Si on phjuiognamy. jf^^y i7» 



might then make strong imprefsions upon us, but 

 come afterwards to be more and more neglected, till 

 at last we forget them entirely, and cannot tell to 

 what such a combination is owing, or by what acci- 

 dent it Vvas formed. 



Monsieur des Cartes, in one of his letters tells that 

 he had frequently observed he had a particular afFec- 

 tion and fondnefsforevery body thatsquinted. Thishe 

 says led him to inquire into what could be the cause 

 of so odd an effect ; that after some reflection he dis- 

 covered it to be owing to this accident, that when 

 he was a child, he had been attended by a young 

 girl who had this defect, of whom he was extremely 

 fond. Being accustomed therefore to see this girl, 

 and the obvious particularity of squinting making a 

 strong imprefsion upon him, which was always ac- 

 companied with the affections of love and fondnefs for 

 her, made the connection so strong, that whatever af- 

 terwards made the same imprefsion upon his senses, 

 immediately awakened the same affections which it 

 did at first. 



This instance may serve to explain a great num- 

 ber of others. If the affections of a child have been 

 won by the fondnefs and carrefses of any person, the 

 child beholds every thing relating to him with plea- 

 sure ; it marks every look, every action, and natural- 

 ly connects the ideas of kindnefs, love, good nature, 

 with that set of features, that air andmanner, which it 

 has observed in him or her. Whenever the child af» 

 terwards sees a similarity of features and gestures, it 

 will immediately conclude that it is accompanied with 

 the same goodnefs and benevolence, and they will ex^ 



