The Art of Hand Reading. IN TWO CHAPTERS.—CHAPTER I.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1833, 5 April 1884, Page 6 (Supplement)

The Art of Hand Reading. IN TWO CHAPTERS. — CHAPTER I.

Within the last few months we have on several occasions met in society people who have professed a belief in what is called " Chiromanoy," that is, the art of reading the past and future, as well as the present, of our lives from the meie inspection of our hands. In this paper wo propose to set forth, not exhaustively, some of the principles of this science which appear to U 3 interesting or curioua. But we wish distinctly to impress upon our readers that we can in no way commit ourselves to the explanations given by chirornants ; we regard (he interpretations when accurate as coincidences, and, of course, any attempt at prophocy is out of question. At the same time, some interesting and curiouji circumstances have been brought to our knowledgo by chiromants, and we ourselves have with som« trouble mastered the first principles of this so-called science, which professes to enable people to discover their tiue nature, and to inform themselves concerning their friends' characters and dispositions. With this preface, distinctly declining to pledge ourselves to the infallibility of the evidence so adroitly adduced from the various lines and mounts of the hand, the shape of the fingers, and other characteristics, we will set foith the means whereby the chiromants claim to read destiny. Any one can then inform himself or herself as to the truth or fallacy of the "mysteries" of the hands which are supposed to be written upon them ; but we do not advise any one to believe in chiromancy. With this understanding we will proceed to explain the so-called art of hand-reading as it was explained to us. It may be accepted a3 a truth that in any ordinary company no two pairs of hand-} will bo found alike— perhaps exactly alike will be the more accurate phrase. The lines on the palm are common to all, as features are common to every face. But the depth, colour, direction, and continuity of these lines differ essentially, just as eyes, nose, mouth, chin, and ears differ, although at fiisfc sight so much alike. _ Chiromancy is now divided into two portions, \iz., ChirogiDini/, which includes the study of the shape of the hand as a whole ; and Chiromancy, which treat 3of the lines and monnd3 of the "palm. The former we must only notice very briefly. There are seven different typos of hands, which can easily be recognised^ by an attentive observer ; these derive their characteristics from the disposition of the individual. Chiromantb claim to tell a man's hand from knowing his tastes and pursuits. We have, then, seven types of hands which ore divided thus :—: —

1. The Sanguine or Jupiteiian type. 2. The Bilious or Saturnian type. 3. The Nervous or Mercuiial typa. 4. The Martial or Labouring type. 5. The Sanguine-Lymphatic or Lunar type. 6. The Nervo-Lymphatic or Venusian type. 7. The Harmonic or Solar type. Another authority (M. d'Arpentigny) has put the types in the following category, viz. — The Elementary, the Spatulate, the Artistic, the Useful, the Psychic, the Philosophio, the Mixed hands. But in this paper we will use the former list, without attempting to compare the authorities, or to reconcile the various characteristics of each list with the other. We may add that the thumb is a very important feature in the hand, for a large thumb indicates independence ; small ones a tendency to sentiment, and their owners act more upon impulse than upon reflection. We give these indications as we find them without comment, as we will continue to do throughout, except where such comment is necessary for a true comprehension of the claims of the chiromants. Let us now examine briefly the seven types of hands. We will commence with Jupiter as he rules the index finger, and the Jupiterian type is physiologically the most perfect, as the Solar is the most elegant of hands. The Jupiter type of hand is justly proportioned ; the tips of the iingerß are square, with the exception of the forefinger, which is rather pointed, a token of command. Positivism is expressed in the Equare tips; the third phalange of the fingers are thick, there are no marks upon them ; this signifies rapidity of decision. The Mound of Jupiter (marked b in the annexed figure) is underneath the forefinger. The Saturnian type has long fingers, bony, and knotted at the joints; the akin ib dull and without colour. People of this temperament walk gravely, like Orientals, and are of

a "bilious" nature. The mound under the long middle finger Is the Mount of Saturn, and the line which passes from it to the base of the h^nd is the Line of Fate, marked 4. The Mercurial type indicates a nervous temperament ; a quick-moving person. The hand is fine and yet strong, with slender fingers, the littlo finger being longer than usual in other hands, and it is pointed (it may be squared a little). The Mount of Mercury, k, 13 underneath this finger, and highly developed. The Martial hand indicates force of character ; the palm is large, and the centre, where is the Plain of Mara, will be found hard. The fingers exhibit considerable " indosily." The Mount of Mars, f, may or may not be present in these hands. If absent, the individuals are not quarrelsome nor courageous. The Lunar hand is comparatively speaking plump and long, the skin is soft and smooth, and the fingers become enlarged as they descend. The interior of the hand is soft and pliant, which tells of a yielding nature. The Mounts of Saturn, c, and Jupiter, n, will bo found depressed upon such Lunar hands, and the Mount of the Moon, a, developed upon the lower portions apposite Venus, a, and the thumb. The characteristics of the Lunar type of individual are, amongst other things, mobility and inoonstanoy; fondness of change, and frivolity; but useful in the fingers. The Venusian type of hand is well made »nd with white soft skin. The ringers are rather short, pliable, and rounded, indicating a somewhat indolent or voluptuous oharacter, but sensible and benevolent. This in its best form id somotira.es called the " Psychic" hand. The Solar type is a very pretty hand, with somewhat remarkably long "annular" or thiid lingers, many lines crossing the root of this finger from the Line of the Heart, 1. The characteristics of the possessors aie artistic tastes, poetry, and generosity. The foregoing are some of the most apparent characteristics of the seven different forms of hands, but the amateur chiromant will devote himself to the motint3 and lines of the palm, which should first b8 studied in the left, hand, and then corrected by the right.