H
I L

I N

I S

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

PRODUCTION NOTE
University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign Library
Brittle Books Project, 2009.

1~39
P549

139
P549

THE

PHILOSOPHY
or

P HR E NOL OG

Y

SIMPLIFIED.

BY A MEMBER OF THE
PHRENOLOGICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETIES OF
GILASGOW; &c. &c.

GLASGOW:
II. MTPHUN,

86, TRONGATE;
N. H. COTES, 139, CHEAPSIDE, LONDON.

WV.

MIDCCCXXXVI.

'tI~gor -Printed

at the Univ~ersity Pre~s, by F, 1{nmr"

139

ot

°P5

To

THE

MEMORY

GALL.
all

4
45

OF

PREFACE.

IN the following pages the writer has confined himself
more to the principles than to the details of Phrenology,
and he has aimed at simplicity and perspicuity of style
rather than elegance of diction. Every student of
Phrenology easily gets acquainted with facts relating
to the situation, form, and even some of the uses of
the organs; but the philosophic Phrenologist looks
also to principles, for without this kind of knowledge
his views must be empirical, and destitute of that comprehensive character which leads to useful practical
results. Factshe knows are only the insulated materials
of which a science is built up, while principles are
the uniting media that impart solidity and durability to
the whole structure.
Phrenology is calculated to produce most important
effects upon society; and the more widely a knowledge

vi

PREFACE.

is diffused of the principles of Phrenological science,
the sooner will these effects be realized.
Should this little work tend to produce a spirit of
inquiry into the subject of which it treats, the object
for which it is published will be effected.

r

\W -VlI

CONTENT S,

1NTIIODUCTION.
Definition,
Causes of the Opposition to Phrenology,Many important Discoveries have met with Opposition,
Previous to the Discovery of Phrenology most discordant Opinions entertained regarding the corporeal Seat of the Mind,
History of the Discovery of Phrenology,
Gall, Spurzheim-----------------------6
Succeeding Phrenologists.------------------7

I

2
3
3

CHAPTER I.
The Brain the Organ of the Mlind,--------------Some popular Objections to Phrenology answered,

-

-

16

CHAPTER. 11.

The Brain

not a single Organ proved,The Mind displays different mental Powers,
-24
Diversity of Form in the Brains of different Individuals,
Diversity of Talents,--------------------26
Partial Idiocy, and partial Insanity,
.Dreaming,------------------------30
Anatomy in Ilarn~ony with Phrenology.
-

23

----

25

29
-

31

X

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER III.
Comparative Anatomy of the Nervous System favourable to
Phrenology,-37
Zoophytes,
Molluscous Animals,
Articulated Animals,
Fishes,-41
Reptiles,-41
Birds,-41
Quadrupeds,-42
Facial angle of Camper,-43
Argument in Favour of Phrenology from Camper's Principles,
Argument from the Process of Development of the Brain.
-

39

43
44

CHAPTER IV.
Nervous System of Man,-Nerves,-----Ganglia,--------48
Plexuses,--Spinal Marrow or Cord,-Medulla Oblongata,--------Cerebellum,--Cerebrum.--------

46
47

-

48
52
55
56
58

-CHAPTER V.

Phrenological Nomenclature,---------Fundamental Powers,--The Essence of the Mind an inmproper Subject of Investigation,
Short Notification of the Fundamental Functions of the

nological Organs, and Abuses
liable,

-

_

-

Phre-

63
65
69

to which some of them are

__--_-

----

73

--

Size of the Organs,-------------89
Activity of the Organs,-------------98
Temperament,----------------91
Combination of the Organs---------------95
Materialism.----------------97
CHAPTER VI.

On Insanity,

-

-

Proximate Cause of Insanity corporeal,
Corporeal

-

-

Agents produce Insanity,-----------103

Insanity hereditary, Different Kinds of Insanity,------------100
of Insanity is founded,
which thc
Principles uapon

Treatment

98

-

.99

100
-

104

CONTENTS.

Xi

CHAPTER VII.
On the Principles of Education,
Principle. I Education does not confer new powers either
mental or corporeal, but merely improves
those already implanted by nature,
II. All the powers of the mind cannot be improved
to an equal degree in any individual, II.
The improvement of anyone power of the mind
does not affect the strength or energy of any
of the other mental powers,
_
The intellectual powers which are naturally

IV.

strongest in

any individual should

vated to a greater

i08

108
117

11

be culti-

degree than those that are
weak,
V. Education to be effective oust be practical,
Advantages of Phrenology,-------------------Practical Examination of the Head,---------------139
Explanation of the Plates,--------------

---

9l

124

141:

DESCRIPTION OF FRONTISPIECE.

Ova coloured engraving shows the mapping, as it were, of
the various divisions of the skull, marked and numbered in
the present state of the science of Phrenology.
We have only given a front view, and, therefore, the
animal compartment cannot be seen, which occupies the
base of the brain, reaching, in the occipital region, about
half way towards the top of the head, and at the sides,
rising a little above the top of the ears. It does not so
extend to the front of the brain, as to constitute any portion
of the forehead.
Directly over the animal is placed the moral compartment, occupying the entire top or roof of the brain, and
upper parts of its sides. It is shaded with purple.
The knowing compartment occupies the base of the brain
in front, from side to side, and reaches to about the nmi *
of the forehead or a little higher. It is shaded in ihe
engraving with blue.
The reflecting lies immediately over the knowing compartment, forming the more elevated portion of the head.
The spaces in the engraving are white.
In the other engravings of the smaller mapped heads, the
situation of all the organs is indicated according to the following table.

TABLE OF THE PHRENOLOGICAl.

ORGANS.
AFFECTIVE.
1.

PRtOPENSITIES.

1. Amativeness.
2. Philoprogenitiveness.
3. Inhabitiveness.
4. A dhesiveness.
5. Combativeness.
6. Destructiveness~.
f Alimentiveness.
7. Secretiveness.
8. Acquisitiveness.
9. Constructiveness.

11. SENTIMENTS.
10.
11l.
12.
13.
14.

15.

16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.

Self- Esteem.
Love of Approbation.

Cautiousness.
Benevolence.
Veneration.
Firmness.

Conscientiousness.
Hope.
Wonder.
Ideality.
Wit or Mirthfnlness.
Imitation.

INTELLECTUAL.

I. PE.RCEPTIVE.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.

Individuality.
Form.
Size.
WVeiglit.
Colouring.
Locality.
N umbe.
Order.

30.
31.
32.
3.

Eventuality.
Time.
Tune.
Language.

ii. REr+LECTI VE.
34. Comparison.
35. Causality.

Fig 1.

r7y

2.

:-,4

D

EXPLANATION
OF THE

PLATE OF THE BRAIN.

IN the preparation from which fig. 1st is taken, the right
half of the skull is removed, and a side view is consequently obtained of the parts that lie within the cranium.
Occupying the greatest part of the skull, we observe the
cerebrum A, A, A, (presenting numerous convolutions).
These convolutions lie immediately nnder the thin membranes that line the cavity of the skull. The form, size,
and direction of the convolutions, seem to vary in different
portions of the mass, and form important parts of the
phr-enological organs. These organs, it must be remarked,
ate not confined to the convolutions, bit extetid from the
medulla oblongata (C, or top of the spinal marrow, to the
convolutions which they also include.
Below, and at the back of
cerebrum, we find the
cerebellum, or little braimm 13, whIiich differs remarkably itz
structure fromz the cerebrnun. Instead of the convoluted,
which appertains to the cerebrum, it-presents a lomiuated
structure ; the laminwe, or plates, so arranged that their
margins are turne~d to the circumference of the mass.
lIn
2d, the bose, or lower surface of the brain, is repre-

tie

fig.

sented, and besides the

nerves which. are there found attached,

a view is obtained of the three lobes of the cremebreum.
A,
the anteriorlobe
13B, middle
the
C, the
lobe.,
In this inverted state of the brain, the cerebel/ua, D, covers'
nearly altogether the post erior lobes, but by referring to fig.
1st, the true position of these parts w ill be comprehendtd.
E refers to the mnedulla oblonyata, or the top of the spinal
marrow.

lobe;

From fig.

posterior

1st, a view may be obtained of the manner ini

which thmebrains fills the skull.
1), 1), 1), rep~resents the
thickness of the skull as seeni after a longitudinal section
has been made from the nose to the hind head.
will be
observed, that the cerebral wa illk roo pletely the cavity
of the skull, and the skull. like the rind of an orange, Or the
shell of atn egg, inidicates, -with great acturacy, the form
sin~e of the contained materials.

It

and

THEI

PHILOSOPHY
PHRENOLOGY

SIMPLIFIED.

INTRODUCTION.
Definition-Causes of the Opposition to Phrenology.-Many important
Discoveries have met with Opposition.-Previous to the Discovery of
Phrenology most discordant Opinions entertained regarding the corporeal Seat of the Mind.-History of the Discovery of Phrenology.Gall, Spurzheim.-Succeeding Phrenologists.

PHRENOLOGY is the science that treats not only of the

mental powers, but also of the relationship which exists
between these powers and certain corporeal conditions.
In this last particular, chiefly, it differs from all other
systems of mental philosophy, and, at the same time,
pre-eminently surpasses them all. Many of our theories
of the mind may be characterized as philosophical
dreams, and, like dreams, are remarkable for their
incoherency and darkness; while Phrenology has the
freshness of reality stamped on its forehead, and, unlike the older theories, can be rendered subservient in
many ways to the improvement of the human race.
It is to be regretted that many who oppose Phrenology do so without due consideration. Many appa-

INTRODUCTION.

rently object to it because it runs counter to their
preconceived notions, of the correctness of which they
have never once doubted : many oppose it because
the criterion of mental capacity which it establishes
is not sufficiently flattering to themselves : many raise
their voices against it because the mass of mankind,

who know nothing of it whatever, do not believe in it;
and many laugh at it because it is more easy to laugh
than to reason. With these causes in full operation, it
is a matter of surprise not that Phrenology has made
so little progress, but that it has made so much. But
it must succeed. It is a science based on immutable
truth, and has, therefore, the seeds of immortality
in itself.
It is a curious and interesting fact, that almost every
important discovery in science and philosophy has met
with neglect or strong opposition. Pythagoras was
banished from Athens, and Anaxagoras imprisoned for
promulgating novel doctrines. Was not Democrates
denounced as insane, for attempting to discover the
cause of madness by dissections ? Was not Socrates,
for demonstrating the unity of the Deity, compelled to
drink of the poisonous cup ? and were not many who
excelled in the physical sciences, during the fourteenth
century, burned as sorcerers ? The truth or falsehood
of any doctrine must be estimated only from its intrinsic
qualities, and not from the kind of public reception it
may have at first obtained. The doctrine of the earth's
motion round the sun, is now generally assented to, yet
Gallileo, the author of this doctrine, was cast into prison,
and the doctrine opposed by the most enlightened and
influential of the times. The discovery of the circulation

INTRODUCTION.

of the blood too, a discovery which did more for the advancement of medical science, and consequently, for the
happiness of the human race, than any other in ancient
or modern times, was maliciously opposed, and Harvey,
the discoverer, stigmatized as an enemy to morality
and religion. With these examples before us, we cannot be surprised that Phrenology should have had its
own share of abuse; it has been opposed in every
possible manner. The learned as well as the ignorant
have united in deriding it. Argument and wit have
been conjoined to decry its pretensions, and even
malicious and wicked insinuations of its dangerous tendencies have not been neglected to secure its overthrow;
yet it has triumphed over every effort to put it down,
and the more it is opposed, the more assuredly will it
triumph--error only is afraid of the light-truth never
shuns discussion nor loses by investigation ; and the
more carefully Phrenology is examined, the more ardently it will be embraced, and the importance of its
doctrines recognised and acknowledged.
Previous to the discovery of Phrenology, not only
were the most discordant opinions entertained by
philosophers regarding the powers of the mind, but
what may appear still more extraordinary, unanimity
did not prevail regarding the corporeal seat of the mental operations: some indeed believed the mind to reside
in the brain,* but others supposed its habitation to be
* Among these we may make honourable mention of Hippocrates,
who says, that " From the brainonly proceed pleasure, and joy, and
laughter, and sport, as well as griefs, anxieties, sorrows, and weeping.
By it we are wise, and understand, and see, apd hear, and appreciate.
By it we distinguish what is pleasant and what is disagreeable, and by

INTRODUCTION.

in various less noble parts of the body. Drelincourt
and his followers, for example, allocated the mind in
the cerebellum; Descartes and his disciples in the
pineal gland; Aristotle in the heart; Buffon in the
diaphragm; Van Helmont in the stomach. Indeed
there is scarcely a vital organ in the whole body which
has not been viewed as the exclusive resting place of
the mind. These opinions have fled like phantoms
before the light of day. Phrenology has had the
merit of exposing their absurdities. Truth is always
valuable for its own sake, and the establishment of the
fundamental truth in Phrenology, that all mental manifestation takes place through the brain, is calculated to
lead to conclusions of unspeakable importance to the
human race.
It is scarcely forty years since the doctrines of phrenology were first publicly promulgated, yet notwithstand.
ing the extraordinary opposition it has had to contend
with, it has made its way into almost every part of the
civilized world. It is known even in Asia. In America many learned men have written in its behalf. In
different parts of Europe many Phrenological Societies
have been formed; and in this country do we not find
it taught as a branch of liberal education in many of
our seminaries of learning'? do we not find men,1known
both to science and to literature, pressing forward in its
it the same things do not please us under all circumstances. By it we
are insane and delirious, experience terrors and fears, partly by night
and partly by day; do not recognise those who are with us; lose our
habits, and forget our experience. All this we suffer from the brWinif
it is not healthy; wherefore, I say, that the brain is the messenger And
interpreter of intelligence and wisdom."-De Morbo Sacro.

INTRODUCTION.

0

support, and the most able and respectable medical
and literary periodical publications of the day ably
advocating its cause, and elucidating its principles ? The
discovery of Phrenology is a new era in the history of
the human mind. To Dr. Gall mankind is indebted
for the discovery; and the discovery, it must be remarked, was purely the result of observation, not of
reasoning. Dr. Gall was born at Tiefenbrun in Suabia,
on 9th March, 1757. Even when a boy he was noted
for quick perception and talent of observation. He
remarked when at school, and afterwards when he had
entered the University, that all his class fellows who
had a strong verbal memory had prominent eyes, and
was inclined to suspect that these two circumstances
held an important relationship. Had he proceeded no
farther in his investigations, this observation of his
would have been soon forgotten ; but he fortunately
conceived the idea, that if a memory for words can
have any external sign, the same might be the case
He looked for
with the other intellectual powers.
these signs in the head where they had not previously
been suspected to exist, and in process of time he was
convinced that he had found external characters which
indicated talents for painting, for music, for mechanical
arts, and for remembering places. He became afterwards acquainted with some individuals who were
remarkable for the energy and particular determination
of character, and he found particular parts of their
heads to be very largely developed. From such cases
he was led to look for signs of the moral sentiments in
the head, and the more he examined, he found the
correctness of this general position unfolding itself.
B2

v

INTRODUCTION.

He abandoned the theories of philosophers, from whose
vague speculations regarding the powers of the mind
he could gain no assistance, and devoted himself exclusively to the observation of nature. That he might
extend his sphere of observation, he frequently visited
schools and colleges, got admission into prisons, houses
of correction, and hospitals for the treatment of the
insane, and procured introductions to private individuals conspicuous for peculiarity of talent. The
heads of all he carefully examined; and after a series
of observations, arrived at the belief that he had discovered the particular conformations of head, which
indicated certain dispositions and intellectual powers.
Dr. Gall has been accused of first framing a theory,
and then attempting to mould nature to his speculations; but no accusation can be more unfounded. The
first phrenological idea that entered the mind of Gall
was the offspring of observation, and every subsequent
discovery which he made was the result of numerous
observations and cautious inductions. Phrenology is
not a theory that was manufactured in the closet, and
brought to the light of day in a finished state. Noit first appeared like so many detached and isolated
facts; and after the facts were satisfactorily established,
it was wrought into an interesting system of philosophy.
In the year 1806, Dr. Spurzheim became the assistant and associate of Dr. Gall, and to him Phrenology
is not only indebted for an extension of its boundaries,
but in some measure, also, for the systematic and philosophical aspect which it at prcscnt displays. With

INTRODUCTION.

7

Dr. Spurzheim, the writer of these pages had the honour
of being personally acquainted ; and the more he had an
opportunity of knowing him, the more he was convinced
of the philosophic character of his mind. Dr. Spurzheim
had obviously investigated human nature with a most
observant and critical eye, and few individuals could
bring into the investigation more sagacity or intellectual profundity; his manners besides were simple and unaffected, and candour and love of truth his
predominating characteristics. To him Phrenology is
indebted for much of the progress it has made in this
country. With inextinguishable zeal and ceaseless
industry, he travelled over the greater part of Europe,
explaining and inculcating the new doctrines, and leaving every where behind him indubitable evidences of
the triumph of truth. He may be viewed as the father
and apostle of the new philosophy in Britain; for hadhe not combated personally and so successfully as he
did, the opposition wihich Phrenology first experienced,
phrenological truth might have been left to make its
own way; and unless truth is known it can neither be
believed nor turned to any practical advantage.
After sojourning for some years in this country, he
repaired to America, where he terminated a life devoted to Phrenology.
Great though the merits of Spurzheim be, we cannot
agree with those who would attempt to raise him to an
equality with Gall. The glory of the discovery is due
to Gall alone ; and all the merits of Dr. Spurzheim,
transcendent though they be, are in comparison with
the discovery, only of secondary importance. Gall

8

INTRODUCTION.

was the great luminary from which all the succeeding
phrenologists have derived all their lustre.*
In discussing this subject we shall, First, attempt to
prove that the brain is the material organ of the mind.
Secondly, that the brain is not a single organ, but a
congeries of organs, through which the mind displays
a plurality of powers. Thirdly, shall shortly notice the
function of each organ, and the abuses to which it may
give rise; and, Fourthly, point out the practical benefits
to which a knowledge of Phrenology will conduce.
* Although this last observation is literally true, yet it must be stated
that Phrenology has been much advanced by the observations and la.
bours of other philosophers. Among these, Mr. Combe stands pre.
eminent; and although he has neither the genius of Gall, nor the profundity of Spurzheim, he has done more than either in extending and
popularizing the science. Like Socrates, he has had the merit of drawing philosophy from the clouds, and adaptig it to the ordinary affairs
of human life.

9

THE BRAIN

THE ORGAN OF THE MIND.

CHAPTER I.
The Brain the Organ of the Mind.--Some popular Objections to Phrenology answered.

IT is the opinion of some philosophers, that the
mental powers are not dependent upon the body.
But if there is a shadow of truth in such an opinion,
Phrenology must fall to the ground. But, independently of the fact that mental manifestation is never
evinced without corporeal parts, do we not uniformly
find the mental powers increase and strengthen with
the growth and energy of the body, and with the
decay of the corporeal system, dwindle and disappear.
No man can unbiasedly contemplate the dawning of
intellect in the child, the full expansion of the intellectual powers in middle age, and the dotage and
mental imbecility wlhich characterize the advanced
periods of life, without arriving directly at the conclusion, that the peculiarity of mental condition is dependent on the peculiarity of the corporeal state. But is
it the whole body or a part of it that is so intimately
connected with mind ? To such a question we are
enabled to give a decided and satisfactory answer. The
human body consists of an assemblage of organs, each
of which has its separate and determinate function.
Besides the organs which we consider necessary for

10

THE BRAIN THE

the manifestation of the mental powers, there are others
which experiment and observation prove to have been
formed for very different purposes. We have organs
of digestion, absorption, circulation of the blood, respiration, secretion, motion, sensation, voice, and reproduction. It would be obviously absurd to suppose that
any of these organs is directly concerned in the manifestation of the mind, and this conclusion is strengthened
by the following considerations:1st. These organs have their ascertained functions,
which have no relationship to the phenomena of mind.
2dly. Many of these organs may be removed from
the body without impairing the mental faculties; and,
3dly. Those which cannot be removed without
destroying life are found existing in the fullest development in many of the inferior animals whose mental
capacities are of the lowest order.
Phrenologists believe that the BRAIN is the material
organ of the mind; and they believe this because they
think the fact is unquestionable, or may be proved as
satisfactorily as any other doctrine in physiology.
Some opponents of Phrenology have, however, questioned the truth of the position, and asserted that we
have equal reason for believing the other vital organs
to be organs of the mind, as we have for arriving at
that conclusion regarding the brain.* We cannot think,
they say, without the lungs or heart any more than
without the brain, ergo, the heart and lungs are mental
organs as well as the other. Such a conclusion, if not
illogical, is at least inconsistent with the known opera*

Edinburgh Review, No. 88,

ORGAN OF THE MIND.

ll

tions of the animal economy. By the same kind of
argument we may prove the heart to be a respiratory
organ, for by removing it from a living animal, respiration instantly ceases; nay, by similar logic we may
prove that all the vital organs are united in performing
one function--indeed any function that may be condescended upon, for by destroying one vital organ all the
others immediately cease to act. The man, however, who
has studied the laws of the animal economy knows that
though all these organs are linked together and conspire to effect one great end, the continuance of life, he
also knows that each organ serves a determinate purpose in the living system, for which purpose it was
formed and for no other. The lungs, he knows, are a
respiratory and the stomach a digestive organ. He
knows also they are as necessary for our existence as
the air we inhale and the food we digest, but he would
no more ascribe intelligence to these organs than he
would ascribe intellectuality to the air or food. But
it is far different with regard to the brain. Throughout
the whole of nature, so far as our observation reaches,
and in philosophical argument we dare not proceed
farther, mind and brain are never found disunited.
Wherever we find brain there also we find mind, and
in proportion to the development of the brain, do we
find a corresponding development of intellectual power.
There are no exceptions to this general law. What
are we to think, then, of those cases adduced by the
opponents of Phrenology, in which the brain is said to
have been lost without affecting the intellectual powers.
They are just as worthy of credit as the exploits of the
renowned Baron Munchausen, or the picturesque ima-

12

THE BRAIN THE

ginings of the " Arabian Nights." It is to me surprising that any man can be found who is so credulous as
to believe them.
---

" The times have been

That when the brainswere out the man would die,
And there an end : but now they rise again
With twenty mortal murders on their crowns
And push us from our stools : This is more strange
Than such a murder is."

Shakspeare insinuates that it is a strange matter
for a man to live without brains, and Shakspeare is
undoubtedly right ; but the opponents of Phrenology
in contempt of this high authority, maintain that nothing
is more common. We have been somewhat puzzled to
account for the existence of such an opinion, and after
much cogitation, have come to the conclusion that
it is rather attributable to error of judgment in the
opponents of Phrenology, than incorrect observation.
Observing, probably, with how small a quantum of brains
they themselves have not only contrived to live,
but to live comfortably, they have drawn the conclusion that they could live equally well without
brains altogether; and although some may be ready
to acquiesce in the justness of such reasoning, still,
viewing the subject phrenologically, their argument is
obviously as unsubstantial as the vacuity of their brainless crania. But to return to the subject more immediately before us, it is only necessary to observe that
the cases alluded to are unworthy of credit; they have
not even the semblance of genuineness, and not a
single medical man of the present day would be so
foolish as to confide in them.

ORGAN OF THE MIND.

18

That certain parts of the brain have been lost, and
the person afterwards recover, with the use of his
intellectual faculties, cannot be doubted ; but this can
be satisfactorily accounted for without affecting the
fundamental principles of Phrenology. The brain is
double, and all the organs of which it is composed are
arranged in pairs, like the organs of sensation. We
may lose an eye, but vision still remains, or an ear without hearing being destroyed ; so likewise, although an
organ of the brain be injured, or even lost, if its fellow
of the opposite side remain unaffected, the function of
the organ must necessarily remain. But is there any
case on record on which both organs have been
destroyed, and the functions attributed by Phrenologists to the parts, afterwards continue ? There is
not one.*
That the mind is directly connected with the brain,
we indisputably prove from the effects of cerebral
diseases, and injuries of the brain upon the intellec* "I will not insult the understanding of my readers," says Dr.
Elliotson, "by showing that we have no authentic instance of the real
absence of brain in the cranium of a being possessed of a mind. In
most cases where the mind is said to have been vigorous, when the
state of the body at large, or of the brainalone, rendered the perfect performance of the cerebral functions improbable in the eyes of the relators,
I believe the mental power has been greatly overrated; that because the
individual merely talked collectedly, he was imagined sufficient for the
exertions of his best health.
"The part of the brain affected by disease, may have been one
whose function is not intellectual, but merely relating to the feelings,
or may have related to mental faculties whose state was not noticed by
the narrators. In truth, the narrators give us no satisfactory account
of the feelings and intellectual powers of the patient, nor of the exact
portions of the brain affected; nor could they, being unacquainted with
Phrenology; and they also forget that the cerebral organs are double."
-Human Physiology, 5thEdition, p. 37.

