434 Physiognomy, 



brilliantly and profitably abounded in many others. 

 But, above ail, to look forward to a period when 

 physiognomy shall be so generally and perfectly 

 understood, as to furnish mankind with a plain 

 and infallible criterion, by which, in all cases, to 

 ascertain precisely the talents and the disposition 

 of each other, is to think of invading the prerogative 

 of Omniscience, and acquiring an instrument sub- 

 versive of human society. And even if w^e could 

 suppose such progress in this science within the 

 bounds of probability, we must believe that the 

 arts of concealment, deception, and every conco- 

 mitant of artifice and false refinement will, at the 

 same time, make equal progress, and thus leave 

 us in the same relative situation as at present* 



