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PARTS I & II, BEING «RST, OF THE CAUSES WHICH HAVE PREVENTED OF PHRENOLOGY : THE GENERAL RECEPTION SECONDLV, or THE NATURE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE RESEARCHES OF ITS ADVOCATES : AND ELUCIDATING THE IMPERFECTIONS OF THE « fhESEN^ SVSTEM," AND THE IMPROVE- MENTS AND DISCOVERIES OF IHE AUTHOR. m By LUKE BURK E QUEBEC, PUBLUHED rOK THE AUTHOR Br VVm. CowA« & So«. v!l 1S40. .^ :i ,-*! i prothonotary's officb, the r,th Auguu, lS:tood anrlmisreprcsento,), since there was nothing to depen.1 upon I, ..ttho attention ami memory of his auditors, or of hose to whom they repeale.l them. Finally the impression made by h,s arguments could at best be but evanescent, since with the termmatton of a course of lectures nothing remained to refresh the memory, or to keep alive any degree of ardour which happened to have been excited. Still with these and many other in.lucements before him, the author has to the present moment refrained from publication ; first, because there was much in the science which he wanted still to ex- ammo, and he hoped by further delay ,0 be able to do something mer I kejusl.ce both to his own system, and to the cause in ge- nera t an he felt to be then in his power ;-.econdly, he was !l w,lhng to hrmg forward a partial view of his system, and it would have been too great an interference with his' studies to haTea^ tempted the preparation of a large work ; and thirdly, he wished tod er t.U a ported of greater leisure the controversy in which his pee , bar v.ews were likely to engage him. Thi,, silence howeve rtonoftM"'"!""?" '"'''''"""' "" ">« ^"ccessfulprose- cu„„„ o h,s,abo„rs that he resolved partially at least to break Itr A °""™'" <=»""»»=«' the preparation of a brief ab*actofh,s system of Phrenology, merely intending i, as an ae compantment to his lectures, and consequenllv purposfn. to confine .Ue,rcula.on to those places where he had already ex^pl nod h" vtews or des,g„ed shortly to do so. With this intention he or.^ SfwlrtT ^- ''""r '■»™''i"l-'« i-Po-ible to satisfy him- selfwith the very imperfect explanations which the nature of the VI ♦'1 ,: if })rm., that In/ this other pte.^that this produces ..7, that ca./.o;; t^^^^^^^ 1 IX . nesa &c. But whon Mre look a little below the surface, and a^k what are forms, and events, and placos-what wit, or caution or firmness,~and when we coni|)aro (he answers given, with thefunda mental principle of the science-the unity of function of each or^an -^nd seek to make elementary manifestations of mind of these per- ceptions or powers,— then matters are entirely reversed, and we perceive obscurities, and contradictions, where we had imagined that all was simple and obvious. An other consequence is, that the author frequently finds himselfoccupying a middle ground, between the extreme of anti- phrenology on the one hand, and the present system of the science on the other :— that for instance he readily admits the validity of many of the objections (especially the metaphysical ones) which- have been urged against Phrenology— not as affectir r the real sctence, but as directly militating against much that is at present considered as such ; while in other cases he approximates to many ancient, and generally received opinions with which Phrenology has hitherto been considered altogether at variance. These ap- proximations to antiphrenology have not been made designedly— The author did not commence by believing these views, and then endeavouring to bring Phrenology in harmony with them. On the contrary, like other Phrenologists, he has been in the habit of reject- ing them, but has been brought to his present position gradually and often imperceptibly, by the course of his experiments. Whether he has succeeded in attaining in most, or any of these cases to the juste milieuy must be for others to determine, when his views have been fully laid before them. As a third consequence he may state, that his system seems to him to enable us to account minutely, and satisfactorily for the various discrepancies of opinion existing in regard to this subject— its re- jection by the majority of the learned— its ardent support by some among them— the differences of opinion between Gall, and Spurzheim —the partial differences between other Phrenologists— and finally, R* r i i || ^!i :''P H^ ' ' ' 1 &f |i'i|!i ' J 1 1 those between the present system in general, and that of the author. There are other important consequences that must also result from these changes in Phrenology, should the) pi ove legitimate ; but it is unnecessary to touch upon them at the present time. The author is well awarr that the freedom with which he has here, as well as through the work generally, stated his opinions, and ventured to criticise the received doctrines of the science, ind above all the many changes which he proposes to introduce, and the discoveries to which he lays claim, are little calculated to gain for him the sympathy or favour of a certain portion of his brethren. A • rigorous criticism oftheir doctrines by one of their own body— one who professes to be a Phrenologist in the full sense of the word— an experimentalist, as well as a theorist, h (if he mistake not) a circumstance so unusual, that it can hardly fail to excite the dis- pleasure of some of the more zealous advocates of the sc':ence :— of those especially who, not having experimented extensively them- selves, have been in the habit of placing almost implicit reliance on the opinions of the leading members of their body. If such a result should follow the appearance of this work (and it would be con- trary to the almost invariable rule in such matters of it did not) the author will certainly regret it, but he cannot suffer his desire of pleasing to interfeie with a ccurse to which he can tJ^e no valid objection. Why should he refrain from the free expression of his opinions ?