EXPRESSION.

Observer, Volume 4, Issue 86, 6 May 1882, Page 121

EXPRESSION.

Expression may be defined as the outward sign of inward feeling. . I do not believe that a person's expression of face is, as a rule, v an index of their character ; it is more often the moral signboard (to coin an expression) of their temperament, between which and character a wide line must be drawn. I am now speaking of facial expression : those looks which are fondly believed by some to be the outcome of the i Divine presence which dwells within us. i ' The most powerful adjunct in giving the face expression is, of course, 1 the eyes — those windows of the soul — through which shine whatever " flowers' of .Eden we still inherit." Among the numbers of people that I daily meet, I cannot help noticing how very few possess eyes dark enough. Very dark brown, hazel (or red) are common enough ; but excepting . among Maoris or foreigners, I have never seen a pair of really black eyes. I can call to mind that most of our fairest Auckland faces have eyes of the lighter I tints— blue or grey — which, tints seem by right j Divine to belong to women, womanly women, you know, Mr Editor, not the Newmarket-coat-and-hard-felt-hat concerns. On the other hand men have a prior right to dark eyes, they express .masculine nature better. In the words of the boet : — - "So let them reign— without control : ; The black for mind, the blue for soul." i One-of the best studies forejudging expression

that anyone could meet with is the picture " Spirit of Justice " in the Auckland Museum. Grazing at it, one sees in the three central figures the most sublime conception of expression. IvL the shrinking and evil-looking criminal, and- the crouching slave, are pourtrayed expressions of extreme degradation on one hand, and utter desolation on the other. One can scarcely look on the face of the central figure and not feel th& better for it. The look of holy calmness with, which she gazes upwards, as if in silent entreaty for guidance to Him who has said " Vengeance i 3 mine," is a softly blended mixture of pity and firmness. The face of the Angel of Mercy expresses nothing but infinite charity ; the beautiful eyes, dimmed by tears, seem to ask, not Justice but mercy. I wish Mr Trevithick would criticise(or " word paint ") the picture for the benefit of the community. I must confess to being very hazy about the reading of it. ■ In ordinary social life, one sees very few people with bad expressions of face. When we do, I notice it is more from the effects of ill-health and ill-temper, than from " vice grown old in desperate hardihood," ' as Byron has it. GJ-EAFTOir.