shape of head, of face, of body, different colour of hair, of skin, of eye. Besides this, there is a dissimilarity of mind, and even more or less difference in the quality and colour of the solids and liquids which compose the body.

I take the English to be a nervous nation, and will, therefore, adopt the nervous temperament as the standard. The bilious temperament is possessed of the densest and darkest blood; and even the internal structures are of a firmer and darker colour than in the other temperaments-e. g., the brain, nervous, fibrous, and muscular tissues. In the lymphatic, the blood is rich in fat or its elements, and, from the mixture of white with the red corpuscles, is more purple in hue. It is also the most aqueous. In the sanguine, the blood is reddest, and there is more of it than in the other temperaments. It occupies a middle place between the nervous and lymphatic with regard to the quantity of serum.

So much novelty of organisation must necessarily cause many phases of health; and, consequently, persons are said to possess rude, vigorous, robust, strong, perfect, good, delicate, precarious, feeble, infirm health. With these qualifications of the term health (which in the last four conditions is merely an absence of active disease), it is apparent that medicine can never be an exact science. Its professors, however, have of late made as giant strides in pursuing its peculiarities as have been accomplished in any, the most facile and alluring study. Any state of health, from the most perfect to its failure in confirmed disease, might occur in the same person; and a model of each temperament may be the subject of any disease to which flesh is heir. Nevertheless, experience proves that the temperaments are not equally liable to disease: each has its kind of health and tendency to particular diseases. This subject seems to me to deserve more attention from the directors of assurance companies than it has yet received.* Agents also would find their advantage in carefully studying the physical and mental man, if not to discover those who are liable to disease, at least to know among whom to look for assurers; for they will find that of the four temperaments many more proposals will be given by persons of the sanguine and nervous, than of the bilious and lymphatic-the two former being more impulsive and amenable to persuasion than the two latter.

The temperaments being variable in regard to longevity, I will describe them in the order of their life value, the best first.

* In this age of photographs, might not the sun be taken into consultation, and a photograph of each proposer be placed opposite his name in the company's office?

A. The Nervous Temperament.-The nervous temperament is characterised by the body being small and almost feminine, with narrow sloping shoulders. The bones are small, the muscles soft and fine, capable of sudden and great effort, but soon fatigued. Step short, quick, elastic; hands small, soft, and delicate, with firm hollow oval palms and taper fingers. Nose small and finely moulded, the nostrils inclining to the Grecian or aquiline types, delicately curved. Face oval, pale, often spotted with freckles, with a blush on each cheek in youth, but waxy in appearance after thirty-five. Countenance intelligent. Long large head, extending backwards, apt to become soon bald. Standing out ears. Long thin round neck. Hair silky, various shades of brown. Beard scanty, brown, auburn, or dark auburn. Deep, soft, finely curved lips. Weak, but distinct, fervid, tender intonation of voice. Small sharp pearly white rounded teeth, which are liable to decay soon. Large dark blue sparkling eye, situate near the nose, with much white, of a bluish shade, visible under the apple. When hair is a deep brown the eye is sometimes brown or hazel. Prominent forehead. Powerfully developed, arched, horizontal, eyebrows. Long eyelashes. Frequent winking or twitching of one eyelid. Circulation quick and easily agitated, so that many persons of this organisation believe they have heart disease, although little prone to it. Brain and nervous system remarkably active. There is a craving for companionship and continued excitement, for tobacco and snuff. If not fully employed, and the mind well balanced, strong stimulants are apt to be indulged in. Generally delicate when young, but after passing favourably through the temptations of youth and the anxieties of middle life, live to an advanced age. Indeed this is the longest lived of the temperaments.* Almost all the miners in the kingdom are of this constitution. They also form the bulk of our factory operatives or their longevity would be even more remarkable. Those who are in easy circumstances dress smartly, button up their coat, and are frequently seen wearing their hat on the side of their head.†

They are clever, sensitive, and aspiring, will give and take much flattery, have strong likes and dislikes, make good soldiers, novel

* Joshua Miller, aged 109, now living within two hundred yards from the writer, and Mrs. White, whom he knew in York, who lived till 108, were of this organism. An old lady in High Street, Gateshead, and another in Bigg Market, Newcastle, aged 103 and 105 respectively at death, were nervobilious. Other instances might be given; but these are from knowledge of the persons.