— Perhaps he tvill be told that he is unknown to science— that this ?»tepin^ forth with such innovations is premature— that it argues much presumption— that these views should have been in th^. first instance Idd before a body of Phrenologists, and if approved of, then submitted to the public, &c. But after all, what ir. '' "ro in th ese objecticis ? If he happens to reason justly, if he b. . - for- ^ itrd truths not generally known or places known truths ii« a new light, of what great consequence is it to the public— whal, indeed does it at all matter to the cause of science— whether this be his first, or his twentieth effort ? If on the other hand, he otTers errors, m instead of truths, t' e less his influence, the less his talents— the less of course the mischiefs his errors will produce. If the communica- tions of error be at all dangerous, it is only when it comes stamped with the characterestics of genius, or recommended by the voice of authority. Such at least is the case in matters of science. As to being premature, or presumptuous, — this is his answer. — He has not approached this study without preparation, nor given to it a small share of atten^on. For more than twelve years it has been with him a subject of constant reflection : during many por- tions of that period it has almost exclusively occupied his mind. Ilis peculiar views are not mere theoretical notions : they have been subjected to the test of a rigorous, and extensive course of experiments, repeatedly discussed both publicly, and privately before persons of the most varied orders of mind, and the results both of his arguments, and experiments have been eminently cal- c'Uated to give him confidence in their accuracy. And yet there are persons who will find fault with him for thus laying them before the public. He has already been blamed for advocating them even in his lectures. He has been advised to refrain for some time at least. He has been told that it will be injurious to the cause to create divisions ; that it will give a new impulse to the op- ponents of the science when they find Phrenologists differing amongst themselves &c. But he really cannot see the reasonableness of such advice, or the force of such arguments. To follow out a coarse like this, would be to prevent altogether, or at least greatly retard the discovery of truth.— Why should Phrenology be thus protected? If it be true, it cannot suffer from investigation. If it cannot bear the most searching investigation, why wish to support it ? If there are errors in it as at present understood, the sooner they are detected, and discarded, the sooner will it recommend itself to :he favour of those now opposed to it. If on the contrary the errors are to be found in the views which the author advances, Phrenology has an abundance of advocates capable of detecting, iind willing to denounce them. And the public will surely look kit ■;,ij 1 1 i 3dt i ilw! kk. |i"f» on with more favour when they find Phrenologists reasoning, and experimenting with entire independence, freely stating their diffi- culties, their doubts, and their objections, and pointing out the imperfections of their system, as well as its excellencies,— than if they perceived among them a rigorous uniformity of opinion, and a dread of innovation. The very fact of unanimity among the dis- ciples of an infant science— such a one especially as Phrenology- would alone be sufficient to excite the suspicion of judicious ob- servers. As to submitting his views to the decision of his brethren, he would ask, how is ihis to be accomplished ? Is he to call together a congress ofPhrenologists?-Will they come at his requisition? Or IS he to take a journey to London, or Edinburg, or Paris, and lay hisopmions before the societies established there ? If so, is he sure that any of them would condescend to enquire Into them ? In tact the very circumstances that cause this course to be recommend- ed to h,m, are those which render its success questionable. A person standing high in science or litterature, or being otherwise influential, would have no difficulty in obtaining 8uch an enquiry as IS here proposed ; but the case is very apt to be different in regard to those who have no such advantages. It is idle in fact to talk of consultmg the heads of the science, few, and dispersed over the world as they are-and as to consulting any particular Phrenological society, there would not after al? be much advantage in it. If the inajorpartofthe members of such societies were really deeply in- formed upon the subject, even theoretically, the inducement to con- sul hem would be great, if also skilful experimentalists, there would be every reasonfordeferringtotheir judgement: but this is not