DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20658#0075
THE PASSIONS. 61
CHAP. V.
OF THE EXPRESSION OF THE PASSIONS OF THE HUMAN MIND IN THE FEATURES OF THE FACE.
THE Author of our being has not only furnished his creatures with a language governed by
certain rules, whereby they can communicate the most particular ideas to each other, which
constitutes the basis of all our enjoyments, and the most refined satisfaction during our existence
in the present state; but he has also favoured us with a language more universal in its nature,
which extends equally to the unenlightened savage and most profound sage, is understood by all
nations and ages, and even carries its intercourse through the greater parts of irrational nature.
By means of the intimate connection subsisting between the soul and body the various passions
of the former are evidently displayed by the exterior symptoms of the latter. There is also a
surprising uniformity in the effect these passions display; each class of the emotions in the
mind being invariably attended with an exterior appearance peculiar to itself, and generally un-
derstood by all beholders. Hope, fear, joy, grief, with all the various train of passions which
exist in the mind, has each its proper exterior appearance: the seat of this appearance is un-
doubtedly principally in the face, though it must be confessed the wholebody sympathizes therewith,
and by gestures and actions adds as it were an emphasis to the expression of the countenance.
This language is so universal and intelligible that it has not unfrequently supplied the place of,
and superseded conversation. In the intercourse of our navigators with the inhabitants of a
newly discovered country, where each party is perfectly unacquainted with the other's language,
looks signs and gestures have developed their meaning, when words could not be found. An in-
fant will read the angry looks in the countenance of its nurse ; and even a dog will attentively
wait the sisnis and commands of his master.
But among the cultivated parts of mankind, and in the refined societies of civilized states, this
language of nature, like every other natural endowment, rises to its highest perfection. The
humble suppliant can call forth compassion more by looks than words ; the intrepid warrior can
at once dart fire from his eyes, little inferior in its effect on the mind of the foe to the arms of
his troops; and the lover, by this superior eloquence, can at once make and obtain his suit.
These exterior expressions of inward emotions are at once felt and acknowledged by all. They
are beneath the attention of none ; and none have so great an interest in cultivating their ac-
quaintance as the Professor of the Fine Arts. It constitutes a very large and essential branch of
his practice. He will seldom or never have occasion to delineate a human figure destitute of
every motion and passion ; such is our present state of existence, and so easily are the affections
of the mind called into action, by every exterior and surrounding circumstance. If we examine
any historical piece whatever, the production of a great master, wherein are a group of figures, we
shall find every character strongly marked, and expressing a predominate passion agreeable to his
character situation circumstances, &c. This expression as before observed, is principally marked
in the face ; but in some cases the attitude has a great share. The student must carefully observe
the operations of nature,which will always be found uniform, though not always particularly alike.
He should avail himself of every opportunity to examine the countenances and gestures of man-
kind, while under the influence of the different passions which possess the mind. It was by these
means that the celebrated Hogarth was enabled to give that force and expression to the counte-
nances of his Apprentices: for being present at an affray which took place at a public-house during
r the
CHAP. V.
OF THE EXPRESSION OF THE PASSIONS OF THE HUMAN MIND IN THE FEATURES OF THE FACE.
THE Author of our being has not only furnished his creatures with a language governed by
certain rules, whereby they can communicate the most particular ideas to each other, which
constitutes the basis of all our enjoyments, and the most refined satisfaction during our existence
in the present state; but he has also favoured us with a language more universal in its nature,
which extends equally to the unenlightened savage and most profound sage, is understood by all
nations and ages, and even carries its intercourse through the greater parts of irrational nature.
By means of the intimate connection subsisting between the soul and body the various passions
of the former are evidently displayed by the exterior symptoms of the latter. There is also a
surprising uniformity in the effect these passions display; each class of the emotions in the
mind being invariably attended with an exterior appearance peculiar to itself, and generally un-
derstood by all beholders. Hope, fear, joy, grief, with all the various train of passions which
exist in the mind, has each its proper exterior appearance: the seat of this appearance is un-
doubtedly principally in the face, though it must be confessed the wholebody sympathizes therewith,
and by gestures and actions adds as it were an emphasis to the expression of the countenance.
This language is so universal and intelligible that it has not unfrequently supplied the place of,
and superseded conversation. In the intercourse of our navigators with the inhabitants of a
newly discovered country, where each party is perfectly unacquainted with the other's language,
looks signs and gestures have developed their meaning, when words could not be found. An in-
fant will read the angry looks in the countenance of its nurse ; and even a dog will attentively
wait the sisnis and commands of his master.
But among the cultivated parts of mankind, and in the refined societies of civilized states, this
language of nature, like every other natural endowment, rises to its highest perfection. The
humble suppliant can call forth compassion more by looks than words ; the intrepid warrior can
at once dart fire from his eyes, little inferior in its effect on the mind of the foe to the arms of
his troops; and the lover, by this superior eloquence, can at once make and obtain his suit.
These exterior expressions of inward emotions are at once felt and acknowledged by all. They
are beneath the attention of none ; and none have so great an interest in cultivating their ac-
quaintance as the Professor of the Fine Arts. It constitutes a very large and essential branch of
his practice. He will seldom or never have occasion to delineate a human figure destitute of
every motion and passion ; such is our present state of existence, and so easily are the affections
of the mind called into action, by every exterior and surrounding circumstance. If we examine
any historical piece whatever, the production of a great master, wherein are a group of figures, we
shall find every character strongly marked, and expressing a predominate passion agreeable to his
character situation circumstances, &c. This expression as before observed, is principally marked
in the face ; but in some cases the attitude has a great share. The student must carefully observe
the operations of nature,which will always be found uniform, though not always particularly alike.
He should avail himself of every opportunity to examine the countenances and gestures of man-
kind, while under the influence of the different passions which possess the mind. It was by these
means that the celebrated Hogarth was enabled to give that force and expression to the counte-
nances of his Apprentices: for being present at an affray which took place at a public-house during
r the