may seem to guide them rightly, across the
boundless ocean of unknown truth.
"
The acquisition of this science is a vast sys-
tem of mental training ; in its research it covers
a vast historical and archaeological field, and ed-
ucates the mind to new and more acute habits
of observation. What is more necessary to us
CHEIRO./IIA./VCY OR PALMISTRK I23
of expressing their disapproval save by whis-
tling and cat-calling. It is as if people who
were born blind laughed at people who could
see, not believing in the sense of sight. Nay,more, it is the blindness of people who nj/'zzsfto see; for here is the science, and any one
who will learn it may do so with the greatestease if he only have patience and intelligence.
There are even people who call it wicked ; as
if this intimate knowledge of one's fellow-men,and the works of an omnipotent Creator, did
not tend to raise the hearts of men. They sayit is wicked to go beyond the limits which
nature has set upon our knowledge. Theymight as well condemn as wicked the use of
spectacles, of telescopes, of microscopes, and of
all instruments which tend to enlarge the field
of our research. But I quote once more the
words of Sir Richard Owen: " Our thoughts are
free to soar, as far as any legitimate analogymay seem to 'guide them rightly, across the
boundless ocean of unknown truth."
The acquisition of this science is a vast sys-tem of mental training; in its research it covers
a vast historical and archaeological Held, and ed-
ucates the mind to new and more acute habits
of observation. What is more necessary to us
124 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
than that our first indelible impression of a
man should be the right one ? And, by means
of this science, I claim that we are able at a
glance to comprehend the mental development
of whose-soever hands we are able to see. It is
not, of course, sufficient to buy a book, and read
it up ; especially not the ancient ones of which
I have placed a bibliography at the end of "TheScience of the Hand." The science must be
continually practised, so that the comparative
size and development of a hand may be seen
at a glance. The knowledge will soon come if
the exercise is continual,— personal experiment,
said Coleridge, is necessary in order to correct
our own observation of the experiments which
Nature herself makes for us, which are the
phenomena of the universe. There must always
be, as I have said before, a certain amount of
mystery remaining ; for all science is myste-
rious. Even the origin of muscular power and
animal heat, the existence of which we shall
hardly find any one to deny, are unknown and
mysterious. The more we investigate this sci-
ence, the clearer and the simpler it becomes;
and even when we cannot exactly define the
cause, the invariable effect is such as to establish
cheirosophy as a fixed and exact science.
[24 PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHK
than that our first indelible impression of a
man should be the right one? And, by means
of this science, I claim that we are able at a
glance to comprehend the mental developmentof whose-soever hands we are able to see. It is
not, of course, sufficient to buy a book, and read
it up; especially not the ancient ones of whichI have placed a bibliography at the end of "The
Science of the Hand." The science must be
continually praciiseri so that the comparativesize and development of a hand may be seen
at a glance. The knowledge will soon come if
the exercise is continual, - personal experiment,said Coleridge, is necessary in order to correct
our own observation of the experiments which
Nature herself makes for us, which are the
phenomena of the universe. There must alwaysbe, as I have said before, a certain amount of
mystery remaining; for all science is myste-rious. Even the origin of muscular power and
animal heat, the existence of which we shall
hardly find any one to deny, are unknown and
mysterious. The more we investigate this sci-
ence, the clearer and the simpler it becomes;and even when we cannot exactly denne the
cause, the invariable e/fer! is such as to establish
cheirosophy as a fixed and exact science.
CHEIROMANCY OR PALMISTRY. 12$
You must be prepared to find in this, as in
all other sciences, occasional anomalies, contra-
dictions. These must not dismay you. Youwill soon learn to profit as much by your fail
ures as by your successes.
And with this, I have done. If I have suc-
ceeded in opening to you another page of the
great Book of Nature, I shall feel myself more
than repaid for the time which I have spent in
tabulating these few notes, — too few, alas ! to
give you more than a very meagre idea of this
great science. And so I conclude. Let mehope that I have made clearer to you the sim-
plicity, the beauty, and the enormous utilitarian
value of Practical Cheirosophy.
ioth March, 1887.
CIIEIRO/IIA/VCY OR PALJIISTRIC IZS
You must be prepared to find in this, as in
all other sciences, occasional anomalies, contra-
dictions. These must not dismay you. You
will soon learn to profit as much by your fail
ures as by your successes.
And with this, I have done. Ifl have suc-
ceeded in opening to you another page of the
great Book of Nature, I shall feel myself more
than repaid for the time which I have spent in
tabulating these few notes, -too few, alas! to
give you more than a very meagre idea of this
great science. And so I conclude. Let me
hope that I have made clearer to you the sim-
plicity, the beauty, and the enormous utilitarian
value of PRACTICAL CHEIROSOPHY.
lor:-I MARCH, 1837.
T'
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