the case ; and if the author is to judge of other societies by those he has known, he does not consider that the majority of their mem- bers are much more entitled to pronounce definitively on his opinions than any other body of scientific men. This to some persons mav seem an unwarrantable assertion; but those who take the trouble of mvestigatmg the matter, will find it true. The author therefore II ri' XIU prefers to plead his causer before the public, even in the first in- stance, rather than by adopting the course proposed, to submit himself to so many certain inconveniences, for the sake of very questionable advantages. Indeed after all, his present course is the only one by which his views can come effectually before either the advocates, or the opponents of Phrenology. As to his opinions indeed, they are most certainly legitimate oh- jects of attack, and he should be sorry to complain of any criticism however searching, that may be applied to them. However he may at present be convinced of their truth, he has no idea of claim- ing for himself, the infallibility which he denies to others. He has already given up many opinions in Phrenology which he had lone held and some too which he had publicly taught, and it is quite possible that he may have to do so again ; at all events he is per- fectly ready to do so, whenever he finds himself in error. If this confession does not satisfy the class of persons for whom it is in- tended, he has really nothing further to offer. These observations are not of course meant for the candid, and enlightened advocates of this science. They will no doubt narrowly ^ft every novelty that may appear either in the present work, or in those to which it is intended to serve as an introduction-and this IS what should be done, for too much care cannot be used in matters ofscience-but they will at the same time readily acknowledge truth when it is made manifest to them. To those opposed to Phrenology the author has to observe, that as the discovery oftruth is his only object, he has laid down for himselfasseverea test ofthe accuracy of his opinions as the most determined adversary could require. Satisfied of the invariable- nessof the laws of organization, he is ready to abandon any opinion against which a single unexceptionable fact can be adduced. And when it is considered that Phrenology professes to be aUo- gether a science of facts, and that almost all its positions require to be supported by thousands of facts before they can be admitted as proved, surely no one can require more from him than a readiness f f m XIV to abandon any of them, when found inconsistent witheven a Hngk fact. If then he has e.red, it has not been from an undue altachment tohisopmions, orfrorathe want of careful, and frequent examina- toi of hem, m the various bearings in which they have been pre- sented to h.s mmd ; for ,t so liappens that even upon mere personal cons,derat.ons, he feels the utmost anxiety to arrive at the truth, Whatever it may be. ' These statements are not made from an affectation of candour, but rather from a des.re that his readers should from the commen cement understand his feelings, and thus be the more ready to 1 proach this discussion, when they find that frtrfA, not ^ictoj, is the object a.medat:-when they perceive that he enters this arena not as a dtsputant merely, or as one determined to support a favorite theory, but as one who having taken much pains to investigate a certam department of science, is desirous of laying his opinions before, e tribunal of the public, both as the surest m!ans ofTrr! tainmg he.r truth, as because in the event of that being estaWished itc:'™ '"'"'™ '""^' "^ "'"^-^ °f "— ^. -^ g- As to the contents of the present volume, little need he said beyond what has already been stated. In regard ,o the first essay it wil^ be sufficent to observe,,hat although by no means intended as a regula d^usston either of the imperfections of the present theo.y of PI e nologtsts or of the improvements which the author proposes to intro- tat'w^t "- — of 'ho argument will require him to treat of both with sufficient minuteness to enable the reader clearly to un ders and the chief peculiarities of his system, viz. hi, views „f amlysU .niternperament.~ln the seco'nd ess'ay, he h exaled at considerable length there%«,„, bearings of Phrenology a„d he trusts to be able to satisfy his readers that on these point he de'rZd Tr T' "'t'^ ''''''''' »" "•-' complet'ely t'is n! de stood This subject indeed would have fallen more appropriately withm the range ofa succeeding work, hut knowing Zt ag! t «>any worthy persons have been deterred from investigti^g' XV i doctrine, by a misconception of its tendencies, he thought it better to endeavour to remove that obstacle in the first instance. It may be as well to observe also, that it would have been more consistent with regularity to have reversed the order of these essays- -to have first considered the importance of Phrenology, and then sought for the causes of its rejection ; but it happened that the essay commenced with was in a state of greater forwardness than the other, and as the appearance of the work had been much longer delayed than had been anticipated, it was thought better to sacrifice the advantage m regularity for that of an earlier issue—After all the