254 CONTEMPT. Chap. XI. 



From this circumstance M. Lemoine has argued 1 that 

 their descriptions are not trustworthy. But we shall 

 immediately see that it is natural that the feelings which 

 we have here to consider should be expressed in many 

 different ways, inasmuch as various habitual actions 

 serve equally well, through the principle of association, 

 for their expression. 



Scorn and disdain, as well as sneering and defiance, 

 may be displayed by a slight uncovering of the canine 

 tooth on one side of the face; and this movement ap- 

 pears to graduate into one closely like a smile. Or the 

 smile or laugh may be real, although one of derision; 

 and this implies that the offender is so insignificant that 

 he excites only amusement; but the amusement is gen- 

 erally a pretence. Gaika in his answers to my queries 

 remarks, that contempt is commonly shown by his coun- 

 trymen, the Kafirs, by smiling; and the Eajah Brooke 

 makes the same observation with respect to the Dyaks 

 of Borneo. As laughter is primarily the expression of 

 simple joy, very young children do not, I believe, ever 

 laugh in derision. 



The partial closure of the eyelids, as Duchenne 2 in- 

 sists, or the turning away of the eyes or of the whole 

 body, are likewise highly expressive of disdain. These 

 actions seem to declare that the despised person is not 

 worth looking at, or is disagreeable to behold. The ac- 

 companying photograph (Plate V. fig. 1) by Mr. Eej- 

 lander, shows this form of disdain. It represents a young 

 lady, who is supposed to be tearing up the photograph 

 of a despised lover. 



The most common method of expressing contempt is 



1 * De la Physionomie et la Parole,' 1865, p. 89. 

 2 ' Physionomie Humaine,' Album, Legende viii. p. 35. 

 Gratiolet also speaks (De la Phys. 18G5, p. 52) of the turn- 

 ing* away of the eyes and body. 



