PALMISTRY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3914, 5 February 1884, Page 4

PALMISTRY.

Since tho interest in palmistry has been revived we havo become more or less inclined (says the Pall Mall Gazette) to regard oui-ltandir-iTithmoro tlinn common respect aa the oracloa by which our virtues as well as our shortcomings aro reglstored, aud on which to a great measure our weal or woe is dopcndent. And ns in palmistry tho thumb plays a chiof part, so wo find that in ancient as well as in modern timos that member of the hand has beon of great historical and Social importance. An article on "thumb loro " in the Antiquary initiates us nil in the legends which have beon formod of tho thumb. We aro told that "in the remotest days of antiquity," among Goths, Iberians, and Moors, tho licking of tho thumb was regarded as a solemn pledge or promise. Another custom, of oven greater grace and olegance, was common in Scotland, whero among tho lower olasses bargains were concluded by " lickings nnd joinings of thumbs." But tho samo ceremony waß not always and everywhere a sign of agreement or a form of business ; licking or biting tho thumb was often a challange, as in Romeo and Juliet, or as in Decker's Dead Term, an act to "beget quarrels." Sir Walter Scott also alludes to it in this sense, and many stories are told where the biting of the thumb, or even of tho glovo, caused death and destruction. Kissiug tho thumb was regarged as a sign of servility, the ceremony being performed at interviews of tradesmen with superior customers. The important part which tho Emperor's thumbs played in the days of gladiators is well Jcnown ; not so, perhaps, tho Chinese custom which still provails, to preserve an impression of the thumbs of criminals, by which, as the thumb jh said never to change in its formation and other characteristics, miilefaotors are indentified on future commltals. The very Latin name poll** is by antiquaries S Anted out as being the root from whioh „ wcntfjwtffcwrt, "to pronto engage.