154 ADVANCEMENT OP LEARNING. [bOOK IV. 



than tlie other. For the lineaments of the body shov/ the 

 general inclinations and dispositions of the mind, whilst the 

 motions of the face, and the gestures of the other parts, not 

 only do the same, but also express the present disposition 

 and inclination : for, if I may use one of your Majesty's 

 most forcible and elegant expressions, "as the tongue applies 

 to the ear, so does gesture to the eye." And this is well 

 known to many subtile and designing persons, who watch- 

 fully observe the countenance and gestures of others, and 

 value themselves for their talent of turning such discoveries 

 to their own advantage ; and it must be acknowledged an 

 excellent way of discovering dissimulation in others, and of 

 admonishing men to choose proper times and opportunities 

 for their addresses, which is no small part of civil prudence. 

 A work upon this doctrine of gesture would not only prove 

 useful in particular cases, but serve as a general rule ; for all 

 men laugh, weep, blush, frown, &c., alike : and this holds of 

 nearly all the more subtile motions. But for chiromancy, it 

 is absolutely a vain thing, and unworthy to be mentioned 

 among those Ave are now treating. 



The interpretation of natural dreams has been much 

 laboured ; but mixed with numerous extravagancies. Wo 

 shall here only observe of it, that at present it stands not 

 upon its best foundation ; which is, that where the same thing 

 happens from an internal cause, as also usually happens from 

 an external one, there the external action passes into a dream. 

 Thus the stomach may be oppressed by a gros.' internal 

 vapour, as well as by an external weight ; whence those who 

 have the night-mare dream that a weight is laid upon them, 

 with a great concurrence of circumstances. So, again, the 

 viscera being equally tossed by the agitation of the waves at 

 sea, as by a collection of wind in the hy})ochondiia, hence 

 melancholy persons frequently dream of sailing and tossing 

 upon the waters ; and instances of this kind are numerous. 



The second part of the doctrine of union, which we call 

 impression, is not yet reduced to an art ; and but occasionally 

 mentioned by writers. This also has two parts : as con- 

 sidering, 1st, how, and to what degree, the humours and 

 constitution of the body may affect the soul, or act upon it ; 

 and 2nd, how, and to what degree, the jDass'ions and appro* 

 heiisions of the soul roay aflect £^4 work upon the body. 