14

THE BRAIN THE

tual powers. Inflammation of the brain is uniformly
attended with delirium. So long as the inflammation is in an acute state the delirium continues, and
when it terminates in an effusion of serum or pus,
which exerts a deleterious pressure upon the brain,
the intellect is overpowered and ultimately annihilated.
However striking such facts may be, we have still
more convincing illustrations from the effects of depressed portions of the skull. If a portion of the
cranium is beat down upon the brain, that instant
sensibility and consciousness cease, and as soon as
the brain is freed of this incumbrance its functions are
restored, sensibility and consciousness return. Cases of
this kind have fallen under the observation of almost
every surgeon, but probably the most remarkable case on
record is that related by Sir Astley Cooper. A sailor,
he tells us, fell from the yard-arm of one of his majesty's
ships as she was about to sail from the Mediterranean
to Gibraltar. The poor fellow was taken up in a state
of total insensibility. During his passage to Gibraltar,
he evinced no symptom of sensibility farther than moving occasionally his finger, or projecting the point of his
tongue from his mouth. In this log-like state he was
regularly fed and freed of his involuntary discharges
till he arrived at Gibraltar. There he remained for a
month in the same torpid state under varied plans of
medical treatment. In process of time he returned
with the ship to England, and thirteen months from
the accident was carried in the same state of absolute
insensibility into Deptford. From Deptford he was
carried into St. Thomas's Hospital, London, and placed
under the care of Mr. Cline. This eminent surgeon

ORGAN OF THE MIND.

15

found a portion of skull depressed, to which he
attributed all the symptoms. He raised it up, and
mark the effects of the operation. The bone was no
sooner elevated than the patient sat up, gazed around
him, and in a short time began to speak. He supposed he was just ready to sail for Gibraltar, and the
thirteen months which elapsed between the accident and
the performance of the operation, was a blank in his
mental history which appeared to him only an instant of
time. Will apiece of bonepressinguponany other organ
produce corresponding effects upon the mind ? The ribs
have been thrust in upon the lungs and heart, and the
bowels have protruded from their cavity, and been
subjected to great degrees of violence, while the mind
unaffected within its citadel, has beheld with calmness
and serenity the ravages of the outward storm ; but
let the brain be seriously affected either by internal
or external causes, let the brain be the seat of the
commotion, and the mind cannot remain undisturbed,
it is hurried along with the tempest-maddened it may
be into fury, or laid prostrate and overwhelmed.
From these and numerous other facts of a similar
kind which can be adduced, it appears to be satisfactorily established that the brain is the organ of the
mind; and if this cannot be denied, Phrenology has
at least some foundation in nature. The man who
admits that the brain is the organ of mind, is virtually
a Phrenologist; for he cannot stop here, he must go
farther and admit, that the state or condition of the
brain must influence the mental powers. We admit
the correctness of the general principle, that the state
or condition of an organ has necessarily an effect upon

16

POPULAR OBJECTIONS TO

the function of that organ, and we dare not in logical
correctness refuse our assent to the principle when
applied to the brain. The eye is the organ of vision,
and we unhesitatingly admit that a well formed and
sound eye are indispensable to'perfect vision. Muscles
are organs of motion, and we never doubt for a
moment that different degrees of muscular development are concomitant with different degrees of muscular power. If the state or condition of an organ then
affects the functions of that organ, it follows necessarily that the development and other conditions of the
brain will affect the mental manifestation.
There are many physiologists who admit, in a general
way, that the brain is the organ of the mind, but who
object to the phrenological view of the subject that the
brain is a congeries of organs, through which a plurality
of mental powers are manifested. If the mind, however, manifests a plurality of mental powers, and if the
brain be that part of the body through which these
powers are displayed, it is a priori probable that the
brain is not a single organ. It would be far more consistent for the opponents of Phrenology to deny any
connexion between mind and brain, than to admit that
connexion and yet consider the brain as a single organ,
capable ofmanifesting a diversity ofmental powers. What
would we think of the man who would run into the absurdity of attributing all our sensations to the operation of
one external organ of sensation, yet are not the various
feelings and powers of the mind as different from each
other as seeing, and hearing, taste, smell, and touch ?
We are conscious that our impressions from external
objects are different in kind, and observation has proved

PHRENOLOGY ANSWERED.

17

that we have a corresponding diversity of external
organs ; we are also conscious that the mind manifests
a plurality of powers ; is it not therefore probable that
nature has allotted for the manifestation of these powers
a corresponding diversity of cerebral organs ?
But have we as much reason to believe in the existence of the mental organs as in those of the external
senses? To this question I would answer that the
evidences on which the existence of both kinds of
organs rests, are precisely of the same character. The
organs of sensation no doubt obtrude themselves more
upon our observation than the other.
From their
external situation, insulated state, and peculiarity of
structure, they cannot be overlooked or confounded,
but how do we determine that they are organs of
sensation
By observation only. Now, it must be
remembered, that by the same means we can discover
the organs of the brain.
It has been said that if the organs of the brain exist,
the mind must be conscious of their existence, and that
anatomical investigation would set the matter at rest;
and it has been still farther remarked, since the mind is
not conscious of their existence, and since anatomical
investigation leaves the matter still in doubt, such
organs can have no existence save in the imagination of
the phrenologist. The argument is deserving of consideration; but it is more plausible than solid. That
the mind has no consciousness of acting through the
instrumentality of cerebral organs, we admit; but the
conclusion cannot be legitimately drawn from such
premises that the organs do not therefore exist, for the
mind is not conscious of the existence of any corporeal
c2

?

18

POPULAR OBJECTIONS TO

organ which it uses. That we know that the mind
uses such organs is incontestable, but knowledge and
consciousness are very different things, though frequently confounded. Knowledge is something which
the mind acquires by experience, and consciousness the
capability which the mind possesses of attending to its
own perceptions. Now we know that we see with the
eye, because we have acquired this knowledge by a
multitude of observations; but in the early periods of
life, before these experiments have been made, we see,
and hear, and receive impressions from the external
objects that surround us, without our knowing that the
impressions are received through an external organ at
all. And even in the most educated and expanded
state of the mind, though the mind may reason on the
nature of the impression, the mind is no more conscious
that the impression is made on an external organ, than
it is at the moment of birth. In seeing, for example,
the impression is made on the optic nerve, but how few
know of the existence even of that nerve. All sensations are produced through the medium of the nerves,
but do we all know the situation even of the nerves,
and if we cannot indicate the locality even of such
organs, it is absurd to say that the mind is conscious of
their operations. If this reasoning can apply to the
external senses, the existence of which is so palpable,
can we admit that a non-consciousness of the operation
of the internal organs is a proof of their non-existence ?*
* At the same time we have an obscure internal feeling that almost
amounts to consciousness, that the mental operations are carried on in
the head. We never suppose for a moment that we think with the
stomach or foot; when we wish to recall any thing to memory we
instinctively appiy our hand, not to the chest or abdomen, but to the

PHRENOLOGY ANSWERED.

19

But if these organs exist, have we not only to remove
the osseous and membranous envelopes which nature
has thrown around them, and they would at once be
apparent ? But on exposing the brain, we meet only,
it is said, with a number of cerebral convolutions, not
differing much either in size or external conformation,
and not arranged into different pieces with nice insulating lines of circumvallation, as we find portrayed on the
phrenological crania, and not finding the cerebral parts
arranged, as they in their wisdom expected, the opponents of phrenology have come to the conclusion that
whatever these convolutions may be, they are clearly not
organs of the mind. But may not this conclusion be too
hastily drawn ? Were we to reason in the same way
regarding many other parts of the body, we would
unquestionably fall into error. Nerves of sensation and
motion resemble each other more than any two convolutions of the brain; yet motion and sensation are
functions as different as any two powers of the mind.
These nerves are not only similar in form and structure,
but they are also bound together and surrounded by a
common sheath or envelope. What would we think
of that physiologist who would contend, from these
circumstances, that nerves are all of one kind? We
would say that he has yet to learn the rudiments of
physiology, and that he has promulgated a doctrine
which experiment and observation have confuted.
head. The language in common use to designate mental conditions
arises from this cause. We say that a stupid fellow is a blockhead, a
numskull, has no brains, is addlepated. &c. We say also that a clever
person is long.headad, strong.headed,has a good head, has some brains;
that a silly volatile being is light-headed; and a madman is wrong in
the head, or not right ii the upper storcy.

20

POPULAR OBJECTIONS TO

Erroneous though the principle be which would lead to
such conclusion, yet the opponents of Phrenology have
all along been acting upon it, when contending against
the plurality of the cerebral organs. They have proceeded upon the principle that similarity of structure
indicates identity of function, but the unsoundness of
the principle is triumphantly displayed by a reference
merely to the nerves of motion and sensation.
Again, the intestinal canal is a continuous, musculomembranous tube, extending from the mouth downwards, and from the manner in which its different parts
are coiled upon each other, presenting, like the brain,
a nu~ber of convolutions ; yet however continuous and
similar are all the parts of this tube, we never doubt
the existence of distinct organs. One part of the tube
is an organ of deglutition, another of chymification, a
third of chylification, and a fourth of foecification.
Reasoning, like the opponents of phrenology, that because these parts are neither different in structure, nor
insulated like the external senses, we must come to the
absurd conclusion that they are not distinct organs.
There is nothing then in the phrenological doctrine at
variance with anatomy. The structure and arrangements of the cerebral organs may not be such as might
aprioribe expected; but who could tell a priori what
would be the structure of an organ of the mind? nay,
who could tell a priori what would be the structure of
any organ ? We cannot calculate the structure of an
organ from its function, or the function from any given
structure. There is nothing in the structure of the
optic nerve that would lead us to the conclusion that it
is an organ of vision, or of the auditory nerve that it is

PHRENOLOGY ANSWERED.

21

the essential part of the organ of hearing. When the
function is once discovered, we can then generally find
an adaptation of the means to the end, a correspondency
between the structure and function; but a knowledge
of structure alone will not necessarily lead to a knowledge of function.
Were it otherwise, the discovery
of the function of every organ would be simultaneous
with the discovery of its structure, and we would long
ago have found out the uses of the spleen, the thyroid,
and the thymus glands, the supra-renal capsules, the
vermiform process of the coecum, &c., the functions of
which are still problematical.
If the function of an organ, then, cannot be discovered
by a knowledge of its structure, how can it be discovered ? By experiment or observation. Phrenologists
endeavour to discover the functions of the cerebral parts
by observation, and seeing our knowledge of the functions of the external senses has been obtained in this way,
they do not despair of arriving at an equal degree of certainty regarding the functions of the internal organs.
But are not the internal organs altogether beyond the
reach of observation ? Are they not surrounded with
bone, covered still farther with a certain depth of soft
parts, and as if nature wished to thwart all such inives
tigations, has she not shrouded them in still greater
darkness by the luxuriant drapery of hair which she has
surmounted to the whole ? Is it not, therefore, clear
that though the organs existed, as indicated by Phrenologists, that they never could be discovered in the
living state, and that Phrenology would thus be reduced
to a dead letter, or at best fitted for the closet speculations of the physiologist ?

22

OBJECTIONS TO PHRENOLOGY ANSWERED.

In reply to this popular objection it must be
remarked that the brain gives the form to the head,
and whatever may be the thickness of the cerebral
envelopes, they never impart a shape to the head
materially different from that of the brain. The brain,
it is particularly to be observed, is the first part of the
head that is formed, and the skull is moulded round
the delicate organ. It is not the skull that gives the
form to the brain, but the brain that gives the form to
the skull, and whatever peculiarity of conformation the
former may possess, is uniformly and necessarily imparted to the latter.
After the middle period of life, indeed, the frontal
sinuses expand, or in other words, the tables of the
skull at the lower part of the forehead separate, and
thus form two cavities which communicate with the
nostrils. The formation of such cavities, however,
cannot take place without protruding to a certain
extent the outer table of the skull, and thus a promi..
nence is formed for which we have no corresponding
cerebral development. I am surprised at the importance which has been attached to this fact by the
opponents of Phrenology. They seem to view it as a
triumphant refutation of the whole science, as if these
sinuses altered the general configuration of the head.
But if the fundamental principles of the science can be
proved to be well-founded, the existence of these
cavities must be viewed only as a difficulty in the practical application of the science, and a difficulty which
a little experience will enable us easily to overcome.
It cannot invalidate Phrenology as a science; for
if the cerebral organs are there, such cavities can

THE BRAIN NOT A SINGLE ORGAN.

23

neither increase nor diminish the internal power; they
only add a little to the difficulty of ascertaining it.
These nasal cavities do not exist at the earlier periods
of life, and cannot at these periods affect our judgment
regarding the cerebral development. And even when
they do exist they can easily be recognised, and the
requisite allowances made in calculating the size of the
cerebral organs.*

CHAPTER II.
The Brain not a single Organ proved.-The Mind displays different
mental Powers.-IDiversity of Form in the Brains of different Individuals.-Diversity of Talents.--Partial Idiocy and partial Insanity.Dreaming.-Anatomy in Harmony with Phrenology.

HAVING thus attempted to prove that the brain is the
organ of the mind, and endeavoured to obviate some
of the objections which lie at the threshold of our
investigation, we are now prepared to enter a little
farther into the subject, and to consider the grounds on
which the plurality of the cerebral organs rest. I might
prove the truth of the phrenological doctrine, generally
and consequently, of the plurality of organs on which
Phrenology is founded, by appealing to experience and
observation, for these are the tests to which it will
ultimately be referred. But as this line of argument
would be considered unsatisfactory by many, I shall
attempt to prove the existence of the organs of the

*

It is an interesting fact that some of the organs over which the
sinuses lie were discovered in boys, and, consequently, before the sinuses
were developed.

24

DIVERSITY OF FORM.

brain from certain facts and observations which all, or
almost all, admit.
1st. It cannot be doubted that the mind displays a
plurality of powers. All metaphysicians in explaining
the phenomena of the mind proceed upon this supposition; and to show how little g~ided they have been
by correct principles we have only to observe the
diversity of opinion that exists upon the subject; some
enumerate only three such powers, as sensation, memory, and judgment; others add attention, imagination, association of ideas, and some reckon up more
than twenty fundamental powers. Of the correctness
of such views I do not at present speak. I only state
these facts to show that all metaphysicians admit that
the mind displays more than one power, and if we have
established the fact that the mind manifests its powers
only through the medium of the brain, it follows that
a plurality of mental powers can only be manifested
through a plurality of cerebral organs.
2d. There is no internal organ of the body that
assumes such a diversity of form in different individuals
as the brain.
The liver, for example, may vary in size in different
individuals, but in the healthy state, generally speaking, all its parts bear the same relative proportion to
each other. But it is far otherwise with the brain.
Besides the immense variation of size in the whole
brain in different individuals, we find an equal, if not a
greater, diversity in the proportions of the subordinate
parts. Many have the anterior* lobes small,. while the
middle* and posterior* are greatly developed. On the

*

See Plates 3 and 4.

IN

THE BRAIN,

&C.

25

other hand, not a few are found with the middle or
posterior lobes small, and the anterior ones in the
greatest development. Some have the greatest portion
of brain at the base of the skull, while others have that
part narrow, and the most expanded portion at the top
of the head. Besides these differences of form in the
great outlines of the head, there are others of a subordinate character which are no less remarkable: Each
convolution of the brain may be developed in different
degrees, and thus the incalculable varieties of form in
the human head can easily be accounted for. Sometimes a single convolution arrives at the maximum of
development, while those in the vicinity are only of
a moderate size; the part thus superiorly developed
assumes invariably a certain form, and gives a characteristic prominence to the skull over that part of the
brain, which the experienced eye can easily discover.
Are these diversities of form of no consequence ? Is
it immaterial at what part of the cerebral mass the
greatest development is found? Will a man with a
small forehead and an expanded hindhead think as
profoundly as the man whose greatest proportion of
brain is in the forehead ? No man who has studied
nature carefully can answer these questions in the
affirmative. Look at the head of a man of a grovelling
and sensual character and you will find the greatest
part of brain behind the ear. Compare the head of
such a character with another of an opposite description, and the difference will at once be apparent. The
intellectual character has always a large proportion of
brain before the ear, and a beauty thus appertains to
such a head which can never be imparted to the other.
D

26

DIVERSITY OF TALENT,

AND

The Grecian and Roman sculptors were celebrated for
their nice imitation of nature, but the heads of their
gladiators and philosophers are always represented
differently, and in strict conformity with phrenological
principles. They had never heard of Phrenology, yet
they never once violated its principles, because its
principles are founded in nature, and they took nature
only for their guide.
The opponents of Phrenology have insinuated that
Dr. Gall first mapped out the skull into so many compartments, and then tried to mould nature to his speculations; but this is not a correct reading of the history
of Phrenology. Dr. Gall, on the contrary, as we have
already shown, first observed a correspondency between
particular mental powers and particular prominences or
particular conformations of the head, and it was only
after repeatedly observing the concomitancy between
the power and the conformation that he held the relationship as inseparably connected. Phrenologists maintain that Gall's observations are correct. Their experience coincides with his, and they challenge any one to
adduce an instance in which the power exists without
the cerebral development.
3d. The diversity of talents among men, and the
existence of partial talent in individuals, can only be
explained satisfactorily on the supposition of a plurality
of mental organs. I am aware that the peculiarity of
talent and disposition in mankind has been attributed
by metaphysicians to the circumstances in which they
were placed. The mind of the infant has been compared to a sheet of white paper on which any kind of
character may be traced. You may train up a child,

EXISTENCE OF PARTIAL TALENT.

27

they say, to be a poet, or a painter, or a musician; or
you make him as you please either remarkable for every
good and amiable quality, or for every low and degrading vice. But are these views of human nature
consistent with experience ? Are there not some individuals who cannot be made poets, or painters, or
musicians? and are there not individuals who have
evinced from their earliest years amiable tempers and
dispositions of mind, and others who exhibit every
thing the reverse? If all children have not the same
temper and disposition at birth, to what is the difference
to be attributed ? Not surely to circumstances, for
they have not had time to operate, but to something in
themselves. If circumstances can form the intellectual
and moral character of man it is clear that they can
only do so either by creating mental powers, or affecting in some particular way the powers which have been
already given him by nature. That circumstances can
draw forth talents we admit, but that they can create
mental powers is so inconsistent with observation that
we cannot believe it.
If circumstances can create
powers, why can we not make an idiot a philosopher ?
We naturally say that that is impossible; they have not
the capacity, and the co-operation of all the circumstances on earth cannot impart the talent or capacity
to them. All talent is inherent, never the result of
external causes. Favourable circumstances will, no
doubt, do much to improve or render available talents
that already exist. They can do no more; but they
can obviously never make them.
We all admit with Horace, that "poeta nascitur non

28

EXISTENCE OF PARTIAL IDIOCY,

fit;" but if this maxim is just with regard to the poetical talent, it is equally just with regard to talent of
every other kind. If talent be inherent then, and tie
brain a single organ, by means of which the mind
manifests its powers, it follows that a man who is remarkable for any one talent should be equally remarkable for every other. But we know that there are
men who show a talent only in one way, and who beyond their own province are perfect fools. Is the man
who excels in poetry necessarily a good mathematician ? or the mathematician necessarily a great poet
and orator ? To maintain that because a man excels
in one pursuit he must necessarily be capable of excelling in every other, is just as preposterous as to maintain that because a man sees well he must necessarily
hear, and have all the other external senses in equal
perfection. That some men have a variety of talents
is unquestionable; but the majority of mankind possess
only moderate mental powers, and among these how
often do we find an individual who displays in a
degree which astonishes every one, a particular talent.
Even a talent of this kind has been evinced by idiots,
whose mental powers were otherwise so weak that
they could not comprehend the meaning of the simplest
proposition. It is evident then, that mental powers
exist in the same individual, at the same time in various
degrees of strength and in various degrees of aptitude
for improvement; and, as the brain is the part of the
body through which the mind manifests all its powers,
it follows incontrovertibly, that the brain cannot be a
single organ, else all its powers would be manifested

AND

PARTIAL INSANITY.

in an equal degree, but must be an aggregate of parts,
or a congeries of organs, each part or organ manifesting
a particular power.
4th. The plurality of the cerebral organs may be
deduced from the existence of partial idiocy and partial
insanity.
No system of mental philosophy except the phrenological can explain satisfactorily the two conditions of
the mind called idiocy and insanity. To say that the
one is mental imbecility and the other mental derangement, affords no explanation, nay it leads to the supposition that the essence of the mind is affected. But
while Phrenology leads to no such dangerous conclusion, it enables us satisfactorily to explain these two
very peculiar conditions of man. Idiocy always arises
from a defective organization or development of the
brain, and insanity always from diseased cerebral
structure.
If the whole brain be defective in its
organization or development, the idiocy is complete;
or if the whole brain be diseased, as in inflammation or excessive intoxication, the insanity is complete; but idiocy and insanity are often partial, and
there is no way of explaining such phenomena satisfactorily but on the supposition of a plurality of cerebral
organs. Some idiots have shown a talent for music,
others for imitation, others for calculation, and others
for constructing mechanical instruments; and it is well
known that many persons are insane on one subject
only. If the brain was a single organ, through which
the mind manifested all its powers, these mental phenomena never could occur; for, if the brain was sound,
all the powers would be equally manifcstcd, or if disD2

30

PHENOMENA OF DREAMING.

eased, all the powers would be equally affected. But
as some of the mental powers in these instances are
strong and others weak, some of them affected and
others unaffected, it clearly follows that all the parts of
the brain cannot be in the same state, or the brain is
not the organ of thought. If we are forced to admit
this, we must also admit that the parts of the brain in
these different or opposite states are parts through
which different powers are manifested, and we thus
arrive directly at the conclusion of a plurality of cerebral organs.
5th. The plurality of the cerebral organs may be
proved from the phenomena of dreaming. During
sound sleep we are quite unconscious of existence, and
when this takes place the whole brain is in a state of
inactivity or torpor. All corporeal organs require
rest; and during the repose of the brain the mental
powers are enveloped as in a thick cloud. But the
sleep is often partial, or as we say, disturbed by
dreams. We seem to ourselves to be engaged, it may
be, in furious or deadly combat, or as peacemakers,
soothing the ruffled spirits of others, and tendering our
warmest solicitudes for a reconciliation. We may
seem engaged in some complex and harassing calculation, or in reading some interesting work of literature
or science. Or the imagination may take wing and
carry us into Elysian fields, where the eye delights to
rest on the enchanting scene, and the ear to be regaled
with the songs of the birds of paradise. These may be
viewed as specimens of simple dreams; but dreams are
frequently much more complex, and generally the more
complex, the more incoherent and inconsistent they

PHENOMENA OF DREAMING.

31

become.
The dream may consist of a grotesque
assemblage of misshapen images and extravagant
ideas, and of the most whimsical and foolish acts; yet
all will appear to the dreamer as right, and it is only
after we awake that we laugh at the ideal medley. If
we were to think during the day as we dream at
night, we would be fit for a madhouse; yet these different states of the mental operations are solely owing
to different conditions of the brain. If the brain was
in the same state during a dream as when awake, we
would dream rationally and coherently. But as this
is obviously not the case, we must come to the conclusion that at these two periods the state or condition of
the organ is different. If the brain were a single
organ, it is quite clear that we could never dream; for
if the organ were asleep there would be total unconsciousness, and if awake our ideas would be rational
and connected ; but admit the existence of a plurality
of cerebral organs and the difficulty vanishes.
We
could then suppose one or more of such organs awake,
while the rest were asleep, and the waking organs
executing their functions while the others were in a
state of torpidity or repose, and we would thus have
ideas and feelings corresponding with the functions of
the waking organs. Every dream and every modification of dream may, on this principle, be accounted
for; and we can explain this curious mental phenomenon satisfactorily on no other.
6th. Anatomy leads to the conclusion of a plurality
of cerebral organs.
Although Anatomy and Physiology are intimately connected, and reciprocally assist
each other, yet, it must be remembered, that Physio-

32

ANATOMY

IN

HARMONY

logy is capable of shedding a much stronger and clearer
light upon the structure, than the structure upon the
function; and in many organs the intimate structure
cannot be learned till the uses are ascertained. Besides
the investigation of structure, there are two modes
which physiologists usually employ in the investigation
of function. One by experiment on the living subject,
torturing and forcing, as it were, nature to yield her
secrets ; and the other by a careful notification of the
effects of diseased structure upon the function.
These are the plans indeed which physiologists
generally adopt, in investigating the functions of any
organ; and they are the only means in the majority of
cases which can be resorted to with any rational prospect of success.
Of these two methods, the latter is generally more
to be depended upon than the former, and the former is
more applicable to organs of a simple structure than
those which are complicated.
The functions of the brain have been attempted to
be elucidated in both of these ways; but only with
partial success. The experimental method has led to
inconsistencies and contradictions, and the observations and investigations of pathologists to no decided
result. Indeed it is exceedingly probable, that neither
of these modes of investigating function is applicable to
the brain, for from the very constitution and structure
of the cerebral mass a part can scarcely be injured or
affected with disease, without other parts being simultaneously or secondarily influenced.
Under these circumstances, it is a matter of congratulation, that another and more successful mode of

WITH PHRENOLOGY.

