On Phyfiognomy.By Dr Beatie. 424 Every body knows, that virtuous In order to form fome idea of the expreffion of the countenance, we are defired to fuppofe four parallel lines to be drawn across it; one in the direction of the eyebrows, another in that of the eyes, a third in that of the at the two extremities is fo well Admiration, Admiration, as formerly obferved, elevates the eye - brows, opens the mouth and eyes, fixes the attention upon the admired object, raises the hands, and spreads the fingers: aftonishment opens the mouth and eyes ftill wider, and gives a greater and more irregular elevation to the brows. If to astonishment fear be added, both rows of the teeth will appear, and those ends of the eye-brows which are next the nose will be much wrinkled, and drawn downward fo as to hide the upper eye-lid. Efteem composes the countenance, elevates the pupils of the eyes, draws the eyebrows down towards the nofe, contracts the noftrils, opens the mouth a little, and gently depreffes the corners of it. Veneration fometimes affumes the fame appearances a little heightened, elevating the pupil of the eye till it almoft difappear under the eye-lid; and fometimes fhuts the mouth and eyes, inclining the face towards the ground, and spreading the hand upon the breast. Contempt elevates and draws back the head, wrinkles and pulls down the brows, diftends and raifes the noftrils, fhuts the mouth and depreffes the corners of it, makes the under lip more prominent than the upper, turns away the face from the defpifed object, and dires the eyes towards it obliquely. Grief raises the brows towards the 1iddle of the forehead, deprcffing them at the temples, gives a fimilar direction to the line of the mouth, half shuts the eyes, hiding the pupils under the upper eye-lids, and frequently draws forth tears. Joy fmooths the forehead, opens and illuminates the eyes, raifes the brows and the corners of the mouth, gently diftends the noftrils, and heightens the complexion. Laughter raifes the corners of the mouth ftill higher, giving the fame direction to the line of the brows, discovers both rows of the teeth, moiftens and almoft fhuts the eyes. diffufes wrinkles over feveral parts of the cheeks and forehead, and affects the voice in a very fenfible and peculiar manner. I need not enter further into the detail of this fubject; what has been faid may ferve as a fpecimen, and that is perhaps fufficient. Defcriptions of phyfiognomy it is not eafy to make intelligible without drawings; and if one had a good affortment of thefe, little defeription would be neceffary. Le Brun's Paffions are in every printfhop, and muft be allowed to have confiderable merit; though the features expreffive of the more violent emotions are perhaps exaggerated into what the Italians call caricatura: Chodowieck has made fome valuable additions to Le Brun, which may be found in Lavater.-I conclude with obferving, that feveral energies of the understanding, as belief, doubt, perplexity, denial, &c. do alfo difplay themfelves vifibly in the lock and gefture; as may be feen in that admirable Cartoon of Raffaelle, which reprefents Paul preaching at Athens. THE Imperial Clemency.-A Moral Tale. HE Marechal de Sabran had retired from the fervice of his king and country at the age of fixty-five, having been equally diftinguished for undaunted valour, and the most extenfive knowledge of military affairs. The place of his retreat was a folitary romantic chateau, the fplendour and hofpitality of VOL. X. No. 60. 3 H which were every way worthy of fonoble and illuftrious a gueft: to this abode. Fame attended her hoary warrior, atter having led him fecure, through a feries of dangers to the higheft honours wich a gratefu. monarch could beflow. Here he propofed enjoying the bright evening of that day, the meridian iplendour of which which had never been obfcured by a cloud. Under this friendly roof, that cordial hofpitality was realifed, which is now feldom heard of, but in times remote, or legendary tales. No furly Swifs, in all the pride of upftart infolence, was placed, like a dragon, before the gate of this feat of affluence; nor was it ever clofed against the foot of even vagrant mifery. Every eye invited the ftranger with a condefcenfion fuited to his rank and pretentions; and the very dogs themfelves, as if influenced by their lord's example, feemed to tell him he was wel come; whilft the board of plenty, at which he was placed without ceremony, effectually convinced him he was fo. Ye, whofe days flow on in one