+ This is in consequence of the shape of the head, which is larger on one side than on the other, from the brain in infancy having settled, through gravitation, to that side while the cranial bones were undeveloped and yielding.

writers, public speakers, professional men, merchants, or teachers. Weight for weight they are the strongest of men. This temperament is bequeathed to us by the Celts, or ancient Britons, and is seen more or less pure in Wales, Cornwall, the Highlands of Scotland, and in Ireland, where, however, the bilious temperament was infused into the south and west by the Phoenicians or Darkmen.*

The Celts are the oldest European race, being traced to Gomer, the eldest son of Japheth. They form the substratum of the English peoples. The several baptisms of the race with Belgians, Romans, Angles, Saxons, Scandinavians, Normans, &c., only improving, not supplanting or destroying, the ancient Britons. Indeed all the intruding races did not equal in numbers the original Celtic stock. The common impression that the ancient Britons were all driven into Wales, Cornwall, and the Highlands, is erroneous. Some of the most warlike were so, hence the stronger physique of the Highlander, Welsh, and Cornishman.

B. Bilious Temperament. In this we have tall, masculine, spare, bony, muscular men, firm in flesh, and capable of undergoing great fatigue continuously. Large high cheekbones, long nose, often wellmarked Roman, strong, long and broad underjaws, with often a sharp dimple in middle of chin. Large square broad front teeth. Firmly set mouth, especially the upper lip, indicating character. Head long and narrow; perpendicular, high, narrow square forehead. Neck long, thin, and angular, from the muscles standing out. Prominent, square, well-placed shoulders. Lungs more deep than broad. Black+ coarse thick hair, often curly. Beard frizzled, strong, and heavy, sometimes blue-black, but generally a shade lighter than the hair of the head. Broad eyelids. Black or deep brown, rather hollow eyes, which possess a steady, keen, and penetrating power. Conspicuous, horizontal, bushy eyebrows. Complexion dark, or when in bad health, whitely, blue-white, or sallow. Long hands, covered on back with black hair. Long, hard, hollow, elastic palms, and large

* The description here given will be recognised to be the nervous temperament as seen in England, and often in Wales. In Scotland, in consequence of long continued feuds, the warriors for centuries looked out for the largest, most angular, and bilious women for wives; hence the high cheekbones and rugged forms there. In Ireland, peopled by low Celts, the nose is less developed; the upper lip deep, broad, thick, and prominent; the teeth large, projecting, and conspicuous; and the cheeks slope away from the high cheekbones to the angular lower jaw.

+ Black from excess of iron, sulphur, and oil in it. The nervous comes next with regard to the amount of sulphuret of iron; the sanguine next; lastly, the lymphatic.

VOL. VIII.-NO. XXVIII.

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thumbs. Fingers square at ends, and large jointed. Vascular system largely developed. Blue veins, conspicuous in temples and hands. Circulation full, but slow. They are possessed of great energy and shrewdness. Talents more solid and reflecting than quick and brilliant. Mind irritable and passionate. Voice, a deep bass. Long firm step in walking. Impressions, physical and mental, indelible. Liable to consumption until thirty-five, after which the tendency becomes less until forty, about which age it seems worn out. In those with a proclivity to, or in the first stage of, consumption, the skin is thick, and looks dirty or muddy-white, the eyes are dull and prominent. The pupil being very large, and the iris black, the former only and the white of the eye are distinguishable. The cheekbones are high, the cheeks. sunken, and the temples very hollow. The whole countenance is ghastly. The joints seem out of proportion large. The individual is listless, looks tired, and appears as if there was not strength enough to move the heavy framework. The mind, notwithstanding, is capable of protracted application.