33

investigating the functions of the brain was instituted
by Gall.
Dr. Gall by a series of observations made on the
living human head, arrived at the conclusion that every
species of feeling, emotion, and intellectual operation,
not only emanates from the brain, but also that the
degree of development of the different parts of the
brain indicate (under certain limitations) the degree of
strength of such feelings and powers. Dr., Gall maintained that the signs of our mental constitution could
be seen in the living head; and surely there is nothing
unphilosophical in such an idea ; nay, the idea that such
signs exist somewhere in the body is prevalent through-

out society. Is not physiognomy founded upon this
very principle ? and every one admits, that from the
form, and more particularly from the expression of the
countenance, many important conclusions may be de-

duced regarding the state or condition of the mind. The
signs of Gall and those of Lavater are no doubt different. They are both, however, corporeal signs of a
mental condition, and what reason have we to think
that the signs of Gall are less valuable than those of
Lavater. We have no reason to think so, for the signs
of Gall have a direct reference to the part of the body
through which mental manifestation flows; while those
of Lavater are at best connected with parts that are
only secondarily related to the mental operations. The
mode of investigation thus proposed by Gall, is founded
on the principle, that the size and form of the brain can be
discovered during life; and it is scarcely necessary to say
that this position is consistent with the fact. The brain
itself is no doubt hid from our view; but its protecting

34

PHRENOLOGY IN HARMONY

bony incasement is moulded upon the organ so as to
indicate with an -accuracy sufficient for every practical
purpose, the quantum and configuration of the contained
material. Here then is the first point of connexion
that subsists between Anatomy and Phrenology, and
so far they unquestionably harmonize.
An important connexion subsists, in the second
place, between the structure of the brain itself and the
phrenological system. Phrenology inculcates that the
mind displays a multiplicity of powers; and as it is a
fundamental principle in the science that the mind can
oe manifested only through an organic apparatus, we
legitimately conclude, that a multiplicity of powers
requires for their manifestation a corresponding number
of organic parts ; but reasoning alone on such a subject
is unsufficient to convince. The question recurs : are
these organic parts to be found ? If such parts cannot
be demonstrated, their existence is not to be assumed;
but lbrtunately for Phrenology they can be easily demonstrated. The brain is the most complicated organic
structure found in man; and the most cursory glance at
the arrangement of its parts leads at once to a conclusion at variance with singleness of structure. Without
referring to the immense size of the organ in man, compared with that of other animals, we have only to
observe the first grand division of the mass into cerebrum and cerebellum, or great and little brain-the
division of each of these into two nearly equal and
symmetrical portions-the division again of each half of
the cerebrum into three lobes, the anterior, middle, and
posterior, and the still more minute division of each of
All these
these lobes into numerous convolutions.

WITH ANATOMY.

35

parts thus separated to a greater or less extent, are
observed on the most cursory examination ; and when
we enter upon a more minute investigation of its internal structure, we find every thing harmonizing most
beautifully with the principles of Phrenology-the
brain is formed essentially of soft and plastic fibres,
which diverge from the medulla oblongata, or top of the
spinal marrow, to the convolutions. Here then we have
undoubtedly a plurality of parts, and what reason have
we to suppose that these parts are incapable of separate,
and to a certain extent independent functions. The
fibrous structure of the brain is directly and beautifully in
harmony with Phrenology, for we have in such a structure all the necessary elements of a plurality of organs;
the fibtres are not only exceedingly numerous, but they
vary in length, direction, and consistency. We cannot
tell how these fibres are connected in the process of thinking; but knowing as we do, that mental manifestation
cannot be evinced without them, it would be absurd to
suppose that circumstances which affect these fibres,
such as length, direction, and number, would have no
effect upon the mental state. The muscular system
furnishes us with a strong analogical argument in
favour of this view.
Analogies, are not always
to be trusted, but in such a subject we have no other
'mode of illustration; and a corroboration of our views
from other departments of anatomy, is not to be despised. The muscular system of the human body
consists essentially of fibres of a particular kind, that are
endowed with a property of contracting or shortening
themselves; and we see that length, direction, and relative situation of these fibres, tell materially upon the

36

PHRENOLOGY CONSISTENT

effects they are capable of producing. Influenced by
these circumstances, what diversified and even opposite
effects appear! Modified by these circumstances, muscular fibres may produce flexion, extension, adduction,
abduction, rotation, and circumduction, of a limb.
These are no doubt various and opposite effects produced by the action of similar muscular fibres: have we
not good reason to suppose then, that the fibres through
which mental manifestation emanates, may by difference
of length, direction, or situation, be so affected as to
conduce to most important differences of mental constitution and state ?
The places assigned by Gall to the respective organs,
both absolutely and relatively in the brain, is not only
an indirect proof of the plurality of the cerebral organs,
but of the truth and beauty of Phrenology as a science.
It is to be remembered that Gall did not manufacture
a theory; he proceeded upon the Baconian system
of observing and noting facts; he compared the
developments of particular parts of the head with the
characters of individuals as displayed in their actions;
and he arrived at the conclusion, that particular conformations of head were always concomitant with particular talents or particularity of mental powers. We do
not at present speak of the accuracy of these observations ; we merely wish to state that a fact was noted at
one time regarding the forehead, at another time regarding the hindhead, and at a third time regarding
some other region of the brain; there was no preconceived order or system in the observations he made.
These observations depended upon circumstances which
were contingent, and yet what system of the mind

COMPARATIVE ANATOMY.

87

exists in which order and beauty are more conspicuous!
Without adverting to Phrenology as a metaphysical
system independently of the organs, does it not impart
a strong probability of the truth of Phrenology, that
notwithstanding the erratic mode in which the organs
were discovered, we find no unnatural mixture or
jumbling of the organs; those of the same kind are in
general found in juxta-position, or in other words, we
find them allocated in the most scientific and systematic
manner ? While we find, for example, all the intellectual powers in the forehead, the sentiments are found
exclusively in the upper region of the head, and the
propensities in the lateral, lower, and posterior regions
only. Had the organs been fabricated, the method of
investigation pursued by Gall would have led to a chaos
of confusion, but as order and harmony reign not only
in the great subdivisions, but also in the subordinate
groupes of the different organs, we may safely conclude
that such organs are not factitious but founded in
nature.

CHAPTER III.
Comparative Anatomy of the Nervous System favourable to Phrenology.--Zoophytes.--Molluscous!Animals.-Articulated Animals.Fishes.--Reptiles.--Birds.-Quadrupeds.--Facial angle of Camper.Argument in Favour of Phrenology from Camper's Principles.Argument from the Process of Development of the Brain.

THU phrenological

doctrine receives strong countenance and support from comparative anatomy. It
has long ago been remarked, that as animals rise in
E

38

COMPARATIVE ANATOMY

the scale of intelligence, their brain becomes the more
developed. This is strikingly displayed in the vertebrated animals, but not confined to them. A short
reference to the nervous system of both the invertebrated and vertebrated animals will place the subject
in a clearer light. Mr. Lawrence* has remarked, that
the visible fabric of the brain differs most widely in
quadrupeds, birds, fishes, insects; and that there is an
equal difference in their intellectual phenomena, appetites, and instincts, every variation in construction
being accompanied, he says, with a corresponding
modification of function. This is the phrehological
doctrine; and that the subject may be clearly understood, we shall give a brief outline of the comparative
anatomy of the nervous system.
In the lowest orders of animals, Zoophytes for example, no nervous system is discoverable. In animals
of this kind, indeed, voluntary motion may be perceived, and we must therefore suppose that a nervous
system of some kind exists; but as no distinct nervous apparatus can be detected, it is probable, as Cuvier
has remarked, that the nervous matter is equally
diffused over the whole body. This kind of nervous
system has been called the Molcular by M'Leay, each
molcule being analagous to a ganglion, or centre of
sensation. It is unnecessary to observe, that such
animals display little mind; they exhibit, however, great
tenacity of life, and by division may be increased indefinitely.
The actions of the acephalous mollusca, which rank
a grade higher in the scale of being, are simply vital
* See his Lectures on Comparative Anatomy, p. 109.

FAVOURABLE

TO PHRENOLOGY.

39

and of course automatic. Such animals are destitute of
the senses and voluntary locomotion, both sexes existing in the same animal, which is usually protected by
a shelly encasement. Such is the condition of the oyster,
whose nervous system presents neither great development nor complexity; it has neither brain nor spinal
cord, but two ganglia, one at each extremity of the animal, and these are the sources of its visceral nerves.
Still higher in the scale of being, though belonging
to the same class, we find the cephalopodous mollusca,
as the cuttle-fish, and the gasteropoda,as the snail; and
to note the remarkable change which the addition of a
head, imperfect though it be, imparts to these animals,
we have only to compare their instincts with those of
their headless brethren.
The cuttle-fish can elude
the pursuit of its enemy by a very cunning-like contrivance; and the snail we know displays amorous
propensities, and actions resulting from these propensities, of a very peculiar kind. Both display the rudiment
of a brain, which in the cuttle-fish is bi-lobed, and of a
crescentic form in the snail. These animals, indeed,
have no proper spinal cord, but in the cuttle-fish the
nervous cord which encircles the gullet is probably the
analogous part.
Crustaceous animals, insects and worms, agree not
only in their general form, but in the arrangement of
their nervous system. The bodies of these animals
are divided into segments, each segment having, to a
certain extent, a vitality of its own. The nervous
system of these animals consists of a brain-a nervous
collar which surrounds the gullet, and a medullary
cord consisting of a series of ganglia, one occupying

40

DEVELOPMENT OF NERVOUS

each segment of the body, and connected by a double
row of nervous internodes. From these ganglia arise
the nerves of the senses, and of the vital and voluntary
powers. Insects are tenacious of life to a great degree, and are remarkable for their powers of motion:
the last of these effects may be accounted for from the
relative great site of the ganglia of the spinal cord;
and the first from the well-known fact, that, as we
descend in the scale of being, the nervous system is
less concentrated in a particular region of the body,
but diffused in such a manner that every part has nearly
the same degree of vitality. The development of the
nervous system in some insects is peculiarly interesting. The observations of Dr. Herold have thrown
much light on this part of physiology, and which lead
to conclusions favourable to Phrenology. With great
care he traced the gradual changes that take place in
the nervous system of the common cabbage butterfly,
from the time it obtains its full size to its assumption
of the imago. These changes were found to consist
principally in the progressive shortening of the nervous
internodes, and consequent approximation of the ganglia
-- in the obliteration of some of the nerves-in the
amalgamation of two or more ganglia-in the union of
the first ganglion with the brain-in the union of two
ganglia at the expense of one or two others-and,
lastly, in the lobes of the brain which formed an angle
with each other becoming horizontal. These are, no
doubt, remarkable and necessary changes; and why
necessary ? Because the animal is about to change its
character, and a corresponding change of nervous
system is indispensable. Had the nervous system of

8YSTEM IN INSECTS.

41

the insect undergone no change when such an obvious

change in the powers and habitudes of the animal had
been effected, we might have drawn a conclusion unfavourable to Phrenology. But all these changes are in
harmony with the phrenological system.

Change of

structure must always precede a change of function;
and we find here a series of important changes, without which the necessary muscular, sensitive and instinctive powers could not have been imparted. In the
vertebrated animals the nervous system is exceedingly
complicated, but its outlines are the same in fishes, reptiles, birds and quadrupeds. These animals have all
the grand divisions of the nervous system as in man,
but their brain differs most remarkably from that of
man in size, form and complexity.
The brain in fishes is in a mere rudimentary state, more
developed in reptiles, still more in birds, and in quadrupeds it has attained an approximation to the human brain.* In the heads of all animals there are
* " In insects, fish and amphibia, the nervous masses contained in the
cerebral reservoir are still divided into several distinct masses. The
greater part of these are not integrant parts of the brain properly so
called; they are ganglia from which arise the nerves of smell, hearing,
sight, &c. The two hemispheres properly so called, are situated behind
the two ganglia of the olfactory nerves, and are the more complicated
as the industrial instincts are more numerous; the cerebellum in these
animals generally forms a hollow bag, sometimes placed horizontally,
sometimes folded together.
" Inbirds the two hemispheres are now more considerable, although
distinct convolutions cannot be discovered. The cerebellum still consists only of its middle or fundamental part; but already appears com.
posed of many rings placed side by side.
"In the smallmammalia, the shrew mouse, mouse, rat, squirrel,
weasel,
&c., convolutions are not yet to be seen; but as they exist in
other larger rodentia, the beaver, kangaroo, &c., wc may suppose that
in
thcy exist
also them.

42

HEAD OF INFERIOR ANIMALS.

two parts, the cranium and face. The one contains
the brain, and the other lodges the principal organs of
sensation, particularly the organs of sight, smell, and
taste. If these organs are greatly developed the greater
is the size of the face, and the greater its relative proportion to the cranium. On the contrary, the larger
the brain the greater'must be the capacity of the cranium, and the greater its proportion to the face. On
these principles a large cranium and a small face indicate a large brain with a restricted development of
some of the external senses, but a small cranium and a
large face is admitted by all physiologists to indicate
the opposite character. So much have physiologists
been persuaded of these facts, that they have laboured
for centuries to discover some criterion by which the
" In the larger mammalia, the cat, polecat, marten, fox, dog, ape,
the convolutions are more distinct and numerous, but their form varies
according to the species.
" In the dolphin, elephant, and man, they are more numerous and
deep than in the beaver, kangaroo and cat, and their form and direction varies essentially with the species.
" In all the mammalia, the cerebellum possesses, besides the middle
or fundamental part, two lateral parts which are more or less complex
according to the species.
"The number of the integral parts, or of the convolutions of the
brain, varies also in the different species of the mammalia; in some
the anterior lobes of the hemispheres are larger or more elevated;
in others again, the inferior parts of the anterior lobes are nearly
wanting. The middle lobes and the other convolutions present similar
varieties.
" In this way the integrant parts of the brain augment in number
and development as we pass from a less perfect to a more perfect ani.
mal, till we arrive at the brain of man, who, in the anterior and superior
region of the frontal bone, possesses several parts of which other ani.
mals are deprived, and by means of which he is endowed with the most
eminent qualities and faculties, with reason, and the feeling of religion,
and the existence of God."-Gall, Vol. II, p. 361.

43

FACIAL ANGLE.

proportion of brain and consequent proportion of intellect could be discovered in living animals. Camper
was the most successful of these inquirers, and his principles, so far as they go, are consonant with Phrenology.
If a line be drawn from the upper jaw by the side of the
nose over the most prominent part of the forehead, it
will form an angle with another line drawn horizontally
from the nostril to the opening of the ear. This is the
celebrated facial angle of Camper. The angle varies
with the form of the brain. It is more obtuse or open
as the forehead advances, and with the retreating of the
forehead it is the more acute.
The facial angle of the Horse in this way,
measures

.

.

.

23

Ram,

.

.

30

Dog,

.

.

°

350

Ourang-Outang, 56 °
European Adult, 85°
While phrenologists admit, to a certain extent, the
justness of Camper's principles, they know that his
plan is defective. It cannot indicate particular talents.
The phrenological system, however, has this great superiority, that it leads to a just estimate both of the
general powers of the mind and of the peculiar talents
and dispositions of the individual. Camper's views are
so far phrenological that they not only imply the brain
to be the organ of the mind, but they even imply that
the anteriorpart of the brain is more intimately connected with the intellectual powers than the others.
Camper's measurements refer only to the anterior parts
of the brain, and his general conclusions regarding
these parts are not inconsistent with Phrenology. But

44

DEVELOPMENT

OF THE BRAIN

will any such measurements of the developments of
the lateral and posterior parts of the brain lead us to a
just conclusion regarding the sagacity of the animal or
the intelligence of man ? By no means. No physiologist has fallen into the absurdity of supposing this.
But does it not follow, that if we cannot estimate the
intelligence of the individual from the lateral and posterior parts of the brain, as well as from the anterior,
that all these parts cannot be concerned in the same
function ? We have, therefore, different parts with
different functions, or, in other words, a plurality of
organs in the brain. This conclusion receives a still
stronger confirmation from the history of the growth
and development of the brain in the human being.
The human brain undergoes a series of changes in
its progress to completion. In the early periods of
foetal life it exhibits the form and all the characters of
that ofaffish. In process of time it assumes the appearanrce of the brains of a reptile. By an addition of matter
it is afterwards assimilated to the brains of birds. By
a farther addition it takes the form of the quadrupedal
brain, and after passing through gradations corresponding with the gradations in the mammiferous animals, it
attains the character peculiar to man.* If the form and
development of the brain were of no consequence, why
all these extraordinary changes.? Nature does.nothing
in vain; and if great intellectual capacity could have
been manifested through a brain as simple as that of
a fish, would not a brain of that simple organization
have been imparted to us? But even among the in.
ferior animals the brain varies with their endowments.
*

See Tiedemann on the Development of the fetal Brain.

CONFIRMATORY OF PIHRENOLOGY.

45

The fish is lowest in the scale of vertebrated animals,
and it possesses, as we have hinted, a brain of the
simplest form. Reptiles rank higher in the scale of
being than fishes, and have a greater development of
the cerebral organ. Birds have propensities and powers
which ar'e not found in the reptile tribes, and have a
correspondifig increase in their brain. Quadrupeds are
admitted to be far superior to birds in those instincts
which approximate to human reason, and in them we
find a cerebral form and development which we look
for in vain in the less exalted classes. In all the inferior animals, the cerebral lobes are in a rudimentary
state, or at best, developed in a slight degree; but in
man they are:at a maximum of development, and, it is
needless to say, that in him the intellectual powers are
in corresponding pre-eminency. From these facts we
are entitled to draw the conclusion, that the brain is not
a single organ ;--that different parts of it have different
powers; for when certaina parts are small or defective;
certain powers are weak or non-existent, and with the
development of the part the power appears. Besides,
as man has all the parts of the brain which exist in the
inferior animals, as well as many other peculiar to him..
self, we are led to the conclusion, that he must exhibit
not only all the feelings which exist in the lower tribes,
and other powers which they do not display; but also,
that those parts of the human brain which exist in the
inferior animals must be the seat of animal propensity,
and those parts which exist only in man the seat of
powers purely moral and intellectual. Such conclusions
are neither forced nor hastily drawn. They flow purely
from the facts which comparative anatomy furnishes;

46

NERVOUS SYSTEM OF MAN.

aid form, at the same time, an adamantine basis on
which phrenological science may be erected.

CHAPTER IV.
Nervous System of Man.-Nerves.-Ganglia.-Plexuses.-Spinal Marrow or Chord.-Medulla Oblongata.--Cerebellum.--Cerebrum.

THE Nervous System of Man is remarkably complicated, yet a short description of the different parts that
enter into its formation may not prove uninteresting even
to the general inquirer. All the parts of this system
may be classified in the following manner :-Ist. Some
of these parts are arranged into cords called nerves,
which ramify or branch into all the textures of the body.
2d. Others are collected into knots termed ganglia,
which differ in form, size, consistency, and colour. 3d.
Others are aggregated into masses, as in the brain and
spinal cord. The nervous cords or nerves are seen frequently to unite, separate, and unite again, so as to form
intricate networks called plexuses; and from these,
nerves are seen to run off to supply organs at a distance.
Even ganglia and plexuses intermix and form a still
more intricate assemblage of parts. It is exceedingly
difficult to discover the uses of all the individual parts of
the nervous system. At the same time, we should endeavour to ascertain their use. It is, indeed, of some
moment, that we can distinguish nervous matter of
vegetative from that of phrenic life; but this is not
enough: our energies should be directed to disover
the uses of all the parts of the nervous system. The

NERVES.

47

subject is of the deepest interest; but it can only receive at present a very general consideration. And,
First--Of the cords we usually denominate nerves.
-Nerves are cords of a white or whitish colour, the
consistency and solidity of which vary in different parts
of the body. They are composed of fibres which are
connected by cellular membrane, and surrounded still
farther by a sheath of the same texture called neurelema, which imparts considerable firmness to the
texture, and prevents the separation of its constituent
parts. The fibres can be easily seen either by slitting
up the sheath which surrounds them, or by cutting a
nerve across, and examining the section. The fibres
are placed parallel with each other. The intimate
structure of such fibres, however, is not known.-Some
have described them as tubular, and even pretended to
have injected them, while others maintain that they are
solid; some consider them so elastic as to be capable
of vibrating, while others insist that they are soft and
inelastic, and incapable of performing their function
upon the principle of a vibratory motion. Many view
them as prolongations of the brain and spinal cord, and
consequently as formed of matter, similar in every respect to the white cerebral substance, while others
reject this view of the case and maintain that they are
formed of something essentially different. We are as
yet ignorant of the intimate structure of the nerves,
and cannot, therefore, determine the mode in which
they perform their functions. We know, indeed, that
every nerve essentially consists of two parts, one extenior, protecting and containing, and which is formed
of condensed cellular membrane ; and a second, interior,

GANGLIA.

contained or functional; but the precise character of
this indispensable part of the nerve has not yet been
discoved.
These cords not only differ so far that some are engaged in vegetative and others in phrenic functions;
but amongst the nerves of phrenic life, diversities of
structure and function are apparent. We find not only
nerves of motion and sensation, but each of these classes
has been found to present modifications of function
worthy of attention. Sir Charles Bell has discovered,
that, besides the motive nerves of the general system
-- those that place the muscles under the control of the
will--there are superadded nerves of a similar kind
which he calls respiratory,because they ramify upon
the muscles concerned in the process of respiration,
and associate and combine the muscles on which they
ramify in the performance of the respiratory function.
Among the nerves of sensation, too, we know that
some are adapted for communicating general sensibility
to the skin, and all the other textures, and others for
imparting powers inherent in the four special senses,
those of taste, smell, hearing, and sight.
We know from observation and experiment, that
nerves differ in function. The mode in which they
perform their functions are hid from our view, and the
observation is applicable not to the nerves only, but to
all the textures by which vital and intellectual operations are performed.
Second.-Of the nervous Ganglia and Ple uses
The nervous swellings or enlargements called gavgla,
are found in determinate situations, but they differ
remarkably in form, size, and colour. As we have

STRUCTURE OF GANGLIA.

