Wrm rtoM ^-S^A^a^ A METHOD OF CHEIROGNOMY THE SCIENCE OF READLYG CHARACTER BY THE CONFORMATION ' OF THE HAND BY IRVING R. BACON NATIONAL PUBLISHING CO PUBLISHERS NEW VORIv Price, Net, $i.2j Copyrighted, 1904 By Gertrude L. EllermaW All Rights Reserved IXTRODUCTIOX Scoff to your hearit's content, but read ; and, having read, compare with the hands of persons whom you know, what you find set down in this little book, and if the book prove the mir-, ror of the man, recommend it to the study of those whose welfare is not. indifferent to you. For surely notn-' ing can be more helpful than to pos-' sess a glass that M^ill show exactly how one is fitted out to make the journey through a world in which nearly all go groping and stumbling about in ignorance of the means nature has; placed at their disposal. The sage's advice, "Know thyself," is but part of the problem this little book claims to solve. It shows you af one stroke not only what you are and can hope to accomplish, but also what everybody else is at heart, if you will only take the trouble to look at his hands through the spectacles herewith' furnished you. I. E. B. New York City, December, 1903. ILLUSTRATIONS Mind, Business, Sensuality, full page 6 The Thkee Phalanxes, full page 14 Elementa ry Thumb 18 Strong Thumb 19 Kffined Thumb ~0 Nervous Thumb 31 Paddle-shaped Thumb 'S^ Brilliant Thumb 23 Clubbed Thumb 24 The Fingers, full page 26 Spatulate Tip 30 Square Tip 31 Conic Tip 33 Pointed or Psychic Tip 33 The Complete Hand, full page 41 FIRST LESSON 'J'ho person whose hands are being examined is called "the subject." The first thing to do is to note which one of the three divisions of the hand predominates. These di- visions are called the three worlds of Cheirognomy. 1. If the fingers have the appear- ance of being the most prominent part, that is if they seem to be longer than either of the other two divisions, the su])ject is inclined to oe intel- lectual and will have a fondness for mental pursuits, irrespective of the question of profit. 2. If the division marked "Busi- ness" is as long as the fingers o^ longer, it indicates that the subject possesses all the qualifications that 5 constitute a business man. The term "business^' being accepted m the widest sense of the word and includ- ing not only mercantile affairs, but also affairs of state and government; in a word, everything that is calcu- lated to promote the material interests of the subject. 3. If the division marked "Sensu- ality^' has the appearance of being longest, the subject is a seeker after pleasure and subordinates everything to the gratification of his desires. 4. If "mind'' and "business" ap- pear fairly balanced you must read the subject's nature as being a composite of intellectuality and practical energy. This is an excellent combination as too much intellectuality, without busi- ness tact, is apt to produce a dreamer, who accomplishes nothing; while too much business ability with little in- tellectuality makes an avaricious,, hard, grasping nature. 7 5. If "business" and "sensuality"'^ appear fairly balanced, the subject will make money out of gross pursuits, such as running a low concert hall, or a "dive^^ or gambling den. 6. If "mind" and "sensuality" are balanced, the subject is likely to be an erratic poet, or a singer of ribald songs, a person whose thoughts are "wholly occupied with sensuality. If all three divisions are of equal development, the subject's character is well balanced and harmonious, and this is perhaps the best combination of all. II The next thing to note is: 1. Whether the skin is fine or coarse. If fine, the subject will be re- fined in whichever of the three worlds he lives; while if the skin is coarse grained, if the pores are big, he will prefer coarse methods. Be careful to 8 estimate what degree of fineness or eoarseness the skin has, as there are innumerable grades of each. 2. Whether the hands are stiff or flexible. Flexii)ility is shown by the ease with which the hand bends back- ward. The degree of flexibility shows the adaptability of the subject's mind and disposition. The more flexible the hand the greater the brilliancy, versatility and generosity of the sub- ject. The stiff hand belongs to a nature which is hide-bound in old traditions, is conservative, unsym- pathetic, stingy and oposed to every- thing that is novel. Such a one may be trusted with a secret though, for he is close mouted for the same reason that he is close fisted. He is too stingy to part even with a secret. Medium flexibility, that is, the hand that bends back just enough to escape stiffness, is best. It shows a nature that is well-balanced, self-contained, not an extremist, neither chained to old- fogy ism, nor radical to the point of rashness. Such a subject will help those who need help, but will not squander money nor sympathy with a too lavish hand. He is serious and views life as a problem- which he spares no pains to try to understand and solve. 