LA VATER, Join C %srAtt, the celebrated writer on physiognomy, was burn at Zurich, in Switzei land, on the Isth of November, 1741. His father, Henry Lavater, was a doctor of medicine, and a member of the government of Zurich ; a man of a most respectable character, of a sound understanding, and great industry, but by no means gifted with any uncommon talents. His mother possessed more genius,a very lively imagination, and an insatiable thirst for knowledge of every description. Both his parents were remarkable for their piety.
In his early youth, Lavater appears to have exhibited no indications of superior talents ; on the contrary, his pro gress in !earring was extremely slow. His parents were exceedingly attentive to his education ; but it seems to have been very difficult to fix his mind upon any particular study. As he was not permitted to join his companions in any of their youthful sports, he spent a great part of his time in modelling all kinds of figures in wax. It is re markable that, fur a long period, he was considered as totally destitute even of the most ordinary talent of ex pressing his thoughts by language, and especially of the power of reasoning upon any subject ; insomuch that he was often taunted by his school-fellows on account of his apparent dulness.
In the year 1753, he was seized with a dangerous ill ness. During the progress of his recovery, which %vas slow, he amused himself with optical experiments and drawing ; and throughout the whole of his subsequent life, he retained a fondness for these occupations. In other re spects, this illness had a beneficial influence upon his dispo sition. About this time, Wieland, the celebrated poet, came to Zurich, a circumstance which excited considerable sensation in the town. Even the boys at school talked with admiration of the man who understood so many languages, whose attainments in science were so great, and whose powers of observation were so unrivalled. Lavater was so much engrossed with this subject, that he could think of nothing but Wieland ; and although he only saw him once, lie is said to have frequently remarked, that Wieland's image was indelibly impressed upon his mind. From this period, he began to display a fondness for reading. Ile had recourse to his father's library, where he perused a variety of books on different subjects, but in a desultory manner, and without adhering to any regular plan. He had neither patience nor resolution to read any work from beginning to end ; whatever required laborious study or reflection disgusted him. At a later period, he endeavour ed, with great difficulty, to acquire a habit of steady and regular application, and even made it an inflexible rule never to lay down a book which lie had once begun, with out perusing it to the end, whatever exertion it might cost him, and however small the entertainment or information lie might derive from it. •
Having finished his school education, he entered the academical gymnasium, or humanity college, in Ole year 1738. Here ue formed an intimate friendship with the two bRaheis, Henry and Felix Hess, and Henry Fuessli, who were his fellow students of theology. Bodmer and Breitin ger, who were at that time the most distinguished profes sors at the gymnasium, did not fail to perceive the charac teristic excellencies uI Lavater's understanding; and they paid particular attention to him and his friends. Bodmer especially devoted much of his time to them ; a circum stance which is supposed to have had considerable in fluence on the poetical talents of Lavater. In the year 1759, he attended the philosophical lectures; and towards the end of that year, he was admitted into the theological class. His attention was now almost exclusively devoted to the study of divinity. About this time, too, he composed many devotional poems; some of which Were afterwards insert ed in his Collection of Sp:ritual Songs.
In the year 1762, having completed his theological studies, he entered into the ministry. About this time a circumstance occurred, which at once developed the cha racteristic energy of his mind, and laid the foundation of that celebrity which he afterwards enjoyed. Lavater and his friend Henry Fuessli (the celebrated painter) had heat d much of the acts of injustice committed by a ruling magis trate in one of the bailiwicks of Zurich. But although the complaints of his conduct became daily louder, and his guilt more evident, yet it scented difficult to obtain redress, as the burgomaster of Zurich was his father-in-law. La and his friend first addressed an anonymous letter to the unjust magistrate, containing a list of his offences, and threatening a public accusation, unless lie gave immediate satisfaction to those whom lie had plundered. No notice having been taken of this letter, the two friends made their complaint public, in a pamphlet, entitled " The Unjust Magistrate, or the Complaint of a Patric,t," which was printed and introduced into the houses of the principal members of the government. The business was at length taken up by the council at Zurich ; a rigorous inquiry was instituted ; and the authors of the complaint were called upon to make themselves known. Layne'. and Fuessli im mediately stepped forward, and boldly avowed what they had written. The magistrate, however, did not choose to await the issue or the inquiry ; but thought it prudent to abscond. The result of the investigation was such, as did equal credit to the patriotic exertions of the complainers, and to the impartial administration of justice by the council of Zurich. The unjustly acquired property was restored, and the guilty magistrate condemned to a suitable punish ment.