49

already hinted, they are found in connexion with the

nerves both of vegetative and phrenic life.
Dr.
Spurzheim says they are composed of two nervous
substances, the white or fibrous, and the gelatinous or
pulpy into which the white is plunged. This opinion
is controverted by Serres ; and Scarpa, who has written
particularly upon the structure of these bodies, describes them as consisting of a congeries of nervous threads, most of which are scarcely perceptible,
and all continuous with the nerve or nerves above and
below the ganglia. According to Scarpa, then, the
nervous cord when it enters the one extremity of the
ganglion begins to be separated into its component
fibres, which diverge and form intervals, between
which delicate cellular tissue is interposed, and that
these filaments are subsequently collected at the opposite extremity of the ganglion, where they are continued into the other nerve or nerves. Our own experiments and observations would lead us to prefer the
conclusion of Scarpa, yet the opinion of Spurzheim derives much plausibility from the fact that one or more of
these ganglia take the place of the brain in the invertebrated animals, and under these circumstances would
require to be composed at least of the grey and white
cerebral matter which is known to enter into the
brains of the higher animals. At the same time from
repeated examinations of this texture, we would be
inclined to describe each ganglion to consist of the
three following parts. 1st, An exterior covering which
varies in thickness in the ganglia of phrenic and
vegetative life; 2d, A number of minute nervous
filaments; and 3d, A quantity of cellular tissue by
F

50

USES OF GANGLIA.

which these filaments are connected, and which constitutes the principal part of the ganglionic mass.
Various opinions have been entertained regarding the
use of the ganglia. Some view them as brains or centres
of nervous energy; others as parts that withdraw the
nerves which pass through them from the influences
of the will; and others, along with Spurzheim, that
they are essential parts of the nerves to which they
belong, originating nervous fibres and serving as
points of communication between different nerves, as
well as probably aiding in the evolution and distribution of the nervous fluid, a fluid which is supposed by
many to exist, although it has never yet been a subject of demonstration. The ganglia appear to us
to effect two purposes, to be inlets of nutrition to
the nervous filaments, and modifiers of the action of
nerves. The first of these objects is effected by the
extended surface, which the ganglion presents for the
entrance of blood-vessels, and the second from the
change of relationship which the nervous fibres experience in their transit through the ganglia, a change
which may be compared to the change of relationship
which takes place to a great degree in the formation of
a plexus.
A plexus is formed by the mutual communication
and subsequent separation of two or more nervous
cords. The plexus is sometimes simple and formed
in the manner above stated, sometimes much more
complicated, when we find a greater degree of plaiting
or interlacing, and generally the greater the number of
cords that enter into the plexus, the crossing and interlacing is the greater. Some of the plexuses are situs

NERVOUS PLEXUSES.

ated at the exterior and others in the interior of the
body. Some are formed by nerves of vegetative and
others of phrenic life. They resemble in this respect
the ganglia, and probably ganglia and plexuses differ
in nothing essential. This opinion receives some
support from the fact that ganglia are found occasionally to take the place of plexuses and vice versa; and
that one of the ganglia (the Gasserian), at the posterior root of a compound or spinal nerve always assumes
the plexiform character, that it may probably accommodate itself more easily to the form of the surrounding
textures. Ganglia and plexuses seem chiefly useful
as organs of sympathetic union, collecting the nervous
fibres and cords from various organs, and thus combining these organs in sympathetic unity. What the
structure and use of ganglia in the invertebrated animals may be, is not easy to determine. Analogy
would lead us to the belief that the superior ganglia
at least of such animals are modifications of brain, as
these ganglia always enter into the formation of their
heads, and differ as remarkably in form and magnitude as the instinctive powers of such creatures differ.
Third.- Of the Cerebro-Spinalaxis. This part
of the nervous system is contained within the cranium
and vertebral canal, and displays great diversity of
parts and complication of structure. We may divide it
into four portions. 1st, The spinal marrow or cord. 2d,
The medulla oblongata. 3d, The cerebellum; and 4th,
The cerebrum. The first and second of these divisions
are remarkable for their external smoothness, the third
for its laminated appearance, and the fourth for its
convoluted structure. In the spinal cord and medulla
UNiVEpSiY CR iLL1NOiS
AI UfRANA- GHAM1PAIGN

52

SPINAL CORD.

oblongata, the grey cerebral matter is enclosed in the
white; and in the cerebellum and cerebrum, the grey
matter both covers the white and is plunged in various
ways into its substance.
1st. Of the Spinal Cord. The spinal cord is an
irregular cylindrical mass that extends from the crossing of the pyramidal bodies, which is nearly opposite
the foramen magnum of the occipital bone, to the inferior
margin of the first lumbar vertebra, and consequently
occupies only the cervical, dorsal, and a small part of
the lumbar regions of the spinal canal; the remaining
part of the canal being occupied by the cauda equina,
or nerves which connect the pelvic extremities to the
lower part of the cord.
We cannot wait to notice the beautiful adaptation of
the spinal cord to its surrounding apparatus, or show
how exquisitely the spine, its external incasement, is
not only calculated to protect the nervous prolongation within, but to perform opposite and apparently inconsistent actions, upon the due performance of which
however, not only the well-being of the spinal cord
itself, but of almost every other part of the body depends. We can only afford time to refer to the structure and uses of the spinal cord itself. This is the least
complicated of all the parts of the cerebro-spinalaxis.
It consists of two columns of white nervous matter
united together in the mesial line of the body, and
inclosing a central column of grey matter of a very
peculiar form. The whole mass is perfectly symmetrical, and divided by an abdominal and dorsal fissure
or groove into two equal or nearly equal parts. The
laterallongitudinal grooves referred to by Soemering

SPINAL CORD,

53

and Portal we have never been able to discover. We
are persuaded they do not exist. This is the opinion of
Spurzheim, and many other modern anatomists; and
we beg to direct particular attention to the fact, as
we intend to deduce from it a physiological conclusion.
The spinal cord is not of equal thickness throughout.
Spurzheim says its thickness at every part bears a
uniform relation to the magnitude of the nerves that
proceed from it, and consequently that it is thickest at
the points where the nerves of the upper and lower
extremities pass off. Each column of the cord has
two sets of nerves inserted into it, one into its dorsal,
the other into its abdominal surface.
These are
usually called the dorsal and abdominal roots or origins
of the spinal nerves; although Serres and Geoffroy
St. Hillaire, have clearly demonstrated that these
nerves arise from the various organs of the body, and
are inserted into the spinal cord. The experiments of
Bell and Magendie, have also proved that the dorsal
roots or insertions with their ganglia are nerves of
common sensibility, and that the anterior insertions
belong to nerves of motion only. These facts have
led many physiologists to the conclusion that the
spinal cord is an organ of motion and sensation, but in
what respects it differs from the functions of the nerves
inserted into it, they have not attempted to explain.
Dr. Spurzheim says, that it is, 1st, the origin of the
spinal nerves; 2d, an apparatus that contributes to
muscular and sensitive powers; and 3d, a means of
communication between the cerebral operations, the
sense of touch, the power of motion in general, and

S4

SPINAL CORD,

With
the functions of vegetative life collectively.
the first of these views it is impossible to concur ; it
has been proved to be erroneous. The nerves are
inserted into the spinal cord, but cannot be said, in
correct language, to arise from it. That the cord contributes to muscular and sensitive power is probably
true, but at the same time is a gratuitous assumption.
Injuries of the spinal cord affect indeed both muscular
motion and sensibility, but it has not yet been proved,
how much of the effect induced is attributable to the
state of the spinal cord itself, and how much to the
nerves inserted into the cord, and which are necessarily
affected by injuries or diseases of that part. Spurzheim
admits, with the more accurate anatomists, that each
lateral half of the cord consists of a single column of
nervous matter, to which both nerves of motion and sen.
sation are attached; he supposes the column formed by
a nervous ribbon rolled upon itself; but, if this description is accurate, does it not border on the absurd to suppose that this single roll of nervous matter should be the
seat of two such distinct functions as motion and sensation ? The spinal cord appears to be merely an instrument of communication between the nerves of motion
and sensation, and the brain the seat of the intellectual
operations. Did time permit, we think we could prove
the correctness of this opinion by a reference to the
effects of compression-the nerves below the point of
compression only being uniformly affected, and never the
nerves beween the point of compression and the brain.
When the spinal cord at the upper part of the neck is
compressed the animal instantly dies, and we know that

MEDULLA OBLONGATA.

it dies, not from the direct effects of the lesion, but
from the paralysis superinduced upon the nerves, below
the point of compression, and more particularly from
the paralysis of the respiratory nerves. These nerves
are cut off from the influences of volition, the respiratory
muscles consequently do not act, and death necessarily
and immediately ensues. But if the spinal cord were
directly contributory to muscular and sensitive power,
is it not more than probable that it would show this
power under these circumstances? If these nerves really
receive a supply of nervous power from the spinal cord,
what hinders that supply from being continued when a
slight compression is made at the upper extremity only of
the organ ? It would be exceedingly difficult to give a
satisfactory answer to this question; but if we admit
that the spinal cord is only an organ of communication
or connexion, all difficulties vanish, and we have at
once a simple explanation which can account for all the
attendant phenomena, both in a state of health and
disease.
2nd. Of the Medulla Oblongata.-The medulla
oblongata is often viewed by anatomists as nothing
more than the upper extremity of the spinal cord, and
differing in no respect from the lower part of the prolongation, except in a slight difference of form, and
a greater degree of bulging or protuberance. The
medulla oblongata, however, is an organ in some
respects essentially different, though in connexion
with the former. It is more complicated in structure
than the body of the spinal marrow, of which it may
be said to constitute the capital or top. It consists of

CEREBELLUM OR LITTLE

BRAIN.

six eminences or columns of cerebral matter, three on
each side ; these are the pyramidal,olivary and restiform bodies, by the union of which a distinct mass is
formed, which lies within the cranium, and is in connexion with nerves, like the spinal cord itself, and
capable besides of being traced upwards into the substance of the cerebrum and cerebellum. It seems, therefore, to have functions in common with the spinal cord,
and others which cannot be said to appertain to that
part of the nervous system. The medulla oblongata is
undoubtedly an organ of communication and connexion
between certain nerves and the brain, and constitutes
besides the formative or commencing fibres of the cerebrum and cerebellum. This last mentioned opinion
is not purely hypothetical, it is derived from observation. The medulla oblongata exists before the brain;
it consists of bundles of fibres which are found to extend upwards with the development of the cerebral
organ. There can be no doubt that the medulla oblongata consists of bundles of fibres; there can be no doubt
that these bundles increase in length from below
upwards, and there can be no doubt that these bundles
can be traced into the cerebrum and cerebellum, and
that they enter into the structure of these parts.
3d. Of the Cerebellum.-The cerebellum is situated
in the lower and back part of the cranium, under the
posterior lobes of the cerebrum, a dense membrane
intervening to ward off the pressure of the superincumbent mass. The cerebellum is of an elliptical form,
the long diameter stretching horizontally and at right
angles to the mesial line of the body. Like all other parts

STRUCTURE OF THE CEREBELLUM.

57

of the nervous system, it is symmetrical, its middle line
corresponding with the mesial line of the body, and
dividing the whole mass into the right and left hemispheres, which have been still farther divided by some
anatomists into lobes, and these lobes into laminm. It is
foreign to the present discussion to enter into a minute
examination of all the processes that are found upon
the external and internal surface of this division of the
brain. It is sufficient at present to state that the
cerebellum consists of grey and white cerebralsubstance,
the grey covering the exterior of the whole mass, and
found also in the interior. This last constitutes the
ganglion of the cerebellum, a nucleus of grey matter
which is brought into view, by making a vertical
incision at the junction of the internal with the two
external thirds of the cerebellic hemispheres. The
white or fibrous matter of the cerebellum is continued
from the corpora restiformia of the medulla oblongata
and meeting with the grey ganglia, it proceeds strengthened and reinforced, and enters into the formation of
the lamine. This constitutes the divergingfibres of
the cerebellum. Another set of fibres are described
by Gall and Spurzheim as arising from the lamina,
and which enter into the formation of the pons varolii
or tuber annulare. These are the convergingfibres
of the cerebellum, which meet in the mesial line and
form a commissure which always bears a relation to
the size of the cerebellar hemispheres.
The cerebellum is not a simple portion of cerebral
It is highly complicated, and probably is
matter.
the seat of more than that feeling indicated by Gall.
This is a supposition which appears more than pro-

00

CEREBRUM OR BRAIN

PROPER.

The
bable from the following considerations :-st.
magnitude of the cerebellum. 2d. The complicated
character both of the external and internal structure of the part. 3d. The successive additions made
to it during its development. 4th. The diversity
of form and complication which exist in the cerebella
of lower animals. And, 5thly. The fact that injuries
that affect one part only of the mass, produce effects
on the generative organs. There can be no doubt that
part of this organ is the seat of the instinct of propagation. What the functions of the other lobes may be
we cannot tell, and it is useless to conjecture.
4th. The Cerebrum.--This is the largest, most complicated, and most important part of the nervous system.
Occupying six-sevenths at least of the cranial cavity, it
chiefly contributes to the size and form of the whole
head, and deserves consequently particular consideration. Some have maintained that the form of the head
is dependent upon the scull rather than upon the brain,
but the most undoubted evidence exists of the erroneous nature of such a conclusion. The brain, we
know, is not only formed prior to the scull, but every
modification of form and size of the cerebral organ, and
parts within, influence in a corresponding ratio the form
and size of the osseous encasement.
The form of the cerebrum has been represented as
nearly the same in all brains, but the idea is fundamentally erroneous. There is a similarityundoubtedly
among different brains, but nothing more; and it may
be questioned if two brains have been ever found precisely alike. We find not only differences in the great
outlines, some being long and narrow and others short

STRUCTURE OF THE CEREBRUM.

59

and broad-some being large and massy in the superior
region and narrow below--while in others an opposite configuration is visible, the greatest mass being at
the base of the brain, and the least at the top; but remarkable differences are also discoverable in the relative size of the anterior, middle, and posterior lobes,
and in the relative size of the different convolutions.
The cerebrum has indeed a form which may be said in
a general way to appertain to all brains; but the modifications of that form are infinite, like the diversity of
character that exists in society. The general form may
be said to be oval when viewed from above, the smaller
extremity of this oval being turned forwards. It is
divided by a deep fissure into two nearly equal and
symmetrical parts, termed hemispheres, the fissure giving lodgment to a dense membrane which separates the
hemispheres, and prevents the one from gravitating
upon the other in the varied lateral motions of the
head. The two sides of the cerebrum are united in
the centre at different points, but at the anterior and
posterior extremities they are completely separated.
The superior, lateral, inferior, and commutual surfaces
of both hemispheres of the cerebrum are remarkable for the number of ridges and depressions, or in
other words, for the convolutions found on every part
of the external surface of the organ. The internal
surface is smooth and so disposed as to form cavities or
chambers called ventricles, which secrete a serous fluid;
but the use of such chambers and the fluid they secrete
is not known. In the ventricles, the internalprocesses
of the brain are best seen; but without waiting to describe these processes, it may be stated that they are

60

FUNCTIONS

OF THE CEREBRUM DISCOVERABLE.

not viewed as phrenological organs. They are believed to be, some of them, ganglia or organs of reinforcement, and others organs of cerebral communication
and connexion.
Gall viewed the brain as composed of two sets
of fibres--the diverging and converging.
The first,
he says, are capable of being traced from the pyramidal and olivary bundles of the medulla oblongata,
through the great ganglia, to the convolutions which
they principally form; and the second from the grey
matter upon the surface of the convolutions to the
mesial plane of the brain, where they form by their
convergence the commissures. Whether the structure
of the brain, as indicated by Gall and Spurzheim, be
substantially correct is yet problematical. Some of
their views have been proved to be correct ; but it remains to be proved, whether others are equally wel
founded.
Phrenology leads us to draw conclusions from the
form of the brain regarding the functions of the individual parts; and these conclusions, if true, can never
be affected by any subsequent discovery that may be
made of the intimate texture of the organ. Gall's primary phrenological observations were made previous
to the knowledge he ultimately arrived at, of the structure of the brain. But these observations are still admitted to be correct, and they will remain correct whatever notions we may entertain regarding the structure.
Gall's phrenological conclusions were not drawn from
any supposed anatomical structure. His conclusions
were the result of close and accurate observations, and
of observations relating entirely to the form of the

THE BRAIN

AT BIRTH.

61

brain. So long, then, as we can prove a relationship
between the configuration of the brain and the character of the mental powers, the intimate structure, in
determining the truth of this relationship, can at best
be only of secondary importance.
Every part of the brain exists at the period of birth,
yet at that period it is unfit for exercising its functions.
It is larger at that period than in many of our intelligent animals, yet the mind of the infant is a perfect
blank. We are bound to believe, therefore, that quality
rather than quantity of brain is the cause of this peculiarity. It is destitute of the necessary consistency or
cohesion, and a certain consistency of fibre seems indis
pensable for vigorous action. In tracing the brain from
birth to the period of old age, we can gain little assistance even from those who have devoted their attention
to this very subject, for they have generally proceeded
upon the principle that the brain is a single organ. All
their observations, therefore, respect the general length,
the breadth, or the average proportions of such parts
as the cerebrum and cerebellum, or the proportions of
the cerebrum and cerebellum to some of the internal
processes. If we would exclude any from this general
animadversion, it would be the Wenzels. For twelve
years they were engaged, and under most favourable
circumstances, in investigating the structure of the
brain, and they have given the result of their experience in a book remarkable for minute and elaborate
detail.* The general result of their investigations is,
that some parts of the brain increase most in size before
SDe Penitior. Struct. Cerebri.

62

THE BRAIN

AT THE SEVENTH YEAR.

birth, others between birth and the seventh year, but
that all the parts of the cerebral organ have acquired, at
the seventh year, their full dimensions, and suffer no
alteration in this respect afterwards.
These facts, founded as they are on accurate observation, do not affect in the slightest degree the fundamental principles of Phrenology, for Phrenologists have
all along drawn a broad line of demarcation between the
effects of size and of energy of an organ. And although
it has been proved that the brain attains nearly its full
size at the seventh year, it has not been insinuated that
its organization is perfected at that period. We know,
indeed, that the brain is much softer at the seventh than
at the twenty-fifth year. It is obvious, therefore, that
after the brain has attained its full size, internal changes
are still in operation; and these changes are as necessary
for the full manifestation of the intellectual operations
as that of the full external development itself. Besides,
the measurements of the Wenzels do not lead to the
conclusion, that the cerebrum and cerebellum are
exactly of the same size, and much less of the same
form, in all individuals-quite the reverse.
They
found the greatest disparity in these respects; and,
consequently, the heads of children of seven years of
age differ as much from each other as at later periods
of existence, and are fitter subjects of phrenological
observation, than the heads of the more advanced in
life.
The history of Phrenology speaks strongly in
favour of this opinion, and Gall seems to have been
peculiarly attached to the study of Phrenology on the
heads of young persons. The brain at that period is
less concealed; the skull, muscles, and integuments,

PHRENOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE.

63

are extremely thin; the frontal sinuses are not then
developed; and as the brain is then fully formed, it is
clear that every thing concurs to render our ideas of
the configuration of the whole brain, and of the relative size of the individual parts more accurate, than at
the advanced periods of life.*

CHAPTER V.
Phrenological Nomenclature.-Fundamental Powers.-The Essence of
the Mind an improper Subject of Investigation.-Short Notification
of the Fundamental Functions of the Phrenological Organs, and
Abuses to which some of them are liable.-Size of the Organs.Activity of the Organs.-Temperament-Combination of the Organs.
-Materialism.

MANY object to the phrenological nomenclature. The
names of some of the organs, it may be admitted, are
* To those who have not examined carefully into the matter, the
statement in the text may appear startling or incredible, and the
palpable increase of size of the head, which takes place after the seventh
year, may seem a decided refutation of the allegation. But it must be
remembered that the increase which takes place after the period
above mentioned, is easily accounted for from the growth of parts
exterior to the brain. In the child at that period, the cerebral envelopes
are extremely thin; they afterwards become thicker and thicker by an
increase of skull, of fat, of muscle and of skin : the additional growth
of these parts accounting most satisfactorily for whatever increase of
size the head may have attained. Some phrenologists believe that the
organs grow from the effects of mental exercise even after a very late
period in life, and casts of the same individuals at diftferent periods of
their lives are adduced in support of the supposition.
In all such
cases which the writer had an opportunity of examining, the increase
was obviously external, for the face had increased in the same proportion. After attaining full growth, the brain, like the eye, neither
increases nor diminishes in size; its consistency or density may vary,
but we have no reason to believe that any change takes place either in
its form or size,

64

PHRENOLOGICAL NOMENCLAUItURE.

by no means fascinating; but if the thing is correct we
ought not to dispute too much about the terms in which
it is conveyed. The founders of the system had difficulties to contend with which only few can appreciate;
and surely we can bear with them a little should they
have imposed upon us names which are not strictly
comformable to the genius of our language. At the
same time, the terms are formed upon a principle more
philosophic than may at first sight be imagined. The
terms characterizing the propensities are derived from
a fundamental word, which is usually sufficiently plain.
Take constructiveness for example. The fundamental
word is construct, the meaning of which is perfectly
obvious. To the fundamental word, ive is added, which
indicates the power of producing, and ness is still farther added, which expresses an abstract state. The
vocable ous is used in some instances to characterize a
sentiment, as cautious, conscientious, and ness is added,
as in the former instances, to point out the abstract
condition. At the same time, the names of many of
the sentiments, and of all the intellectual powers, are
formed of common terms, such as love of approbation,
self-esteem, hope, .form, colour, order, comparison,&c.
To these terms no serious objection can be made;
they are expressive, and can never be misunderstood.
The phrenological nomenclature, however, has given
birth to no small merriment among those who cannot
look beyond the surface of things. Such terms, it is
said, are too outlandish for common use ; but where is
the science without its technicalities. Anatomy, chemistry, botany, and mineralogy, are full of them; but
shall we despise, reject, or laugh at those sciences,

PRIMITIVE POWERS OF THE MIND.

65

merely because the nomenclature may not be to our
liking. The weakness of the objection is rendered still
more apparent, when we remember that out of 35 or
36 technicalities, three-fourths of them are found with
precisely the same import in all our standard English
dictionaries. The few remaining terms are, no doubt, to
a certain extent, new; but so are the ideas they are made
to represent. Even of these few, four are compounded
of the common English words, adhesive, acquisitive,
constructive, ideal, to which no objection can rationally
be made. Four are compounded of words less purely
English, but still of words in use. These are amative,
concentrative, combative, and secretive. The only
term in phrenology, derived exclusively from a foreign
language, is philoprogenitiveness,a term which is no
doubt rather uncouth as an English word; but which
expresses more powerfully the meaning intended to be
conveyed, than any other term which can be employed.
It may even be conceded to the opponents of phrenology, that the phrenological terms, like the technicalities of every science, are harsh and unwieldy; but,
notwithstanding, they are neither illogically compounded, nor unphilosophically applied.
It

is of the utmost moment in investigating the

phenomena of mind, to ascertain what mental powers
are fundamental. Philosophers have hitherto attempted to arrive at this wished for result solely by reasoning, but have they been successful or attained unanimity upon the subject? Have they not arrived at
as many different conclusions as the number of investigators ? They have besides erred in generalizing
too much. They have referred all the actions of

66

DISCOVERY OF THE PRIMITIVE POWERS.

animals to something they call instinct, and the
thoughts and actions of men to intellect. One bird
as soon as it is hatched runs into the water, and they
say that it does so by instinct. Another sings by
instinct. Others migrate by instinct. Some animals
make provision for the winter by instinct. Now, though
we shall not call in question the propriety of such a
term, can we suppose that one condition of the brain
will explain all these various instincts. If we do not
admit that animals have positive knowledge, we must
both admit that they have determinate instincts;
and that these powers, whatever they may be, are
alone the gifts of nature. All the actions of men
have been referred to intellect; but though intellect
is necessary for the successful prosecution of human
affairs, yet can it be explained how one man can
excel in painting and not in music; how one man
may possess a nice taste for music, and exhibit no
talent for mathematics or poetry; or how a man may
be a natural orator, and excel neither in poetry nor
mathematics ? This diversity of talent, I am aware,
has been attributed to the peculiarities in the mental
constitution, and the opinion is so far just; but it is
not sufficiently explicit. Men are born with intellects
or understandings which differ materially from each
other, so that there are particular kinds of understandings as there are of instincts among the inferior animals; and Phrenology demonstrates that each kind
of understanding has a particular instrument for its
manifestation.
Dr. Gall attempted to compare the parts of the
brain with the powers of the mind as inculcated in

THE MIND.

67

systems of philosophy. But he could arrive at no
satisfactory result. He then compared the developments with the actions of men, and he had soon
reason to congratulate himself on his success. And is
it not an undoubted fact that some men show a disposition to certain actions from their earliest childhood ; some to music, some to drawing, some to calculation, and some to constructing mechanical instruments, &c. The ancient philosophers maintained that
all genius is inherent; nay they went farther than
this, they advocated the doctrine that every idea is
innate. But the phrenological doctrine is exceedingly different. Phrenologists maintain that the dispositions of mankind are innate, in the same way that the
power of locomotion or vision is dependent on organs
that are born with us; but as we cannot foretell what
kind of muscular movements may take place, or what
things may be seen, neither can the ideas which may
arise in the mind be foretold, as they depend on circumstances which are contingent.
Phrenologists admit those powers of the mind to be
fundamental, which exist in one kind of animal, and
not in another : which differ from or are not proportionate to the other faculties of the same individual;
which appear or disappear earlier or later in life than
other faculties; which act or rest singly, and which
may singly preserve their proper state of health or
disease.* Now if the phrenological doctrines be tried
by these tests, they will not be found defective. Not one
* See Combo's System.

68

THE MIND.

of the powers which Phrenology has developed can be
dispensed with, or its place supplied by any other power.
A question extremely interesting and intimately
connected with this point arises.
Is mind itself
simple or is it compound ? Metaphysicians and philosopers generally admit it to be simple, and that the
various powers which it displays are but so many
states or conditions of the same indivisible essence.
The feeling of personal identity which we generally
experience under every state of being, would naturally
lead us to this conclusion, and the majority of phrenologists are of that opinion.
But many entertain
very different views. The question cannot be decided
by observation. We do not know in what the essence
of matter consists, and it is far more difficult to dispel
the thick darkness which veils the essence of the mind.
At the same time the argument drawn from personal
identity is far from conclusive, as individuals have
occasionally become insane on that subject, and on no
other. Such persons lose all consciousness of their
past and proper personality, and imagine themselves
different persons altogether, while in other respects
they feel and think correctly. Now, if the feeling of
personal identity arose from the unity, indivisibility or
singleness of the essence of the mind, how could that
feeling be lost while the powers of the mind remained
entire. But if we admit that the mind consists of an
aggregate of powers, we could easily suppose that one
of these powers could supply the feeling of personal
identity, and be lost and recovered like any of the
other powers.

CLASSIFICATION OF PHRENOLOGICAL ORGANS.

