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The essay on "the Benefit of Laughing" was, so far as we know, Fielding's last publication before, after another sojourn on the Continent, he "set up

for a Play-Writer" in 1730. In June of that year, we will recall, the Haymarket production of Rape upon Rape represented his first serious attempt as a dramatist to satirize—albeit in a manner prudently oblique—corrupt practices peculiarly associated with Walpole. A month later, on 25 July, there appeared in Fog's Weekly Journal a letter from one "Thomas Squint," a public-spirited physiognomist who, having discovered Walpole's character in his countenance, was eager to share his findings with his "Fellow Subjects."

Again, though the evidence for Fielding's authorship of this piece is wholly internal, it is plentiful and, I believe, conclusive. Like the previous letter to Mist's on "the Benefit of Laughing," this one addresses a topic that Fielding, among popular authors of the period, made distinctively his own: namely, the science of physiognomy.[1] The most thorough discussion of the subject in his works opens the "Essay on the Knowledge of the Characters of Men," where, like "Squint," Fielding defends the science from its detractors: "the passions of men," he writes, "do commonly imprint sufficient marks on the countenance; and it is owing chiefly to want of skill in the observer that physiognomy is of so little use and credit in the world" (XIV. 284); "nature," he continues, "doth really imprint sufficient marks in the countenance, to inform an accurate and discerning eye . . ." (288). Though he could observe in The Champion (11 December 1739) that "the doctrine of physiognomy" was "somewhat unfortunate in these latter ages," he was none the less ready, even at the end of his life, to speak up "in favour of the physiognomist." For, he remarks in the Journal of a Voyage to Lisbon, "though the law hath made him a rogue and vagabond . . . nature is seldom curious in her works within, without employing some little pains on the outside; and this," he declares in a comment relevant to the present observations of "Tom Squint," is "more particularly" the case "in mischievous characters" (XVI. 236). This is also the opinion of Parson Adams in Joseph Andrews, who insists "that nature generally imprints such a portraiture of the mind in the countenance that a skilful physiognomist will rarely be deceived" (I. 209); and in Tom Jones (IV. 76, 96) both Partridge and Mrs. Whitefield pretend to some "skill in physiognomy." It is worth noting, finally, that the earliest reference to the science in Fielding's acknowledged works occurs less than a year after the present essay, in the Preface to The Tragedy of Tragedies (IX. 11), where, to comfort admirers of Tom Thumb, "Scriblerus Secundus" states that "our English physiognomical writers" have never held that "the greatness of a man's soul is in proportion to that of his body. . . ."

Fielding, then, from the beginning of his literary career shared with "Tom Squint" not only an interest in the science of physiognomy, but a willingness to entertain the notion that it could be made to work. Other features of the essay are typical of Fielding as well—the author's pose, for instance, as an "Adept," master of the exact "Rules" of a science, who is so skilled in his art that the uninitiated take him for a "Conjurer," but who is

so altruistic that he will publish his discoveries for the benefit of the public. We will also find here one of Fielding's familiar satiric figures, the arrogant Great Man; and here, too, joined in one, will be a pair of other butts well known from his other writings, the oath-swearing "Bully" and the "contented Cuckold." If we enter more closely into the verbal texture of the piece, we will also recognize a number of his favorite expressions, images, patterns of thought: thus "Squint" speaks of the public as his "Fellow-Creatures" and "Fellow Subjects"; he talks confidently of "positive" rules, or contemptuously of the "abject" behavior of Walpole's flatterers; he makes much of removing one's hat as a sign of respect; he is amused at the thought that those who are fated to hang will never drown. But the range and closeness of such correspondences will best be seen in the notes to the text, which follows.

To the Author of FOG's Journal.

SIR,

Many Years ago I thought it my Duty to bend my Studies to the Good and Advantage of my Fellow-Creatures,[1] and very early I applyed my Mind to find out or improve some Science that might be of Use to the Rest of Mankind.

I believ'd that the Science of Phisiognomy [sic] was not at that Height but it was possible to add greatly to it, and tho' it had been exploded and laught at by some ignorant People, yet I believ'd it was possible to settle it on as strong a Basis, and to judge by Rules[2] as certain and positive as those we generally receive from the Royal Society,[3] at least I was resolved to attempt it, and 'tis now, without Vanity, I can assure you, Sir, that my Labour has not been in vain, and I am very ready, when call'd upon, to deliver as certain and infallible Rules, and as real Maxims, for the understanding of this Science, as even the most skilful Decypherers can for the Knowledge of their Art; and tho' some Gentlemen are base enough to suggest that I deal with the Devil,[4] and hold a strict Correspondence with the Pope, yet, Sir, I do assure you, my Art is very innocent, and I act by Rules positive, indisputable, and honest.

