READING CHARACTER BY THE BACK OF THE HAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue XVII, 22 October 1898, Page 523

READING CHARACTER BY THE BACK OF THE HAND.

A new science of divination has been formulated. The back of the hand is the index to the character of a man and the key which reveals the fate in store for him. The theory is that the influence of mind over matter will so affect the form of the hand that the character of its owner may be read with perfect • ease. I'he various feelings and sensibilities leave such a strong impression in the formation and development of the human hand that if scores of hands were compared it would almost be impossible to find any two alike in shape or form. According to experiments in the new science, the different types of hands may be classified as follows:— 1— —The Scientific or Mathematical Hand. 2— The Ideal or Philosophical Hand. 3— The Kleptical Hand. 4— The Ordinary Criminal’s Hand. A—The Sensual Hand.

6—The Uncouth Hand. 7 —The Artistic Hand. B—The8 —The Murderer’s Hand.

The scientific or mathematical hand has the following outlines and characters: The hand should show on the upper surface a flat and broad construction, and should have rather long fingers, inclined to be straight, knotty in the joints and round at the

point. The thumb has a very strong and determined base, and while lieing rather long is also rounded at the end.

The ideal hand has straight fingers that run to a point, the nails being of a pink colour. The thumb has a strong root or base, a very symmetrical form, and runs to a decided point. The person with such a hand is self-sacrificing in his nature and would die for an ideal or principle. This hand is that of the poets, great reformers, and religious enthusiasts.

The kleptical hand has these characteristics: The thumb is somewhat elongated and vaiies but slightly in its shape fiom the root to the tip. The knuckles of the hand are somewhat coarse, and the extreme ends of the fingers have an inward inclination. I'he nails are usually short and thin. This hand is that of a thief or petty' rogue.

The upper part of the sensual hand varies in its general construction. The fingers are easily' turned upward at the uppermost joints, and the middle finger is unquestionably larger than that of the ordinary man. The hand also shows easy persuasion. The thumb is usually longer than on the average hand and is slightly plump. This hand also reveals musical ability.

The ordinary criminal’s hand has

a peculiarly rough shape, the thumb Ix'ing very plump and short, while the fingers are uneven and hea'y. The small finger is turned inward and blifntness is the hand’s chief characteristic.

The uncouth, boorish, or common hand is heavy, with very short lingers, which look as though they had a swelling at the ends. The hand has no symmetry. The thumb is very short, and the general appearance of the hand is repulsive and obnoxious.

The artistic, hand has a small and narrow shape. It is fleshy, with short fingers, and the muscles are hardly visible. I’he finger joints are perfectly' smooth and fingers tapering. The hand has an effeminate appearance and is that of artists, sculptors, and people of remarkably refined tastes.

The hand shown in the illustration is that of a well-known murderess, who confessed she had stabbed her husband through love for another man. It is noticeable that the upper part of the hand is extremely short and angular, 'file index finger is bent in sueh a shape that it almost overlaps the middle linger. The chief point, in connection with this hand is the extreme length of the middle finger. The finger nails are very short and thin, which characteristic indicates weakness, treachery and trickery.