69

Curious cases of this kind are on record.* They
seem to lead to the inference that the feeling of
personal identity is a primitive mental affection connected with a cerebral organ, and hence liable separately to disease. At the same time many eminent
phrenologists entertain the opposite opinion; among
these we might mention the Rev. Dr. Welsh, who argues
strongly for the individuality of the mind, the thoughts
and feelings of vwhich alone, he supposes, are manifested through the organs of the brain. Fortunately
in studying Phrenology we are not called upon to
decide concerning the essence of the mind. It is to
the powers and faculties of the mind only that we have
to direct our attention; and observation has enabled us
to decide that every primitive propensity, feeling and
intellectual power, is connected with a cerebral organ.
What the mind may be, stripped of this mortal coil,
we cannot say. We have no experience of it in that
state; and instead of entering upon such a fruitless
speculation, it is better, as Dr. Welsh has remarked,
to follow the precept of the poet, to " Wait the great
teacher death, and God adore."t
Phrenologists investigate the powers of the mind in
connexion only with the brain, and thus simplify mental
philosophy by reducing it to a branch of physiological
science.
They, however, admit two great orders of mental
powers, Feelings and Intellectual Faculties. Although
usually confounded by philosophers, these two kinds of
mental powers are essentially different. Man is said to

* See

Medical Repository, for 1816.

t See Combo's System.

70

CLASSIFICATION OF THE

be a reasonable being, and although the observation is
just to a certain extent, yet are all his actions the result
of reason ? Are not many of his actions such as reason
cannot approve ? Is he not frequently influenced by
feelings alone, and feelings which are purely of an instructive character ? Are there not such feelings as
sexual desire and parental attachment ? But are they
the result of reason ? Do we not find them in powerful
operation even in the inferior animals ? and asserting
occasionally their independent character in man, by
rising in awful activity even when reason objects, or
is absent as in sleep ? I think we must admit this, and
if we do, we admit, at the same time, the correctness of
the phrenological classification of the mental powers into
feelings and intellect. Many are inclined to admit that
the brain is connected in some inexplicable manner with
the purely intellectual powers, but they refer the feelings
to other organs, as the heart, liver, stomach. Hence they
speak of a good head, a bad heart. But is the heart
the seat of the moral feelings ? If it were so, or if the
moral feelings spring from it, or any other organ except
the brain, we would find these feelings in a higher
degree than in man, for these organs are larger and of
a finer organization in some of the mammiferous animals,
as in man. Phrenologists maintain, that all the feelings have their seat in the brain, and that it is more
easy to prove the connexion between the feelings and
certain parts of the brain, than to show the connexion
between the intellect and that organ. The Feelings
have been arranged into two genera, Propensities and
Sentiments. The first are those feelings which give
impulses to act in a certain determinate manner, as the

PHRENOLOGICAL ORGANS.

71

sexual, the parental, &c.; and the second are those
which modify the propensities, as self-love, religious
feeling, benevolence, &c. All the propensities are
feelings strictly of the animal kind, and common to man
and inferior animals. The sentiments are feelings of a
higher description. Some of them are found existing
to a certain degree, in a few of the inferior animals,
but the greater part of them are peculiar to man. The
organs of the Propensities are situated at the posterior
and inferior part of the brain, and when such parts of
the brain are more largely developed than the others,
the individual in whom such a conformation exists, is
unfit for any thing great or noble. His happiness lies
entirely in animal gratification, and he attempts to
gratify these feelings, reckless of the peace or happiness of others.
The organs of the Sentiments are situated at the
crown of the head, and when very fully developed,
impart a benignity and grandeur to the individual which
is never found in conformations of a different kind.
All artists who have studied nature know this, hence
we find them giving the requisite elevation to the heads
of characters famed for moral and religious qualities.
But could they represent such a character as Shakspeare's Caliban with such a conformation ? If they
did, they would shock our ideas of natural consistency.
Caliban could only be properly represented with a
forehead, "villanously low," or if we gave him a different conformation, we would change his character; he
would no longer be Caliban. The sculptor, the portrait, and historical painter, can appreciate the truth of
these observations.
They have studied practical

72

CLASSIFICATION OF THE ORGANS

Phrenology, without knowing, it may be, that there is
such a science. Their works, indeed, are so many
phrenological illustrations, and the closer they copy
nature, the more truly phrenological they become.
The powers purely intellectual, have been arranged
by phrenologists into two kinds. 1st, The knowing, or
perceptive powers, or those faculties which enable us
to form ideas of physical objects and their qualities:
and, 2ndly, The reflective powers, or those faculties by
which we compare and judge. The organs by which
these powers are manifested, are situated in the forehead, and it has long ago been remarked, that with the
development of this part of the brain, the intellectual
powers are the stronger. The organs of the knowing
faculties are situated at the lower and middle parts of
the forehead : and those of the reflective faculties, at
the uppermost part of the forehead. We seldom find
these two great sets of organic parts equally developed.
In the majority of mankind, the lower part of the forehead is the larger. Hence, we find the majority of
mankind, better adapted for observing and collecting
facts than for reasoning correctly, or drawing just conclusions from the facts with which they are acquainted.
When the upper part of the forehead is the most protuberant, the individual so constituted, is fond of reasoning.
He is apt to generalize too much. The
knowing organs being comparatively less developed,
dry facts have to him no attraction. Every fact and
every event excites his reasoning power. On a single
fact he will erect a theory. He reasons profoundly,
but his reasonings are too speculative to be useful.
When both knowing and reflecting organs are fully

ORGANS OF THE PROPENSITIES.

73

developed, and in nearly an equal degree, the individual so constituted has the best possible intellectual
conformation. He gathers with avidity, knowledge
from every quarter. He reasons also profoundly, but
facts are the foundations of his reasonings and inductions. Such a conformation exists in an eminent degree
in Lord Brougham; and need I say, that his character
is such as phrenologists would expect from the confor-

Viation

?

.SHORT NOTIFICATION OF THE PRIMITIVE FACULTIES OF THE
MIND AND THEIR ORGANS.

ORDER I.-FEELINGS.
GENUS I.---PROPENSITIES-COMMON TO MAN WITH
THE LOWER ANIMALS.

THE organs of the propensities are situated at the
back part, at the sides, and at the base of the brain.
We might thus make a threefold division, which would
assist materially in recollecting them. Those organs
that lie fairly in the back of the head are the three following :-lst. Amativeness, which is situated lowermost of the three, and which imparts a breadth and
prominency to the upper part of the neck. 2d. Philoprogenitiveness, which lies immediately above the
former, and usually, in the female, constitutes the most
prominent part of the hind-head ; and 3d. Inhabitive-.
ness, which lies immediately above the last, midway
H

74

PROPENSITIES.

74
part of the
between it and the PROPENSITIES.head where the hair
turns backwards.
S.--AMATIVE NESS.

Object:-The

Use .- Produces sexual love.
propagation of the species. Abuses :-Fornication, adultury, incest, and other improper, illegitimate, and criminal
modes of gratification. Its inactivity produces passive
contiaency.
2.-PHILoPRoGENITIVENESS.

Use :-Produces love of offspring, and affection for
young and tender beings.
Object :-Preservation of
offspring.

Abuses :--ampering and spoiling of chil-

dren, and excessive sorrow for their loss.
inactive, it produces carelessness for children.

When

3.-INIIABITIVENES S.*

Use :--Imparts a feeling of attachment to, and a
desire of permanence in, place, and probably confers
also the power of fixing and rendering permanent our
ideas and emotions.
Object :--Self-preservation in
inferior animals, as it induces them to select places
best adapted fur their organization. Abuses :-Aversion to the active duties of life, home sickness, a brooding over morbid mental impressions.
The organs of the propensities situated at the side
of the head, extend in a line (with one exception) along
the lower part of the cranium, from philoprogenitivreness

to

the outer side of the socket of the eye.
* concentrativeness-Comb.

Two of

PIOPEN SITIES.

75

these organs lie behind the opening of the ear, two
immediately above that opening, and two before it.
The organs that lie before and behind the ear are
nearly on the same level, the one placed before the
other. The two that lie above the opening of the ear
are so disposed, that the one is placed over the other.
Adhesiveness lies by the side of Philoprogenitiveness,
and Combativeness betwixt Adhesiveness and the opening of the ear. Of the two situated exactly over the
opening of the ear, the lower one is Destructiveness,
which is surmounted by Secretiveness. Immediately
before Destructiveness we find Acquisitiveness; and
still farther forward, and a little lower, near the outer
part of the eye in the temples, we find Constructiveness.
4.-- ADHESIVENESS.

Use :-Attachment to persons. Object:-Friendship and society arise from it. Abuses :-Attachment
to worthless or improper persons; inconsolable grief
for the loss of a friend.
Its inactivity produces carelessness about others.
5.-COMBATIVENESS.

Use:-Tendency to oppose and attack. Object:Defence, intrepidity, courage.
Abuses:-Love of
disputation and contention, quarrelsomeness. Its inactivity predisposes to peaceableness, and aversion to
wrangling.
6.-DESTRUCTIVENESS.

Use:-Tendency to destroy.
Object:-The destruction of whatever is noxious for self-preservation,

76

PROPENSITIES.

and the killing of inferior animals for food. Abuses :Irascibility, cruelty, murder, tendency to torment,harshness, severity, &c. Its inactivity gives rise to passive
meekness.
7.-SECRETIVENESS.

Use :--To conceal our thoughts or actions from
others. Object:--To prevent our involuntary thoughts
and emotions from being exposed to public view.
Abuses: - Quizzing, cunning, deceitfulness, lying, &c.
When inactive, it predisposes to simplicity of manners.

8.-AcQUISITIVENESS.

Use:--The tendency or desire to acquire. Object:--To provide for future wants. Abuses:-Excessive worldly-mindedness, selfishness, avarice, theft,
&c. Its inactivity leads to a carelessness for property.
9.-CONsTaucTIVENESS.

Use:-Imparts the desire and tendency to construct. Object:-To induce all endowed with the
feeling to protect themselves from the inclemencies of
the weather, and from other dangers. Abuses:Construction of whatever may have an injurious tendency, or any thing from improper motives.
The organs of the Propensities that lie in the base
of the brain are beyond the reach of observation in the
living subject; accordingly, phrenologists have not yet
arrived at any decided conclusion regarding the fune-

ORGANS

OF THE SENTIMENTS.

77

tion of these organs. Some suppose that the organ of
the love of life is situated in some part of the middle
lobe-an opinion, we conceive, at best only probable.
It is more than probable, however, that the instinct for
food emanates through some other part of the inferior
surface of the middle lobe. This instinct has been
denominated Gustativeness, or Alimentiveness, which,
when large, imparts a swell to the head at the temporal arches before and a little below the opening of the
ear. In the phrenological busts it is marked with a
cross.
GUSTATIVENESS.

Use:-Imparts the desire for food.
Object.-To
enable the animal to select food best adapted for its
Abuses :--Inordinate desire for the
organization.
pleasures of the table, gluttony, drunkenness. Its inactivity disposes to temperance in eating and drinking.
GENUs II.---SENTIMENTS.
The organs of the Sentiments are situated in the
superior region of the brain, and, when large, impart
both a breadth and elevation to that region of the
head. Their exact situation must be learned from the
bust. It may be stated, however, that these organs are
all double, as in every other part of the brain; but
that those in the middle line of this region, from their
proximity, (although in different hemispheres of the
brain,) are figured on the busts as if they were single.
Four of these organs lie along the middle line of the
head, and when examined from behind forward, hold
the following order :--lst. Self-esteem, which lies far-

78

NATURE

OF THE SENTIMENTS.

thest back, and immediately before and above Inhabitiveness. 2d. Firmness. 3d. Veneration, which
corresponds with a line drawn over the crown from the
one ear to the other. 4th. Benevolence, which extends
from the last-mentioned to the upper part of the forehead. By the sides of these the other organs of the
sentiments are found allocated in the following manner :-By the side of Self-esteem we find the Love of
Approbation; and by the side of this last, and a little
more anteriorly, the organ of Cautiousness, which
corresponds with the centre of ossification of the parietal bone, and a certain distance around that point.
By the side of Firmness, Conscientiousness is situated.
By the side of Veneration, Hope and Wonder are
found. Lying a little to the side, and stretching farther forwards than Hope, and by the side of Benevolence, we find Imitation; and at the outer and lower
margin of which Ideality is found, bounded in front by
Wit.
The organs of the Sentiments differ from those of
the Propensities, not only in situation, but in function.
The Sentiments are feelings of a refined kind, the
exercise of which is accompanied with an emotion;
but no emotion attends the exercise of the Propensities. The Sentiments have been simply arranged into
-1st. Sentiments common to man, with some of the
lower animals; and, 2d. Those proper to man.
Some have viewed it as a prostitution of the term
Sentiment, to apply it to any instinctive power of an
infterior animal.
But there are gradations in inferior
animals. The higher of these animals display feelings
a less gross kind, and which, in a more exalted

of

SENTIMENTS.

79

state, form an important feature in humanity. The
sentiments which exist in some of the higher inferior
animals, are in a simple and weak state; but in man
they burn with a brilliancy that imparts a warmth and
lustre to his moral nature.*
I.

SENTIMENTS COMMON TO MAN AND SOME ANIMALS.
10.-SELF-ESTEEM.

Use:-Imparts a love of self. Object:-To enable
man to prize, and to turn to the greatest advantage,
all his powers. Abuses :--Egotism, conceit, pride,t
disdain, love of power. Its inactivity disposes to humility.
I1.-LovE

OF APPROBATION.

Use:-Desire of the good opinion of others.

Ob-

ject:-To induce that conduct in man which will render him generally agreeable or pleasing to society.
Emulation arises from it. Abuses:-Excessive thirst
for praise, vanity,t ambition, &c. Disregard of the
good opinion of others arises from its inactivity.
* Aristotle asserts, that a part of divinity is bestowed on man only
of " all animals," but afterwards modifies the expression, and says, " or
most of all animals." See Part. Animal, 1. ii. c. 10, as quoted by Dr.
Elliotson in his Human Physiology.
f The following contrast of the proud and the vain man, drawn by
Gall, affords a beautiful proof of the philosophic acumen and literary
taste of the founder of the phrenological system :"The proud man is imbued with a sentiment of his own superior
merit, and from the summit of his grandeur treats with contempt or
indifference all other mortals ; the vainman attaches the utmost importance to the opinions entertained of him by others, seeks with
and
eagerness gain their approbation. The proud oman
to
expects that man-

80

SENTIMENTS.
12.-CAUTIOUSNESS.

Use:--To impart fear. Object:-To induce a tendency to shun the dangers and evils with which we are
surrounded. It forms an essential element in a circumspect and prudent character. Abuses:-Cowardice,
unfounded apprehension, despondency, melancholy,
&c. Its inactivity produces absence of fear.
13.-BENEVOLENCE.

Use:-It imparts the desire of the welfare of others.
Object :--Places man in relation with other sentient
beings, and conduces much to their enjoyment and
happiness. Abuses :--Prodigality, profusion, too great
a facility of temper. Its inactivity predisposes to neglect of charitable objects.
II.

SENTIMENTS PROPER TO MAN.

The organs of such sentiments do not exist in the
inferior animals. These organs, therefore, are characteristic of humanity, and impart feelings of morality and
religion. They give elevation and dignity to our
moral nature, and fit us for the purest pleasures and
the noblest destinies.
1

4.-VENERATION.

Use:-To impart the tendency to respect or venekind will come to him and acknowledge his merit; the vain man knocks
at every door to draw attention to him, and supplicates for the smallest
portion of honour. The proud man despises these marks of distinction
which on the vain confer the most perfect delight. The proud man is
disgusted with indiscreet eulogiums; the vain man inhales with ecstasy
the increase of flattery, although profusely offered and by no very skilful hand."

81

SENTIMENTS.

rate. Object:--To hold men, as members of society,
in bonds of closer fellowship, and forms an essential ingredient in religious devotion. Abuses :-Servility to
superiors in rank or authority, love of the antiquated,
superstitious awe. The inactivity of the organ produces want of respect to men, and coldness in religious
exercises.

15.-

FIRMNESS.

Use:--Imparts fortitude. Object:-Enables us
to bear up under evils and misfortunes which cannot
be avoided or overcome. Abuses :-Obstinacy, infatuation. Its inactivity produces feebleness of purpose,
fickleness, and inconstancy.
16.-CONSCIENTIusNEss.

Use -- Imparts a desire for justice.

Object:-It

fits men for respecting the rights of each other, and
forms them for social intercourse. Abuses :--Excessive refinement in our views of duty, remorse
actions which are innocent or of no moment. Its inactivity leads to forgetfulness of duty.

for

17.--HoPE.

Uise:-Irparts

the

expectation

of

future

,good.

Object:-It induces men to look beyond the present
moment, and anticipate and prepare for futurity. It
is an important element in faith. Abuses :--credulity,
absurd expectation, love

produces

of 'scheming.

a carelessness of the future.

Its inactivity

82

SENTIMENTS.

18S.-WONDER.

Use:--Imparts the love of Novelty. Object:-Induces an interest and delight in what is new or extraordinary, and thus acts as a stimulant to the knowing
and reflecting powers. Abuses:-Love of the marvellous, belief in witchcraft, ghosts, or in any thing supernatural. Its inactivity produces a disrelish of the
marvellous, and predisposes to a preference of the probable and real.
9

1 .-

IDEALITY.

Use:-Imparts the love of the beautiful and sublime. Object:-It leads us to appreciate the indescribable beauties of the works of nature, and to pant after
superior excellence in works of art. It is an essential
element in poetry and other departments of the fine
arts. Abuses :-Excess of enthusiasm, preference of
the gaudy and glaring to the useful: tendency for the
imagination to carry captive the judgment. Its inactivity produces a homeliness of character.
20.-WIT.

Use:-Imparts the feeling of the ludicrous, and
forms an essential element in the mental constitution
of such geniuses as Shakspeare, Rabelais, Voltaire, or
Cervantes.
21.---IMITATION.

Use:-Imparts the desire and capability of imitation. Object:- To assist in expressing with more
effect the natural language of all our faculties, and
enable us to imitate works of nature and of art.

83

INTELLECTUAL FACULTIES.

Abuses :-Slavish imitation of others.
produces mannerism.

Its inactivity

ORDER II. INTELLECTUAL FACULTIES.
GENUS I.-EXTERNAL SENSES.
SIGHT, HEARING, SMELL, TASTE, TOUCH.

Uses:-To bring the animal that possesses them in
communication with the external world.
That all our ideas are derived from the external senses
is one of the oldest opinions in philosophy. That these
organs of the senses are great inlets to knowledge cannot
be doubted ; but it is quite clear that the organs them.
selves merely receive impressions-they do not form
ideas ; for the formation of ideas the impressions must be
transmitted farther than the senses. Physiologists now
agree that such impressions are transmitted to the brain,
which is said to be the common sensorium, and that the
mind there takes cognizance of the impression, or, in
other words, forms an idea. According to this view, then,
the brain is admitted to be necessary to the formation
of ideas, else why should the mind not be affected by
the organ of sensation without the intervention of the
brain. The brain is necessary, then, for the origin of
all our ideas, even according to this principle, and the
question naturally suggests Itself, whether is it more pro.
bable that the same portions of cerebral matter should
be the parts through which different kinds of tdeasshould
be formed, or that different portions of the brain should

84

THE FOREHEAD.

be allotted for this purpose. The brain is admitted to
be necessary in some way or other to the elaboration
of every idea. This is a conclusion which cannot be
denied. It is as capable of demonstration as any fact
in physiology, and it has already been demonstrated.
Now, with this admitted fact fully before us, whether
is it, a priori,more likely that the same parts should
elaborate different kinds of ideas, or that for the formation of every different kind of idea there should be a
different part ? Take it any way the anti-phrenologists
choose, the probability is against them. If they admit
that the brain is the material organ of the mind, they
admit that the mind cannot think without that organ,
even though the external senses are perfect, and as the
powers of the mind are various and different, it is more
than probable that each power has a particular cerebral
part for its manifestation.
THE FOREHEAD.

The organs situated in the forehead have been a
stumblingblock to the unobservant. Such individuals
cannot conceive that so many organs could be congregated in so small a space. But the convolutions of
the brain are there equally numerous; and a little study
will enable any one to become acquainted with the
situation of all the organs. To facilitate our acquaintance with this interesting part of Phrenology, we may
view the forehead as consisting of three ranges of
organs-a lower, a middle, and a higher. In the
lower and middle, the organs of the knowing faculties
are situated; and in the highest, those of the reflectng. With three exceptions, the organs of the facul-

SITUATION OF THE ORGANS OF INTELLECT.

85

ties that perceive the existence and qualities of external objects are situated in the lower range, side by
side, and in the following order :-1st. Individuality,
which is situated between the eyebrows and over the
root of the nose, and Form, Size, Weight, Colour, in
immediate succession along the course of the eyebrow
-Form lying rather at the side of the root of the nose
than in the eyebrow, and the others corresponding
with about the two inner or nasal thirds of the eyebrow
or orbitary arch.
The organs that perceive the relations of external
objects, are situated partly in the lower range, but
principally in the middle one. Three of such organs
only are situated in the lower range. These are
Order, Number, and Language; the two first mentioned occupying the outer third of the arch of the
eyebrow--order by the side of colour, and number
still nearer the temples at the extremity of the orbitary
arch, rounding off the arch and descending a little by
the side of the eye. Language is situated behind all
the organs of the lowest range, over the back part of
the roofof the orbit or socket of the eye, and is beyond the reach of observation; but as it rests upon the
back part of the roof of the orbit, it depresses the part
of bone upon which it rests, and thus protrudes, more

or less, the eyeball itself. We look, therefore, to the
prominence of the eye for the sign of the size of the
organ.

The knowing organs of relation are situated in the
middle range of the forehead; Eventuality immediately above Individuality, in the very middle of the

8s

KNOWING FACULTIES.

forehead; and locality, time, and tune, extending in
succession outwards, in the order now mentioned, to
the temples.
The organs of the Reflective Faculties surmount all
the others in the forehead; Comparison in the middle
immediately above Eventuality, and Causality by the
side of Comparison, and bounded towards the temples
by Wit.
GENUS
THE

II.-KNOWING FACULTIES WHICH PERCEIVE
EXISTENCE

AND

QUALITIES

OF

EXTERNAL

OBJECTS.

22.-INDIVIDUALITY.

Use:--Impartsthe power of observing and rernembering specific individual existences, without reference to the uses, qualities, or relations of such existences. It is an indispensable ingredient in a genius
for physical science.
23.-FORM.

Use:-Imparts the talent of observing and remembering the configuration of bodies, and is necessary to
the successful cultivation of many of the imitative arts.
24.-SIZE.

Use :-Enables us to observe and remember the
dimensions of bodies.
25.-WEIGHT.

Use:-Gives the talent of appreciating, observing,

KNOWING FACULTIES.

87

and remembering the resistance and momentum of
bodies, and forms an essential element in the genius
for mechanics.
26.-COLOUR.

Use:--Communicates the talent of perceiving and
remembering colours, and is essential to the painter,
and all in whom a nice discrimination of colour is required.
GENUS III.-KNOWING FACULTIES WHICH PERCEIVE
THE RELATIONS OF EXTERNAL OBJECTS.
27.---LOCALITY.

Use :--Imparts the power of observing and remembering the relative position of bodies; is essential to
the landscape painter, topographer, geographer, astronomer, and surgical anatomist, and those requiring a
nice discrimination of the relative position of things.
28.-NUMBER.

Use:-Confers the power of observing and remembering the number of objects; imparts the talent of
calculation; is indispensable to a genius for arithmetic,
algebra, logarithms, and all sciences conversant with
simple numbers.
29.-ORDER.

Use:-Communicates the talent of observing and
remembering the arrangement of objects, and confers
an aptitude for methodical arrangement.

88
REFLECTING

88

FACULTIES.

3O.-E VENTUALITY.

Use:-Imparts the power of observing and renembering events or occurrences of every kind, and conduces to the talent of practical detail in the affairs of life.
31.-TIME.
Use:--To enable us to perceive and remember
duration, or the relation which one thing bears to another in time. It forms an element in the musical talent.
32.--TUNE.

Use :-Imparts the power of perceiving and rememand
bering melody. The musical ear depends upon
without which, however acute the organ of hearing
may be, no musical talent can exist.

it;

33.-LANGUAGE.

and

rememhering
power of perceiving
Use :-The
the signs of our ideas. It takes cognizance both of
natural and artificial language, and forms an element
in the philological talent.
GENUS IV.--REFLECTING FACULTIES WHICH

PARE,

JUDGE, AND

COM-

DISCRIMINATE.

These are the highest faculties of the mind, and
which

pre-eminently distinguish

man from the"inferior

animals, and enable him to. control and mouldW
will with facility and power the whole of the animal
creation.#
* "Sanctius his animal nmentisque capacius altm
Deerat adhuc, et quod dominari in cetera possit,
Natus est boon.'

89

SIZE AN ELEMENT OF POWER.

34.-COMPARISON.

Use :-Gives the power of discovering resemblances, differences, analogies, either among things or
ideas, and disposes to the use of figurative language.
35.-CAUSALITY.

