The Temperaments are commonly stated to be four only, and their sub-divisions; as these are united in the same individual. These are, the Nervous, Sanguine, the Bilious, and the Lymphatic; they are however rarely met with in a separate state, the greater number of persons presenting a mixed temperament, the most predominant of which are the Sanguine-Bilious and the Sanguine-Nervous, a milder form of Lymphatic and the Lymphatic with the Sanguine, Bilious and Nervous, may be stated as producing twelve varieties. Temperament may be defined as the natural constitutional tendency of the individual, producing a disposition to exert certain faculties more than others: for this reason they must be carefully studied, that their active and passive influence upon the mind may be ascertained. Their action is chiefly manifested in the energy or apathy, of the individual’s character; for when properly balanced, by their equal influence on a well cultivated mind, they produce the beautiful harmony of feeling, that leads to a right estimation of things whether moral, intellectual, or physical; by their combined influence in the physical man, that is on the passions and affections, or, on the intellectual being, that is, the perceptives actives, and the reflectives passive,—or upon the higher sentiments, when the moral energy is active, and the spiritual zeal passive,—they produce the noblest developement of character that can actuate human nature—the disunity of these produces but a heathen morality on the one hand, or religious fanaticism on the other: in the mind too, while there is an active perception of facts, without due reflection on causes, or the reverse of these, the mind may be led into an excess of its favourite pursuit, to the ultimate loss of much mental power. When rightly exercised however, the spiritual unity of body, mind and soul, produces a vigorous pursuit of whatever is great and good in human nature.
The Temperaments may be generally referred to some particular constitution of the organic system—whole families are sometimes of a similar temperament, and at others no two members are alike: a great portion probably depends upon parental causes, in the same way that family likenesses are often observed, probably they may be referred to the blood as a chief cause, the active circulation producing great action on the brain and nerves originating the nervous: a fulness of the circulating medium may produce the sanguine; a muscular developement the bilious; a sluggish system the lymphatic. The classification of the temperaments, and their combined influence upon the three-fold nature of man may be best understood from careful observation: when pure they present the following appearances;—
1. A NERVOUS TEMPERAMENT is indicated by a pale complexion, features sharp and angular, delicate texture of the muscular system, fine silky hair, delicate health, quickness of perception and great susceptibility; persons under the influence of this temperament are very sensitive,—act more from impulse and feeling than from principle, and feel great languor when exhausted.
2. The LYMPHATIC TEMPERAMENT, is marked by a full fleshy outline,—round features,—pale complexion, light straightish hair,—pulse slow, muscles soft and the disposition lukewarm and indolent: the circulation being feeble, the mental manifestations are proportionately sluggish and weak.
3. The BILIOUS TEMPERAMENT is distinguished by dark hair, skin of a yellow hue and coarse angular features, eyes active, and often with a severe expression, the muscles firm and well developed;—the pulsations partake of great energy which extends also to the brain.
4. The SANGUINE TEMPERAMENT is evident from a clear florid complexion,—features well formed and fleshy,—the muscles full and tolerably firm, mild expression in the eye,—auburn or brown hair, eyes blue or sometimes hazel,—disposition lively and cheerful.
These, with their combinations will produce all the common varieties, and where they are well united in a single individual the union generally improves the character.
ON THE VARIETIES OF THE