3. Whether the palm of the hand is soft, elastic or hard. This is called ithe hand's consistency. If it is soft: the subject is lazy. The softer, the. lazier. If so soft as to be flabby, it is safe to say that no matter how many good qualities the hand may otlicrwise indicate, the subject will never ac- complish anything. If elastic, the subject will be ener- getic. The more elastic, the more strenuous. Elasticity is shown by the rub1)er- like tendency of the flesh to resume its original conditions after being 10 pressed, while the soft or flabby hand is like putty to the touch. If the consistency is hard, the sub- ject is a hard worker; one who finds delight in labor, but does not possess great intelligence to guide it. The mind is inelastic, and usually it will be found that the hard hand is ac- companied with a coarse texture of skin. 4. Whether the color of the palm is red. pink, white, yellow or bluish. Eed color shows excess of health, and if it goes with a hard, inflexible, coarse-textured hand is apt to brutal- ize its possessor. Pink color indicates normal health and is an excellent sign on any hand. It belongs to a subject who is full of brightness, sunshine and vivacity and whose brain is not clouded by too much blood nor weakened by too little. "White colored palms show lack of blood, consequently lack of heat. Such •11 a subject is cold, unattractive, repel- lent and lacking in force. He is dreamy, unemotional, selfish, mystical, unenthusiastic, unsympathetic and unloving. Yellow palms belong to a bilious [subject. He is constantly depressed, moody, melancholy and always dread- ing and expecting the worst. He is silent, morose and uncompanionable. Gloom, mystery and superstition are his characteristics. Blue or purple color in the palms indicates sluggish circulation of the- blood. It is a health symptom and has no reference to character. All 3'ou can say when you meet a subject whose palms are bluish or purplish is that his heart action is weak, that his blood is congested, that it does not cir- culate freely. iJi SECOND LESSON THE THUMB Unassisted by any other part of the hand, a skillful cheirognomist is able to give am exhaustive reading of a per- son's character from the thumb alone. There are on the thumb, like on all the fingers, three phalanxes: i. The nail phalanx, representing will power. 2. The second phalanx, represent- ing reason. 3. The third phalanx, known as the ball of the hand, representing af- fection. This phalanx is called by cheirognomists the Mount of Venus, or the Mount of Melody. A THE THUMB S SIZE Large thumbs indicate strength of character. Their possessor is guided 13 WILL POWER DtCi^lON ABSLlTir TO PERCEPTION JUDGMENT REA^ONINO fACULTY (look) LOVE SYMPATHY PASSION SEN5»E Of dEAUTY SEN St Of MELODV A. FIRST PMAIANJX B SECOND PHALANX C THIRD PHALANX 14 bv the head. He is a leader^ a seeker after the useful, necessar}- and practi- cal. Small thumbs show weak character. Their possessor is guided by the heart. He is bound to be led, and is fond of the beautiful, poetical and senti- mental. Small thumbs are usually found best developed in the third phalanx (Mount of Venus), and deficient in the other phalanxes, thus showing strong affection without accompany- ing strength of will or reason. In the normal development, the first phalanx should be a trifle smaller than the second. This shows a well^ balanced nature. If the first phalanx is longer than the second, Will is stronger than Sea- son, and such a subject is bound to first act and then reflect, instead of vice versa. He is stubborn and de- spotic, and it is hard to make him 15 realize that it is better to acknowledge 3and correct an error than to suffer its evil consequences. If the second phalanx is very much longer than the first, the subject is a clever reasoner, but rarely if ever ex- ecutes what he plans. He knows what ought to be donC; but lacks the will to do it. B — THE thumb's setting