The Secrets of most Sciences you are sensible, Sir, are not easily comprehended by the Ignorant,[5] and very often they believe we hold an infernal Correspondence, when what we the Adept do is easy with us, without the least Conjuration; I appeal to Mr. Fawks.[6]

But to leave this Digression, and to come to Fact. I am, Sir, arriv'd to that Heighth[7] of Knowledge in this Science, with the Help of a little Surgery, that I am able to judge of the Intellects of every individual Person I examine at the Distance of 30 Feet; I can, Sir, at the first Glimpse, distinguish between a Knave and a Fool,—between a Patriot and a Politician, between a Courtier and an Excise-man, between a Pimp and a Custom-house Officer,[8] or between a Gamester and a Senator. This, Sir, is of great Use to me,—and hinders my committing several Blunders in my Addresses to Men of Figure.

But, Sir, as, with great Study, Industry and Cost, I am arrived to this Knowledge, I think it my Duty to produce my Art to my Fellow-Christians, and not, like the Tribe of Projectors, consider the Publick a little, and Myself

a great deal; I ought (I think) freely, without the least Prospect of Gain, do an honest and real Service to the Publick,[9] without considering my dear self;[10] what Hurt from Persons in great Posts, from Gentlemen with great Pensions, or how the Courtiers and prime Ministers may happen to relish it I value not; I am very little sollicitous whom I please or displease; I do my Duty;—'tis sufficient,[11] I say, that I do Good to my Fellow Subjects.

But, before I open my Budget[12] of secret Knowledge, I was willing, Sir, to know your Opinion, and to take your Advice, and I beg you would let me know what may happen on my divulging these Secrets; if you think a Mulct or Fine may be laid of 100 l. or a Year's Imprisonment in the County-Jail, or that I must find Security for the Rest of my Life; I shall e'en keep my boasted Knowledge to myself, and bewail Mankind the Loss of this very useful Knowledge.

But, to satisfy you, Sir, of the Truth of what I write, I shall only relate one Matter of Fact, that I am ready to prove by many living Evidences of unquestionable Authority, and leave you, Sir, to judge if I am an ignorant Pretender.

Some Years ago, in my Way to Buckingham-House, as I was passing through the Mall, a Buzz flew about[13] that Sir —— was coming in a Chariot; —immediately all was in Disorder, and every Body prepared to throw themselves in a Posture of Worship and Adoration;[14] —for my Part, I had soon my Eye in the Chariot, and when, at the Distance of twenty Yards, I perceiv'd a huge,[15] unweildy, lazy[16] Fellow, lolling[17] and grinning[18] at his Ease; at first I supposed him to be, at least, the Keeper of the Lions,[19] and could not easily conceive why my Fellow-Creatures should cringe in that abject[20] Manner to the Man-brute [21] that took no Notice of the kind and abject Salutations that were paid to him. But as I presently recollected that my honest Countrymen were famous in History for Gratitude, so I supposed their present Respects were paid for the Care he might have of the young Whelps in the Tower, but not being certain who the mounted Grinner might be, I thought I was not bound to pay my Respects; but I immediately fell to consider his Physiognomy, secundum Artem,[22] and found Pride, a great Assurance, much Arrogance, and immense Quantity of Self-Love, no small Share of Avarice, with its Attendant Ambition,[23] writ in his Face,[24] and to tell you the Truth, I saw some Signs of a violent Death there, and, if my Art does not deceive me, it will be a dry Death too;[25] I think he is in Danger of going up Stairs out of the World;[26] for which Reason I did not even move my Hat.[27]

The Chariot had hardly passed, when a most impudent Coxcomb[28] accosted me with a Damme,[29] Sir, what do you mean?—What! is your nasty[30] Hat tied so fast to your Noddle,[31] that even the great Knight could not move it? A'n't you a Papist,[32] a Jesuite in Disguise, a disaffected Rascal hired by the Imperialists, one of those that made a Clamour about Dunkirk?

Really, I was not a little disordered at this Salutation, but immediately applying my self to my Art, I found young Pert had married the Grinner's Cook-Maid's first Cousin by the Mother's Side;[33] I found he had a Place of 700 l. a Year in the ——, and accordingly I told him, whatever his Pretensions were, he had receiv'd as much as he had deserved, I assured him; and, tho' he could handsomely[34] bully[35] in the Mall, yet he was a very contented C——d[36] at home; he suspected me for a Conjurer,[37] and retired with Precipitation.

Thus my Art disengaged me from a Quarrel, and if you, Sir, approve this Art and Science, insert this in your next, and you will soon hear further from
Sir, your very humble Servant,
Tho. Squint.