matter is hardly of sufficient consequence to require notice. ' Such then are the objects of this little work-such the circum- stances which have called it into existence-such the position of its author in reference to the subject he treats of. He now submits it to Its ordeal ;-with confidence indeed as far as the general truth of his theory IS concerned, but with much diffidence in every other respect. Should it be deemed worthy of attention, it is his design to follow It up as soon as possible, by a more direct and minute in- vestigatronofthe merits of Phrenology-an enquiry into the truth Its fundamental principles. Should he be deceived however in his anticipations regarding it, he must only wait with what patience he can, until time, and further investigation shall enable him to produce something that may deserve attention. Quebec, July, 1840. i^Hr:! .» m ri!! H r 1 . j i 'i ■ i. ■' 1 i a n er th th cc sal rk 'at PHRENOLOGICAL ENUUIRIES. -9<^^9)-^ INTRODUCTION. More than forty years have now elapsed since the first an- nouncement of Phrenology, and its truth still remains a matter of controversy. It i, not that it has been regarded with indiffereDC euner by the puhhc or the learned; on the contrary it has every where exctted intense curiosity. It is not that few have had an opportunity of judging of it; for enthusiastic teachers have every where tntroduced it while extensive and valuable treati.es upon ii and s e, and on wh.ch consequently i, would be natural to expeof a va ety of op.n.ons ; the very reverse of this : it is altogethVr a (attaTt L f'' " '"'"'^^■'f ^■■■"P"' '"-J-'ion. Neitherin fne is « (at least m ,ts more prom.nent, and important features) a matter of research so deep that few have either the means or the abilities ^ n„nre,„to..s,ru,h; on the contrary more than a sufBcie cy tf h facts re,„,s,te for its verification are accessible to all me^- he more .mporlant inferences drawn from them within the Forthe time that it has been before the world, no subject has bee* achty has been afforded for testing it experimentally : U, B IS PHRENOLOGICAL EWQUIRIES. , s( ' IS \i ,'^ :i:i. Ill i 1 1 L h'' [ii_ i'* advocates have had every opportunity of submitting all their opf- monstothe world in any form they pleased to adopt and they have brought nothing forward bearing the slightest impress of talent which has not been received with attention :-why then if this doctrine be true, is it not generally received ? This is an important and a frequent question. Have Phrenologists given to it a satisfactory answer ? Let us examine what may be ur^ed in reference lo it. The fact of Phrenology being a novelty interfering with many long established opinions, of its being the discovery of a young, and unin- fluential man, of its partaking in its earliest forms of much that was calculated to shock the religious feelings of many persons, is alone sufficient to account for its first rejection even on the supposition of Its general truth. There are however many other reasons for this result. Amongst these may be mentioned the false represen- tations of many of the Reviewers, and journalists of the time, who directed against a novelty which they dreaded, or despised' every weapon of wit, sarcasm, or argument of which they could avail themselves. Some would seem to have criticised on mere heresay, without taking any pains to ascertain from the only legiti- mate sources, the precise views of Phrenologists ; some seem to have given their works so hasty a perusal as to mistake their opinions in many essential matters ; while others again appear to have satisfied themselves with understanding the mere annuncia- tion of their principal positions, and then to have proceeded to disprove them on the theory of their supposed tendency to materia- lism, fatalism, or some other obnoxious doctrine. In a word the most widely circulated and popular criticisms, were little better than appeals to the passions, and prejudices of men, and many of them are of such a nature, that it requires no small stretch of charity to forbear charging their authors with such conscious misrepre- sentation. Neither is it in works of a comparatively ephemeral na- ture such as those alluded to, that these imperfect and untair cri- ticisms are to be met with, we find them also in the pages of re- gular scientific treatises, and often from the pens of writers of un- PHRENOLOGICAL ENQUIRIES. all their opf- and they have of talent which f this doctrine iportant and a t a satisfactory jrence lo it. vith many long ung, and unin- much that was rsons, is alone le supposition )r reasons for alse represen- 5 of the time, , or despised, h they could ised on mere le only iegiti- ome seem to mistake their in appear to ire annuncia- proceeded to to materia- a word the J little better and many of tch of charity us misrepre* phemeral na- :1 untair cri- pages of re- riters of un- 19 questionable eminence. Indeed we occasionally meet with the most ridiculous blunders where (judging from appearance ) we should least expect to meet them. Prejudice however has not been the only source of misrepre- sentation ; much is also due to the natural difficulties of some portions of the subject, much to the inaccuracies necessarily in- cidental to the cultivation of a new science, still more to the well-meant though injudicious