The compleat book of knowledge: treating of the wisdom of the antients and shewing the various and wonderful operations of the signs and planets, and other celestial constellations, on the bodies of men, women and children; and the mighty influences they have upon those that are born under them. Compiled by the learned Albubetes, Benesaphan, Erra Pater, and other of the antients. To which is added, the country man's kalendar; with his daily practice, and perpetual prognostication for weather, according to Albumazar, Ptolomy, and others. Together with a catalogue of all the market-towns, fairs, and roads in England and Wales. All those who peruse this book, must own, that it the knowledge gives of things unknown.

XIX. An Abstract of the Art of Physiognomy; being a Judgment upon the several Parts of Man's Body; and thereby shewing, his Na∣ture, Disposition, and Fortune; according to Gater, Arcaphan, and Albuas.

First, Of the Head.

THe Head is the principal Part of Man, being the Receptacle of the Brain, which is the Seat of Wisdom and Under∣standing; and the Ancients have made a Judgment of a Man's Wit or Wisdom, ac∣cording to the Form or Figure of the Head; As thus: A large Head signifies a Person

••tupid and dull of Apprehension; also a very ••mall Head signifies the same; but a Head ••f a Man being neither great nor small, is ••he Prognostick of a Wiseman; for all Ex∣••reams are irregular, and a Deviation from Nature; and Experience has made it mani∣••est, that a great Head and small Members, do ••lways produce much Indiscretion and Fol∣••y, either in Man or Woman: But we must ••lso consider the several parts of the Head.

Of the Hair.

The Hair is only the Excrescence of a ••oist Brain; yet the Ancients observe se∣••eral things from it: As, if the Hair be ••hin, it shews a Man to be of a cold Consti∣••ution; if curled and thick, it shews the ••erson to be of a hot Complexion: If the ••air be stiff, and stand upright, either up∣••n the Head, or any other part of the Body, •••• shews a Person extreamly subject to Fear, ••nd very apt to be frighted. If the Hair be ••hick and lank, it shews the Party to be ••eek and humble, and his Constitution in∣••ining to cold.

Of the Forehead.

A large Forehead, shews a liberal Man; ••ut the Forehead narrow, denotes a foolish

Person; a long Forehead shews one apt to learn; a high Forehead, swelling and round, is a sign of a crafty Man, and a Coward; a Forehead full of wrinkles, shews a Man to be envious and crafty.

Of the Eyes.

There is nothing the Ancients observ•• more in the Art of Physiognomy, than th•• Eyes: And the great Variety there is i•• them both as to colour, bigness, sharpness, &c. render it very reasonable so to do The Eyes being moist and clear, shew mirth•• good manners, and an honest Life: But i•• the Eyes be declining, and looking down••¦ward, or red and very great, it betoken••¦eth giuttony and fleshly lust. Small hol∣low Eyes signifie Covetousness: Gray Eyes, an evil Man: Hollow Eyes, a crafty Man; Rowling Eyes, a vicious and wicked Man▪ Black Eyes does denote a sharp and piercing Wit, but one lustful and incontinent. Great Eyes denote Sloth; trembling Eyes, slug∣gishness; glittering Eyes, betoken Drun∣kenness; smiling and twinkling. Eyes shew •• merry Life: Eyes divers colours and small, denotes one crafty and flattering: Eyes turning towards the Nose, shew a Man given to Women Great dropping Eyes, with an

unstable Countenance, shew a Man mad: The Circle of the Ball green, declares a crafty wicked Man, and a Thief: Moist Eyes denote stoutness of Stomack, perfect Speech, and good Counsel. Great glister∣ing Eyes shew a Man mad, and gluttonous. High Eyes, large, clear, pure, and moist, are Tokens of circumspect, diligent Persons, and Lovers. Eyes always running, with∣out Sickness cause it, shews foolishness. Small and hollow Eyes, shews covetous, de∣ceitful, wrathful and angry Men. Chear∣ful Eyes, betoken just Men, of a pleasant disposition, kind, and holy. Winking Eyes, shew a Thief, and one lays wait to catch and ensnare Men. Blear Eyes signifie a Whoremaster.

Of the Eye-brows.

Upright Eye-brows are amiable, but the Eye-brows hanging over shew an effeminate Person. The Brows very hairy, denote an Impediment in a Man's Speech: And the Brows being extended to the Temples, shew a Man to be a Sloven, and uncleanly.

Of the Ears.

