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In this situation, and with these qualities, he was accidentally led to turn his attention, in a particular manner, to the expression of human sentiment and character in the varied conformation of the countenance, head, and other parts of the frame, in the complexion, in the habitual motions and attitudes, in the temperament of health, &c. He perceived that, in all these, not only transient passion, but even the more permanent qualities of character, are often very distinctly expressed. He carried his observations, in his way, much farther than any other person had before advanced.Success inflamed his imagination; and he became an enthusiast in the study of physiognomy. The opinions relative to it, which he propagated, were a medley of acute observation, ingenious conjecture, and wild reverie. They were divulged by him in conversation, and in a multitude of fragments, which he and his disciples soon assembled into volumes. Novelty, mystery, and the dreams of enthusiasm, have inexpressible charms for the multitude: every one was eager to learn to read his neighbour's heart in his face. In Switzerland, in Germany, in France, even in Britain, all the world became passionate admirers of the physiognomical science of Lavater.

His books, published in the German language, were multiplied by many additions. In the enthusiasm with which they were studied and admired, they were thought as necessary in every family, as even the Bible itself. A servant would, at one time, scarcely be hired till the descriptions and engravings of Lavater had been consulted, in careful comparison, with the lines and features of the young man's or woman's countenance. The same system was eagerly translated into the French lan

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guage: and, as the insight into character and secret intention which it promised, was infinitely gratefulto female curiosity, all the pretenders to wit, taste, and fashion, among the lively women of France, soon became distractedly fond of it. It was talked of as a science susceptible of mathematical certainty; and was applauded as capable of endowing man with the power of omniscient intuition into the hearts and intentions of his fellows.

Two well executed translations naturalized the same books of Lavater in the English language: this naturalization was requisite, to shew us the fallacy of his pretensions. The wanderings of ima gination, the dreams referable to no scientific principles, even the occasional effusions of sublimity and pathos which those books displayed, might interest the curious remarker on human genius and character; but served, at the same time, to evince to the sound sense and shrewd discernment of Englishmen, that physiognomy was but an idle study, the amusement-it might be of the wise; the delusion of fools. The multitude run ever in extremes: and, notwithstanding the labours of Dr. Hunter and Mr. Holcroft, the writings of Lavater have been since treated, in England, with a slighting disregard, that does injustice to their genuine merits.

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The physiognomical delirium of the weak excited, also, in Germany, the derision of the witty and the wise. The Physiognomical Travels, or Physiognomical Quixote of the celebrated Musaus, the preceptor of Kotzebue, was written in ridicule of the dreams and pursuits of Lavater and his physiognomical disciples: and, though to an Englishman, its humour may not appear very happy, nor its wit admirably lively and pointed, yet its effect

was, in Germany, powerful to the confusion of Lavaterism; and it raised its author, at once, to a splendid literary reputation.

But, even after the first charm had been dissolved, Lavater still retained many disciples. He continued to cultivate physiognomy,. and was still eagerly visited by travellers passing near the place of his residence. By some of his adversaries he was idly and unjustly accused as an insidious Jesuit, who, under pretensions of physiognomy, pursued some vast and mischievous designs. His theological opinions took a colour from his physiognomical ones; and he became the abhorrence of the orthodox. His private life was simple, and even devoutly pious. His wife had become, as well as himself, a great physiognomist. He was always an early riser, and used never to take his breakfast, till he had, in his own mind, earned it by the performance of some literary task.

He was, at the dawn of the French revolution, not at all adverse to it. Even when it began to penetrate into Switzerland, he did not passionately declare against it; but when he saw his native country become a prey to the excesses of jacobinism, his indignation was earnestly roused, and he wrote some eloquent pieces against the oppressions of the French. He favoured the momentary counter-revolution. He was cruelly attacked and wounded by the French soldiers, when that counter-revolution was suppressed. His death was in consequence of those wounds. It may revive his fame, and excite a new curiosity for the perusal of his works.

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Epitome of Natural History.

No. I.

THE HORSE.

S our plan is professedly for the improvement and instruction of the rising generation, we do not mean to be diffuse in this department, but briefly to describe such animals as are most familiar to us, in order to prepare the juvenile mind for the more extensive works on the subject, thereby serving the purpose of an assistant to the study of natural history; and, first, of the HORSE; which is known among most nations in the world, in a domestic state. In gracefulness of forin, and dignity of carriage, he appears superior to every other quadruped. Among all the inferior animals, man

has found no other servant equally manageable and useful with the horse. He is lively and high spirited, yet gentle and tractable; vigorous and active; keen and ardent in his exertions, yet firm and persevering. He seems equally qualified for all the different purposes for which man can employ his services: he submits patiently to the draught; rejoices in the race; in hunting, seems to catch the eagerness of his rider, and disdains every obstacle; on the road, proceeds cheerfully, and seems to ac quire for his master the attachment of a companion; in war, he learns to perform every evolution with the utmost dexterity, and displays a degree of ardour for battle which the courage even of the bravest soldier cannot exceed. He is liable to several diseases, though not to such a variety as his master. To some of these he would, no doubt, be naturally subject in any state; others of them are occasioned by our wanton abuse of this noble animal; and others, perhaps the greater number, he owes to our ill-directed fondness and care. He feeds upon grass and grain; fights with his hoofs and teeth, defends himself from flies with his tail.-The skin of this animal is used for collars and harness, and other similar purposes; and the hair for chair botsoms, floor-cloths, and fishing-lines. The flesh is eaten by some rude nations, among whom the animal abounds: the milk of the mare is also drunk; and the Kalmuks and Mongals prepare from it a spirit of considerable strength.-Horses are known to live, when their days are not shortened by ill usage, commonly to the age of five and twenty or thirty years: Such as are remarkably large seldom live so long as those of a moderate size *.

*We are informed, upon respectable authority, that a horse, who was ridden by a field-officer, in serv

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