With respect to the "Memoir," and the "Observations on the Temperaments," the editor has nothing here to remark: they are avowedly his own, and must be left to the reader's own taste and judgment, either to reject or adopt the opinions and facts there stated. Something on the latter subject seemed absolutely necessary to fill up his friend's outline; but the editor found nothing of any consequence on that point in the papers laid before him. The drawings, from which the Lithographic Plates have been executed, are, for the most part, imitated from Lavater and Camper, but have been somewhat altered and simplified; as the editor professes not to present a complete treatise on the science of Physiognomy; but, as far as it is connected with anatomy, at least, to divest it, as much as possible, of mere technicalities. The present Work is intended as a popular and familiar view of Physiognomy, rather than as a learned and systematic work on the subject. It may be proper, here, to observe, that the plates in this work are the first production of the LONDON LITHOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION. They are not offered as specimens of what the Lithographic press is capable of producing; for, in fact, the circumstances of the present work would not admit of that delay, which every infant establishment of importance necessarily demands, before it can be said to have approached all the perfection of which it is capable. Accident introduced the editor to an acquaintance with the proprietors of the London Lithographic Institution, at a time when their arrangements for working were hardly formed; but at such a time as ad mitted of no delay in the execution of the plates. The order and arrangement of the subjects are entirely new; as also is much of the language. It was not found always practicable to discover from whence Mr. Cooke had selected his authorities; the editor must, therefore, on his own account, as well as on the behalf of his friend, now for ever removed from the possibility of explanation, rely upon the candour and liberality of the reader, in all those cases where he may observe any apparent deficiency of reference to those authors whom Mr. Cooke had consulted in his physiognomical selections. The editor, on a glance at the manuscripts before him, at first thought it might not be improper to entitle the work "Phy siognomical Fragments;" but afterwards he was induced to adopt what appeared to him a more appropriate title, reserving, as the heading of the first section, his original designation of the work. LIST OF PLATES. PLATE I. Silhouette of Mr. T. COOKE, to face the 125 Lines of the Forehead, to face page 218 `PLATE III. being profiles of a Monkey, a Negro, and an European, to face page. 299 |