If the thumb is set high on the hand, that is, if it grows out of the hand near the fingers, it indicates a -low degree of intelligence. The further away the base of the thumb is from the fingers the higher the intelligence. A small thumb, high set. is usually seen on the hands of born idiots. A low-set thumb, standing out al- most at right angles from the hand indicates generosity, sympathy, inde- 16 pendence, a nature ready to make sac- rifices to help others. If, m addition, this low-set thumb is flexible, it denotes a subject who scatters money with prodigal waste- fulness. A thumb, whether high-set, low or of medium setting, if carried very close to the side of the hand, indicates great caution, lack of sympathy, fear to say much lest familiarity be in- vited and favors be asked. Such a sub-, ject is narrow in his views, bigoted, secretive. The medium set thumb, which is carried neither very close to the side of the hand nor tends to stick out at Tight angles, is the best." Its possessor is neither prodigal nor stingy, but re- sponds to a reasonable appeal, is sensi- bly generous and in all things, wheth- er business, love, religion or home life, observes ^a proper balance, free alike from meanness and sickly sentimen-, tality. 17 C THE THUIMB's SHAPE 1. The elementary thumb. If looks like a spigot of flesh stuck on to the hand ; has no symmetry and does not show the line of demarkation between the first and second pha- lanxes. Its characteristics are heavi- ness, coarseness, brutality. Its owner cares nothing for the feelings of others and neveii hesitates in his ignorant obstinacy to ride rough-shod over every obstacle in his way. Be careful to observe the degree in whicli the thumb approaches or re- 18 cedes from the elementary type. ^ In- deed, there is no portion of cheirog- nomy in which this precaution of noting degrees ■ should ever be lost sight °of. If, for instance, the first ■suggestion is, " This hand is soft,"^ the very next consideration should be, "To what degree?" And another thing to be borne in mind is proportion. A thumb may be very small and yet, in proportion to the rest of the hand, large, or vice versa. 2. The Strong Thumb. Viewed from the nail side, this thumb is broad in both phalanxes, 19 but it is not as thick and shapeless as the elementary type. And, besides, each phalanx is distinptly discernible. The possession of this thumb has an indomitable will and great physical strength, unless the color of the palm is of the pallid white of anaemia, the yellow of biliousness or the blue or pujple of defective heart action. 3. The Refined Thumb. This shapely thumb has the appear- ance of being of one thickness throughout the two upper phalanxes. It is delicately moulded and speaks of 20 tact and refinement, backed by strong will and reasoning. Its owner ac- complishes his purpose by diplomacy and without wounding anybody's feel- ings and yet with a determination which is rarely shaken. It is to such as these that the simile of the "steel blade in a velvet scabbard'' applies. 4. The Nervous Thumb. It is very flat and when pressed" be- tween "your fingers feels spongy and flabby,- as if all the substance had been squeezed out. It indicates ex- treme nervousness. 21 5. Paddle-shaped Thumb. The first phalanx is very broad, but not necessarily thick. It denotes tre- mendous will-power, and even if the phalanx is short its great breadth shows that the subject is very de- termined, one who is a factor to be reckoned with, and never, under any circumstances, a milksop. It is usu- ally found accompanied with physical weakness, as if to prove the saying that ''nature is parsimonious." 22 6. The Brilliant Thumb. The second phalanx is waist-like. Such a subject possesses a brilliant^ tactful nature. He is an agreeable companion, for he knows exactly how to say and do things calculated to please, and has a faculty of orainino- his ends while seeming to be doing a favoV. 23 $ 7. The Clubbed Thumb. The -will phalanx is thick and rounded and the nail short and coar^^e. This thumb shows almost unconquer- able obstinacy, passion and determi- nation. Although the owner of such a thumb may be easy-going and mild- mannered, he is a dangerous person to arouse. He is apt. in a fit of anger, to lose sight of all consequences and beat out one's brains. 