268. An Essay on the Signs of Ideas. 
gesture repels, another invites ; one applauds, 
another reproves ; one is intended as a demon- 
stration of respect and veneration, another 
of gratitude. 
Gestures may, in general, be considered 
as abbreviated modes of representing certain 
sets or trains of ideas. For instance, when a 
scolding woman clenches her fist, and shakes 
it at her opponent, it is evident that she means 
to threaten chastisement for her real, or sup- 
posed injuries. When a supplicant presents 
his joined hands placed before him, he inti- 
mates his willingness to give himself up to be 
bound. When the Oriental muffles up his 
face, and falls prostrate to the earth, he in- 
tends to signify reverence and humility ;—re- 
yerence, in not daring to look on the face of 
his superior, and humility in his choice of 
the lowest situation in which he ean possibly 
place himself. The shake of the hand is evi- 
dently intended as a token of union, though 
of the most. distant kind; it is probably 
merely a refinement of the embrace. 
man would spend his life inthe study of one author, whence 
the expression, “ homo unius libri!” Then Erasmus, with 
his usual keenness of wit, made the scoffing echo, De- 
cem annos consumpsi in legendo Cicerone: and - vation 
answered 'in Greek,: saying, ”/Ors, 
