Part 1

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BODY, PARENTAGE AND CHARACTER IN HISTORY.

BY THE SAME AUTHOR.

Ready--New and Cheaper Edition, in great part Rewritten, 2/-

CHARACTER AS SEEN IN BODY AND PARENTAGE, with a Chapter on EDUCATION, CAREER, MORALS, AND PROGRESS.

A remarkable and extremely interesting book.--Scotsman.

A delightful book, witty and wise, clever in exposition, charming in style, readable and original.--Medical Press.

Men and women are both treated under these heads (types of character) in an amusing and observant manner.--Lancet.

We cordially commend this volume.... A fearless writer.... Merits close perusal.--Health.

Mr. Jordan handles his subject in a simple, clear, and popular manner.--Literary World.

Full of varied interest.--Mind.

KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRUeBNER, AND CO. LIMITED.

BODY, PARENTAGE AND CHARACTER IN HISTORY:

NOTES ON THE TUDOR PERIOD.

BY FURNEAUX JORDAN, F.R.C.S.

LONDON: KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRUeBNER & CO. LIMITED, 1890.

Birmingham: Printed by Hall and English.

PREFACE.

In my little work on "Character as Seen in Body and Parentage" I have put forward not a system, but a number of conclusions touching the relationship which I believe to exist between certain features of character on the one hand and certain peculiarities of bodily configuration, structure, and inheritance on the other. These conclusions, if they are true, should find confirmation in historic narrative, and their value, if they have any, should be seen in the light they throw on historic problems.

The incidents and characters and questions of the Tudor period are not only of unfailing interest, but they offer singularly rich and varied material to the student of body and character.

If the proposal to connect the human body with human nature is distasteful to certain finely-strung souls, let me suggest to them a careful study of the work and aims and views of Goethe, the scientific observer and impassioned poet, whom Madame de Stael described as the most accomplished character the world has produced; and who was, in Matthew Arnold's opinion, the greatest poet of this age and the greatest critic of any age. The reader of 'Wilhelm Meister' need not be reminded of the close attention which is everywhere given to the principle of inheritance--inheritance even of 'the minutest faculty.'

The student of men and women has, let me say in conclusion, one great advantage over other students--he need not journey to a museum, he has no doors to unlock, and no catalogue to consult; the museum is constantly around him and on his shelves; the catalogue is within himself.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

PAGE

NOTE I.--THE VARIOUS VIEWS OF HENRY VIII.'S CHARACTER. Momentous changes in sixteenth century 1 Many characters given to noted persons 3 A great number given to Henry 3 The character given in our time 6 Attempt to give an impartial view 8 Need of additional light 14

NOTE II.--THE RELATION OF BODY AND PARENTAGE TO CHARACTER. Bodily organisation and temperaments 15 Leading types in both 16 Elements of character run in groups 17 Intervening gradations 20

NOTE III.--HENRY'S FAMILY PROCLIVITIES. Henry of unimpassioned temperament 21 Took after unimpassioned mother 22 Derived nothing from his father 23 Character of Henry VII. 24 Henry VIII., figure and appearance 26

NOTE IV.--THE WIVES' QUESTION. Henry's marriages, various causes 27 Passion not a marked cause 28 Henry had no strong passions 30 Self-will and self-importance 31 Conduct of impassioned men 31