efforts of incipient Phrenologists, who often undertook to explain and defend the science before they had thoroughly mastered its principles, or appreciated its difhculties. But whatever may be the cause of tliese false views there can be no doubt of their having greatly influenced the recep- tion of Phrenology. Had the real opinions of Phrenologists been always given, coupled even with the severest animadversions of their opponents, they would have been favorably received by a portion at least of the public-for we fiind them at the present day continually advancing in favor-but when the representation was such as to convey the Ailsest ideas, it is not surprising to find them almost universally scouted as absurd, and impious. It may be readily imagined then that under these circumstances much time must necessarily have elapsed before the Phrenologists were able to force their real opinions upon the attention of even a limitted portion of the public; to the present hour the majority, (and I speak solely of the educated public-of the reading classes of the community) are not aware of them. In a word, a very moderate acquaintance with the facts of the case, will be sufficient to satisfy any one that Phrenology has but shared the common fate of all in- novations, and that its first rejection at least, was far more an affair of prejudice, than of reason. We will now refer to an other cause which has operated power- fully not merely against its first, but also against its subsequent • reception. I allude to the frequent failure of the experiments made and those inted with the red in some se to hear of he assistance len the mind igh there be Acuities con- 2an but par- ' no satisfac- Vequent and have been and equally hen whether rhose minds must have et taken by enology for either that ition against ts could be ' acquainted t, and con- 1 as directly ation would irenologists also have sible argu- te possible K. These xperienced y imagine that they understand the matter. Unfortunately for Phrenolojry there have been too many of this latter clasfl ; and as their blunder! of every kind however obvious to those who were really acquainted with the science, could not be equally so, sometimes not at all to those who were not— the frequent failure of their attempts at infering character from organization, has naturally enough been usually considered as decisive against Phrenology. And yet it is almost needless to say that errors of this kind prove in reality noth- ing against it. As for the errors of experienced Phrenologists, they may be such as direcUy militate against the truth of the doctrine, or they may merely affect the individual skill or knowledge of the manipulator'. When for mstance the case is such that different Phrenologists may arrive at different conclusions, the opinions of any one, or even ofa number of them, might be erroneous, and yet the truth of the science be not affected thereby.-A glance at the nature of Phreno- logywiUmakethisevident.— Aseachofthe organs is the instru- ment of a single element of mind only, and as what are usually termed traits of character, or particular talents, are always made up ofmany of these elements, the Phrenologist has continually to speak ofthe organs in their combined action. Now it is evident that his accuracy here, must depend on much more than his judg- ment of the precise size, and function of each organ. It will in fact be proportionate to his general power of combiniiig, analizing drawing inferences, &c., and to his skill in estimating ^he effects of temperament, education, and other modifying circumstances. There 18 here therefore a wide field for the display of individual talents, and knowledge, and the result of the calculation must often vary with these, precisely as happens in the calculations ot medicine, or other sciences. Errors of this class therefore not involving principles, do not affect the truth of Phrenology ; but yet speaking generally, they very much affect the dicision of those opposed to it, who being usually unaware ofthe necessity of making these allow- ances, consider the failure of the advocate, as an evidence of the 22 PHRENOLOGICAL ENQUIRIES. '1' m I I: ■ I !!ll!l ■I t if faliacy of his principles. And when an explanation is attempted it has too much the appearance of an endeavour to cover defeat to carry much weight with it. These errors therefore though inci- dental to every imperfectly developed, and difficult science, have Irom their frequency, and their apparent weight, powefully aided in preventing the reception of Phrenology. When however the case is such that all Phrenologists are by their principles bound to pronounce alike, then indeed a single fully invps- l^<»tedfact must be fatal to the opinion against which it militates. Thus ,f speaking of the organ of a certain faculty, a case should oc cur in which it is unquestionably large according to all the a iv^ by Which Phrenologists measure the size of an organ, and it should appearalso that there are no indications of the individual's beintr or having been, affected by any disease, or injury, cerebral, or other' wise which could be reasonably supposed to interfere with its ac tion, and that still the faculty supposed to depend upon it has not been manifested by him at all, or only in a very feeble degree- then that