Chap. XL] Phymg7iomy, I.jO 



spcct to its principles and extent. And tliongh, 

 probably, neither was entirely correct in liis views, 

 yet they donbtless contributed to increase the 

 knowledge and study of the subject. 



In a short time after the discussion in France 

 had been laid before the public, the great and far- 

 famed work of the rev. ]\I. Lavater, of Zuricli, 

 appeared. The opinions respecting ])hysiognomy 

 which he had been for some time divulging in 

 conversation, and disseminating in fragments, 

 vcexQ collected by him into formal and exten- 

 sive volumes. This is certainly the most splen- 

 did and interesting work on the subject that was 

 ever published ; and the deep and general atten- 

 tion which it has excited is well known. Not 

 only in Switzerland, but in Germany, in France, 

 in (ireat Britain, and indeed, throughout the iite- 

 rary world, it has been read with a degree of ar- 

 dour and admiration seldom bestowed on the pro- 

 ductions of genius. It has been translated into 

 various languages ; passed through an astonishing 

 number of editions ; and though now somewhat 

 diminished in popularity, is still perused with high 

 respect and pleasure. That the illustrious Swiss 

 is enthusiastic, fanciful, and' visionary; that his 

 M^orksevhil)it a sinii'nlar mixture of wonderful dis- 

 cernment; plausible conjectures, and laughable 

 dreams; and -that he gives an extension and im- 

 portance to the subject which ^t\v will allow, 

 seems to be generally admitted. That he carries 

 his principles to an extreme, and attempts to con- 

 fer upon his rules a definiteness and prtclsion lit- 

 tle short of the ridiculous, is also evident. Stdl 

 there is, doubtless, much reality and justness in his 