dull fcene of ufelefs inactivity, or roll in a continued torrent of voluptuous enjoyment; who bask in the funfhine of fortune due to virtues which can alone be traced in the annals of your fees; compare your frivolous exiftence with that of the old Marechal de Sabran, and whilft ambition excites you to envy his fame, let reafon urge you to the imitation of his virtues. cate, thet praife is due to his facred name. All dark and difconfolate ideas, by which fuperftition is too apt to caft a gloom over the prefent, or cloud the profpect of futurity, were either wholly rejected as dangerous, or referved till the powers of reafon fhould be fufficiently ftrong to compare ideas with a proper degree of juft and philofophical difcrimination. By these cares and attentions from a fond, but not a too fond parent, the young Comte de Sabran, at a very early period, had acquired a fund of real knowledge, which few others attain after all the labours of what is called a compleat fyftem of education. His ideas, naturally fluent and extenfive, were confined within proper bounds by the aids of a well-informed judgment: though a tenant of the fbade, he converfed with men; nor, in his choice of a companion, gave that preference to a brute, which can only be fuppofed to originate in a fimilarity of temper and manners. The enraptured Marechal, who faw this plant of his care flourish beneath his foltering hand, already received the reward of his labours in the fhade he forefaw it would in time afford to the wretched, and the fruits it wou d in due feafon bring forth to his country. The Comte, who was now entering on his fifteenth year, was impatient for the time when his father's expectations fhould be put to the defired teft. what tranfport did he liften to him, when addreffed in the following manly terms: With Of all those who from friendship or want fought his protection, none were received with more apparent fatisfaction than thofe, who, like himself, had devoted their lives to arms. Scarcely any diftinction was known among perfons of this defeription. It was enough that the franger either was, or had been, a foldier his arrival was announced; the Marechal ran to meet him; and all his neceflities were relieved as foon as known. The account which his guefts had to give of their feveral exploits in the field brought back the remembrance of what he had himself been, and what he hoped his fon might prove when he fhould be no more. To educate this youth in the early knowledge and practice of true virtue and honcur, was the chief pleafure and occupation of his age. This he did not attempt by implanting on the unprepared foil abftrüfe and metaphifical notions of this world or the next, which never can be learned too late; but, by the infertion of fuch plain truths as naturally fpring from the harmony and order of things. Was the point, for inftance, to inveftigate the Deity? his exiftence was proved by that of creation: his benevolence, by the bleffings diffused around it. The lily of the valebility, attend to any other. ferved as an emblem of his purity, and every fpontaneous note which warbled fword into his hands, this faithful com from the fpray or grove, feemed to indi-panion of thy father's labours; and Sabran,' faid the hoary fage and warrior, (for the two characters were equally blended in his foul) a new fcene is now opening before you; and I hope you are prepared to act your part in it agreeably to the maxims you have received from me. If fo, my boy,' continued he, a tear of aufpicious prefentiment ftealing down his aged cheek, then thall my grey hairs go down with refignation to the grave, and my laft breath be expired in calling down bleffings on thy head. Remember, my fon, that every man, however free by nature, is born the fervant of that fo ciety in which he is a fubject: let the fiave be led on by mercenary views; a gentleman should act from nobler motives. Duty and fame are the two objects he must have in view; nor can he, without forfeiting his claim to true no 'Take,' added he, as he delivered his ⚫ with with that keep clear the path to glory, ⚫ which his arm has hewn out for thee: the fortune, the rank, the titles it has gained me, muft, I know, be thine; but that is not enough, I expect thee to ⚫ deferve them. Take, then, this trufty fword; not to be polluted by the ftreams of private vengeance: referve it, with thyfelf, for what alone has a claim to both, thy country. Be this, in a word, thy rule on every occurrence; never to unfheath this fword but with mercy, never