118 Dr Wollaston on the Apparent Direction of Eyes, fyc. 



In judging, however, of their direction in reference to our- 

 selves, we are not guided by the eyes alone, but by the con- 

 current position of the entire face. This will be understood 

 from Plate III. Fig. 1. where the pair of eyes were originally 

 drawn from the life by Sir Thomas Lawrence, actually look- 

 ing at him. The face has been added according to the origi- 

 nal design, so that the person represented in Fig. 1. appears 

 decidedly looking at the spectator. If, however, a set of 

 features oppositely turned, are applied to the same eyes, 

 by laying down Fig. 2. the eyes will be found to look 

 considerably to the right of the person viewing them. In 

 " Fig. 1. the position of the face being at a certain angle to 

 our left, the eyes which are turned at an equal angle from that 

 position, seem pointed to ourselves. In Fig. 2. the deviation 

 of the face from us being toward the same side as the turn of 

 the eyes, gives additional obliquity to their apparent direction, 

 and carries them far to the right of us, proving the influence 

 of the stronger features, even in opposition to that of the mi- 

 nuter parts of the eyes themselves, which are not in correct 

 drawing from this position." 



The same principles apply to instances of moderate inclina- 

 tion of the face upwards or downwards ; but the principle is 

 most strikingly exemplified when the turn of a pair of eyes 

 partakes of both inclinations, so as to be in a direction lateral- 

 ly upwards, as in Fig. 3. By giving the face a downward 

 cast, as in Fig. 4. the change of effect is very remarkable. 

 " The effect thus producible,' 1 says Dr W. " is by no means li- 

 mited to the mere extent of deviation, as a total difference of 

 character may be given to the same eyes by due representation 

 of the other features. A lost look of devout abstraction, in an 

 uplifted countenance, may be exchanged for an appearance of 

 inquisitive archness, in the leer of a younger face turned down- 

 wards, and obliquely towards the opposite side. The under 

 eyelid which, in the former position, conceals a portion of the 

 ball of the eye, from an effect apparently of mere perspective, 

 will, in the latter, seem raised with effort, and thus give the ap- 

 pearance of a smile to the same eyes, if supported by corres- 

 ponding expression of the rest of the countenance." Dr Wol- 

 laston considers these examples as proving that the opposite 

 direction of the eyes to or from the spectator, depends on the 



