AN OUTLINE OF PHYSIOGNOMY.

Waikato Independent, Volume III, Issue 214, 10 April 1906, Page 6

AN OUTLINE OF PHYSIOGNOMY.

[By a Cambridge West Resident.] (Continued.)

The human countenance expresses a greater amount of thought and emotions, with their liner shades and phases, than words can possibly describe. This is especially true of the lips, for the affections have their poles in the edges of the lips. Hence the philosophy of kissing to express such affection. The inherent character of every living being gushes out through every organ of the body and every avenue of the soul, so all that is needed for character reading is an intuitive cognizance of such manifestations, and memorising the meaning of the signs thereof. In a book called “The New Physiognomy ” is the following passage : There are lips ardent and electric which open but to utter loving words, and whose kisses thrill with bliss unutterable the thrice happy mortal to whom they are vouchsafed; and there are lips so cold and devoid of love, that their touch sends a cold chill to the heart. There are also lips on which smiles are at home, and laughter a frequent guest; also lips that do little but grumble and scold. There are lips refined, gentle and pure; and others that are sensual, gross and impure. The expert physiognomist can recognise each at a glance. Silence avails nothing. There is much sensitiveness of feeling shown in the lips, and this quality can be cultivated to a great nicety of discrimination by persons who have well formed lips themselves. The lips are an infallible index of temper to those who will study them, as also the affections; for good nature or temper also accompanies a loving disposition, and vice versa. Lavater says: “As arc the lips so is the character. Firm lips, firm character. Weak lips, that are quick in motion, show wea.-i and wavering character.” The length of the lips denote the permanency of the functions that are indicated, whilst the fullness of the lips show the intensity of their general manifestations. Firmness is indicated by the length, prominence and stiffening of the upper lip, hence the exhortation for continued perseverance to “Keep a stiff upper lip.” Very fleshy, thick and coarse lips have to contend with consent sensuality, combined with indolence, and the cut-through, sharp-drawn lip has to battle with anxiety and avarice. Calm lips well closed without restraint, are blessed with repose of mind, discretion, firmness and consideration for others.

Whilst pride and anger curve the upper . lip; cunning draws it out thin; sympathy smoothes it ; and it is made placid by effeminacy. Narrow, thin, close, livid, lifeless lips denote a Jack of affection and a sharp temper. Full, ruddy lips belong to the loving, warm-hearted, ardent and gushing natures. Full, red lips love kissing, but white, thin, livid lips warn one to let them alone. If anyone steals a kiss from ruby lips, their possessor may threaten and chide the liberty taken, but this is less from dislike than from the necessity to keep up appearances; for ruddy lips go with warm hearts and loving dispositions. But if the same liberty is taken with the thin, white lips, look out for the penalty of wrath and berating if nothing worse ensues. A small weak, upper lip shows vacillation and general unreliability. Persons with large lips love the good things of the table, and denote the gourmand with strong gustatory desires for strong flavours, with an acute taste and greed for food, love and liquids. Coarse lips also betoken vulgarity, rudeness and more or less licentiousness. Whilst those with delicate red lips prefer refined flavours and are more daintv in selecting their food and conjugal partners, for refined lips well defined and regular in outline, indicate a nicety in all the functions of life. Medium sized, fairly full lips show good control over appetite for food, passions, emotions, etc. And small lips indicate daintiness and a lack of desire for food, love, and accompaniments. Pull, red lips, the upper one like Cupid’s bow, denote strong affection for partner, home, and family, for such lips betoken warm and loving hearts, with the power to reciprocate love. Curled, pouting lips, indicate wilfulness, fickleness, disdain and discontent, with a snapish, snarling spirit. Protruding lips betoken impetuosity, freedom of speech and impulsiveness. Thick, swollen purple lips denote indolence, the voluptuary and drunkard. Thick lips, the upper one protruding, show obstinancy and selfishness, with a strong love for animal food. Firm, full lips denote a protective spirit, steadiness of character, with discretion, firmness and consideration for others. Trembling bps denote uncertainty of pm pose, with a w'eakness of will-power. A projecting upper lip, as if a quid were beneath in the centre, indicates self-reliance, self-esteem amounting to egotism, haughtiness and supercilliousness. When the upper lip is shortened on either side it shows a desire for recognioion and approval, A curved upper lip announces dignity and a high opinion of self and belongings. A lower lip hollow'ed slightly in the centre, shows tact and agreeability. When the lower lip is full and curved, it betokens liberality of thought and generous actions. Perfectly smooth lips are smypathetic, and may be loving at times, but cannot be relied on for constancy in love or friendship. Fullness immediately under the

lower lip, betokens jealousy, more or less according to its size, with strong conjugal and parental love, yet a nagger. A protruding under lip, betokens active love and affection, but not much selfassertion; a social, domesticated, unassuming disposition, and a vegetarian from choice.

Great disproportion of size in the lower and upper lips is a sign of folly and wickedness. Lips coming to a point in the centre denote the power of continued thought and concentration of ideas, with close application to the various duties of life. Compression of the lower lip against the upper in the centre, shows innocence and purity. If the under lip is wide at the angle of the mouth, it denotes philanthrophy and benevolence. Two small upright ridges near the centre of the lower lip, one on each side, denote ostentation and love of display.