Open Ears shews a Man to be without rea∣son and understanding; great Ears an un∣wise

Man, and small Ears a Fool: Square Ears, and of a middle size, shew a learned and wise Man.

Of the Nose.

A great Nose, shews a good Man; a lit∣tle Nose, a deceitful Person. A sharp Nose, denotes an angry Person, and a Scold: Thick and low, a Person of bad manners. The Nose stretching to the mouth, denotes honesty, strength, and an aptness to Learn∣ing. A Nose like an Ape, betokens a libi∣dinous and riotous Person.

Of the Nostrils.

The Nostrils thick and strong, betoken∣eth Strength; if round, fair; drawn in length, merry and couragious. The No∣strils narrow and round, are Tokens of a foolish Person.

Of the Mouth.

A very big Mouth, with the Upper-lip hanging over, signifies a Man foolish and unsteadfast; also a rash Man, a Babler, a glutton, and an ungodly Man. An indif∣ferent large Mouth, sheweth a bold and cou∣ragious Man, and a Warriour

Of the Lips.

Thin Lips with a little Mouth, shew an effeminate Person. Slender, thin and fine Lips, betoken Eloquence. Fleshy and great Lips, a Fool. And those whose Teeth bear out their Lips, are generally contumelious Slanderers, and unfaithful, also addicted the love of Women.

Of the Face.

A lean Face, is a token of a wise Man; the Face plain and flat, denotes a Man full of debate and strife: The Face without a∣ny rising or swelling, denotes a Person in∣jurious and unclean: A fleshly Face shews a Man apt to learn: A sad Face sometimes denotes Foolishness, and sometimes Wis∣dom. A fat Face shews a Man to be a Liar, and foolish. A round Face signifies folly. A great Face shews a Man dull and slow a∣bout any Business. A well-proportion'd Face shews a Person to have vertuous Qua∣lities, and to live a commendable Life, whether they be rich or poor.

Of the Voice.

A shrill Voice denotes a Person to be chol∣erick and hasty: A great and hoarse Voice,

shews a Person to be injurious, and of a merciless temper. A weak and low Voice, shews a Man to be fearful and cowardly: A grave and slow Voice, shews a Man to be of a sedate and quiet temper, and one of great strength.

Of the Neck.

A Neck inclining to the right side, shews a temperate Man; but turning to the left side, a Fool, and a Man given to unlawful love. A crooked Neck shews a covetous Man: A thick Neck, denotes a rude, bar∣barous, and ill-natur'd Man. A long slen∣der Neck, shews a Man to be a Coward: A thick and long Neck, a furious and stub∣born Person: A mean Neck, a strong and vertuous Man, and one inclin'd to Learn∣ing.

Of the Breast.

A large Breast is always very good, and represents Magnanimity, Boldness, Honesty, and Courage. A narrow Breast denotes Imbecility or Weakness both of Body and Mind. A pursie or gross Breast, shews a Man to be morofe, cruel, and void of Pity. The Paps or Dugs hanging down from the Breast, shews a violent chollerick Man.

Of the Back.

A broad Back is a Sign of strength; but the mean proportion of both Back and Brest, is always commendable. A crooked or hump Back, is generally a Token of a nig∣gardly and covetous Person.

Of the Belly.

A lank Belly, with a big Breast, denotes a Man of Understanding, Courage, and Counsel: But a great Belly shews an indis∣creet, foolish, proud Man, and given to Luxury.

Of the Arms.

Very long Arms, are a sign of Boldness, Strength and Honesty. Short Arms denote a Tormenter of Discord and Strife, among Friends.

Of the Hands.

The Hands very short, denote a clow∣nish, rude, ill-bred Person: And if fat and ••leshy, with the Fingers so also, it shews ••hey are inclin'd to Theft. Small Hands and long Fingers, denote Persons of a gen∣••eel Carriage, but very crafty.

Of the Legs.

Large and well-set Legs, denote Bold∣ness; large Legs, and full of Sinnews, shew Fortitude and Strength. Slender Legs, de∣note ignorance: Short and fat Legs, Cru∣elty. Legs crooked, and hollowed inward∣ly, is a sign of very ill Men. Soft and swelling Legs, shew a Man to be of ill man∣ners. The Shin gross and short, with a sharp Heel, and fat Thighs, do denote Madness, or Frensie to happen to that Par∣ty.

Of the Feet.

Small and slender Feet, denote hardness; but the Feet full of Flesh declare foolishness.