M.D' Arpentigny, an officer in the French Army. It appears that he had exceptionally good shaped hands, of which he was rather vain, and in comparing them with those of others he was gradually led to study character from the shape and formation of the hand in general. He felt more desirous of pursuing the subject after his palms had been read by a gipsy female, although it is stated that he attached no importance to her prognostications and deductions. The result of his studies on the matter he put before the world, and the con­tinued observations of very intelligent men and women since that time have served to confirm the statement she made.