MISCELLANY

Phrenology in Great Britain.-The British and Foreign Medical Review, edited by John Forbes, M. D., F. R. S., for January, 1840, contains a very able and elaborate article, extending over 25 closely printed octavo pages, in favour of phrenology. This article, coming as it does, from high authority, cannot fail to have a powerful influence on the medical profession in Great Britain, as well as in this country. The Edinburgh Weekly Chronicle for January 25, in noticing this number of the British and Foreign Medical Review, alludes to the article on phrenology as follows:

That article, which has interested ourselves intensely, is written with a degree of candour, ability, and discrimination, extremely rare, and breathes the most philosophical spirit. The only objection we can reasonably find is, that the article is unnecessary, and is altogether a work of supererogation; for phrenology, in support of which it is written, has undoubtedly taken its place, (and a high place it occupies,) among the physiological, ethical, and mental sciences, its foundation being on a rock which can never be moved. We hold, for instance, that an incomparably greater number of works on phrenology are bought and studied than on any other branch of knowledge whatever, except religion. All the thinking and intelligent persons known to us, with few exceptions, are strict believers in the science-appreciate its usefulness-and carry its doctrines more or less into effect in their own conduct. Indeed, it throws so much light on the character of our species, and the mental philosophy on it is so thoroughly tangible and satisfactory, that we wonder not that the science itself has become so general an object of study and belief. We may farther mention, in proof of our position, the unrivalled circulation to which one of the leading works on phrenology has attained; namely, Mr. Combe's "Constitution of Man,” which has sold to the amount of 45,000 copies in the United Kingdom alone, exclusive of large editions in America, and translations into French and German; and other able works on the subject, the circulation of which has been proportionally great. Nor is this all. No course of public lectures, however useful or interesting, attracts nearly so large and intelligent audiences as those which have been given in both divisions of the empire on phrenology.

The Human Brain.-The following interesting facts, in relation to the brain, are copied from the Bibliothèque Universelle de Génève.

The weight of the brain of an European adult, of the male sex, varies from 3lbs. 2oz. (Troy) to 4lbs. 6oz. That of men of very distinguished talent frequently passes that average. For instance, the brain of Cuvier weighed 4lbs. 11oz. 4drs. 30grs.; that of Dupuytren, the celebrated surgeon, 4lbs. 10oz. On the contrary, the brain of idiots is below that average. The brain of two cretins weighed, the one, 1lb. 9oz., the other, 1lb. 11oz. The brain of women is lighter than that of men. It varies from 2lbs. 8oz. to 3lbs. 11oz. The average difference is, at least, from 4 to Soz.; and this difference is perceptible in infants from the moment of their birth. The brain arrives, about the seventh or eighth year, at its complete developement. It is probable, although it has not been absolutely demonstrated, that the brain diminishes in weight and in size at a very advanced age; and that thence may be easily explained the weakenVOL. II.-24

ing of the faculties by which age is generally accompanied. It cannot be denied that there is an intimate relation between the absolute weight of the brain and the developement of intellect and the mental functions.

MR. EDITOR,

Lectures of Dr. Buchanan in Louisiana.

Jackson, La., March 4, 1840.

Sir,-A series of phrenological lectures, marked_by_much originality, has been recently delivered in this place by Dr. J. R. Buchanan. At the close of the course, the class formed itself into a body for the expression of their sentiments in reference to Dr. Buchanan's lectures, when the following persons were appointed a committee to draft a report, expressive of the class:

Rev. Jas. Shannon, Prest. Louisiana College,

Prof. H. H. Gird,

Prof. A. D. Wooldridge,

Prof. M. Cubi i Soler,

A. M. Dunn. Esq.,

W. B. Forsyth, M. D.,

Committee.

At a special meeting of the class, the committee presented a report, which was unanimously adopted; and Prof. M. Cubi was appointed to communicate to Dr. Buchanan the proceedings, with such farther soggestions as might be appropriate. Messrs. Jno. M'Vea, Jos. Joor, and J. N. Carrigan, were then appointed a committee of publication, and the meeting adjourned. In discharge of this duty, we offer you the following extract from the report, which presents its spirit and character, accompanied by the letter of Prof. Cubi.

We should not omit to mention an interesting fact occurring, during these lectures, under our observation. We submitted to the inspection of Dr. Buchanan the skulls of two negroes-one of whom had been executed, and the other had not. The descriptions of their characters were entirely satisfactory; and while he pronounced one of them firm and brave, capable of meeting any punishment, he declared the other to possess the sense of feeling to such a degree that he could not bear corporeal punishment, but would use great cunning to escape it. We know that the former met his death with perfect indifference, as we witnessed his execution. The latter having done something to merit a chastisement, was threatened with a flogging by his master, and fled to the woods, where he died. The portion of the brain pointed out by Dr. Buchanan as the organ of the sense of feeling appeared in this case unusually large.

