We scruple not to admit, that at present the system is incomplete. We rather court inquiry, and solicit additional facts, than peremptorily dogmatize on conclusions drawn from our own limited—though extensive—number of observations. But it is so much the fashion for every wild theorist to dogmatize on his theory, and insist upon it, per fas et nefas, as perfect, unassailable, and complete, that it is almost deemed reprehensible to suggest a notion for the consideration of the world, or to propound anything which the author is modest enough to admit is improvable. Such, however, was not the manner of the true philosophers of former days. If Copernicus had delayed propounding the system of the universe which bears his name, until he could explain by it all the planetary and sidereal motions, it might have slumbered unknown for another century or two, and so we should not yet have arrived at our present enlarged understanding of it. If Bacon had waited for a complete Natural History, ere he published his Novum Organum, we might still have been groping after the Sciences with the dark lantern of Aristotle and the schools. If Newton had withheld his theory of Light until he could burn a diamond, our knowledge of the nature of light might still be in its infancy.

These examples must furnish an apology for submitting for candid consideration and further development, a theory which we believe to be well-founded, but which is capable of improvement and extension.

Subject to the foregoing remarks, the following Physical Classification of Noses[[4]] is submitted, as being, in part, well-known and long-established, because well-defined and clearly marked:—

ClassI.The Roman, or Aquiline Nose.
ClassII.The Greek, or Straight Nose.
ClassIII.The Cogitative, or Wide-nostrilled Nose.
ClassIV.The Jewish, or Hawk Nose.
ClassV.The Snub Nose, and
ClassVI.The Celestial, or Turn-up Nose.

Between these there are infinite crosses and intermixtures which will at first embarrass the student, but which, after a little practice, he will be able to distinguish with tolerable precision. A compound of different Noses will of course indicate a compound character; and it is only in the rather rare instance of a perfect Nose of any of the classes that we find a character correspondingly strongly developed. We shall endeavour to support each part of the hypothesis by well-defined and striking instances, selecting the most decided and perfect noses of each class, and at the same time the most peculiar and decided characters.

Class I. The Roman, or Aquiline Nose, is rather convex, but undulating, as its name aquiline imports. It is usually rugose and coarse; but when otherwise, it approaches the Greek nose, and the character is materially altered.

It indicates great decision, considerable Energy, Firmness, Absence of Refinement, and Disregard for the bienséances of life.

Class II. The Greek, or Straight Nose, is perfectly straight; any deviation from the right line must be strictly noticed. If the deviation tend to convexity, it approaches the Roman Nose, and the character is improved by an accession of energy; on the other hand, when the deviation is towards concavity, it partakes of the “Celestial,” and the character is weakened. It should be fine and well chiselled, but not sharp.