single case might fairly be considered as counterbalancing a thousand of an opposite tendency, for noting would be wanting but the ccrtoin^yofthere being no cerebral injury to render the case absolutely decisive. Or better still, if the converse of this had taken place, if for instance a person remarkable for a certain trait of character, were found to have an extremely small developement of the organ on which that trait was considered entirely to depend that single case would be sufficient to prove the error of that opinion ; for it is contrary to all the views of Phrenologists to sup- pose that very energetic manifestation oo- ',' ev.r result from a very feeble organization. If Phrenologists fall ii . • ,uors ofth*,- kind they must to be consistent give up every opiiuon against which they militate. A few such facts directed against each organ, would in the opmionofall candid reasoners entirely destroy the whole pre- tentions of the science. Phrenologists will of course maintain ^hy>t no facts of this kind have been brought against them. Still as .1,3 mo.,£ experienced of them often make great errors, and as the ge- PHRENOLOGICAL fiNCJUIRlKg. 23 ncrnlity of persons seldom trouhio tl.nm.sclves Hbout j^oinR l«»yoni! the mere lact thnt such errors are made, it happens of co„r«> (whether justly or not) that all such failures very much interfere with the reception of the science. In addition to all this, an other cause of the sli,?ht advance whfch the science has made in public estimation may be found in the nu- merous difficulties inherent iri it-difficulties which are fargreater in reality, than in appearance. In this respect indeed there is no science so deceptive. It would seem at the first glance the simplest thing m the world to investigate one's own feelings and powers, and to make experiments on the size and shape of the head, bu the farther we proceed w ith these investigations, the more do we experience their difficulty. Those therefore who are satisfied with asuperficial view of the matter, usually remain ignorant of them, and consequently decide too readily from first appearances. b Jr„„!^r u •'""^'''"^^' "^ ''"^^' individually powerful have Phrenobgy. Still though these and similar reasons if fairly weighed, be acknowledged to afford not merelv a plausible, but to a certain extent a fair answer to the question « why has Phre- nology not been generally received ?"-yet when all the circum- stances of the case are considered they do not by any means give an answer that can be regarded as entirly satisfactory. Did the matter concern the public only, these causes might perhaps have been sufficient to have hitherto prevented the general reception of Phre. nology, but it must be remembered that on questions of pure science it is the/.t., not the many, who give the tone to opinions, and 1 IS evident that several of the causes stated, cannot have much 1 at all, influenced the decision of the higher class of scientific men. It is then to the causes acting on their minds, that we must look for the reception, or rejection of opinions of this nature, especially when they have been so long before the world as those of Phreno- logists. 24 PHRENOLOGICAL ENQUIhIES. i «H ' ' l|| .,■ II Inctependently too of all . ^. / . slat* cc' public opinion in reference to thJs science hat- v.,. timo par*, been very favo- rable for the discovery of truth. . ^y has now ceased to be a novelty, th-^ prejudices against it have .o a considerable degree died away, and tl>e public have evinced their willingness to be convinced of its truth, by -iving it a greater share of their attention than tlisy are in the habit or according to most other matters of science. The writings of Gall, Spirzheim, Combe &c. ac. have been extensively read-their lectures listened to-their experiments witnessed, by candid and intelligent Anti-phrenologi.ts, and if these have stiU remained unconvinced, is it fair to assert that the fauU Ijcs entirelif with themselves ? What more can Phrenologists re- quire than is :.t present accorded to them ? What more can the ad- vocate of any opinion require than the patient attention of candid and intelligent hearers ? It is certain that many have been converted by the labours of Phrenologists-some partially, some entirely- but under the circumstances of the case, it would be unfair to infer that these were the only persons who happened to be in the proper frame of mind for receiving truth, or that they were superior either m candour, talent, or knowledge to those who remained uncon- vinced. Their conversion is certainly an argument in favour of Phrenology, but by no means a decicive one, for it might be as justly asserted on the contrary side, that they were led away by the enthusiasm of the advocate, cr swayed by arguments, specious, father than profound. For my own part I see no reason for sup- posing that at the present time there exists in the minds of any con- siderable portion of the intelligent public, anything like an unfair prepossession against the science. In the numerous instances I have had for the last three years of publicly discussing this subject, 1 have rarely ever found any thing exhibited but the fairest spirit of controversy. Were I to judge indeed from my own experience I should certainly say that the majority of the intelligent public would be delighted /o6ea6/c/oto«t;c that Phrenology cou.'d realize its pretentions ; and if a portion of them still regard it with dread it is v. !,,«■ s. pubiie (pinion m been very favo- now ceased to be •nsid^rable degree willingness to be of their attention t other matters of tibe &c. uc. have ■their experiments giats, and if these rt that the fauli Phrenologists re- more can the ad- ention of candid e been converted some entirely — R unfair to infer e in the proper B superior either emained uncon- ent in favour of it might be as ed away by the nents, specious, reason for sup- ndsof any con- like an unfair ous instances 1 \g this subject, le fairest spirit n experience I rit public would u.'d realize its ith dread, it is PHRENOLOGICAL ENQUIRIES. 