24 THIRD LESSON FINGERS I FINGERS IN GENERAL The finger adjoining the thumb is- called the finger of Jupiter. The one next to that Saturn, then comes Apol- lo, and the small finger is Mercury. The space between the thumb and Jupiter, if wide, indicates generosity, love of independence and intolerance of restraint. The space between Jupiter and Sat- urn wide speaks of independence of thought, a mind that is not bound down by the views and opinions of others. One that has opinions of his own. Saturn and Apollo well separated, denotes a subject careless of the fu- 25 JUPITtR nCRCURY APOLLO SATURN 26 ture; a Bohemian, one devoid of stiff- ness or formality. Apollo and Mercury widely separ- ated, denotes independence in action; one who in his conduct does not care for the opinions of others. These spaces between the fingers must be at the bases of the fingers, and not due to curvature of the fin- gers. AVhen all the fingers are tight to- gether the subject is hard to become acquainted with. He is stiff, formal,' lacking independence of thought and action, stingy because self-centred,, and always looking out for the future.' Saturn should be the longest finger. .It is the balance-wheel of character. Jupiter and Apollo are, when nor- mal, of equal length and should reach to the middle of Saturn's nail pha- lanx. Mercury should reach the base of Apollo's nail phalanx. What characteristics each finger rep- resents will be taught in the fourth lesson. n INDIVIDUAL PHALANXES If the first (nail) phalanx of a given finger is longest it shows that the mental qualities characteristic of that particular finger predominate. If the second phalanx is longest the business qualities characteristic of that particular finger predominate. If the third phalanx is longest^ the more sensual qualities characteristic of that finger predominate. If the third phalanx is very thicks coarseness and brutishness character- ize the subject. If the third phalanx is very long and thick, coarse sensualism, luxuri- 28 ousness and gratification of the ap- petites are sliown. If extremely thick, fondness for eating and drinking is shown. If the third phalanx is waist-like, the subject is a moderate eater and expends his strength in mental or business affairs. Money is valued by him only for the pleasures it can pur- chase. He is apt to be very extrava- gant. He is of an enquiring mind. If the fingers are excessively long and the chinks between them very wide, he is not so much an enquirer as merely an inquisitive prier into everybody's business. Ill FIXGER TIPS There are four primary tips. They are rarely seen in their purity. 29 1. The Spatulate Tip. Finger tips shaped like this show activity, originality, enthusiasm, earn- estness, quick resolve, skill, enterprise, independence, fondness for novelty, for animals, for sport, for anything that enables their owner to give ex- pression to his energy, and activity. 30 2. The Square Tip. A subject with such finger tips loves regularity, order, system, arrange- ment. He thinks and acts by rule, is punctual and assists on others being so. He is polite and a strict observer of social customs. Precedent is his guide through life and he detests de- partures from the old and established. He does nothing by impulse, is careful in , dress, likes history and scientific ivorkSj paintings of natural scenery, of still-life or of buildings. He is skillful m games and apt to be a good sculptor 31 3. The Conic Tip. This is the artistic tip. A person with conic-tipped fingers is impulsive, quick^ intuitive, impressionable. He is swayed by the beautiful and harmo- nious, cares "nothing for system and regularity, usually detests arithmetic, and never has a fixed place for any- thing. He is talented, inclined to idealism' and seeks occupations in which he finds scope for his intuitive powers. He prefers romance to real- ity, and in diet, too, craves more for dainties than for substantial food. He 32 is sympathetic, emotional and easily led. He is not very l;onstant in love. He is poetic, lovable and very attract- ive and very unconventional. 4. The Pointed or Psychic Tip. This is the conic tip carried to ex- cess. Its owner lives entirely in the realm of mentality and has no inter- •est in the materialistic operations of business. He is highly inspirational, and idealistic, and prefers his cloud- land dreams to anything this practi- cal, money-seeking, matter-of-fact world can offer. Beauty is all in all to him. His life is happy ov other- 33 wise in proportion as he has means to secure leisure to indulge his beautiful fancies. He is too ethereal for useful- ness. He is a visionary and is forever chafing under the uncongeniality of every-day, practical surroulndings. Life is unreal and shadowy to him.