to refign it but with life!' The Comte received the prefent with eyes that for a while alone spoke the language of his heart: then, drawing it on a fudden, and pointing to the blade, he exclaimed, with all the fervour of youth, Let the enemies of my country appear, ▾ and the blood in which I hope to fee it tinged, fhall prove if yours has dege⚫nerated in my veins !' Every thing being prepared for the young hero's equipment, he took leave of a parent from whom he till then had never been abfent a day, and joined the regiment in which a commiflion was affigned him. Three years of peaceful inactivity lingered away ere war gave fcope to his valour, and relieved the torment of impatience. Of this delay he never failed to complain with energy, when a temporary indulgence, or the cuftomary leave of abfence, permitted him to vifit the place of his nativity, and the venerable author of his being. It was during one of thefe pleafing intervals, that an accidental circumftance took place which determined the happiness of his life. Sequestered from the village, but nearly adjoining to his father's park, ftood a fmall neat manfion, that contained a treasure he had occafionally feen, but the intrinsic value of which he had till now little fufpected. Maria, if some eyes might not deem her in every fcene the moft beautiful, muft be univerfally allow ed the most lovely of her fex. She was formed to fhine in courts; but the envy of a maiden aunt condemned this flower to droop unfeen, and wither in the fhade. In this dull fcene of vegetative existence, her only refource againft ennui was in books; and by these fhe endeavoured, as much as poffible, to beguile thofe flowpaced hours which ever attend on the teps of melancholy. Having wandered through the fields one evening, to tafte fuch faint relief as the beauties of nature could afford to her penfive mind, fhe had feated herself in the fhade, to read that 3 H part of Sterne's Sentimental Journey which fo pathetically defcribes her difconfolate namefake at Moulines. Infenfibly, the drowly god had given a refpite to her cares, and clofed thofe eyes which the lefs tranquil ftate of her mind had condemned to too tedious vigils. The book lay open at her fide; and the name of MARIA was half blotted from the page by a tear of fympathy which had fallen upon it; her check, more beauteous in languor, was gently reclined on her left-hand; and the breeze that feemed to wanton around her with delight, had half removed the lawn which before concealed her bofom. What wonder the unpractifed heart of young Sabran was moved with a fight that would have thawed the coldest anchorite to warm defires! to fee, to admire, and for the first time to love, were the revolutions of a moment; the next conveyed him imprudently into her arms. In that aufpicious, and yet unlucky minute, appeared the ill-boding figure of Mifs Dorothee de Taillis, the very pious and difcreet aunt of whom honourable mention has already been made. Her ideas, at beft, were feldom of the molt charitable kind; the reader may, therefore, form a tolerable guefs at their import, on witneffing the fcene juft defcribed: and, indeed, it must be granted, that a young fellow in regimentals, in a grove, and in fuch a fituation, gave but little room for favourable conjectures. Aunt Dorothee flew to the charge like an Amazon; with her left hand the feized the unfufpecting Comte by the neck; and, with her right firmly clenched, began to buffet him with unremitting zeal and affiduity. This unexpected attack in the rear, obliged the young hero to face about; and would have afforded poor Maria an opportunity of flight, had not the manner in which the was furprifed caufed her inftantaneously to faint away, and the remained in a flate of infenfibility till the conteft between her aunt and lover was brought to a crifis. The first object that prefented itself to her waking eyes was her enraged kinfwoman, who would not have been illmatched with the Knight of the Woeful Countenance. Maria gave a fariek, and again fainted. Young Sabran would have flown to her relief, when Aunt Dorothee immediately interpofed; and, by this ma noeuvre, received the embrace intended for Maria, in which position they both fell to the ground. Aunt Dorothee exclaimed, in a tone much lefs unpleafing than usual, 3 tha that she was undone, ruined, violated! even a Nero, not to condemn her un and, in spite of all efforts, kept the Comte on the turt clofe locked and nearly fuffocated in her arms. heard. There was a fomething even in