25 simply because they have taken a false view of its bearing on some questions of morality, and religion. In a >vord, it seems to be re- jected merely because it is deemed false, not because there is any reluctance to receive it could it be proved true. If then we find the prejudices of the public so much abated, we may be certain that men of science are not behind them in this respect. And such indeed is the case ; for not only have many very eminent men de- clared decidedly in its favour, but there are comparatively few among the learned who do not now speak of it with more or less of respect. The question then returns with full force—" why, under such favorable circumstances, is the science not more generally received ?" I confess I cannot see how the present school of Phre- nologists can answer satisfactorily this question. Were Phrenolo- gy all its advocates deem it to be— unexceptionable in its princi- ples, fully borne out by facts in its leading details— I cannot see wh?t could have so long prevented ita universal reception. Even at first sight, it appears in the highest degree improbable that at a time like the present when, in pure science at least, facts are every thing, when the learned are familiarized with constant innovations, improvements, wondersof every kind, that Phrenology should be still rejected, were there not some very good reasons for that rejec- tion. I readily admit that the investigation which it has generally received has not been sufficiently minute, extensive, and long continued ;— but why has it not been so ? What has prevented those who " Phrenologists, I beleive that Dr. Gall ha* Uidihe foundation o( the only useful method of analizing and classifying the mental powers, but I conceive also, that he has seldom done more than approximate to the functions of the oreans which he discovered. Almost every where, he attributes to each one of them manifestations which, according to the principles of the science, must depend upon the combined action of several. As an Illustration, we will consider his views of the organ and instinct of Destrucfon-views which have not a little contributed to the pre- judice existing against the science. He had observed that the heads of violent, destructive, blood- thirsty characters, were much developed in a certain region, viz • that immediately above the orifice of the ear, while persons of a decidedly contrary character had the same part flat, or depressed, or at least in proper proportion to other regions.-He was led to these observations by noticing among the inferior animals a diffe- rencem this region between the heads of the carnivora, and herbi- Vora.--After therefore collecting a great-number of facts, many of a remarkable cast, and all, as it appeared to him, tending the same way, he conceived himself warranted in asserting ihe exi.vtence in man as well as in many other animals, of an instinct, or tendency to kill, variously modified according to the nature of the animal possessi^ng it. The following quotations and remarks will explain the mode of reasoning by which he sought to establish this portion of his system.* i-^ruon • I quote from Dn Spurzheim, as I have not by me at the moment a copy of S- PHRENOLOGICAL ENQUIRIES. S9 that Dr. Gall ha* of analizing and ilso, that he has ►ns of the organs ittributes to each principles of the r several. As an n and instinct of )uted to the pre- jstructive, blood- ain region, viz : hile persons of a »t, or depressed, -He was led to animals a diffe- »^ora, and herbi- 'f facts, many of ending th§ same ihe exiiitence in 'ct, or tendency - of the animal irks will explain lish this portion ! moment a copy of ave caade use &f " The propensity to kill exists beyond doubt in certain animals. It is more or less energetic in animals of different species, and even in the individuals of the same kind. There are some species which do not kill more than they need for their nourishment. Other species, as the wolf, tiger, polecat &c. kill all living beings around them, and that seemingly for the pleasure of killing alone." " If carnivorous animals have the propensity to kill, man ought to have it also ; for he is omnivoious. There is no carnivorous animal which eats so many kinrls of animals as man does. Animals are confined to a certain number of species for the choice of their food, but man lives upon all, and anthropophagi even upon their fellow creatures." " In man this propensity presents different degrees of activity, from a mere indifference to the pain of animals to the pleasure ofseeing them killed, or