- His dreams and poetic fancies are the only things that seem to him to be substantial. The tips one usually meets in prac- tice are merely approximations to one or the other of these pure types and must be read as modified by the ex- tent of their departure from the pure type. Sometimes they are a combina^ tion of types, and it happens not in- frequently that each finger has a dif- ferent tip. IV LONG FINGERS Fingers which are as long as the palm or longer, are long fingers. They 34 indicate that the subject is f(nKl of detail, of going into minutia to the neglect of larger affairs. He is sus- picious and never quite sure that his friends are true ; is sensitive and easily offended. He is a careful plodder, neat, tidy, slow, patient, long-winded, thoughtful, watchful, enquiring, and has a good memory. He is inclined to be selfish and stingy. SHORT FINGERS Fingers shorter than the palm are short fingers. A short-fingered sub- ject despises details and wants every- thing considered in its entirety. He is a quick thinker and wants you to come to the point without much cir- cumlocution. He is highly intuitive, is not easily deceived, forms his own opinions while you are still talking, and usually acts upon the spur of the 35 moment. He is hot-headed and ex- tremely strenuous. He cares only for large enterprises^ craves for every- thing on a grand scale, wants to build large structures, lead armies^ control nations, dictate policies. He is dash- ing, but usually slovenly, because he has no time for detail. For the same reason he is careless of etiquette and does not notice slights unless very glaring. He is not over-sensitive and, as a rule, he is of a happy, .cheerful disposition. He is quickrwitted, con- cise in expression and makes a good reporter and short-story teller. VI KNOTTY FINGERS Protuberances at the joints are called knots. Unless produced by rheumatism or adventitious causes they indicate thoughtfulness, analysis, lack of emotion. Such a subject is 36 not led by sentiment. He is ruled by the head not the heart. He is studi- ous and stores hi-s mmd with well- classified, well-digested knowledge. He is skeptical and demands proof for everything. If the first joint is knotted it indi- cates that these qualities apply to the mental side. The second joint knot- ted shows the development of the ma- terial order, of practical common- sense in business matters. A subject with both joints knotted applies the gauge of mental and material neat- ness to whatever he does A knot on a short finger detract.s from its impulsiveness. VII SMOOTH FINGERS If there is no protuberance at the joints the fingers are said to be smootli. Such a subject acts upon im- 37 pulse,, inspiration, intuition. He is artistic in/. taste and inclination and, if the finger tip is conic or pointed, he is -apt to waste his whole life dream- ing of what he will do to-morrow. Only rarely does he accomplish any- thing. Smooth-fingered subjects act upon impressions; they do not like to delve. They think quick, dispose of every- thing more rapidly, but are never as thorough as the knotty-fingered sub- jects. Life is more beautiful to them. They see its artistic side and -are at- tracted by its beauties of color and form. They are seldom skeptics. They are content to take the word of others in matters of religion and are willing to allow much for granted. The Latin races have smooth fin- gers. They love the ritual, pomp and splendor of religious pageantry. The knotty-fingered Puritans care only for simplicity. If the fingers are coarse, smootl>- ness indicates that the subject is fond of showy dress and vulgar display. Smooth fingers are necessary to the actor, as he is sometimes compelled to rely upon the inspiration of the moment to help him out of unfore- seen dilemmas., A knotty-fingered actor would, under similar circum- stances, ponder and probably not hit upon the proper course to pursue until tlie occasion was passed. Xote : — In practice always allow for the modifying or heightening influ- ences of tips, consistency, texture and color. . Thus a smooth finger with a square tip denotes a more practical and successful subject than a smooth- fingered one with a conic tip. And, on the other hand, the chances of suc- cess of the latter are enhanced by pink color, while even the most promising knotty-fingered subject is apt to meet with failure if the color of the palm is pallid white or yellow. 