39 
opportunity of making a remark passes by before they can decide 
with themselves whether they shall make it or not. There is fault 
in all this; tho’, doubtless, the fault is on the right side. We may 
have too mean as well as too high an opinion of our own knowledge. 
By never speaking lest we should say something foolish or ill timed 
society loses the benefit of our conversation, and we lose any improve- 
ment we might get by hearing what others say in reply to our 
observations.” 
“As there are three kinds of silent persons in company so are there 
three kinds of talkers ; those who talk to the purpose and those who 
do not, these last being further distinguishable into such as talk what 
is not worth listening to, and such as talk what they should be 
ashamed of saying. In the two latter cases the more a man holds 
his tongue the better.” 
“That man thinks,’ said I to myself of one in company who had 
nevertheless taken scarcely any part in the conversation ; but from a 
peculiar cast of his eye arched over by a fulness of forehead,* I feit 
sure that he had a well stored mind and one habituated to reflection. 
Some persons think that there is nothing in physiognomy ; but what 
are laughing, crying, and all the other outward expressions of the 
passions but the impress produced upon the features thro’ the 
action of the mind. The impress is here sudden and more striking 
but transitory ; in the above instance gradual and less striking but 
permanent. Who cannot distinguish between the vacant stare of the 
uneducated country-men and the intelligent countenance of a 
Newton?” 
When 13 years old his Eton career commences, and his taste 
for natural history begins to show itself in his solitary wander- 
ings in the green lanes of Eton after stag beetles ; this pursuit, 
together with “watching birds,” seems to have been more 
congenial to him than cricket or football. To his Great Uncle and 
godfather, Chappelow, he attributes his taste for natural history, 
and the following letter, written at the age of 12 years, and the 
original of which Mrs. Blomefield has kindly permitted me to 
show you, indicates the bent of his mind at this early age. 
* Was Darwin in his mind when these remarks on facial expression were 
written? (H. H. W.) 