Maria's afpect that pleaded irresistibly in her favour, before her lips uttered a single fyllable; and fo fweet were the accents which flowed from that fource of candour and truth, that, had the asked for empires, no other idea would have result he was equally mistaken as to her defigns and character. She faid, that, like Lavinia, she had been left a solitary shepherdefs of the woods; with this difference, that Lavinia found comfort in the arms of a tender parent, whilst she had been configned to the care of a relation who feemed to find a malicious pleafure in aggravating her diftrefs. At the mention of the park-fcene, the Marechal could not help exclaiming to his fon, What! attempt the virtue of an inno cent female, and steal a march upon her when she was afleep, too?' By this time the alarm was fpread to fome pealants in a neighbouring field, who came running to the fpot, armed with clubs, forks, and fuch other weapons as their labour afforded. With fome diffied from the request, than how they culty they relieved the enraged Comte might be procured for her. Maria was from his critical fituation. An explana- fuffered to proceed; she told the Maretion immediately enfued, in which Aunt chal, in few words, not one of which failDorothee was by far the most diftinguished to reach his heart, that she prefumed ed fpeaker; who, after having exhaufted her rage, and the patience of her auditors, in threats and invectives against the Comte and Maria, was proceeding to lets gentle ufage of the latter; when her lover ftepped in, and declared his refolution, in a tone that proved him to be in earneft, of facrificing Aunt Dorothee to immediate retaliation, unless the inftan taneously defifted from her purpose. Having gained this firft point, he foon infifted on a fecond; and, after a few preliminary articles, bore away his prize in triumph. The peasants, who had not the higheft opinion of Aunt Dorothee's character, refufed to interfere; and even gave Sabran three cheers of approbation, which they knew would not go unrewarded. Thus they parted, Sabran more elate than Alexander at his return from the conqueft of India; Aunt Dorothee, with all that rancour, fpite, and malice in her heart, which the reader may fuppofe in a woman agitated by fo many and fuch violent paffions. The Comte foon undeceived the Marechal in his hafty conjectures; and when he came to the part Aunt Dorothee had acted in the affair, the old gentleman's muscles took a very different turn; and gravity was the least prevailing paffion in his face. Maria then difcovered her name and family, (at which the Marechal feemed greatly af fected), protefting, in a tone of angelic fweetness, that she had none of those base defigns on the Comte his fon, which the Marechal had unkindly fuggefted. I believe you, child, moft fincerely,' faid the Marechal, taking one of her hands in both his : But what do you fuppofe were my fon's defigns on you?' Maria blufhed, and was filent. The Comte, on being afked the fame queftion, immediately replied, Matrimony !" The Comte, who was to the full as much in love as if he had been making it for years, and whofe intentions towards the object of his wishes were every way honourable, was by no means defirous, as yet, to difcover the fecret to his father. After fome deliberation, he procured lodgings for Maria in the neighbourhood. But who can ftop Fame in a country village? The fhort pace of Matrimony!' exclaimed the Marechal: two hours brought the whole affair, with 'what, no fooner enlifted in the fervice additions, to the Marechal, who imme-of Mars, than that of Venus muft foldiately furprifed the couple tete-a-tete in their new apartments. Heigh-day exclaimed he, at entering, but not in a tone of paffion; what! Monfieur le Comte, getting the girls into a corner already? The Comte made no anfwer; and he proceeded, Well, Mifs! and fo I find you have been laying love-baits for my fen; but Here Maria, tren bling in every lin b, threw her clf at his feet, ard intreated him, with a voice of fupplication which must have touched 6 low! Well, I always afferted that they were clofely connected together.' The paufe of a minute, which followed these apoftrophes, made the two young lovers tremble for the event. Maria conceived the old gentleman's hefitation to origi nate in her want of fortune: but how different would her prefentiments have proved, had the known what paffed in the Marechal's heart during that fhort interval! He feized Maria's trembling hand, with an emotion that appeared evi dently |