A pair of eyes which looks every one cheerfully and frankly in the face, with an air of simple joy and unaffected innocence, yet, when surprised, droops to the ground, with a certain sly bashfulness, or, when offended by another’s glance, turns aside blushing and confused, such a pair of eyes, indicates an amiable character, a faithful heart, a sound understanding, and a pure soul.
A being with such a pair of eyes we cannot help loving, let the eyes be black, brown, blue, gray, green, or yellow, let the nose be stumpy, and the features ill-shaped, no one can help regarding their possessor with a feeling of hearty kindness and good will, if not with actual love.
Of the Eye-Brows. Upright eyebrows are amiable; the eyebrows hanging over, indicate an effeminate person; the brows very hairy, denote an industrious, affectionate man; the brows extending to the temples, usually signify a slovenly man.
Of the Ears. Open ears usually indicate but little reason; great ears not too much wisdom; very small ears foolishness; square ears of medium size, prudence.
Of the Nostrils. The nostrils thick and strong, betoken strength; if round, fair, and drawn in length, they are a sign that the person is merry and courageous; if narrow and round, they are mostly indicative of an envious and foolish person.
Of the Mouth. A very large mouth, with the upper lip hanging over, usually signifies a foolish, unsteady person, a rash man and a babbler. A mouth not too large, indicates a bold and courageous man; and a small mouth, a clever man.
Of the Face. A lean face is an indication of a wise man; the face plain and fat, denotes a person addicted to strife. The face without any rising and swelling, indicates a penurious person; a sad face sometimes denotes foolishness, and at other times wisdom; a fat face indicates a man to be inclined to untruth; a round face signifies folly; a great face denotes a man slow about business; a well-proportioned face indicates a person to have virtuous qualities.
Of the Nails on the Fingers. Broad nails show the person to be bashful, fearful, but of gentle nature. When there is a certain white mark at the extremity of them, it shows that the person has more honesty than subtlety. White long nails denote much sickness, but are sometimes indicative of strength and deceit. If upon the white anything appears at the extremity that is pale, it denotes short life; but if the white is clear and smooth, it signifies long life.
Of the Head. A large head shows a person stupid, and dull of apprehension; also a very small head signifies the same; but the head of a man being neither great nor small, is the prognostic of a wise man; for all extremes are irregular and a deviation from nature, and experience has made it manifest, that a great head and small members do always produce great indiscretion and folly in either man or woman; but we must also consider the several parts of the head: and first,
Of the Forehead. A large forehead shows a liberal man; but the forehead narrow, denotes a foolish person; a long forehead shows one apt to learn; a high forehead, swelling and round, is a sign of a crafty man, and a coward; a forehead full of wrinkles, shows a man to be envious and crafty.