This powerful organisation, which is capable of conceiving and accomplishing the greatest undertakings, is, I think, inherited from the Romans, who were osseous, muscular, stern, and self-possessed. Also from the Belgians, who settled along the south coast, and our Latinised Norman conquerors.

C. Lymphatic or Phlegmatic Temperament.-Are generally tall; when little, it is usually from shortness of legs. After thirty-five years, always heavy fat men, with broad high round shoulders, short neck, large deep chest, prominent abdomen, broad loins and back. Muscles large and lax, hair fair, often a pale yellow, occasionally brown, skin soft, and purplish white, head small, short, but broad and high, with wide, rounded, and often lofty forehead. Eyebrows weak and arching. Eyes small and blue. A white arc or portion of a circle around outer margin of iris, generally begins about fifty and gradually extends until it nearly encircles the pupil (wall eye). Long mouth, of a convexo-concave shape. Fleshy lips and nose. Ears flattened, and often purple. Face broad, round or almost square, and flushed crimson instead of the bright red seen in the sanguine temperament. Good regular teeth. Chin rounded, double, short and heavy, with one or two dimples and wrinkles. Scanty whiskers and beard. Voice often weak and wheezy. Hands thick, broad, fat, with spatula shaped fingers. Features deficient in expression. Phlegmatic persons are massive and lethargic in mind and body. Their style of walk is heavy and important. The dress corresponds with the man. It is easy, careless, and he will frequently be seen with his hat on the back part

of his head. Men of this temperament are generally butchers, farmers, shopkeepers, foremen, and are often aldermen. They are not enterprising or apt at invention, but plodding and industrious, they stick to the same business in the same place for a quarter of a century or more, until they acquire a competency. They are distinguished for hospitality, hilarity, piety, morality, a good memory, order, punctuality and cleanliness. Most seen in the centre and south of England. Descendants of the Angles and Saxons. Predisposed to apoplexy, paralysis, diseases of the heart, inflammation and congestion of the lungs, and skin diseases. In young men of consumptive tendency the lymphatic formation often presents the following appearances: They are tall and thin, with prominent forward shoulders, large pupils, and full bluish white glistening eyeballs. Eyelashes long or eyelids are red and swollen without lashes. Complexion sallow or waxy, with a sickly flush on one or both cheeks. Fingers clubbed at ends, nails curved inwards. Gait and expression listless. The tumid upper lip and nose, the flabby face and protuberant abdomen indicate the lymphatic temperament, should the person be spared to represent it. It was the baptism of the Celts, and descendants of British born Romans with the Angles and Saxons, that has given to England its so called "John Bullism."

D. The Sanguine Temperament.-Those of this constitution are, as a class, handsome and interesting men. Their stature is about five feet seven inches. The body is strong, muscular, and wellnourished. Chest very large in proportion to body. Shoulders broad, square, large, strong, rather high and set well back, throwing sternum forward. Neck broad, thick, and rounded. Head short but broad, apt to become soon bald. Forehead high, arched both horizontally and vertically. The eyes blue, grey, sometimes red or green, full, earnest, and transparent. Eyebrows rectilinear, far apart and situate 'near the eye. Nose broad, with dilated nostrils. Hair strong, red, chestnut or sandy, when it is often curly. Face oval, florid, expressive, studded with freckles. Cheekbones wide but well covered. Beard red, strong, and wavy. Chin broad, prominent. Mouth small. Lips thin, slightly open and pouting, of a rich red colour. Teeth small, short, yellow, even, and good. Arms long and powerful. Hands strong, broad, hairy on back, with long broad palms and short fingers. Walk firm and decided. Voice strong, with a quick clear decisive intonation. Blood vessels large, circulation full and active, and the skin, being thin, is kept soft with perspiration. Mind is lively and active, but mutable, body prompt in responding to its desires. They are strong, athletic, ardent in their passions; speculative, fond of feasting and