THE INTELLECTUAL TEMPERAMENT. 999 



circumference of the thorax, or that of the average 

 man, does not exceed 36 inches ; while in men 

 of the largest size, it varies from 48 to 52, and 

 even 58 inches ; according to the best information 

 I have been able to derive from respectable Lon- 

 don tailors.* 



But if the thorax be broad, round, and full; 

 the waist small, the muscles moderately deve- 

 loped, the brain large and well formed, we have 

 what may be called the intellectual temperament, 

 which corresponds with the choleric of the an- 

 cients, and comprehends the noblest specimens 

 of the human race. It is finely portrayed in the 

 following soliloquy of Hamlet : " What a piece 

 of work is man ! how noble in reason ! how infi- 

 nite in faculties ! in form and moving how express 

 and admirable ! in action how like an angel ! in 

 apprehension how like a god !" The greatest 



* It is much to be regretted, that so little attention has been 

 given by ancient and modern writers on the natural history of 

 man, to the size and configuration of the thorax among nations 

 and individuals, with a view of ascertaining how far they are 

 modified by climate aud modes of living. For it is of much 

 greater importance to know the character of the chest and head, 

 than the stature of mankind ; which, however, should not be 

 omitted in our attempts to ascertain the best methods of improving 

 the physical, intellectual, and moral character of the race. But 

 it is worthy of notice, that the circumference of the thorax is not 

 always an exact measure of the size of the lungs ; for it is deeper 

 or longer in some persons than in others. The form most favour- 

 able to strength, is that of fulness in front and behind, with a 

 corresponding depth, as in men of round backs. 



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