HANDS, Joseph. - Beauty, and the Laws Governing its Development; with suggestions on education, relative to the attainment of beauty.

London, E.W. Allen [1882?] with overlaid ticket of the Chicago National Institute of Science. Slender octavo, publisher's decorated red cloth blocked in black and gilt; 88pp. A couple of minor flaws to the cloth, rather good. ¶ Only edition and elusive; just like describing Hands' writings in a simple and clear way. Hands was a London physician cum homeopath, apparently still respectable - viz his membership of the Royal College of Surgeons presuming his claim is true - and wrote works best, or most easily, described as thoroughly Victorian lunatic fringe: on will-ability and mind-energy, on the laws of matter and motion, and here, on aesthetics. Hands begins with seven aphorisms, one of which was Hogarth's, all sensible enough; the last is quite noble. But from there he leaps from the ideal human form (5'10" tall for man; 5'6'' for woman) to electro-polar action to colour to the lapse of time like an ibex in the high alps and following him leaves us breathless and bewildered.

See/Hide Conditions of Sale

Following conditions of sale apply:
Terms of Sale

Prices are in Australian dollars, post extra. Payment can be made by cheque, Mastercard or Visa. Cheques in other currencies must be at the agreed rate of exchange with $20 added for bank charges. All books are guaranteed against any disappointment. All books in original cloth or boards unless otherwise stated, likewise all books can be assumed to be original printings unless otherwise stated. Unless otherwise described all books can be assumed to be in good (in the proper sense) condition.