even the most imperious desire to kill. This doctrine shocks sensibility, but it is not less true. Whoever endeavours to study nature, and judge its phenomina ought to admit the existence of things as they are. It may be ob- served that in children as well as in adults, among the uncultivated, as well as among the polite and well bred classes of society, certairv individuals are sensible, and others indifferent, to the sufferings of others. Some persons feel a pleasure in tormenting animals, and in seeing them tortured or killed, even when it is impossible to ascribe this disposition to bad habit or bad education." " We may also determine the existence of this propensity, and its diversities by the impressions different persons receive from public executions. The view^ of them is insupportable to some individuals, and delightful to others. Mr. Bruggmans, professor atLeyden, told us of a Dutch priest who had so violent a desire to kill, and to see animals killed, that he became chaplain of a regi- ment solely in order to have an opportunity of seeing men des- troyed. The same clergyman kept in his house a great number of different domestic animals, as cats, in order to satisfy his natural propensity by killing their young ones. He also killed all the animals for the use of his kitchen. He was acquainted with the 30 PHRENOLOGICAL ENQUIRIES. IK: M ' 'M I Langmen oflhc country, and he rcceivea notice of each execution wh,d, he travelled on foot several davs in order winor'.- .^ the eg,„„,„g„f„,e last century several murders w eln,. m (ted ,n Ho land, on the frontiers of the province of Cleves X a long teethe murderer remained unknown ; but a. ZJZ (idler, who was accustomed to play on the violin a. country Cedd .ng. was suspected in consequence of some e.pre«io„' 71 c . Wren. Led before the justice, he confessed thir y-f„ur murde and he assorted that ho had committed them without any "autol' enrady, and without any intention of robbing, but onlyZcaurhe was extremely delighted by this action." ^ ^^ .}1 '!™'"V"''-"«' """ " ^man of Milan, flattered little chil- ■Iren, led them home, killed them, salted their flesh, and I „ t every day. He quotes also the example of a ,K3rson who, excLd by h,s hernous propensity, killed a traveller and a youn. gwt rder toeat them. Gaubius speaks of a girl wlJe fa'thf; " incted by a violent propensity to cat the flesh of man and X commrtted several murders for this purpose. This g rl tholi -parated from her father for a long titie, and thougT educated care ully among respectable persons, who had no relation t"ter arr-""^ "^ '"^ '-livable desire of eati^; Z idrot, after having killed two children of his brother came' smil^. and announced the action to him. An other i I ^t exc t! by anger, murdered his brother, and intended to burn hi,; ope^tan^ ceremoniously before the house. A third accord " oHeX after aving seen a hog killed, thought he had a righl tZtl'r hisfellow^reatures, and actually cut the throat of a man." .ity to'::::ei?™" "" ^''^"''*^'' °"'^ '" ---' '» ^^^ r-pen. J' Pinel has also observed in various mad persons, the fierce im pulsion to destroy. He speaks of one who did not ^hew an7 m-l' PHRENOLOGICAL ENQUIRIES. 31 of alienation in respect to memory, imagination, ami judgment an,lwhoconfe,„ed that in hi» narrow seclusion l,i» ,.,Usu"^ murder was quite involunlary, and utterly irresistible." "All tliese and many similar examples, observed in the healthy and .eased stato of man, i. idiots and madmen, prove evid „ y th the propensity to kill, and destroy is innate, not only in a I mal , but m man. Moreover does not the whole history of man- edtirbiZd'.'rr^''""-' '"»""^-'--""- ^^- <.-,: These facts must be admitted to be very striking, and there is no reason for questioning their truth. ,nde J it wouu' be ,ui e us 1" -do so, ™ce there are upon record numberless cases 'fa simi a n..ture, perfectly well authenticated. But what do thev prov " Simply, that men, and other animals have a tendency t'o destroy li/o- o kill But no one ever questioned this. It is as evident 111; t'i, t° r'""'' '° "■^'- '"'" "™" '» '^ determined whetherkiing be the result of a single instinct, or whether it depend on the combined action of severaLt I^.hero.nv thing in ueh facts as diose to prove that the former is the m^re correct apposition. Surely not. But let us suppose for „ moment that the e ,s , ,ee what will be the consequences of such a .supposi- tion. If there must be a speciHc instinct and organ of destruction, Pager'a,'!^':"""""^"™"''"- '^'"''"^ ^f"-"™' •'""^o". 18.6. t It must be bornt in mlnj that, acconling to the imncinles of l>k„„ i onj. ""istcrmedtlief.cully, or function of tlieor-an, and ,n,„l ;„ ih! str,c.e.l »e„se of tl.c „„„!, be elementary; o.herwke, (ha nan, er of tie organs would „„ nearly infinite. I„ a subsci'ent part of hi chap , .b My explain „, at ..to be undeislood by >he.e elementary f,c , s My V tat present ,s simply to shew that this portion of the ev dence irtal^ lea t ; lT,i,?rf'° ;""""' "'""""°' '» '""= '-"--"», si„ce ieaus to a multitude of absurdities. PHRENOLOGICAL ENQUIRIES. ■ !■■ I' ill' i''! i '■I \fm because there exists a desire of destroying, and because this desire varies much in intensity in dirterent species of animals, as well as in different mdividuals of the same species, there must equally be