The office of this organ is to enable us to compare differences, to note resemblances, and to perceive analogies. By it we are enabled to adapt one thing to another so as to produce a harmonious whole. It prompts to the use of figurative language in writing and conversation. Those in whom it is large, trace similitudes and affinities between objects and events which entirely escape the observation of others in whom the organ is small. It prompts to reasoning, but not in the line of necessary consequence. It explains one thing by comparing it with another. It gives ingenuity in discovering unexpected glimpses and superficial coincidences.
Predominant.—With Comparison predominant, one will be enabled to analyze subjects, and to detect inconsistencies with the greatest facility and readiness, and will almost intuitively perceive the misapplication of facts and principles. His expressions will be characterized by great precision and clearness, and his arguments will be explained with a great variety of happy illustrations.
Large.—With Comparison large, one will be strongly given to criticising and analyzing, and will readily detect fallacies and improprieties that would escape the observation of those in whom this organ is small. If Ideality and Individuality are large, his language will abound with elevated metaphors and figures of speech, but if Causality is small, his judgment will be defective. If Secretiveness is small, and Combativeness and Self-esteem large, he will be strongly inclined to criticise every observation he hears, and will thus excite enmity and ill-will. With large Eventuality and Individuality, will have a great taste for the study of natural science, and will be extremely fond of classifying their phenomena, and of comparing the various qualities of physical objects with each. He will likewise be fond of the study of history, and will habitually compare and classify the various transactions with those of similar characteristics. If the Perceptive organs generally are large and Causality small, he will be possessed of good practical talents, but will be devoid of originality of mind. He will be calculated to succeed in a course of life in which he has the example of able men, but he will be utterly unable to deviate from the beaten road and assume the lead for himself.
Moderate.—With Comparison but moderate, one’s powers of analyzation and criticism will not be conspicuous. With an active brain and a favourable intellect generally, he will be enabled to perceive the force of figurative language, and will often indulge in it, but his metaphors will lack force and appropriateness. With Individuality and Eventuality large, will possess a great store of facts, but will be unable to arrange and classify them. If Causality is large, he will readily perceive the errors in an argument, but he will lack the power to point out and apply the exact replication.
Small.—One having Comparison small, will be excessively dull, and will lack discernment and discrimination. The most obvious resemblances can hardly be made manifest to him.
TEMPERAMENTS.
The term Temperament, says a late writer, is applied to those differences of external appearance which are supposed to indicate the comparative state of the fibres of the body as they are more or less dense, or as possessing one of the functions of life in greater activity, or one of the constituents of the animal body in greater quantity than another; or in short, certain states or conditions of the body, which are found to exercise more or less influence in exciting or repressing the action of the organs.
The Temperaments as they are usually enumerated, are four in number, to wit: the Lymphatic; the Sanguine; the Bilious; and the Nervous.
In persons of a Lymphatic Temperament, the brain is sluggish and performs its functions in a feeble but steady manner. The individual is averse to severe exertion, and requires much stimuli to move him. As a general rule, he will be averse to either mental or bodily activity.
Those of a Sanguine Temperament are easily excited, and easily depressed, fond of pleasure, and averse to severe exertions. They live for the present, rather than the future. The actions of the mind are quick, rather than powerful.