grasp of the leading characteristics of the
persons with whom they are thrown into contact, or for whatever reason
they choose to make use of this study.

Everyone knows that "the face can wear a mask," that a person may be a
good actor and put on a certain expression that may deceive even the best
judgment.

But hands cannot change as the result of a mere effort to please; _the
character they express is the real nature of the individual_--the true
character that has been formed by heredity or that has grown up with the
person by long years of habit.

The characteristics alluded to below are those which may be easily
observed and which are aids to a rapid judgment of character and which I
have never before been able to give to the public in such a concise way.

The more elaborate details concerning the ultimate success of the person
one is talking to, their more intimate character and their future
development will be found in their proper place, in the subsequent
chapters.

RULES FOR RAPID OBSERVATION

_The Fingers_

Observe the fingers. If they look short and stumpy in proportion to the
rest of the palm--one may be sure that the individual to whom they belong
is of an animal nature, possessing coarse instincts, devoid of real
intellectuality, and belonging to the lower order of humanity.

If the fingers and the palm appear equal in length, the owner belongs to
a more cultured race. He has inherited from a more intellectual line of
ancestors and for all work requiring intelligence and a higher mentality
he or she could be depended on, whereas the first-mentioned type could
not--no matter how well he might talk or advocate his own superiority.

If the fingers look unusually long and thin, and in this way out of
proportion to the palm, the man or woman will err on the side of too much
ideality and refinement and is not suited to business or work requiring
"level headedness" and practicality. It would be useless, for example, to
put such a person in charge of work-people or over work-rooms. His
ideality and refinement would be thrown away in such positions, and even
with the best will in the world he would be completely out of harmony
with his surroundings.

Such a man, however, could be depended upon in all positions requiring
personal mental work, research, science, literature, philosophy,
educational work or, in fact, anything relating to the higher qualities
of the mind.

If his fingers, in addition to