Page:Language of the Eye.djvu/81

Rh The determined and the undetermined will easily be distinguished; the eye of the former is ever fixed, whilst the latter moves rapidly; the former are more strongly delineated, have thicker, better cut, but less glistening eye-lids. When very large and extremely clear, and almost transparent in profile, they describe promptitude and great capacity, with extreme sensibility, and much inclined to enjoyment and difficult inquiries. There is a small, black, sparkling eye, under strong black eye-brows, deep sunken; its light is almost phosphoric—the man with this eye must not be trusted: if unaccompanied by a jesting mouth, you may anticipate cool reflection, taste, accuracy, but an inclination to avarice. A pretty woman may have this eye, and be worthy of love, but not friendship. It sometimes seems as drawn by Love's own hand—by Love himself in love. Eyes which are almost pencilled with the profile of the nose, without standing forwards from the line of the head, denote a weak organization, and generally feeble powers of mind.

Eyes which are smooth when they appear cheerful, appertain to pusillanimous characters. The highest power of man's eye is reserve, of woman's is action.

Eyes with long, sharp corners, which do not turn downwards, with thick skinned eye-lids, are sanguine and indicative of genius. This eye regards not the precepts of science, but realizes excellence out of the reach of the rules of art: and this power induces the weak to charge the owner with madness; yet, if they temperately observe him, they will acknowledge he bows before the highest reason. Against this eye many dunces confederate. Horace says (speaking of Genius):—

Secondary men may be mixed up like spices or pickles;