39' FOURTH LESSOX THE SEVEX TYPES OF HUMANITY In nearly all hands there are on the palms fleshy pads or elevations called "Mounts." Each of them has its own name and meaning according to its location in the palm. The following figure shows the loca- tion of the Mounts, together with what each stands for: In some hands all the Mounts are discernible; in others the palm is flat, there is no Mount at all. But, in most individuals, you will find one Mount more conspicuously developed than the others, and in this case you judge the subject to belong to the type of (humanity represented- by that Mount. Four of the Mounts, Jupiter, Sat- urn, Apollo and Mercury, are at the 40 base of eorrespondmgty named fin- gers. If the palm is flat, or, if all the Mounts seem equally developed, a finger often indicates the type the subject belongs to. For instance, if the finger of Jupi- ter is abnormally long, the other fin- gers being normal, the subject may safely be classed as a Jupiterian. This is especially true if the finger of Jupiter is crooked in a lateral di- rection, or also if the other fingers appear to be leaning toward Jupiter. If the conditions just spoken 'of apply to the finger of Saturn, the subject is a Saturnian ; if, to the finger of Apol- lo, an Apollonian, or, if to the finger of Mercury, a Mercurian. One rarely meets with a pure speci- men of any of the seven types. Most subjects are composites, but in nearly every instance, even among compos- ites, there will be found one Mount, > 42 or one finger strongly in the lead. In this case the subject must be classified as of that Mount — tjiye, modified by the characteristics of his other pre-, dominant Mounts. I — JUPITERIANS A Jupiterian is ambitious. He wants to lead, to shine, to be praised. He is loud and blustery, but not quar- Telsome. He possesses self-reliance and is not given to seeking advice from others. He is warm-hearted, sympathetic, generous and despises miserliness. He is courteous and is greatly attracted toward the opposite sex. Note: Throughout these lessons the personal pronoun is used only in the masculine gender. This is for brevity. In all case^ what is said of one sex is intended to be applicable also to the other. 43 To proceed with the lesson, Jupi- terians are fond of display, of pa- geantry. They revere and are great sticklers for custom and precedent. They are inclined to be religious, and honor is all in all to them. They ob- serve law and order, and although as- piring to rule, they are essentially lovers of peace. Ancient lineage and family traditions count for much with them, but despite their pride and aris- tocratic leaning they are usually adored by the poor and oppressed, because they are eminently just and always readv to support^the down- troddem They are predisposed to marry early in life, and their choice is usually one with whom they expect to ,be able to "show off." Disappointment in this respect is one of their greatest sources of unhappiness. The besetting sin ot Jupiterrans is gluttony. Of course, comparatively 44 few real Jupiterians yield to this temptation, although most of them are epicures, but gluttony is a sting ever present and becomes the fruitful source of indigestion, gout, vertigo and finally apoplexy A very thick third phalanx of the finger of Jupiter is an infallible sign of gluttony. II — SATURXIAXS Wisdom, prudence, foresight; cau- tion, studio usness, sobriety, patience, indefatigable industry and economy are the chief good traits of this type of man. His unenviable traits are cynicism, skepticism, suspicion, lack of venera- tion, melancholy, superstition, stingi- ness, dislike and jealousy of, others, and malevolence to the point of gloat- ing over the sufferings he inflicts. The Saturnian loves solitude. He shuns society, is a profound student,' 45 'Yery fond of occult studies, also of mathematics, chemistry ' and physics. Agriculture and mining are his favor- ite pursuits. Being prudent, cautious and con- servative he rarely speculates. Real estate investments are preferred by him to gambling in, stocks and bonds. He is cold-blooded and repellent, scarcely even amorous and rarely mar- ries. He IS independent, frets at re- straint, cannot brook contradiction, but often allows himself to be led by permission when threats have failed to. drive him. His gloom is largely due to the fact that; he is exceedingly bilious, and to this cause are to be attributed nearly all the ailments from which he suffers, those to which he. is most subject be- ing nervousness, paralyses (usually of the lower limbs), rheumatism, vari- cose veins and ear trouble. 