Feet and Nose Betray the Character.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue I, 2 January 1904, Page 61

Feet and Nose Betray the Character.

The human character betrays itself in every hand and every foot, and even on the human nose, if the observer only knows where to look and how to apply his observations. Phrenology and palmistry are well known, but the art of pedomaney is the latest means of ascertaining the true character of the individual. Domestic comfort is denoted by having “the second toe humped above the rest, at the same time escaping a corn.” On the other hand, or foot, small feet cramped by small shoes mark their owner as possession of “vanity ami great courage. A short, thick, stubby foot with rather large ankle shows “not so much executive ability as dogged per severance.” Beware of the man whose ankles turn in; “he is generally mean and selfish.” and “women who stand on one foot are full of ideas and originality.” This duck-like attitude is certainly unusual. People who cross the feet or stand on one side of the foot are irritable, eceen trie, talented and uncertain. An addendum is the declaration that mentality

is marked on the heel. A network of small lines denotes great versatility and skill in art and literature, while a smooth surface of heel is a sure sign <>f a placid non-working brain. The long second toe means a masterful mind and is a clear indication that the owner of the long second toe is the ruler of the domestic household. Short, stubby toes indicate two things: First, •that the owner went shoeless when young, and, secondly, a great firmness of character. A high instep shows a nervous pet son, easily excited and as easily tired. A low flat instep marks the man who gathers together the money and holds it. Widespread feet indicate in a man a disposition to stop and consider before he aets, while a swinging foot that looks as if it was about to hook into its mate shows irresolution and lack of de termination. In a woman a long, narrow foot al ways shows high breeding, and a small foot does not always appear desirable, as the exceedingly small ones mean a weak and submissive character. Nosography is more. It hails from \ustria. where much research has been devoted to the study of noses is an indication of character. A small nose indicates lack of moral vigour, a flat nose lowness of intellect, a pug nose indelicacy, a drooping nose dullness. while the Roman beak proclaims strength of will, and the Grecian proboscis goes with a refined character. These are merely the rudiments of nosegraphy; there are subtler signs such as a thin bridge (shrewdness), two lateral prominences (literary skill), wrinkles on either side (wealth), and large nostrils (courage). It is disconcerting that a man’s character should be thus writ in his nose that all who join the Nosographological institute may read. Can a man conceal his nose? \\ hen a bulbous-nosed individual sees a fellow passenger in the street ear eye ing bis prominent purpled organ, it is useless to attribute it to indigestion: the nose spells, as plainly as if it spoke. "Black List,” to the observant stranger. Finger nails are also signs. Broad linger nails denote timidity and gentle ness; ambition and pugnacity are told by narrow nails. A short-nailed woman "will criticise her friends and foes, but she will also criticise herself with the same severity. The best dramatic and literary critics possess this nail." In

growing nails denote luxurious tastes. This illuminating clue to character should be written in every man’s hat as a spur to economy. Before leaving the hands the manner of their clasping must be set forth. A frivolous woman interlocks her hands with the first finger be tween her left thumb and first finger. People who place two fingers of one hand between the thumb and fingers of the other are deceitful and not to be trusted.

The greatest difficulty which professors of the science of teeth reading have to encounter is the increasing resort to the dentist for artificial molars. Other wise long and narrow tjeeth may be believed to denote vanity and projecting

teeth avarice. When teeth overlap inconstancy is to be expected, and small white molars bespeak a treacherous ia-ture. ••Chicago Tribune.”