Talk:Nasology

Summary

The whole book is a hilarious read. Below is the summary of the classification. I am not sure whether it is to be added to the article. - Altenmann >talk 07:39, 22 February 2024 (UTC)

Class I. The Roman, or Aquiline Nose, is rather convex, but undulating, as its name aquiline imports. It is usually rugose and coarse; but when otherwise, it approaches the Greek nose, and the character is materially altered.

It indicates great decision, considerable Energy, Firmness, Absence of Refinement, and Disregard for the bienséances of life.

Class II. The Greek, or Straight Nose, is perfectly straight; any deviation from the right line must be strictly noticed. If the deviation tend to convexity, it approaches the Roman Nose, and the character is improved by an accession of energy; on the other hand, when the deviation is towards concavity, it partakes of the “Celestial,” and the character is weakened. It should be fine and well chiselled, but not sharp.

It indicates Refinement of character, Love for the fine arts and belles-lettres, Astuteness, Craft, and a preference for indirect, rather than direct action. Its owner is not without some energy in pursuit of that which is agreeable to his tastes; but, unlike the owner of the Roman Nose, he cannot exert himself in opposition to his tastes. When associated with the Roman Nose, and distended slightly 10at the end by the Cogitative, it indicates the most useful and intellectual of characters; and is the highest and most beautiful form which the organ can assume.

Class III. The Cogitative, or Wide-nostrilled Nose, is, as its secondary name imports, wide at the end, thick and broad; not clubbed, but gradually widening from below the bridge. The other noses are seen in profile, but this in full face.

It indicates a Cogitative mind, having strong powers of Thought, and given to close and serious Meditation. Its indications are, of course, much dependent on the form of the Nose in profile, which decides the turn the cogitative power will take. Of course, it never occurs alone; and is usually associated with Classes I and II, rarely with IV, still more seldom with V and VI.[6] The entire absence of it produces the “sharp” nose, which is not classified, as sharpness is only a negative quality, being the defect of breadth,[7] and, therefore, indicates defect of cogitative power.

Class IV. The Jewish, or Hawk Nose, is very convex, and preserves its convexity like a bow, throughout the whole length from the eyes to the tip. It is thin and sharp.

It indicates considerable Shrewdness in worldly matters; a deep insight into character, and facility of turning that insight to profitable account.

Classes V and VI. The Snub Nose, and the Turn-up, poeticè Celestial Nose. The form of the former is sufficiently indicated by its name. The latter is distinguished by its presenting a continuous concavity from the eyes to the tip. It is converse in shape to the Jewish nose.

N.B. The Celestial must not be confounded with a Nose which, belonging to one of the other classes in the upper part, terminates in a slight distension of the tip; for this, so far from prejudicing the character, rather adds to it warmth and activity.

We associate the Snub and the Celestial in nearly the same category, as they both indicate natural weakness, mean, disagreeable disposition, with petty insolence, and divers other characteristics of conscious weakness, which strongly assimilate them (indeed, a true Celestial Nose is only a Snub turned up); while their general poverty of distinctive character, makes it almost impossible to distinguish them. Nevertheless there is a difference between their indications; arising, however, rather from difference of intensity than of character. The Celestial is, by virtue of its greater length, decidedly preferable to the Snub; as it has all the above unfortunate propensities in a much less degree, and is not without some share of small shrewdness and fox-like common sense; on which, however, it is apt to presume, and is, therefore, a more impudent Nose than the Snub.

The following subordinate rules are applicable to all kinds of Noses, and must be attended to before forming a judgment on any Nose.

1. The Power of a Nose depends upon its length in proportion to the profile. A Nose should not be less than one-third of the entire length of the profile, from the root of the hair to the tip of the chin.

2. The character of a Nose is weakened in intensity by forming too great, or too small an angle with the general profile of the face. This angle, if as great as 40°, is not good, anything beyond that is bad; about 30° is best. Angles: 45°. 40°. 30°. —less than 25°. becomes a snub.

3. Attention should be paid to the angle which the basal line of the Nose forms with the upper lip. This angle affects intensity, and also temperament. If it is an obtuse angle, as thus , the consequent abbreviation of the Nose (for a long Nose has always more Power than a short one) weakens the character, but the temperament is cheerful, gay, and lively; if on the other hand the angle is acute, as thus , the elongation of the Nose adds much to the intensity of the character indicated by the profile; but the disposition is generally melancholy, and, if a very acute angle, desponding and fond of gloomy thoughts. Fox (the Martyrologist), John Knox, Calvin, George Herbert, Edmund Spenser, and Dante, are illustrations of the melancholy Nose.