Lavater, Johann Kaspar, a noted Swiss the- ologian and preacher, one of the most interesting men of the last century, was born at Zurich Nov. 15, 1741. His father, Ilcnry Lavater, was doctor of medicine and member of the government of Zurich. His mother, whose maiden name was Regula Escher, was a woman of marked character and oxtraordinarj' gifts. His child- hood was not marked by any great signs of promise as a student, but he had a decided tendency to religion, and a great predilection for singing hymns and reading the Bible. It was wliile at school in Zurich that he conceived the idea of becoming a minister of the Gos- pel. In 1755 Lavater entered the college in his native city. In 1759 he began his theological studies, and in 1762 was ordained a minister. In consequence of com- plications in the political affairs of liis country, he trav- elled in company with the celebrated painter Fuseli, and successively visited the universities of Leipsic and Berlin. He also visited Barth, in I'omerania, for the theological advice of the celebrated provost Spalding. In 17()4 ho returned to his native place, and occupied himself with the duties of the ministerial office and Biblical studios, lie also wrote some poetry, inspired by the poetical jn'oductions of Bodmer and Klopstock. In 1766 he married Miss Anna Schinz, the daughter of a highly respectable merchant. As the rosidt of his study of Bodmer and Klopstock, ho published in 1767 his Schweitzerlieder, containing his finest poems, which was followed by his Aiissichten in die Ewigkeit (1768-73,3 vols.), the tirst of a series of works in wliich he maintained the perpetuity of miracles, the irresisti- bility of prayer, and the necessity for every person to conceive of God as manifested in Christ crucilied in or- der to be really alive to himself. The last doctrine was called his Christomania. In 1769 Lavater was made deacon of the Orphan-house Church at Zurich, where the extraordinary effect of his sermons, his blameless life, and benevolent disposition made him the idol of his congregation, while his printed sermons sent forth his fame to distant parts. It was reserved, however, for his Physioffiiomische Fragmente zur Befurdenmg der Menschenkenntniss und Menschenliehe (Leipsic, 1775-78) to extend his celebrity generally. This Avork, which has often been reprinted and translated (best by Dr. H, Hunter, London, 1789-98, 5 vols, roj^al 4to), was the first elaborate attempt to reduce physiognomy to a science. Having in early life been acquainted with a large num- ber of eminent men, he had observed corresponding points of resemblance in their minds as well as their features, and from a disposition to generalize he was led to adopt a fixed sj^stem, and wrote this work in the hope that it might promote greatly the welfare of mankind, an effort in which he moderately succeeded. He illustrated it with numerous engravings and vign- ettes, and it is superior in respect of paper and typog- raphy to any book previously issued from the German press, Lavater had remarkable powers of observation, and skill in detecting character. He differed from all who had preceded him in this science. In order to form an opinion of the character from the face, he required to see the face at rest — in sleep or in au unconscious' state, "The greater part of the physiognomists," he says, " speak only of the passions, or rather of the ex- terior signs of the passions, and the expression of them in the muscles. But these exterior signs are only tran- sient circumstances, which are easily discoverable. It has therefore always been my object to consider the
general and fundamental character of the man, from which, according to the state of his exterior circum- stances and relations, all his passions arise as from a root," Lavater's " Fragmente" gave rise to considerable discussion, and occasioned general excitement. He was visited at Zurich by throngs of eminent and curious per- sons, whose character he usually judged with great sa- gacity ; at a glance he recognised Necker, Mirabeau, and Mercier, In 1775 he was elevated to the pastorate of the Orphan-house ; in 1778 was elected second pas- tor of St, Peter's Church in Ziirich, and in 1786 he was called to fill the position of chief pastor, made vacant by the death of his associate. When the French Kevolu- tion broke out Lavater Avas a zealous partisan of it, but the execution of Louis XVI made him turn in disgust from the Republican party, and in 1798, when the French took possession of Switzerland, he protested against their ravages in a publication addressed to the Directory, en- titled "Words of a free Swiss to a great Nation," which, on account of its high-toned courage, gained the ap- plause of all Europe, This v.'ork was addressed, under his own name, to Keubol, a member of the French gov- ernment at that time, but was printed witliout his co- operation, and more than a hundred thousand copies (;irculated. At the same time he gave a thrilling dis- course from his pulpit from the words, " Let every soul be subject unto the liigher powers. For there is no power but of (jod," etc, (Kom, xiii, 1-4). This, as may be supposed, produced an indescribable excitement. The Swiss Directory at first resolved upon his banishment. Difficulties were in the way of carrying out this rigid measure, and the decree was changed to suspension from his office. This, too, was prevented by his friends, and finally he received only a gentle expression of disap- proval. A few months later, however, while away from home for his health, he was seized and carried prisoner to Basle, on the charge of conspiracy against the French, but was released, after a confinement of several weeks, for want of evidence. On his return to Ziirich he re- newed his pastoral labors, and opposed with all his en- ergies the oppressive measures of the French Directory. On the 26th of September, 1799, after the French had taken possession of Ziirich, as Lavater was standing near his own house and trying to pacify some disorderly sol- diers with money, he received a gun-shot from one of them, which, though it healed for a time, finally proved fatal. The last year of his life was one of great bodily suffering, occasioned by his wound, Avhich he bore with Christian patience, praying for the man who had wound- ed him. He desired that the culprit shoidd not be ar- rested, " I woiUd, Avith all my severe pain, have much more sorrow if I knew that any punishment were done to him, for he certainly knew not what he did," He at the same time inscribed some beautiful poetical lines to him. During the intervals of suffering his mental ac- tivity continued unabated. He was never idle. When travelling or taking daitj- exercise, and even at his meals, he always had a pencil and paper, that he might write down any new thought that might suggest itself. He wrote, during this period of his life, several small works or poems. Among them were " Ziirich at the be- ginning of the Nineteenth Century," "Swan Song, or Last Thoughts of a Departing One on Jesus of Nazareth and Memorial Leaves." The latter he desired to be given after his death, as little legacies, to his friends, Lava- ter's relation to his fiock was always of the most inti- mate character, as is evinced by his request, not long before his death, to be afforded one more opportunity to speak to his beloved congregation, and partake with" them of the holy sacrament. He was carried to liLs much-loved Church, where he met a large assembly of devoted and sorrowing ]icoi)le. One who was i)reseut on the occasion wrote : " His face was filled Avith ear- nestness and love, bj- which, tliough death could be read in everj' one of his features, he seemed to be reflecting the very glory of heaven." When he was no longer able to sit up and hold his pen, he dictated to an aman-