CHAPTER VII.

APPLICATION OF THESE PRINCIPLES TO PRO

FESSIONS, &c.

THE practice of every profession and trade influences the countenance, so that under the effects of each, the most dissimilar countenances approximate more or less in certain respects. The cause is obvious. Every human pursuit is accompanied with a corresponding condition of mind which, when habitual, must influence the features, and many pursuits absolutely require an assumption at least of suitable expression which becomes ultimately fixed, and constitutes professional grimace.

In this way, may we always distinguish the teacher, the physician, the lawyer, the parson, &c.

from each other, quiet and noiseless trades, from turbulent and boisterous ones, &c. &c. In proof of this, I shall here give a few illustrations.

The Teacher, especially of the young and troublesome, has so perpetually the smile of approbation and the frown of displeasure alternating in his face, that both become to certain extent fixed, and an arrangement of features is finally acquired, which may almost be supposed to serve both purposes at once, so as to save him all trouble of changing [see Plate XIII.], and of which, at the same time, the somewhat mysterious and inscrutable character tends admirably to keep its objects upon the qui

vive.

The Physician finds the look of profound knowledge, of serious thought, of kind sympathy, and of accommodating pliability so essential to professional success, that the assumption of their expression peculiarly distinguishes him. Such, indeed, is his extreme pliability that the snake twining round the rod of Esculapius has been thought to be originally intended as a practical lesson for him. [See Plate XIV.] But I will not