XIII.

REMARKS ON AN ESSAY UPON PHYSIOGNOMY, BY PROFESSOR LICHTENBERG.

THIS essay is written with much intelligence, much ornament, and a mild diffusive eloquence. It is the work of a very learned, penetrating, and, in many respects, highly meritorious person; who appears to possess much knowledge of men, and a large portion of the prompt spirit of observation. His essay, therefore, deserves the utmost attention and investigation. It is so interesting, so comprehensive, affords so much opportunity of remark for the physiognomist, and of remarks which I have yet to make, that I cannot better conclude this volume than by citing the most important passages, and submitting them to an unprejudiced, accurate, examination.

Far be it from me to compare myself with the excellent author, to make any pretension to his fanciful and brilliant wit, and, still less, to his learning and penetration. Though I could wish, I dare not hope, to meet and answer him with the same elegance as his

polished mind and fine taste seem to demand. I feel those wants which are peculiar to myself, and which must remain mine, even when I have truth on my side. Yet, worthy Sir, be assured that I shall never be unjust, and that, even where I cannot assent to your observations, I shall never forget the esteem I owe your talents, learning, and merits.

Let us, in supposition, sit down, in friendship, with your essay before us, and, with that benevolence which is most becoming men, philosophers especially, explain our mutual sentiments concerning nature and truth.

ON PHYSIOG NOMY.

“CERTAINLY (says our author) the freedom of thought, and the very recesses of the heart, were never more severely scrutinized than in the present age."

It appears to me that, at the very beginning, an improper point of view is taken, which, probably, may lead the author and reader astray, through the whole essay. For my own part, at least, I know of no attacks on the freedom of thought, or the secret recesses of the heart. It is universally known that my labours have been less directed to

this than to the knowledge of predominant character, capacities, talents, powers, inclinations, activity, genius, religion, sensibility, irritability, and elasticity of men in general, and not to the discovery of actual and present thought. As far as I am concerned, the soul may, and can, in our ingenious author's own words, "brood as secretly over its treasures as it might have done centuries ago; may as tranquilly smile at the progress of all Babylonian works, at all proud assailants of heaven, convinced that, long before the completion of their work, there shall be a confusion of tongues, and the master and the labourers shall be scattered."

Nobody would laugh more than I, at the arrogance of that physiognomist who should pretend to read in the countenance the most secret thoughts and motions of the soul, at any given moment, although there are moments in which they are legible to the most unpractised physiognomist.

In my opinion, likewise, the secrets of the heart belong to pathognomy, to which I direct my attention much less than to physiognomy; on which the author says, more wittily than truly," it is as unnecessary to write as "it on the art of love."

The author is very right in reminding us "that we ought to seek physiognomonical instruction from known characters with great caution, and even diffidence."

"Whether physiognomy, in its utmost perfection, would promote philanthropy is at least questionable."-I confidently answer unquestionable, and I hope immediately to induce the reasonable and philanthropic author to say the same.

Physiognomy, in its utmost perfection, must mean the knowledge of man in its utmost perfection. And shall not this promote the love of man? Or, shall it not, in other words, discover innumerable perfections, which the half physiognomist, or he who is not a physiognomist cannot discern? Noble and penetrating friend of man, while writing this, you had forgotten what you had so truly, so beautifully said, "that the most hateful deformity might, by the aid of virtue, acquire irresistible charms."—And to whom more irresistible, more legible, than to the perfect physiognomist ?--Irresistible charms, surely, promote love rather than hatred.

From my own experience, I can sincerely declare that the improvement of my physiognomonical knowledge has extended and increased the power of love in my heart.

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And though this knowledge may, sometimes, occasion affliction, still it is ever true that the affliction occasioned by certain countenances endears, sanctifies, and renders enchanting, whatever is noble and lovely, which often glows in the human countenance, like embers among ashes. My attention to the discovery of this secret goodness is increased, and the object of my bours is its increase and improvement; and how do esteem and love extend themselves, wherever I perceive a preponderance of goodness!--On a more accurate observation, likewise, the very countenances that afflict me, and which, for some moments, incense me against humanity, do but increase a tolerant and benevolent spirit; for I then discern the nature and the force of that sensuality, against which they have to combat.

All truth, all knowledge of what is, of what acts upon us, and on which we act, promotes general and individual happiness. Whoever denies this is incapable of investi