How to Interpret Small Hands, 1651
John Bulwer, Chirologia (1644)
The hands very short, doth signifie a gross and rude person: fat and fleshie, with the finger likewise, inclined to theft. Small hands, crafty men.
Johannes ab Indagine, The Book of Palmistrie and Physiognomy
Well, that settles it. Short fingers = vulgarian.
Great Spy magazine reference . . .