Use:-To trace the relation between cause and
effect, and the dependencies of phenomena. It imparts a clear conception of logical consequences, and
constitutes the principal element in the talent for
abstract and metaphysical speculation.
Phrenologists calculate the power of the organs
of the brain by their size, and when the organs are
large, no difficulty can be experienced in discovering them. But is size the only indication of power in
an organ ? by no means; size is one condition of an
organ and a most important one, but phrenologists
also take into account the activity of the part; the
opponents of phrenology forget this, and hence the
errors into which they fall; they will tell you that with
phrenologists, size is every thing; they will then bid you
look at the fleetness and bottom of a race hoise, eompared with the slow and clumsy movements
te
gigantic and unwieldy cart horse, and ask triumphantly
if size is of any consequence? but the example now
referred to is not a fair one; the race horse is of a dif..
ferent breed from the cart horse; all its parts, independently of its muscles, conspire to give it fleetness;

of

Or to use the words of Milton, when referring to the creation of man"Two of far nobler shape, erect and tall,
God-like erect, with native honour clad,
In naked majesty, seemed lords of all."

90

A SMALL BRAIN THE CAUSE OF IDIOCY.

but to place the subject fairly before us, we ought to
compare the effects of size, in two individuals of the
same kind; if we see two cart horses of very unequal
size, are we not certain that the larger one is most
powerful? and do we not know that among race horses,
those in which certain muscles are developed in a
greater degree than others, are always the speediest ?
Among men the same law holds good; pugilists know
that a man of ten stones weight, can never be a match
for one of fifteen stones. The man of fifteen stones
may indeed, from disease or certain other causes, be
weaker than the other, but this can never prove that
size is of no consequence; for, all things being equal,
the larger man will necessarily be stronger than the
smaller. This remark applies to every organ of body,
and why should the brain* be viewed as an exception?
S"Willis has described the brain of a young man imbecile from
birth; its volume was scarcely one-fifth part of that of an ordinary hu.
man brain. M. Bonn, professor at Amsterdam, has two little crania
of idiots, and the brain of an infbecile who reached his twenty-fifth year,
and was so stupid that he was shown for money as an African savage,
&c. I have observed heads equally small in many living idiots from
birth. All these crania and heads are thirteen or fourteen inches in
circumference, and eleven or twelve inches from the root of the nose to
the occipital foramen. With from fourteen to seventeen inches in
circumference, and from about ten or twelve from the root of the nose
to the occipital foramen, we have more or less stupidity-a more or less
complete incapacity to fix the attention upon one object-uncertain or
transitory feelings and passions-confusion of ideas. Heads of eighteen
or eighteen and a half inches in circumference are still small, although
they permit a regular exercise of the faculties; they possess but a sad
mediocrity of talent-a spirit of servile imitation-an extreme deflciency of seizing the relationship between cause and effect-a want of
self.government, and often few desires. Still some qualities of faCulties
may be considerable, because particular organs may be greatly develop.
ed, forming a striking contrast with the mediocrity of the rest. But as
we approach large brains, we see intcllectual faculties of greater mag-

THE TEMPERAMENTS,

91

In calculating the power of an organ, activity or
internal state as well as size is attended to, and this
must be particularly remembered in calculating the
power of the cerebral organs. The activity of an
organ may depend upon a variety of causes-on original organization or temperament,* on health, on exernitude, till we arrive at heads twenty-one or twenty-two inches in circumference-the dimensions at which men obtain the height of intelligence."-See Gall, Vol I., p. 196, and Vol. II., p. 322.
* In endeavouring to ascertain the activity of the intellectual powers
in any given case, the temperament of the individual should be care.
fully noted. The term temperament is another word for original con.
stitution,and although the constitutions ofmen vary with the individual,
and consequently vary ad infinitum ; yet it has been found practicable
to reduce the temperaments of men into a few divisions. Phrenologists
generally admit only of four primary or fundamental temperaments,
viz.; 1st,
The nervous; 2d, The sanguineous; 3d, The bilious; and
4th, The lymphatic. In some individuals the temperaments are pure,
in others they are mixed, and the mixture may exist in various degrees. The nervous, for example, may exist with the sanguineous, or
with the bilious, or with the lymphatic ; or, there may be a mixture
of any three of the temperaments, or, a mixture in various degrees of
all the four. The pure or unmixed temperaments may be thus de.
cribed.
The nervous temperament is indicated by delicacy and irritability of
frame. The skin is soft and fine, and not thickly covered with hair;
the muscles and bones rather slender, and the muscular motions quick
and lively.
The sanguineous temperament is indicated by a florid
complexion,
blue eyes, light hair. The skin soft, the superficial veins large, the
pulse full and frequent, and the body round and plump.
Tile bilious
temperament is known by a complexion of a swarthy or
leaden hue, dark eyes, coarse black or brown lank hair, slow pulse. The
bones are large, the muscles wiry, and the countenance sombre and
melancholy.
The lymphatic temperament is distinguished by light hair, light or
grey eyes, a pallid complexion. A weak soft pulse, a cold skin, and a
torpid state of all the functions. The countenance is soft, heavy, and
unmeaning. Of these temperaments the nervous imparts qsuickness
of
mental manifestation ; the sanguincous energy ; thehilious durability;

92

ACTIVITY OF THE ORGANS.

cise. All these circumstances operate on corporeal
organs of every kind, and there is besides one which
is peculiar to the cerebral--the mutual influence of
these organs. Exercise alone has a wonderful influence in affecting the power of an organ. We observe
this every day in the muscular system. A muscle
when kept for some time in a state of inactivity becomes
soft and flabby, and incapable of energetic contraction,
but let the same muscle be inured to regular exercise,
it becomes firmer and redder, and much more powerful. Such is an exemplification of activity in contradistinction to size, in an organ of motion. But may
not mental exercise affect in some way the organization
of the brain? It is possible that it may render it
denser by the greater quantity of blood which is carried
to the brain during the process of thinking, and we
may have thus actual power imparted, although no
increase of size be discoverable. But the energy or
activity of an organ can only be imparted in this way
to a limited degree; and consequently, where great
power is wanted great size is indispensable. This observation applies to every other organ of the body,
and why should we suppose that the organs of the
brain are exceptions to the general law ?
It is a common but very erroneous opinion, that all
brains, or what is the same thing, that all heads are
alike. The heads of men differ as much as their faces
and all know that two faces have never yet been found
perfectly alike. The varieties of form in the human
and the lymphatic torpidity; circumstances which must never be for.
gotten in estimating the character of any individual.

DIVERSITY OF FORM IN

HEADS.

93

head are, indeed, infinite; hence we can easily explain
the infinite diversity of character thatexists in society.
Compare the heads of members of the same family,
and amidst the family resemblances which exist in all,
you will be astonished at the striking irdividual differences. Compare, again, any one of these with others
of a different family, and you will not only perceive
the difference, but be able to say in what the difference
consists. If you extend, then, your sphere of observation, you will soon be convinced that there are national
as well as family peculiarities, The English head can
easily be distinguished from the French head, and the
French and German from the Turkish or any other.
All travellers admit this; and the numerous collection
of sculls and casts of the heads of individuals of different nations which now exist, has set the matter at rest.
There can be no doubt, then, that there are individual,
family, and national peculiarities of head, and are we
to suppose that these differences of form are unproductive of differences of character ? Glance for a moment
at the forms of the Caucasian, Mongolian and Ethiopian heads, and then endeavour to draw such a conclusion. To what conclusion would the history of these
varieties of mankind lead regarding the forms of their
heads ? Would it lead a phrenologist to the conclusion, that the form of the negro head is as fine as that
of the Caucasian? By no means. History tells us
that the Ethiopian has always been in a state of extreme barbarism,* while the Caucasian varieties have
* Individual instances exist among the negro tribes of exalted
moral and intellectual endowments, but these are exceptions, and are
uniformly accompanied with superior development of the brain.

94

NATIONAL

VARIETIES OF HEAD.

uniformly displayed high intellectual powers, and from
time immemorial been the promoters and depositaries
of human knowledge. The doctrines of Phrenology
would lead at once to the conclusion, that the Ethiopian head must be greatly different in form, greatly
defective, compared with the Caucasian. We know,
indeed, that the negro head approaches to the monkey
form, and that the negro brain is less developed than
that of the Caucasian; that the anterior lobes are
strikingly defective, and that consequently no circumstances short of an entire change of cerebral form,
could make the negro equal to the Caucasian. There
is an endless variety of form in the human head,
to satisfy himself on this point, the reader might first
consult the writings of Cuvier, and particularly the
first volume of his Animal Kingdom, in which the
forms of the heads of the three grand varieties of mankind are particularly described; then he might turn to
Blumenbach's plates of the crania of different nations.
Having thus satisfied himself that there are national
varieties of head, let him direct his attention to those
of his own nation-to those that surround him. Let
him more particularly observe the heads of different
families, and after he has familiarized his mind with
such diversities of form, he will then be prepared to
observe and distinguish the peculiarities of form that
appertain to the heads of members of the same family;
for amidst the family resemblances which always more
or less exist, he will uniformly find decided and palpable differences.
The student of Phrenology should not only acquire
a knowledge of the individual organs and their functions,

-and

COMBINATION OF ORGANS.

95

but he should frequently view them in combination,
and calculate the effects of the combination of organs
in the formation of character. This is one of the
deepest subjects connected with Phrenology.
We
can only wait to notice the manner in which the subject
should be investigated. In estimating the character
of an individual, the student should first observe the
relative proportions of the Propensities, Sentiments,
Knowing and Reflecting intellect. If any of these grand
divisions greatly predominate, no difficulty will be
experienced in arriving at a decided general conclusion.
If the Propensities exclusively predominate,
brutality of conduct will be the result; if the Sentiments alone bear the sway, the amiable qualities will
abound; if the Knowing organs are in similar circumstances, talents of observation will be the consequence;
and should the Reflecting organs be exclusively developed, the person so constituted will be deemed a visionary. After he has thus examined the great outlines
of the head, the student should next observe which of
the organs are largest in one or more of the above
subdivisions, for a direction will be given to such
organ or organs from the more predominating regions
of the brain. For example, if the basilary region be
very large, although one of the sentiments be well
developed, that sentiment will receive a hue and tincture from the predominance of the propensities, and
even all the knowing and reflecting powers will bend in
these circumstances under the dominion of the propensities, or run in the direction of these lower powers.
When the coronal region is high, and one of the propensities, such as destructiveness, large, the lower

96

COMBINATION OF ORGANS.

organ will be robbed of its fierceness, and modified by

the softening and benign influences of the superior
powers. The intellect, under these circumstances, is
drawn as by a celestial influence to direct its energies
so as to gratify these sublime feelings of our nature.
When the intellect again is large, and the propensities
and sentiments small, energy and fine feeling are withdrawn, and a mental constitution formed, but ill adapted
for this "breathing world." The intellect requires the
impelling power of the propensities and sentiments even
to do justice to itself, and the propensities and sentiments equally require the guidance of enlightened
intellect. The best combination is that in which all
the regions of the head are equally and well developed,
or if any region should predominate, it is that of the
Sentiments, as these impart moral and religious dispositions, which conduce more to the well-being of man
than Intellect itself.
In estimating the character of any individual, we
should note also the relative size of each of the organs,
and calculate the influence which they reciprocally have
upon each other. This is by far the most difficult part
of the subject, and for the performance of which no
rules can be condescended upon. It must be left to
the sagacity of the student, and can only be accomplished by high intellectual endowments.
Phrenology, it has been said, cannot be true, because
it leads to materialism, and thus undermines the principles of morality and religion. It is to be regretted
that the opponents of phrenology should have recourse
to such a subterfuge in shape of argument-a subterfuge
that savours so much of ignorance and bigotry. Phreno-

PHRENOLOGY LEADS

NOT TO MATERIALISM.

97

logy leads to no such conclusion. The venerable
founders of the system disclaim such an inference, and
many able and enlightened ministers of religion rank
amongst its champions, and who would be the last to
advocate any doctrine that would lead to such a conclusion. We all admit that the eye is the organ of
vision, and that without the eye the mind cannot see.
But do we allow that the belief of such a doctrine leads
to materialism? Certainly not. We all admit that
the mind may exist after the eye is destroyed, although
it cannot see without such an organ; so we admit that
the essence of the mind may exist after the brain is
destroyed, although that organ is necessary in the present state of things for the mental manifestation. It is
not Phrenology, but the contrary doctrine that leads to
a dangerous conclusion. The anti-phrenologist cannot
account for mental aberration of any kind without
assuming a principle that leads to a most appalling
conclusion. In insanity, for example, he says the
mind is deranged. But can the mind become so
affected ? Can that pure ethereal being, that emanation of Deity itself, that incomprehensible existence
whose aspirations rise above all sublunary things, and
whose desires are as boundless as eternity-can that
being become deranged? If we answer this question
in the affirmative, we state in so many words that the
mind can become diseased, and if liable to disease it
clearly follows that it may die. But Phrenology leads
to no such conclusion. Phrenology draws a broad
line of demarcation between the organ of the mind
and the mind itself, and it is obvious that what may be
predicated of the one does not necessarily apply to the
x

98

INSANITY

A

other. There is nothing in Phrenology at variance
with the consoling doctrine of the mind's immortality;
for though the organ of the mind perish, the mind it.
self may not only survive, but even, (to use the words
of Addison,)
" Flourish in immortal youth,
Unhurt amid the war of elements,
The wreck of matter, and the crash of worlds."

CHAPTER VI.
On Insanity-Proximate Cause corporeal-Corporeal Agents produoe
it-Insanity hereditary-Different Kinds of Insanity-Principles of
Treatment.

IF Phrenology is true it should explain the phenomena of mind both in a state of health and disease.
Now, it is well known, that it can afford this explanation. Insanity in all its forms is dependent on a
peculiar condition of the brain, and the establishment
of this fact will argue strongly in favour of Phrenology.
If insanity is a disease of the mind itself, as many suppose, then Phrenology has no foundation in nature; or
if it be attributable to the direct influence of demons,
as was long believed and inculcated, then Phrenology
is little better than a dream, and medical science necessarily as inefficacious in the treatment of such disease
as the divining rod of the enchanter. But to obviate
such conclusions, such absurdities, it must be said, it
is only necessary to show that insanity in all its forms
is dependent on certain corporeal states-that insanity

CORPOREAL DISEASE.

99

is a corporeal disease, and may be curable or incurable
according to the circumstances of the case, like every
other corporeal disorder, it is scarcely possible to form
an idea of a disease purely intellectual. Every disease
with which we are acquainted depends upon some
structural derangement of the organ affected. There
is no disease purely functional. The function of an
organ. depends altogether on the structure; and to
speak of the function of an organ being affected without a previous change of some kind in the structure, is
fraught with the greatest absurdity, it is to contend
that the function may exist without the structure; or,
in other words, that an effect may exist without its
cause. Now, in diseases of the mind, is the structure
of the mind affected ? is there any thing that can be
called structure in the mind ? has the mind parts and
proportions? For, unless it has parts to be affected,
how could a disease exist? Many who speak of a
disease of the mind, contend also for the mind's ethereality and indestructibility; but are not the two
opinions obviously at variance ? If the mind is liable
to disease, it is also liable to die; and are all those
who contend for the existence of mental disease, prepared to impugn the consoling doctrine of the soul's
immortality ? Phrenologists, at least, do not acquiesce
in such a proposition. Phrenologists maintain that in
insanity, the corporeal instrument of the mind alone
is affected; and they conceive what may be predicated
of the organ is not necessarily applicable to the agent
that uses the organ.
That insanity is a corporeal disease may be deduced
from the following considerations :-first, agents that

100

INSANITY

A

produce their effects upon the body only, produce it.
Every thing that affects the organization of the brain,
either directly or indirectly, influences the manifestation of the mind; a blow which depresses a portion
of the skull annihilates for a time the power of thinking, and the elevation of the broken piece of cranium
restores the mind to its wonted powers; inflammation
of the brain is uniformly attended with delirium, and
with the removal of the inflammation the delirium
ceases; insanity may also be induced by the improper
use of intoxicating liquors; aliments and drinks have
an influence on the morals-many medicines have the
same effects : now, do not these agents act only on the
body ; do aliments or medicines act on the mind ? No;
they act only on the corporeal organization, and hence
those peculiar states of the mind that are induced are
dependent on the corporeal condition.
Secondly. Insanity is a hereditary disease. The
hereditary nature of insanity is a fact so obvious and
generally admitted, as scarcely to require either illustration or proof. If proof were demanded, I would
refer not only to the opinion of mankind generally,
but to men whose days and nights have been devoted
to the investigation of the disease, and who are unanimously of opinion that it may be transmitted from
generation to generation. In corroboration of this
view Haslem relates ten cases, to one only of which we
shall at present advert. In detailing the history of an
inmate of a madhouse, he says, that the patient's
grandfather was mad, but that there was no insanity in
his grandmother's family. The father of the patient
was occasionally melancholic, and had one raving

HEREDITARY DISEASE.

l1

paroxysm-his mother's family were sane. The same
patient had a brother and five sisters-now, mark the
effect of the disease upon them: his brother, Haslem
says, has been confined in a madhouse, and all his
sisters have been insane-with the three youngest the
disease came on at parturition. It is also well known
that the longer insanity has existed in any family, and
the greater the number of generations that have been
affected, the more liable is the disease to appear.
Foder6 has observed, that among Cretins children of
the first generation are only a little disposed to the
disease, but if such children intermarry with other
Cretins, it appears much more frequently; and if three
generations of such children consecutively intermarry,
the disease, he says, is a certain and inevitable event.
In the same proportion, he informs us, the probability
of hereditary insanity lessens by intermarrying successively with healthy persons. These are facts with
which all are familiar; but if they prove any thing
they prove the corporeal nature of the disease in question. They cannot be explained by referring the disease to the mind itself; for, is the immaterial and immortal existence we denominate mind transmitted by
generation ? if we are not assured on this point, we
cannot be certain that peculiarities of mind can be so
transmitted. It is an incontestable fact, however, that
corporeal peculiarities may be transmitted by generation. Gout, scrofula, phthisis, apoplexy, are hereditary diseases; the stomach, heart, lungs, liver, brain,
and every other organ, participate of inheritance. We
can distinguish family brains as well as family feet,
family hands, and family faces; and when peculiarities

102

INSANITY

ARISES

UNIFORMLY

of talent and disposition display themselves in certain
families, and are transmitted from father to son through
a series of generations, is it not more just and philosophical to ascribe these to the peculiarities of the corporeal organs which can undoubtedly be transmitted,
than to some peculiarities of the intellectual principle
with the nature of which we are totally ignorant ? But
it is not by reasoning only that we deduce the corporeal nature of insanity. We see it arising from causes
which produce other corporeal complaints, and presenting symptoms which every one must admit have a
reference to corporeal organs only. These symptoms
are headach, pain over the eyes, stricture and numbness across the forehead, dizziness, noise in the ears,
and dilatation or contraction of the pupils of the eye;
symptoms which, though no other existed, would lead
every medical man to suspect a morbid condition of the
brain; and, after death, is that condition not found?
Were we to answer this question simply in the affirmative, or bid you rely upon the authority of some eminent
phrenologist whose opinion we could cite, you might
be inclined to receive the enunciation with that distrust which any ex parte statement naturally carries
along with it. But to place the subject most impartially before you, we would refer to the work of Dr.
Abercromby on the diseases of the brain-one of the
latest and ablest works upon the subject. Dr. Abercromby is no phrenologist, yet his work is calculated
to do Phrenology some service. The dissection of 133
cases is given in that work; and, with the exception of
two or three obscure cases from which no conclusion
be drawn, they lead irresistibly to the conclusion,

ran

FROM DISEASE

OF THE BRAIN.

1(l.

that disease of the brain is uniformly attended with
msental alienation, and mental alienation with cerebral
disease. In all these cases, the cerebral disease and
mental affection hold the relationship of cause and
effect; and were our experience on this subject greater
than it is, we could infer from the state of the mind
the precise state or condition of the cerebral organ.
From reasoning and observation, then, the proximate cause of insanity must be considered as corporeal.
The mind, in this state, is no more diseased than in
the derangement of the five senses or of the organs of
voluntary motion. In all diseases of the organs of
sensation, the proximate cause is not looked for beyond
the corporeal organs. In palsy, cramp, tetanus, &c.,
the cause is not looked for in the mind, but inthe instruments by which the will is propagated and voluntary motion produced. Ought we not to reason in the
same manner regarding the internal organs ? Indeed,
too much attention has been paid to the moral and
metaphysical causes of insanity; while the corporeal,
unquestionably more within the sphere of our observation and comprehension, have been overlooked-almost
totally neglected. If insanity is a disease purely mental, it should be cured by reasoning; but will ratiocination effect a cure? If so, why should medical
men interfere?
Should not the insane rather be
intrusted to the divine and metaphysician as formerly; but who would be so foolish as trust a serious
case of insanity to this mode of treatment? " The
good effects," says Haslem, whose practical knowledge
of insanity was very extensive, " the good effects
which have resulted from exhibiting logic as a remedy

104

MORAL TREATMENT OF INSANITY.

for madness, must be sufficiently known to every one
who has conversed with insane persons, and must be
considered as time lost." In opposition to these views,
it has been urged that insanity may be cured by moral
treatment alone ; and if this be admitted, how can the
fact be reconciled with the corporeal nature of the
disease.
It must indeed be admitted that the soothing
plan of treatment, which is the medical name for the
moral, is often highly efficacious, and is now, we are
happy to find, the method of treatment usually adopted
in this country. But this concession does not overturn the fact of the corporeal nature of insanity, for
the moral treatment is beneficial in almost every corporeal disease. Many diseases of the heart are cured
by this plan alone. In inflammation of the eye, we
exclude the light from the inflamed organ, we keep
the patient on low diet, and avoid every cause of
excitement, and the inflammation may be overcome;
but is the disease not seated in a corporeal organ ? In
inflammation of the brain, the moral, or soothing plan,
is uniformly had recourse to ; but because the inflammation may subside by these means, are we to conclude
that inflammation of the brain is not a corporeal disease ? Now, insanity is a symptom of a diseased condition of the brain, depending primarily, in the majority of cases, on a greater or less degree of inflammatory action; it cannot be surprising then, that a plan
of treatment which wards off from the diseased organ
every species of excitement should be productive of
beneficial consequences. It would be surprising indeed, were it otherwise. Enter into any of our best
conducted hospitals for the insane, and after attending

PHYSICAL TREATMENT OF INSANITY.

105

to the practice most successfully employed, say whether it accords or not with the corporeal nature of
the disease. Will you find the patient bound hand
and foot and thrown into a dungeon till his senses
return, or chained to a stake and lashed into a sense
of duty or obedience to his merciless overseer ? No;
you will find the patient treated upon different principles; you will find leeches applied to his temples,
his head shaved and covered with a blister, the secretions of his bowels improved by appropriate alteratives,
his nervous system soothed by hyoscyamus, opium,
and other anodynes, and the wants and comforts of
the patient attended to, as far as may be consistent
with his general safety. This plan of treatment is
applicable only to a corporeal disease; it presupposes
an affection of the head, a disease of the brain ; and it
would be more philosophical, in speaking of insanity,
to call it a disease of the brain, than to use an appellation which is so liable to mislead, and which at best
indicates but one symptom of the morbid affection.
Had insanity always been denominated a disease of the
brain, or been viewed as of this character, would the
heart-rending scenes which at one time were of daily
occurrence in every madhouse, ever have been witnessed ? or, when entering these abodes of wretchedness,
would human ears ever have been assailed by the
clanking of chains, the resounding lash of the whip,
and the reiterated yells of the miserable outcasts,
writhing under a blind but systematic medical torture ?
Had the grand fundamental principle of Phrenology
been known, that the brain is the material organ of the
mind, .a man could no more have been scourged or

106

PHRENOLOGY EXPLAINS SATISFACTORILY

mutilated for being insane, than for labouring under
diarrhoea or dysentery; he would have been viewed
only as an object of deep commiseration, and means
resorted to with some rational prospect of benefit.
The knowledge of a disease is admitted to be half its
cure, and if we can point out the seat even of any
obscure disease, we have made an important advance
to its successful treatment.
It may be urged that medical science is not indebted
to Phrenology for this view of the nature and treatment
of insanity. If such views, however, existed before the
introduction of Phrenology, they had little influence on
medical practice. In none of our standard medical authorities is it decidedly stated that the brain is the organ
of the mind. It is only since Phrenology was promulgated, and a force of evidence produced which bore
down all opposition, that the position has been generally
admitted. But Phrenology has not only led us to seek
for the cause of insanity, where alone it is to be found,
in the corporeal organs, it has also enabled us to
explain the endless variety of phases through which it
passes, and modifications which it assumes. How
curious, and according to the old philosophy, how
perplexing, are some of the symptoms of insanity!
A person, for example, may be insane on one subject or
one set of subjects, and perfectly rational on every
thing else; and some idiots even exhibit remarkable talents in a particular way. " By an inexplicable singularity," says Fodere, "some of these individuals (Cretins) endowed with so weak minds, are born
with a peculiar talent for copying paintings, for rhyming, or for music." He knew several, he says, "who

THE SYMPTOMS OF INSANITY.

