arian, it is difficult to deny it the epithet
remarkable. Although the photograph is not wholly favourable to the
comparison, yet in the original plaster it is possible at once to detect
its similarity to the hand of Lord Beaconsfield.

[Illustration: CARDINAL MANNING'S HAND.]

In truth, the hands of these statesmen have much in common. Yet, for a
more striking resemblance between hands we must turn to another pair.
The sculptor calls attention to the eminently ecclesiastical character
of the hand of Cardinal Manning. It is in every respect the hand of the
ideal prelate. Yet its every attribute is common to one hand, and one
hand only, in the whole collection, that of Mr. Henry Irving, the actor.
The general conformation, the protrusion of the metacarpal bones, the
laxity of the skin at the joints, are characteristic of both.

[Illustration: HENRY IRVING'S HAND.]

[Illustration: LORD NAPIER OF MAGDALA'S HAND.]

[Illustration: SIR BARTLE FRERE'S HAND.]

There could be no mistaking the bellicose traits visible in the hands of
the two warriors Lord Napier of Magdala and Sir Bartle Frere. Both
bespeak firmness, hardihood, and command, just as Lord Brougham's hand,
which will be found represented on the next page, suggest the jurist,
orator, and debater. But it can scarcely be said that the great musician
is apparent in Liszt's hand, which is also depicted on the following
page. The fingers are short and corpulent, and the whole extremity seems
more at variance with the abilities and temperament of the owner than
any other represented in these casts, and, as a case which seems to
completely baffle the reader of character, is one of the most
interesting in the collection.

[Illustration: LORD BROUGHAM'S HAND.]

Highly gruesome, but not less fascinating, are the hands of the late
Wilkie Collins, with which we will conclude this month's section of our
subject.

[Illustration: LISZT'S HAND.]

In this connection a gentleman, who had known the novelist in life, on
being shown the cast, exclaimed: "Yes, those are the hands, I assure
you; none other could have written the 'Woman in White!'"

[Illustration: WILKIE COLLINS'S HANDS.]

NOTE.--Thanks are due to Messrs. Hamo Thorneycroft, R.A., Adams-Acton,
Onslow Ford, R.A., T. Brock, R.A., W. R. Ingram, Alfred Gilbert, R.A.,
J. T. Tussaud, Professor E. Lanteri, and A. B. Skinner, Secretary South
Kensington Museum, for courtesies extended during the compilation of
this pap