be broken it indicates " inconstancy in friendship, and a contempt 

 for females amounting to rudeness." There are many other indi- 

 cations connected with this hne, its redness, or paleness, direction 

 of its cross lines, width, depth, &c., &c., which mean all sorts of 

 wonderful things bearing om matters connected with the heart, but 

 which I must leave you to study for yourselves under the guidance 

 of M. Desbarrolles, as they are of too sentimental and frivolous a 

 nature for our austere society. I may mention, however, that if 

 this line be bifurcated, and one branch ascend to the index finger, 

 it is the sign of tranquil happiness. A hand destitute of the line 

 of the heart " is not only devoid of sympathy, but is indicative of 

 of bad faith." The line of the head begins midway between the 

 thumb and fore finger, and runs diagonally across the palm. 

 •' When direct and well developed it indicates sound judgement and 

 a lucid understanding ; if very extended and straight, an extreme 

 degree of economy and love of money. Should it descend suddenly 

 towards the mound of the moon, it signifies prodigality. Should 

 it form a decided cross with the hepatic line there will be a strong 

 tendency to mysticism and superstition ; if pale and broad, " a 

 defect in intellect and want of circumspection." If it extends only 

 to the middle of the palm, it signifies " indecision, feebleness of 

 will." Other peculiarities are supposed to indicate injuries to the 

 head, a tendency to homicide, &c., &c. If this line bifurcates, 

 one line proceeding onwards and the other downwards, it signifies 

 self-deception and hypocrisy. If it be long, thin and ill defined, it 

 indicates "bad faith and infidelity," and so on. The line of life 

 surrounds the base of the thvimb ; if well formed, of good colour, 

 and surrounding entirely the root of the thumb, it indicates " a 

 long and happy hfe, devoid of any grave illnesses." When pale 

 and broad, it is the mdex of bad health, and an unamiable disposi- 

 tion." When large and deeply coloured, violence and brutality. 

 When livid with red spots, passion and fury. Lines arising from 

 the line of life and tending upwards, indicate aspirations of the 

 mind towards elevated objects. When this line presents an 

 irregular form, i.e. more marked in some places than in others, it 

 is indicative of unequal temper and anger unrestrained." 



There are various " accessory lines," especially three arising at 

 the lower part of the palm, and diverging in a fanlike manner as 

 they ascend. These are the lines of Saturn on the thumb side, 

 Apollo in the middle, and the hepatic, or liver hne on the outside. 

 When the line of Saturn proceeds from the line of life it partakes 

 more or less of its qualities, and then its different appearances in- 

 dicate the same things. When it proceeds from the wrist and 

 ascends in a direct line to the root of the middle finger it is indica- 

 tive of much happiness. Should it penetrate and ascend into the 