107

taught themselves passably to play on the organ and
harpsichord, others who understood, without ever
having had a master, the repairing of watches and the
construction of some pieces of mechanism."
He
adds, " that these powers could not be attributed to
the intellect, for the individuals not only could not
read books, but could not comprehend what was said
to them." A man may be insane on love, or religion,
or on as many different subjects as there are primitive
powers of the mind.
It has been already stated that insanity is not a
disease, but a symptom o a disease, or of numerous
diseases, and a symptom which can only be removed
by taking away the pathological cause inducing it; or,
in other words, by changing the state of the brain on
which it depends. Insanity bears the same relation
to the brain that irregularity of pulse bears to the
heart, and as a deranged condition of the pulse cannot
be cured without removing the disease from the heart,
neither can mental manifestation be improved without
a change of the state of the brain.
These phrenological views of the subject may be illustrated still
farther by comparing insanity to a central point, from
which lines diverge in every direction; all the lines
have this in common, that they communicate with the
central point, but each line has also a separate and
independent existence. If one line alone be affected,
the disease would correspond with partial insanity,
but if all the lines be affected it would correspond with
complete insanity; the mental phenomena could thus
easily be supposed to vary with the lines affected.
Substitute organs for lines, and a perfect idea may be

PRINCIPLES OF EDUCATION.

formed of the phrenological doctrine of insanity.
When one of the organs of the brain is affected with
disease, the insanity is partial, and the degree of
insanity will depend on the number of organs affected.
From this view of insanity, how easily it enables us to
explain every attendant phenomenon, and what a
power Phrenology is capable of imparting in the discovery and treatment of cerebral diseases.

CHAPTER VII.
ON THE PRINCIPLES OF EDUCATION.

Principle 1st. Education does not confer new powers either mental or
corporeal, but merely improves those already implanted by nature.
2d. All the powers of the mind cannot be improved to an
equal degree in any individual.
3d. The improvement of any one power of the mind does
not affect the strength or energy of any of the other
mental powers.
4th. The intellectual, powers which are naturally strongest
in any individual should be cultivated to a greater
degree than those that are weak.
5th. Education to be effective must belpractical.
Advantages of Phrenology.

1. THERE is no living being with which we are
acquainted susceptible of education to the same extent
as man, and the reason of this is found in the great
superiority of man's natural endowments; for education,
it is to be particularly remarked, does not confer new
powers, either mental or corporeal, but simply improves
those already implanted by nature; this position,

CULTIVATION OF THE VEGETABLE

TRIBES.

109

though to us perfectly obvious and incontrovertible,
is not generally admitted. It will be necessary, therefore, that we enter upon its full examination, and that
the subject may be placed in as strong a light as possible, we shall refer first to the effects of education upon
the Vegetable Tribes; secondly, upon the Inferior
Animals; and thirdly, upon Man.
In what, we would ask, does the education or culture
of a plant consist ? Is it not in imparting to it its proper nourishment, in placing it in the most favourable
circumstances for appropriating the nourishment imparted, and in obviating those external causes which
By attending to these circumtend to its injury?
stances the plant will grow, bear fruit, and display in
full vigour the energies of its nature; but you can force
it to do no more. You cannot by any mode of culture
change the nature of a plant. No mode of culture
could, for example, convert a plum-tree into an appletree, or make the poppy, which secretes opium, distil
the juice of the grape. Culture can produce no such
changes on vegetables; it may give addition of size; it
may modify or heighten the fragrancy or savour of the
vegetable or its productions, but cannot alter the intrinsic character of any individual vegetable substance.
In the education of inferior animals, in the next
place, the same principle applies. We may affect or
modify the character of such animals by education, but
we cannot change their natures. We cannot, for example, impart the dispositions of a carnivorous animal, to
that of a herbivorous, or vice versa. We can tame, no
doubt, the most furious of animals, but this training
does not impart any new power, but merely decreases
L

110

TRAINING OF THE

or strengthens, modifies or changes, the direction of
powers which previously existed. The taming of a
wild animal is effected by exciting in the first place
its fears, so that it may be completely overawed, for
without this no subsequent step in the treatment could
be availing. After the trainer has imparted a sense of
his invincible superiority upon the animal by a frequent
recurrence to such means as are found adequate to the
purpose, his next step consists in repressing and keeping in a state of quiescence, those natural instincts and
dispositions which have a tendency to show themselves;
which may be effected, partly by keeping the animal
in a state of due subordination, and partly by excluding those circumstances which can excite the dispositions we wish to overcome; and lastly, he must excite
and keep in constant activity, those kindly feelings
which exist to a certain extent in all animals, and
which show themselves occasionally in their most
furious state. It is an undoubted fact, that in the inferior animals, as well as in man, propensity of every
kind is increased by exercise and weakened by disuse;
so that even in the Lion, if we could lull for a great
length of time those passions which naturally agitate
and convulse his frame, we would insensibly rob the
animal of his furious nature, and assimilate it to other
animals less furious and consequently more manageable
and docile, but do we by these means change his
inherent dispositions? Is the mild and inoffensive
lion that has been encaged for years and subjected to
the,.mastering hand of man, a totally different being
from him who ranges in the forest in all his shaggy
terrors, and appals by his thunders the animal world

INFERIOR ANIMALS.

111

around him? The one is educated as far, it may be, as
his nature will permit; but the animal has received no
new instinct, and all its old are still lurking within it,
and liable to break forth by the operation of every exciting cause.
In taming or educating an animal of an opposite
character from the lion, a hare, for example, though
we must proceed upon similar principles, yet the application of these principles must vary with the natural
character of the animal; as timidity in the hare is the
overwhelming feeling, great care would be necessary to
diminish its intensity, for till this was accomplished the
education of the creature could not be proceeded with;
but strong though the feeling be in that animal, it may,
to a great extent, be overcome ; the intensity of every
animal feeling is increased by circumstances which
excite the feeling, and weakened by what represses
and keeps it in a state of inactivity. In the example
referred to, the timidity would be diminished by placing the animal for a long time in situations where it
could suffer no injury, and at the same time experience
frequent acts of kindness; it is in this way only that
the feeling of timidity in an animal would be partially
overcome.
But in the training of animals it may be said that
more can be effected than the weakening or softening down of certain feelings; we can teach them
something positive ; we can make them learn what
is foreign to their natures; we can impart, in a
word, new dispositions and powers. Can we not, for
example, train a dog to discover game without injuring
or devouring it, and thus to act contrary to the im-

112

PRINCIPLES UPON WHICH THE TRAINING

pulses of its nature ? Can we not impart the elegant
accomplishment of dancing to bears and horses, and
can we not learn parrots, starlings, and magpies to
speak, and is not speech admitted by philosophers to
be the prerogative and glory of the human race?
These allegations may seem to demand some explanation. In training a dog for a particular purpose we
have, in the first place, to accommodate ourselves to
the particular instincts and dispositions, as well as the
inherent sagacity of the animal we wish to train. A
bull-dog, for example, could not be trained to the
duties of the shepherd's dog, nor a greyhound to those
of the setter or pointer. We can easily train any dog to
perform a certain set of acts, but how comes it that all
dogs cannot be trained equally to the same pursuits ? If
the education of dogs consisted in imparting to them new
instincts or corporeal powers, all surely could be taught
to the same degree, for every thing would depend on the
trainer, the reception of the power not being dependent,
in any degree, on the animal ; it must, according to the
supposition, come from the trainer; nay, if the supposition was correct, a sheep or any other animal might
be raised to the same degree of sagacity and usefulness as the shepherd's dog, an idea not only inconsistent with all experience, but manifestly absurd. That
dogs, bears, and horses may be made to dance, to a
limited extent, is unquestionable ; but this attainment
is not the result of the superaddition of any power,
either corporeal or mental. Dancing essentially consists in moving the feet in a particular manner, but all
these animals could move their feet as soon as they
were brought into the world; and the young foal frisking

OF INFERIOR ANIMALS MUST BE CONDUCTED.

11

around its dam in the pasture field displays more varied
and elegant movements than all the more measured
steps of the circus dancing-horse. The one is like a
finished gallopade, while the other is a miserable caricature of something like the Highland Fling. It is
particularly obvious, therefore, that in teaching a horse
to move his limbs in a particular manner, we confer
no new power upon the animal, we only give a new
direction to a power which formerly existed. But this
remark cannot surely apply to speech. No inferior
animal in its natural state speaks, but by education can
we not make them display this power ? and if so, the
power is capable of being imparted; and if anynew power
can be imparted by education, the argument we are
labouring to support must fall to the ground. But we
are prepared to show that no animal but man can, in
the proper acceptation of the term, be taught to speak.
Parrots, starlings, magpies, and a few other animals,
imitate, indeed, a certain limited number of articulated
sounds; but this is not speech. Before a being can
be said to speak, it must comprehend the meaning of
the words it uses. But do these animals know the
import of any word, or have we the means of imparting
the necessary intelligence to them ? We undoubtedly
have not. So long as the intelligence is awanting,
they cannot, upon any sound principle, be said to
speak; for speech is essentially the communication of
ideas, and the articulate sounds we use are merely the
signs or symbols of these ideas. The signs are nothing
in themselves, it is the ideas we are taught to associate
with them gives them value; but as in the inferior animals there is no perceptible relationship between the

114

MENTAL POWERS NOT THE RESULT OF EDUCATION.

sign they may be taught to use, and the thing signified,
there can be no speech. In educating the inferior
animals, we must first study their inherent dispositions,
and improve them, and turn them to the purposes we
may require. If we proceed upon the principle of
imparting new powers, either corporeal or instinctive,
our efforts will be unavailing: nature cannot be changed.
If these observations are applicable to the inferior
animals over which we have such unlimited power,
we may draw the same conclusions regarding the education of man. Many men who have received the
best education which influence and money could
procure, have after all, remained consummate fools ;
and many who have had little or no assistance, have
by the sheer force of their genius astonished mankind
by their powers. Shakspeare, Burns, Mozart, and
many others that could be mentioned, are of this last
description. If education is every thing in eliciting
the powers of the mind,' as some have supposed, why
are not all educated individuals as great in poetry as
Shakspeare ? and why are all men not equal in mental
power and mental acquirements ? Is the difference
which unquestionably exists, attributable to the difference of degree in the education of individuals ? Are
the talents ot men found to bear a uniform relationship to the ratio of their education ? Do members of
the same family, who are educated as nearly as possible
in the same manner, and to an equal degree, never
display diversities of mental power ? and if they do
differ in mental capacities, to what is this attributable?
It cannot be to education, but to something in themselves.

BOW EDUCATION IS USEFUL.

I1I

In every department of nature, variety is the
predominant characteristic. In the grass that covers
the face of the globe, two blades cannot be found
perfectly alike. Two objects in nature have never
been in this state, and what reason have we to think
that the mind is an exception to this law? Do
not the varieties of mental conformation continually
force themselves upon our observation? These varieties are found at the moment of birth as well as at
death. It is evidently an ordinance of nature. No
circumstance with which we are acquainted, can produce an equality. An equality of corporeal stature
and strength might as reasonably be expected.
Is education then of no use to man ? Far from it.
Although education cannot do every thing, it can
effect much. Man possesses a greater number of
inherent moral and intellectual powers than any other
animal; all these powers are susceptible of improvement, and it is the object of ducation to give a proper
direction to these powers, and to raise the moral and
intellectual status of the individual to the highest point
of which his nature is capable. If the intellectual
powers, however, are naturally very weak, no education can render them strong; and if they have been
naturally very strong they will remain so even without
education.
Education can improve the powers of
man, but not to an indefinite extent. The man who
has naturally a weak verbal memory, may improve it
by education, but never to the extent of an individual
who has that power naturally strong. If the reflecting
powers of an individual are naturally weak, no system
of training can render that individual pre-eminent in

116

IMPROVEMENT OE ONE POWER OF THE MIND

metaphysical or abstract speculation. By education
his powers will be improved, but under no circumstances could he be made to equal a Locke, a Newton,
or a Bacon.
It is painful to observe the absurd and contradictory opinions entertained by men who have pretensions to the character of philosophers, regarding the
mind and the effects of education upon it.
One
compares the human mind in its natural state to
an uncultivated field, and education to the ploughing or preparing of it for the seed; another compares education both to the ploughing of the field
and sowing of the seed; while a third likens the
human mind to a garden full of weeds, and education
to the uprooting of the noxious productions. Were
we permitted to speak metaphorically on the subject,
we would say that the human mind is a garden full of
natural plants; and that although education consists
in the cultivation of these plants, yet it must be remembered, that the cultivation of one plant does not affect
the luxuriancy or growth of any other. Or we would
rise higher in the regions of metaphor, and compare
the human mind to a diamond which, in the natural
state, might be mistaken for a common mineral, but
from which the hand of the artist, like the efforts of
the teacher, can remove asperities, and draw forth
latent and resplendent excellencies. What polishing
does to the diamond, education effects upon the mind,
but no more; it draws out and improves talents; it
polishes, but never changes the inherent character of
man. It may be considered, therefore, an incontro
vertible axiom in philosophy, that education cannot

DOES NOT AFFECT ALL THE MENTAL POWERS.

1

impart new powers, but can only improve, and that to a
limited degree, the powers originally conferred by nature.
II. All the powers of the mind cannot be improved to an equal extent in any individual.
This position is not only a natural conclusion drawn
from our knowledge of the mental constitution of man
as indicated by Phrenology, but is also supported by
daily experience. It is an incontrovertible fact, that individuals experience great difficulty in acquiring some
kinds of knowledge, while in other departments of
literature or science, they make rapid progress ; they
feel instantly at home, and experience in such studies
nothing but delight. But even admitting that man is
born with all the mental powers equally strong, which
is not the fact; to preserve them all in an equal
degree of strength, the same degree of exercise or
culture would require to be given them all; but the
smallest consideration will lead to the conclusion that
this is impracticable. Who has the requisite time or
corporeal strength even for such a species of training ?
To train one power to the highest degree of which
it is susceptible, our undivided attention is often required; but how could undivided attention be given to
one power, if all the other powers of the mind must
be attended to in an equal degree? Suppose you
wish to cultivate that power of the mind we call number,
or calculation. If you devote your attention exclusively to arithmetical or algebraical subjects you would
attain greater eminence in these departments of science,
and improve the mental power on which that eminence
depends, than if we were to attempt to cultivate also
thie fourteen remaining intellectual powers. If these

118

ALL THE MENTAL FOWERS

observations are well founded, we ought not to attempt
to cultivate all the powers of the mind to an equal
degree, and any system of education founded on such
a principle will lead to nothing but disappointment.
III. The improvement of any one power of the
mind, does not increase the strength or energy of any
other mental power.
This principle of education flows directly from
the phrenological doctrine, that the mind displays its
powers through different organs, each organ being
susceptible of action and repose independently of the
others. The common opinion seems to be at variance
however with the above position.
A boy sent to
school to cultivate his mind, is first taught to read
his native language. After he has attained a knowledge of this indispensable preliminary, he is sent, it
may be, to the grammar school, where he consumes
four or five years in learning the meaning of a few
Latin or Greek words ; he has now got what is called a
grammar-school education; in the estimation of some he
is an educated boy, and his friends suppose that because
he understands a few words of Latin and Greek hinind
is cultivated-he is fit for any thing. But this training
is calculated to cultivate only one of the powers of the
mind, the power which phrenologists call Language; and
to show that the other powers are not improved by
such a course of training, we have only to observe the
effects of this training on the general character of
those who are subjected to it. Do we not every day
observe young men who have uniformly stood foremost
among their fellow-students, both at schools and
colleges, who have shown the greatest aptitude in

NOT EQUALLY IMPROVABLE.

119

learning languages, who have even displayed great
philological powers, and whose mind, so far as Philology is concerned, mavy be said to have received the
last polish from the hand of the artist, have yet, in the
ordinary affairs of life, and in other departments of
science, displayed the greatest imbecility ? We do not
wish to disparage philological attainments, for the successful cultivation of some professional pursuits they
are indispensable; but their importance ought not to
be over-estimated. And those who believe that in
learning the meaning of words all the powers of the
mind are cultivated, over-estimate the advantages of
cultivating a verbal memory, and fall, besides, into
a most pernicious error. Do the best philological
scholars make the best arithmeticians, musicians, or
artists? Or do they explore, with equal success, the
facts and abstractions of physical and metaphysical
science ? They do not. Among these departments of
art or science, there is nothing alike: for their successful cultivation, therefore, other powers of the mind are
required; and it would be as absurd to suppose that
a training up of one power would strengthen or affect
any other power, as it would be to imagine, by improving the organ of touch or taste, we must necessarily
render more acute the organ of hearing.
IV. The intellectual powers which are naturally
strongest in any individual, should be cultivated to a
greater degree than those which are weak.
If man could cultivate all his powers to the high degree
of which they are capable, and all to an equal extent,
the very reverse of this proposition ought to be our rule
of practice; but so long as the various intellectual powers

120

THE STRONGEST MENTAL POWERS

of the same mind confessedly differ in power, it would
obviously be absurd to endeavour to reduce them to
one standard; we could only effect our purpose by
weakening the stronger powers, and would thus necessarily lower the intellectual status of the individual.
The majority of mankind display partial talents, or
talents of a particular kind only. Some display a single
talent only; and though great in reference to that
talent, are weak and imbecile in regard to every thing
else. The character of the man is generally estimated
from his most predominating talent; and if that talent
exist to an extraordinary degree, he may be viewed
as a prodigy among his fellow-men. Did we, however,
reduce in such a case all the powers of the individual
to an equality, as we cannot raise the lower powers
to an equality with the higher, we would necessarily
reduce the higher to an equality with the lower, thus
obviously lessening the value of the whole character; and
any system of education founded on such a principle
must deteriorate, but cannot exalt the character either
of individuals or nations. Look at the blasting effects
of the application of this equalizing principle on the
state of India. By the institution of the castes, every
individual must follow after the occupation or profession
of his forefathers. Taste and talent are there never consulted; these are made to bend to external circumstances; genius is consequently cramped; industry paralyzed;
every motive to individual and national improvement
withdrawn; and a soporific mixture thrown, as it were,
upon the intellectual activities of the community. Let,
however, the institution of castes be demolished ; let
the arbitrary restrictions that press down that immense

SHOULD

BE PARTICULARLY

CULTIVATED.

121

population to the dust be taken away; let the talents
of every man have free scope, and we shall soon find
the character of the whole people improved; genius
asserting its natural and inalienable superiority, and
shedding a refinement and glory over an amiable,
though benighted people.
In this country it is far
otherwise : all are free, the lowly peasant equally with
the high born-prince can follow the bent of his genius;
and where talent or genius shows itself, it is certain of
encouragement.
As man cannot cultivate all his powers equally, it
is surely better that he should cultivate those which
he can turn to some account, than by unavailing efforts
endeavour to excel in something for which he was
never designed by nature. How ridiculous it would
be for an individual paralytic in the lower limbs to
choose the profession of dancing; but would it not
be equally absurd for an individual destitute of musical talent, to follow music as a profession ; or an
individual who could not discriminate colours, to wed
himself to the profession of painting. When talent is
naturally weak, it may by cultivation be rendered
stronger; but no education can compensate it for natural
deficiencies; and hence when any power of the mind
is very weak, the cultivation of the power will never
lead to any satisfactory result, and time will be lost in
the effort, which might have been beneficially employed
in training some of the other powers more susceptible
of improvement. As no human being can excel in
every thing, why should not every one confine his
attention to that department of art or science most
congenial to his nature ? But how are we to discover
M

122

TALENTS OF PERSONS.

the talents or genius of the individual ? In two ways
First, In observing the natural bias or inclination of
the individual; and, secondly, by following the light
which Phrenology throws so broadly and steadily upon
the subject. Many will acquiesce in the justness of
the first of these observations, who would smile at the
idea of determining the profession of an individual by
the form of his head ; but to those who have studied
phrenological science, there is in such a position nothing
either unphilosophical or impracticable.
If it be admitted that the brain is the only part of
the body through which mind is displayed-and the
position cannot be disputed, it is a fact on which all
physiologists agree ;--if it is admitted, then, that the
brain is the organ of the mind, it must also be admitted, that any modification of the organ will affect
the mental manifestation.
A similar observation applies to every other organ of the body, and we have
yet to learn that the brain is an exception to the
general law. Now, size and form are important modifications which affect the functions of every organ; and
why should we imagine that these modifications can
have no effect upon the functions of the brain? We
know that they have a most decided effect; and
Phrenology tells us what these effects are. Supposing,
in the next place, that those who display particular
talents are remarkable for particular cerebral conformations, is it absurd to suppose that such conformations
could be recognised, and the talents coexistent with
the conformations predicated ? If this view of the case
be objected to, then we are entitled to ask, what is the
cause of the mental imbecility in the heads of idiots or

,

HOW DISCOVERABLE.

123

new-born children ? Is it attributable or not to the
state of the brain?
Can a case be adduced with
decided idiotic conformation, in which the intellectual
powers have been displayed even in a moderate degree ? No such case is to be found-the thing is
physically impossible. You might as well expect the
imperfect eye of the mole to equal in visual power
the keen and piercing eye of the eagle. No human
being with such a brain can be intelligent.
We
have at least never seen such a phenomenon, and
what reason have we to believe in the possibility of
such an occurrence ? But does it not follow, that if the
form of the head which appertains to the majority of
idiots can affect the mental manifestations, other conformations must produce other effects ? and is it absurd
to suppose that these effects could be ascertained ? It
is now generally admitted, that the brain at the forehead is the seat of the intellectual operations; and if
this opinion be well founded, is it not obvious that a
small development of forehead must be incompatible
with intellectual greatness, else what is the use of the
brain at all? It is now also admitted, that a large
development of the posterior and lateral parts of the
brain may exist with a small anterior development ;
and that as the intellectual power corresponds with the
magnitude of the forehead only, the lateral and posterior parts of the brain cannot be concerned in the
manifestation of the intellectual powers. Now, Phrenologists assert that observation leads them not only to
the conclusion that the mental feelings and intellectual
powers occupy different divisions of the brain, but they
maintain, likewise, that observation has enabled them

124

]EDUCATION SHOULD

to condescend on the precise parts of the brain which
are the seats of the different feelings and intellectual
powers.
Now, suppose you wish to test the truth
of these observations you must appeal to nature, and
observe particularly whether the power is ever seen
without the development, or if this mode of experiment
appears unsatisfactory, you will find that the power
may be predicated from any given development.
Phrenology may be tested in both of these ways, and
in both it will be found true to nature. Since, then, the
external configuration of the head leads us to a satisfactory knowledge of the talents and mental constitution of individuals, there can be no great difficulty in
assigning to each individual the mental status to which
he is entitled, or in directing the attention of individuals to those pursuits in which they are calculated to
excel.
V. Education to be effective must be practical. Man,
surrounded as he is with natural objects, is capable only
of investigating successfully the existence, qualities,
phenomena, and relations of these objects ;he has
powers adapted for such investigations, but for no
others. He should attempt then the investigation of no
subject beyond the range of his faculties, for the investigation can lead to no beneficial consequences. Many
delight in pure metaphysicalspeculations; but to what
advantage can such speculations be turned, they are in
themselves of no value; and if we concede that they
may be indirectly useful in strengthening the reflective
powers, it is upon some such principle as if we would
approve of tight-rope dancing as an excellent exercise
for the muscles, while the same end could he more

BE PRACTICAL.

125

usefully and safely attained by persevering with energy
in our regular and lawful employments. Every department of human knowledge consists of two parts-of
simple facts, and of conclusions or deductions from
facts. Many men are better adapted for collecting
facts than for reasoning soundly or drawing just conclusions from the facts with which they are acquainted.
Phrenology can not only explain most satisfactorily the
causes of these two different qualities of mind, but can
indicate with accuracy the individuals in which one or
other quality predominates.
Science, it may be repeated, essentially consists offacts, and inferences from
facts ; and Phrenology'explains the reason of this, and
shows its harmony with the arrangements of nature, by
demonstrating that man has powers of two kinds only,
facts both physical and menone kind for appreciating
tal, and another for reasoning, or drawing conclusions
or deductions. Phrenology inculcates that the intellectual powers of man are of two kinds-the knowing and
reflecting. This is the phrenological doctrine, and it
harmonizes most beautifully with what we find to be the
essential nature of all science. If science consisted of
something more than facts and reasonings, of something which the powers of the mind, as indicated by
Phrenologists, could not appi'eciate, then there would
be a gap, a fatal defect in the phrenological system;
but we find no such imperfections in the new philosophy. It accounts most satisfactorily for every mental
phenomenon, and is, at the same time, in universal
harmony with the objects and operations of nature. In
calling the new philosophy to our aid in the cultivation
of the mental powers, we obtain principles of education

126

EDUCATION

AS CONDUCTED

applicable, first, to the whole human race; and, secondly, to the mental peculiarities of individuals. We know
that all mind emanates from the brain; we know also,
that at the early periods of life, man is better adapted
for observing facts than for reasoning upon them; and
we know that at such periods of existence the knowing
organs are in a greater activity than the reflecting.
Nature herself then points out the tract which ought to
be followed. It is clear that the knowing organs
should be called into exercise before the reflecting.
Did we, however, reverse this order of nature, by
attempting to train a child to reason before he had
called the knowing organs into operation, and by their
operations stored the mind with important facts, we
would err as egregiously as if we would attempt to
teach a child to dance before it could walk; to sing
before it could speak ; or to eat the most solid aliment
before its teeth had been formed.
Look at the plans of education in vogue at present
in many of our, Universities, and say if they accord
with rational or consistent principles. Suppose a
young man enters our universities to be trained up to
the sacred profession, he must attend a certain number
of classes, and according to a determinate order. He
enters the University by the door of the Latin class;
he walks next into the Greek; then he passes into the
Logic; the Moral Philosophy classes now open to receive
him; and after a profound training, it may be, in the
subtleties of dialectics, and intricacies of metaphysical
speculation, he is thought fit for entering the Natural
History and Natural Philosophy class, where he may
become acquainted with the objects and phenomena of

IN

OUR UNIVERSITIES.

