742 Analyses of Books, [December, 
soon demolish the others.” He adds in a note that Mr. Walford 
is preparing a chronology of plagues. 
In fadl there is an open and palpable difficulty in the way of 
these cycles as far as the weather and the crops are concerned. 
Different parts of the same hemisphere, and even of the same 
continent, are differently affected. During the past summer, 
western Europe, as far as Italy, Switzerland, and western 
Germany, inclusive, has suffered from cold and wet, whilst 
Hungary, Russia, and the Balkan Peninsula, have basked in sun- 
beams, and enjoyed a harvest so bountiful that much of it has 
been left ungathered ! 
In conclusion the author expresses his belief that the British 
Isles and western Europe will be affedted in such a way as to 
induce warmer and drier weather. This prophesy, as far as the 
British empire is concerned, is largely tempered with evil, for 
he goes on to say that “the opposite conditions may be expedted 
to prevail in India, Australia, and North America.” 
The Mind in the Face ; an Introduction to the Study of Phy- 
siognomy. By W. McDowall. London : L. N. Fowler. 
Edinburgh and Glasgow : Menzies and Co. 
That character, ability, and all that is included under the term 
“ mental disposition,” are to some extent shown in the face, is 
an opinion of venerable age. Like many such opinions it con- 
tains an element of truth which deserves candid appreciation, 
elimination from accompanying errors, and careful culture. 
Hence the work before us has a legitimate objedt, and merits 
public attention. It would obviously be no small gain to the 
world if those peculiarities of the features in which every man 
differs more or less from every other man could be found to be 
— in mathematical phrase — functions of the equally endless 
varieties of character. 
Many an upright man would find his path smoothed, and many 
a villain would be brought to an unexpected check in his career, 
if his inward nature could be even approximately read by his 
neighbours. 
But this problem is admittedly difficult. All observers must 
admit that there are, on the one hand, persons whose dispositions 
or aptitudes — whether good or evil — are readily apparent, whilst, 
on the other, there are those whom we pronounce inscrutable. 
“ What do you think of Mr. X ? ” “I can’t make him out.” 
Who has not heard this question and reply ? 
The author of the treatise before us fully admits that phy- 
siognomy is fragmentary, and that its chief exponent, Lavater, 