46 It is from this type that most sui- cides and also many criminals are re- cruited. Ill — APOLLOXIAXS Xot all ApoUonians are artists, al- though it is customary to suppose, them so. It is certain, though, that they all love beauty of form and color/ but, according as the upper or middle or lower of the three world's rules, or as the first, second or third phalanx of the finger of Apollo is longest, or as the texture of the skin is fine, medium or coarse, or as any of the other cheir- <3gnomic conditions heretofore treated of prevails, the Apollonian will be t?ither an artist or a merchant with rare good taste, or a shoddy, loud- mouthed pretender, with a taste for only vulgar beauty and garish colors. The following are characteristics of the Apollonian type: He loves beauty, enjoys life, is bril- 47 liant, versatile, highly intuitive, sees through things quicker than others, adapts himself easily to all conditions, can make himself "all things to all men," has a knack of making much' out of little, especially in matters of knowledge; is inventive and able to clothe old ideas in a new garb, making them appear to be his own ; he is re- pelled by whatever lacks beauty, is- fond of fine clothes, is warm in friend- ship, but very inconstant; attracts hosts of friends, w^ho are anxious to serve him, l3ut soon fall off on ac- count of the neglect to which his in- constancy subjects them; he is very logical and expresses himself easily in clear terms, and is very frank ; he is a quick money-maker, but ^ends just as quickly ; he is religious, but not in- clined to be fanatical; is quick tem- pered, but only for the moment, and is not resentful ; he is fond of travel- ling; is honest and readily acknowl- 48 edges his faults. He is usually un- happy in marriage because he pitches his ideal of a wife too high. If the finger of Apollo is nearly as long as Saturn, the subject inclines to take great risks in everything. He will stake life, liberty, money, repu- tation in pursuing his aims.' If Apollo is longer than the finger of Saturn, you have the reckless gam- bler. If the finger of Apollo is, in addi- tion, crooked, you have the tricky gambler. IV — MERCURIAXS They are the quickest, shrewdest, most active of the seven types. From their ranks are recruited the great orators, scientists, doctors, lawyers, actors, teachers and business men. If the finger of Mercury is crooked (indicating added shrewdness), and the color of the hand yellow from bil- 49 iouf^ness, the subject is apt to be a bad Mercurian. It is such as these that constitute liars^, swindlers, cheats, stock-jobbers, bank robbers, "get-rich- quick" schemers, pickpockets. But be not too quick to judge harshly. First examine the hands for all signs that tend to confirm this judgment, lest you lay yourself open to an act of in- justice. The general characteristics of the Mercurian type are shrewdness, un- erring intuition in judging human nature, tireless energy, great skill in everything, thus making the Mercu- rian the victor in all sports and games in which dexterity and mental acumen rather than brute force are required; he is graceful, tactful, adroit, diplo- matic, crafty, persuasive and especial- ly astute in the use of "figureheads." Whenever you feel that there is a "power behind the throne" look for a Mercurian. 50 He is fond of the study of sciences^ especially mathenfiatics. He is a splen- did mimic, but the two things that are pre-eminently his are shrewdness and quickness in judging human nature. For this reason fake clairvoyants, for- tune tellers, psychics, spiritualists, in fact nearly all humbugs will be found to be Mercurians. With the first phalanx of Mercury longest, look for the orator, writer, lawyer, teacher, actor. With the second phalanx longest, look for the physician or scientist. With the third phalanx longest, you have the shrewd business man; where- in Mercury differs from the other fingers, the second phalanx usually standing for business, the third for baser desires. V— -MARTIANS This is the fighting type, whether 51 with the sword, the fist or the intel- lect. You will see on the map of the ^lounts at the beginning of this les- son, that there are an upper and a lower Mount of Mars as well as a Plain of Mars lying between them. The lower Mount represents aggres- sion ; the upper Mount, resistance ; the plain, if developed, sudden temper. Nearly all hands shaw some martial development. If there is no such de- velopment at all the subject is one who allows himself to be trampled npon; is easily discouraged in the struggle for existence and is unable to make even brilliant qualities available. The resistance of the upper Mount renders the Martian cool and col- lected under al] circumstances; he re- tains presence of mind in danger and is never disheartened by defeat. A good upper Mount will enable even a flnllard to succeed in life by dint of sheer perseverance. 52 Nearly all suicides have a deficient upper Mount of Mars. The lower Mount greatly developed denotes one who loves strife, who " would rather fight than eat." If, with a well-developed lower Mount there is no accompanying up- per Mount, the subject will be hector- ing bully who backs down as soon as his '' bluff is called." These are the general characteristics of the type : bravery, energ}', deter- mination, patience. in enduring and suffering, brusqueness. Strenuous- ness is one of his principal traits. He is domineering, yet means well. He is generous, has a host of friends and is equally ready to fight or spend his'. money for them. He is fond of rough sports, and gives and demands fair play. He is proud and fond of show. While not criminal by nature, he needs refining influences to keep him from becoming brutal. He is apt to 53 yield to drunkenness and lascivious- ness, and if he becomes a murderer lie does so in a brutal manner. If he steals, it is not for gain, but to have the wherewithal to gratify his pas- sions. VI — THE LUXARIAXS This is the coldest, least passionate of the types, but the most imaginative. Lunarians are extremely nervous, restless, fond of change and conse- qu-ently of travelling, especially on water. They are dreamy, fanciful, idealistic and possess considerable facility of speech which, owning to their strong imao^ination, is full of quaint turns. They make good lin- guists, composers, musicians, fiction writers. They. lack self-confidence, are lazv, mentally as well as physically, and are selfish and ungenerous. Fi-ckleness is 54 one of their chief traits. They always jearn for the unattainable and are melancholy, mystical, superstitious, phlegmatic and sensitive. They eat much, but are not sensual nor amorous nor affectionate, and make poor marriage-mates. When their imagination is excessive Lunarians incline to insanity. The asylums are filled with them, just as the prisons are filled with Saturn ians and Mercurians. With their bad side developed. Lun- arians are liars, deceitful, hypocriti- cal, mean, cowardly, insolent and» without being passionate are subject to nymphomania or satyriasis on ac- count of their exuberance of vile im- aginings. VII — VENUSIANS. This is the handsomest, most cheer- ful, lovable and attractive of the seven types. A good Venusian is sym- 55 pathetic, soulful, ardent, unselfish, tender, affectionate, generous, con- stant and full of passion held in check by a magnanimous heart. He is fond of amusement, dancing and society; is careless, improvident ,and apt to pursue pleasure to the neg" lect of his more permanent interests. He is bright, vivacious, effervescent, cares little for riches, less for ambi- tion and loves the beautiful rather than the useful. He is honest,, truthful, forgiving and though often deceived, retains his generosity. The Mount of Venus is also called the Mount of Melody, for the Venus- ian loves music, especially of the gay sort. By a strange irony the Venusian makes a splendid tragic actor, while the sombre Saturnian is good at comedy. In hjs writings also the Venusian pursues a sad strain. 56 In a bad development Venusians yield to low appetites, have a vulgar, debased taste, love low, obscene litera- ture and pictures and ribald talk and are conscienceless debauches. Note. — Each Mount-type must be read m conjunction with the Cheirog- nomic characteristics contained in the preceding lessons. In this way the stu- dent will soon be able to tell the dif- ference between, say, a Jupitarian with long fingers and one with short -fingers, one with hard hands and one with hands of an elastic consistency, •etc. L 5 LJ!.f'AKV 5 000 007 903