127

external nature. Students of the sacred profession (who
were afterwards reputed useful and effective preachers),
have even been known to have studied no department of
science save languages, logic, moral philosophy, and
systematic divinity; who were totally ignorant of the
elements of physical science; who could give no rational
explanations of the operations of physical nature; who
uniformly ascribed the operations to the direct interposition of the great First Cause. And it is always thus:
ignorance and superstition go hand in hand, and the
more ignorant a man is of physical science, the more
superstitious he will necessarily be. We do not object
so much to the sciences which are taught in our universities, as to the order in which they are taught.
We object particularly to the pre-eminence given to
abstract and metaphysical speculation, to the partial,
almost total exclusion of the physical sciences; and
the objection is not made on speculative grounds, but
from the following considerations. First, A knowledge
of all that appertains to metaphysics is less useful to
mankind than a knowledge of physical science. Secondly, The great majority of mankind can excel in some of
the physical sciences, while comparatively few attain
eminence in metaphysical pursuits: and Thirdly, The
arrangement of studies objected to is inconsistent with
every sound principle of education, as it places that
which is difficult before that which is easy, instead of
the more rational way of commencing with what is
most simple, and leading the mind by insensible, gradations into that which is more intricate. We do not
expect much ratiocivation from a child. A child given
to abstract reasoning would excite our astonishment,

128

HOW THE EDUCATION

OF

but we are not surprised at a child that it is curious
and observant, for all children are so. A child easily
gets acquainted with objects that surround him; with
people,with inferior animals,with householdfurniture,
with articles of dress, with persons, with places.
Varied and extensive knowledge of this kind is accumulated with astonishing rapidity. An ordinary child
in the first six years of his existence acquires a knowledge of as many insulated facts as are found in any of
our physical sciences, and there can be no doubt that
the facts of any of these sciences could be communicated even to very young children, provided proper
plans of instruction were adopted; provided, in other
words, their education were of a practical character.
There is a natural tendency in the minds of all children
to acquire facts, and the pure and simple facts of physical
science differ in nothing essential from the facts or
existences which meet our daily observation. The
child, however, gets quickly acquainted with the
objects that surround him, while he moves tardily on
with his task in natural history, chemistry, geography,
botany, or any other of the natural sciences. And the
reason is, that in the one case he obtains a practical
knowledge of the objects that are around him; every
thing he practically examines makes a strong and lasting impression on his mind, whereas by studying physical sciences through the medium of books or lectures
only, as is too frequently the case, a feeble impression
is produced upon the mind. If a child were induced
to engage practically in the prosecution of such studies,
he could as assuredly be made as easily acquainted
with every important fact connected with such sciences,

MAN IS TO BE EFFECTED.

129

as he could be made to distinguish an orange from an
apple, a piece of rock-salt from a piece of loaf-sugar, or
gooseberry jam from currant jelly or marmalade. Every
part of physical science conversant with material
objects must be subjected to the scrutiny of the external senses ; the more such objects are scrutinized, the
better will they be known, and the more lasting will
be their impression on the mind. All education, then,
should be practical; theoretical education is education
only in name.
But how is the education of man to be effected ? in
what order are the powers of the mind to be exercised ?
For a satisfactory answer to these questions recourse
must be had to Phrenology, for no other system of philosophy can lend the smallest assistance in solving the
important problem. Phrenology, however, demonstrates, First, That the brain in the forehead is the seat
of the intellectual operations. Secondly, That the
brain in its progress to maturity undergoes certain
changes of form : and Thirdly, That these changes take
place, according to fixed and established laws. In
training, then, the intellectual powers of a human being,
we ought to be guided generally by the order in which
the powers appear. Now we know that the lower
part of the forehead is always sooner developed than
the upper, and we ought therefore to cultivate those
connected with the lower before those of the upper.
In the forehead we find three ranges of organs, the
lower, middle, and upper.* If all the organs in the lower
region were nearly equally developed, then they might
be cultivated in the order in which they are situated,
SSee page 84.

1'30

PHRENOLOGY NOT A

commencing with Language and Individuality, and proceeding outwards to Number. The order of nature in
educating a human being is here apparent. The first
departments of knowledge which a child should be
taught, then, are languages or the meaning of words,
more particularly its own language. The facts of
natural science, such as chemistry and natural history,
or those parts of these sciences which in after-life he
may turn to some account. He should also at an early
period engage in drawing,painting, and the elementary parts of numbers or of arithmetic. These may
be taught during the first fourteen years of a child's

existence. From the fourteenth to the twentieth year
he may cultivate the powers connected with the second
range of organs; these are, eventuality, locality, time,
and tune. Or to express the same idea in ordinary language, between the fourteenth and twentieth year,
besides entering more fully into those parts of natural
science which had formerly occupied his attention, he
will be able during this period to engage in the study
of history, geography, chronology, and music; and
after the twentieth year, when the upper range of
organs attain their full development, he may engage
in the more abstract departments of science; in moral
and political economy, and the investigation of principles, whether applicable to science or to the arts.
Phrenology is not a speculative science. It explains not only all the greater phenomena of mind, but
accounts for the dispositions, feelings, the peculiarities
of intellect, and the tendencies to particular kinds of
action or of conduct which individuals display. It
also throws, as we have seen, a broad and steady light

SPECULATIVE SCIENCE.

131

upon the general principles of education, upon the
education of individuals, and on the means of improving eventually the whole human race. It lays the axe
to the root of the fallacies, that man is the creature of
circumstances ; that all men are naturally equal; and
that all the powers of the mind are susceptible of indefinite improvement. It demonstrates, that as all the
mental phenomena are dependent on the brain, that
external circumstances can no more change the talents
and disposition of individuals, than they can change
the organization of the brain ; and that until such a
transformation takes place, these positions must be erroneous. It shows that all men are not naturally
equal, for no two brains are found precisely alike; and
that the doctrine of the indefinite improvability of
man cannot be true so long as the brain is an organized mass, and like every organized body susceptible
of growth, maturity, and decay. Phrenology is not
only calculated to give us a clear insight into the
workings of the human mind, but it enables us also to
render the mental powers available to the possessor.
It must be admitted that thle majority of mankind
are possessed of partialtalent. A man that can excel
equally in every department of art and science, does not
exist. His existence is a physical impossibility. But
even admitting the possibility of the case, a question
arises, whether it would be more PRUDENT to cultivate
one or a few of these powers to the degree of which
they are susceptible, or to attempt to cultivate all the
powers and attain only a mediocrity in each. Had
Paganini, for example, attempted to excel in mathematics, metaphysics, poetry, painting, languages, &c.

132

EDUCATION

OF THE

as well as in music, would he have stood so pre-eminent
above his compeers ? He probably would not have been
known beyond the city of Genoa, in which he was born.
The powers of man are limited, and it is better that he
should do little and that well, than thathe should attempt
to do much and do nothing successfully. Now, is it a
matter of little moment that Phrenology should be able
to point out what powers of the mind are capable of the
most successful cultivation in any individual ? Is it
nothing that whole years of unavailing efforts should
be saved ? that the child from his earliest infancy
should be directed into the path in which his own happiness is to be found, and in which he can most successfully promote the happiness of others? Nobody will
doubt that if Phrenology can lead to this end, that it is
capable of effecting much good; and every one acquainted with Phrenology also knows that the talents
of any individual can easily be recognised, and their
relative power consequently easily calculated.
The systems of education inculcated by philosophers,
and followed in our schools, are too theoretical to be
useful. A book is placed in the hand of a child before
it can speak its own language. It is taught to commit
to memory passages in prose and passages in poetry.
To impart to it correct ideas of morality and religion,
it is made to read a treatise on moral duty, and to commit to memory psalms, and hymns, and passages of the
Bible. In teaching some of the abstract sciences even
the same principle prevails. A young man engages in
the study of mathematics, The Elements of Euclid are
committed to memory, and his mathematical studies
are supposed to be successfully terminated. In the

PROPENSITIES AND SENTIMENTS.

133

cultivation of every science the same principle to a
very great extent prevails. The student who has committed to memory the principal facts in anatomy, chemistry, and the other departments of medical science
is considered to be sufficiently qualified to practise.
Now, this plan of education leads to the cultivation of
one power of the mind at the expense of the others.
In all these cases the verbal memory is chiefly cultivated; and he who believes that by cultivating that
power all the others are necessarily improved, falls
into a common but egregious error. Phrenology leads
to a more just conclusion. It shows that the powers
of the mind are as independent of each other as the
organs of sensation, and who would think of improv.
ing, for example, the organ of touch by merely exercising the organ of vision. Every power of the mind
requires, therefore, to be cultivated for itself.
In educating a human being it is necessary to remember that he is born with Propensities and Sentiments, as well as powers more purely Intellectual, and
although it is the principal end of education to improve
the intellectual part of man to the highest point of
which it is capable, still the moral part of his nature is
deserving of much consideration. In mankind, generally, the organs of the Feelings are more active than
those of the Intellect. They are, consequently, more
apt than those of the understanding to run into excesses
of various kinds, and to entail misery on all around
them. It is clear, then, that the Feelings should be
early governed and directed. Every feeling, as well
as intellectual power, becomes stronger by exercise
and weaker by disuse, and this is in harmony with
N

134

EDUCATION OF THE FEELINGS.

every organ of the body. Muscles that are frequently
employed increase in size and strength, and those
which are never brought into operation dwindle and
lose their contractile power.
The Propensities should be kept in constant subserviency to the Intellect, while the Sentiments should
be cherished by every means which circumstances
afford for this purpose. As the Propensitiesare drags
upon our intellectual nature, they should be repressed
at an early age, and soothed and tamed into due submission to the will; while, as theSentiments impart a high
tone of feeling to the character, their power should be
directly and indirectly promoted, and, except in certain
cases, their activity kept in constant operation. But
how is this last to be effected ? I answer, by placing
the individual frequently in circumstances calculated to
call such sentiments into operation. Verbal descriptican may, no doubt, give rise to all the sentiments,
but by this method the feeling is weakly excited, cQ tpared with objects that directly affect the senses. The
reading of a tragedy excites less emotion than witnessing its representation on the stage, and the closer the
representation mimics the reality the emotion will be
the more powerful.
A child may be told to cherish the feeling of veneration, but if you wish him to experience the feeling
powerfully you must lead him frequently to the very
act of devotion, and let him sympathize with the feeling as it displays itself in others. In this way only
should the sentiment of veneration be cultivated, and
prhnciple is applicable to the training of all the
other powers of the same kind.

the.

135

EDUCATION OF THE INTELLECT.

But man is a being not only endowed with Feelings
but with Intellect, and the intellectual powers display
themselves at a very early period. The knowing
organs are first called into operation, as these bring in
the pabulum for the action of the reflecting powers.
Of the knowing powers, Language and Individuality are
among the first that should be cultivated, and the others
according to their relative size. While cultivating the
knowing powers, the reflecting ones should, to a certain
extent, regularly be employed; although in almost all
children
our plans of education, the knowing powers
are cultivated, to the neglect almost altogether of the
reflecting. Children are made to wait till they are fit
for a logic or moral philosophy class, before the
reflecting powers are brought into action. But the
plan is highly objectionable. Every object which presents itself to his daily observation, every subject on
which the knowing organs may be engaged, is fitted to
call into exercise both comparison and causality; and
the child who has been trained to exercise these organs
from his early years, and on subjects of common
observation, will, caeteris paribus, use them with more
effect when he arrives at maturity, and when lie directs
them to the investigation of truth in science and philosophy. Man cannot become too intellectual ; and as
his intellectuality depends on the existence of these
powers, they should be early and regularly brought into
operation. Yet though all the reflecting organs should be
cultivated to the highest degree of which they are capable, the observation is not applicable to the knowing
organs. All of these organs indeed should be culti-

-of

136

PHYSICAL EDUCATION.

vated to a certain extent; but when any are preeminently developed, these should be cultivated to the
partial exclusion of the others, and the individual so
circumstanced should engage in a profession in which
such powers are peculiarly brought into operation. In
this way individuals will be enabled to follow the bent
of their iiclination to advance the interests of particular
arts or sciences, and conduce, consequently, to their
happiness and to the greatest improvement of the human
race.
Phrenology is not only calculated to discover the
talents of individuals, and to teach us to cultivate with
effect talents which exist, but under proper direction
it may be made the stupendous instrument of improving the intellectual capacity of the whole human
race.
The brain is a part of the corporeal frame, and subject to the same laws that regulate the development of
The corporeal part of
every other corporeal organ.*
man is under the same system of laws which governed
the formation, the growth, and decay of the corporeal
* The purely physical part of the education of man is of paramount
importance; but has not been sufficiently insisted upon by many of
our best writers upon Education. The more, however, Phrenology is
studied, the more will its importance be appreciated. As a part of the
body, the brain must rise and fall with the varying health of the system;
and the improvement of the corporeal system generally must necessarily raise the healthy condition of the brain. We can only advert at
present to the subject; but it is one full of interest. When the ancients
spoke of the "mens sana in corpore sano," they spoke with their accustomed wisdom; and it is obvious, that so long as the animal part of our
constitution is linked with the mental, the training of the one must
form as essential an ingredient as the education of the other.

MATRIMONIAL ALLIANCES.

137

parts of animals generally. To prevent animals from
degenerating, and to enable them to attain the highest
perfection of which their natures are capable, we require to improve not only the corporeal powers of
individuals, but by attending to certain well known
laws, we can improve or deteriorate the whole breed.
How are our race-horses so superior ?
How can
we form kinds of dogs which will differ so much
from each other in instincts and corporeal powers?
Can the character of these animals be changed by education alone ? Other conditions are required, and by
attending to these conditions, the requisite changes
can be effected. Man is no exception to the general
law; but he seems to think that he is, for while he
devotes so much time to the improvement of the various races of domesticated animals, he never seems to
suspect that by acting on similar principles his own
progeny could be improved.
Every peculiarity of
corporeal conformation is transmitted from generation
to generation. Family
are to be found,,as
well as family talents and dispositions; and if we
improve the character of the former, then we will
assuredly affect in the same ratio the character of
the latter.
The majority of mankind, it is to be regretted, do
not take this view of the subject. In forming matri.
monial alliances, many men are influenced by motives of
which, as intellectual beings, they ought to be ashamed.
A man who marries purely for money, who is captivated by a fine foot, an elegantly formed ankle, a slender
waist, or a languishing eye, is rarely himself intellectual,

heads

138

and

MATRIMONIAL ALLIANCES.

intellectuality will seldom be the predominating
characteristic of his children.
"What is the blooming tincture of the skin
To peace of mind and harmony within;
What the bright sparkling of the finest eye
To the soft soothing of a calm reply ;
Can comeliness of form, or shape, or air,
With comeliness of words or deeda

No!

first

compare?

Those at
the unwary heart may gain-;
But these, these only, can the heart retain,"

PRACTICAL EXAMINATION OF THE HEAD.

referring to the engravings, it may not be
useless to point out the mode in which a practical
examination of a head should be made. The first thing
to be attended to, then, is the absolute size of the
head; for a large head, cxteris paribus,always shows
more power than a small head. The head should next
be viewed as divided into four regions, an anterior, a
posterior, a superior, and an inferior. The relative
size of the anterior and posterior may be seen by extending a line from ear to ear over the crown of the
head; and the superior and inferior regions may also
be compared by a line which encircles the head on a
level with the middle of the forehead, or, more correctly,
by a circular line drawn at the level of Causality,
Caution and Inhabitiveness. The effects produced by
the predominancy of any of these regions have already
been adverted to (see page 95.) It requires, however,
to be stated, that that part of the brain that lies anterior to the ear is not all concerned in intellectual
function-a part of it is formed by the middle lobe of
the brain, and consequently a part of it is the seat of
feeling. The size of the anterior lobe must be calculated from the breadth and elevation of the forehead.
On the heads of Hare and the Rev. Mr. M. the line
A B, or the oblique line, insulates the intellectual part
of the brain; and the horizontal line is drawn between
BEFORE

140

PRACTICAL EXAINATION

OF THE HEAD.

the seat of the sentiments and propensities. After a
knowledge has thus been obtained of the great outlines
of the head, the relative size of the organs in each
region must next be observed; and repeated experiments and observations will soon enable the majority
of Phrenologists to arrive at just conclusions upon this
part of the subject. The eye and hand are better measurers both of form and size than callipers or any other
instrument, and should be made to supersede every
such instrument. In forming an estimate of the cornparative size of the organs, Phrenologists observe, first,
the elevations and depressions when such exist upon
the head, and secondly, the extent of space between
the site of the organ and the opening of the ear. The
ear is referred to because it is nearly opposite to the
medulla oblongata, or part from which the fibres of
the brain commence and radiate to the convolutions
which are situated immediately under the cranium ;the longer the fibres, generally speaking, the larger
the organ.

/i
:7

K

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.

IN these plates, the heads of four well known characters are represented; two in which the Intellectual and
Moral departments of the brain predominated, and two
in which the very opposite conformation existed, and
what is the conclusion that would necessarily be deduced
from these forms ? Would not a Phrenologist at once
indicate intellectuality and all the moral and religious
qualities from the former, and every low and degrading
vice and atrocity from the latter.
The head of Hare shows a decided preponderance
of the propensities over the moral sentiments and intellectual powers, and his acts were such as to fill every
well constituted mind with horror and disgust. In the
engraving, Hare's head is in profile, and consequently
an imperfect idea can only be formed from it of the
size of the moral sentiments, for the breadth of the
upper region cannot be seen; but in the cast of his
head this part is narrow as might have been expected.
In the head of Pope Alexander VI. we have still a
worse conformation. The whole head is thrown backwards in the direction of the basilary region, which is
prodigiously large, with a lamentable deficiency of the
forehead and upper regions. At the very first glance,

142

THE REV. MR. M. AND MELANCTHON.

a Phrenologist would conclude that the character was
grossly bestial, without a redeeming amiable qiality.
And wht was actually his. character? Let history
tell.
In the Rev. Mr. M. there is not only a considerable
development of brain before the ear, but it rises high
in the coronal region ; thus indicating, phrenologically,
endowment of moral and religious feeling, and
character correspectable intellectual powers.
lesponded accurately with his developments.t

great

His

In the head of Melanethon we have the beau ideal
* "Pope Alexander VI. This disgrace to the papal chair, whose
family name waa Borgia, was born at Valencia, in Spain, in 1431, and
succeeded Pope Innocent VIII. in 1192. Hia life was a series of crimes.
By his concubine Vanozzi, he had five children, worthy of such a
father, and of these Csesar, the most infamous, was his favourite. In
all his political connexions he was treacherous, beyond the usual measure of treachery in politicians. The pontifical claims to supremacy
lost nothing in his hands. It was bie who divided between the Spaniards
and Portuguese the recently discovered realms of America, by drawing
a line from pole to pole, a hundred leagues to the westward of the
Azores, and assigning to the former peojple all the realms to the west of
it,
to the latter all those to the east. This hateful pontiff died in
the year 1503 ; and is said to have fallen, by mistake, a victim to poison,
which he and his son Caesar had prepared for others."-Daenpert's.
,Dionesi
Biography.
t " Mr. M. is stated, by his medical friend, to have heen upwards of
thirty years a minister in a Baptist congregation, and that he was first
brought up to the trade of watch-making, but which he soon abandoned
for pursuits more congenial to his tastes and inclinations. By great
application he became a scholar and a man of considerable learning.
Besides, his medical friend spoke of him in terms. of the bighest.respeet;
as a inister, esteemed by all his congregation ; as a siasn, of most
exensplary conduict, and of the strictest integrity, who showed great
care and economy in the management of his own aff'airs."-..Phrenolsgi_.
cel JTourn-al.

and

of

N

w
N,

143

MELANCTHON.

of phrenological development.

The forehead is splen-

did-" the front of Jove himself."

The coronal region

towers to a magnificent height above the ear, and the
posterior and basilary regions, so far as they can be

observed, are comparatively small.

This conformation

would indicate, phrenologically, profound and comprehensive intellect, pure and elevated moral sentiments,

with mildness of disposition: and observe how his
character corresponded.*
* " Philip Melancthon, a celebrated Protestant reformer, was born,
in 1497, at Bretten, in the Palatinate. His real name was Schwartzerde,
or Black Earth, of which Melancthon is a translation. He studied at
Witternberg and Tubingen; and, in 1518, was appointed Greek professor at Wittemberg, where he became the friend of Luther, and a convert to his doctrines. To the diffusion of the new doctrines he powerfully contributed; but he displayed a moderate and conciliatory spirit,
which was displeasing to the more imperious Luther. The Confession
of Augsburg was the work of this reformer. Even his theological
enemies respected the virtues, the talents, the learning, and the mild
temper of Melancthon. He died at Wittemberg in 1560. His works
form four folio volumes."-Davenport's Dictionaryof Biography.
Spurzheirn* thus describes the head of Melanthon :--" It is the brain
of an extraordinary man. The organs of the moral and religious feelings predominate greatly, and will disapprove of all violence, irreverence, and injustice. The forehead betokens a vast and compre.
hensive understanding, and the ensemble a mind the noblest, the most
amiable, and the most intellectual, that can be conceived." "Never
was any man more civil and obliging, and more free from jealousy,
dissimulation, and envy, than Melancthon; he was humble, modest,
disinterested in the extreme; in a word, he possessed wonderful talents,
and most noble dispositions. His greatest enemies have been forced to
acknowledge that the annals of antiquity exhibit very few worthies
who may be compared with him, whether extent of knowledge in
things human and divine, or quickness of comprehension and fertility
of genius, be regarded. The cause of true Christianity derived more
signal advantages, and more effectual support from Melancthon, than
it received from any of the other doctors of the age. His mildness and
* Phrenology in connexion with Physiognomy.

144

MELANCTHON.

charity perhaps carried him too far at times, and led him occasionally to
make concessions that might be styled imprudent. He was the sincere
worshipper of truth, but he was diffident of himself, and sometimes
timorous without any sufficient reason. On the other hand, his fortitude in defending the right was great. His opinions were so universally respected. that scarcely any one among the Lutheran doctors
ventured to oppose them. He was inferior to Luther in courage and
intrepidity, but his equal in piety, and much hissuperior in learning,
judgment, meekness, and humanity."

THE END.

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" Persons who have occasion to buy or sell horses would
derive much instruaction from this little manual, which
treats of the exterior conformation of the horse, the nature
of soundness and unsondness, and the laws relating to sale
discoverisg r'nand warranty, with copious directions
soumciness prior to purchasing. The author is a scientific
roan, and his work is popularly written, and likely to be
useful. "--Leeds Mercury.
though of sniall size, is far from being of
« This

13y

for

Manual,

small value, and cannot

fail to be useful not only to farmers,
also to every

inkeepers, and others arngeged in posting, hut

have occasion to purchase a useful and serif a person, make himself master of the

one who may
horme.

viceable

be

fully prep~ared to select a
maxims it cujtaoos he wioll
detect and prevent the imiousisround animal, a; well as

to

of

tio of

ordinar'y horse-dealers.

It

also contains an exprose

the laws relng to sale aind warvanty of horses, wvhich
cannot be too well known, because to borrow the motto
the work, ',the-buyer hath need of a hundred eyes, but the
seller of only one.' "- Stirling Journal.
"s This -is a ivell-eumposed anid useful little volume."-

of

Agricultural Journal.
"6

We wouild recommend no person to purchase a horse

without

having previously purchased and perused Mr.

Stewart's hook of advice."-Glasgow

its

C7hronicle.

This an exceedingly usef'ul little volume, which every
T'yro in the art of horse dealing should lose no time io
posse osed of."--Durnfries Courier.
"c

bo~miog

This book is a preservation facsimile produced for
the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
It is made in compliance with copyright law
and produced on acid-free archival
60# book weight paper
which meets the requirements of
ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992 (permanence of paper).
Preservation facsimile printing and binding
by
Northern Micrographics
Brookhaven Bindery
La Crosse, Wisconsin
2009