_--Every sensitive, agreeable or painful form is
expressed by an elevation of the shoulders. The shoulders are the
thermometer of the sensitive and passional life. If a man's shoulders
are raised very decidedly, we may know that he is decidedly impressed.
The head tells us whether this impression is joyous or sorrowful. Then
the species belongs to the head, and the genus to the shoulder.
If the shoulder indicates thirty degrees, the head must say whether it
is warmth or coldness. The face will specify the nature of the sorrow or
joy whose value the shoulders have determined.
The shoulder is one of the great powers of the orator.
By a simple movement of the shoulder, he can make infinitely more
impression than with all the outward gestures which are almost always
theatrical, and not of a convincing sort.
The shoulder, we have said, is the thermometer of emotion and of love.
The movement is neutral and suited to joy as well as to sorrow; the eyes
and mouth are present to specify it.
The shoulder, like all the agents, has three and hence nine distinct
phases.
The torso is divided into three parts: the thoracic, the epigastric and
abdominal.
We shall state farther on, the role of these three important centres.
Liars do not elevate their shoulders to the required degree, hence the
truth or falsity of a sentiment may be known.
Raphael has forgotten this principle in his "Moses Smiting the Rock.
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