Yours respectfully,

JNO. M'VEA,

JOSEPH JOOR,

Committee.

JOHN N. CARRIGAN,

Extract from the Report.

Firm believers as we are, in the truth of the fundamental principles of phrenology, we think it by no means unreasonable to suppose that errors may be found in some of its details, and that there may be many valuable truths in this department of science yet undiscovered. Consequently, we must believe that those who bring talents of a high order, extensive erudition, and persevering industry, to the cultivation of this science, the extension of its discoveries, and the correction of its errors,

if any should be found to exist, ought to be regarded as public benefactors. In such light do we regard Dr. Buchanan. And although it would be premature, at least for some of us, to express a decided opinion relative to what is original in his system, yet we must say, that with many of his peculiar views we have been highly pleased.

[Accompanying the above communication, we received a copy of Prof. M. Cubi's letter to Dr. Buchanan. We have taken the liberty, in presenting the letter, to omit a few sentences which seem unimportant; and as to the new views advanced, we are unprepared to express any opinion. Prof. Cubi addresses Dr. B. as follows:-ED.]

Your remarks upon the functions of Alimentiveness, bearing strongly on the importance and necessity of attending to its admonitions, are, in a country like this, in which food and diet are so little attended to, uncommonly valuable. They speak louder, and more to the purpose, than volumes upon hygiene. Whatever opinions others may have formed in regard to the organ of Sense of Feeling, whose functions and locality you have discovered, and so satisfactorily explained, for my part I consider it as filling a great vacuity in phrenology. My late observations, and those of some of my friends, go to prove that your views, in that respect, are correct. As to the necessity of man's possessing a cerebral organ of feeling-an organ to make him conscious of the physical condition of his body for the time being-no one, even a priori, can reasonably doubt. Viewing the benefits which the positive knowledge of the existence of such an organ will produce, your discovery cannot be too highly praised.

I have been, and I know that others have been, much entertained and instructed with your remarks on the organ of the Sense of Emotion, which you locate in the intermediate region between the intellectual and moral portions of the brain. I always thought, that, as there existed a power in man of incorporating himself with the state of being of those around him-a power which abstracting us, as it were, from ourselves, passed into the bosoms of others-there must have necessarily been a corporeal instrument by which the mind exercises that power. Your discovery in this respect has explained to me many difficulties, and removed from me many doubts, which often beset my path in my phrenological investigations. The few practical cases which have come within cognisance since you first mentioned the existence and functions of the organ in question, have all tended to confirm me in the belief that your statement is nothing but an exposition of the operations of nature.

The modified conceptions which you have formed respecting the functions of the occipital organs, are, to a very great extent, in accordance with conclusions at which I may be said to have instinctively arrived. Now, that you have laid open before me your convictions, in regard to the action of the back-head, I discover causes and facts which no doubt operated in forming my conclusions, but which I had not present at the time of forming them.

Evidence is not wanting that many phrenologists have had vague and indistinct notions of the functions which you ascribe to the back-head, and which either perplexed them, or were ascribed to some other region.

Alexander Walker, in his late treatise on Intermarriage, does not hesitate for a moment in pointing out the occiput as the seat of the passions. As I can now perceive what in me, more than any facts or mode of reasoning, produced the impression that energy, activity, determination, and constancy of purpose, together with deep affection for individual objects or places, were functions performed by at least the upper and lateral portions of the occiput, it is that in all heads thus organised I

seemed to find these qualities highly developed. Experience had also shown me, without fully appreciating my observations, that in the Araucanians, the Bosques, the Welsh, the Scotish, the Calabrians, the Greeks, and all the people descended from high mountainous districts, from whom the world has derived its notions of national liberty and free institutions, have all comparatively large hind-heads. If we take, retrospectively, a comprehensive view of human society, we shall find, that at one period the Celt, at another the Roman, and at another, which is the present, the Goth, have held universal dominion over mankind. In comparing the heads of these three various species of Europeans, we shall find that they are very much alike in general size; but the Roman has a larger and more elongated back-head than the Celt-and the Goth than the Roman. Besides, it is only by supposing that the occiput produces feelings of a grasping, secretly impelling, and constantly persevering nature, that we can account for the indomitable and fearful energy of such men as Ximenes, for the cool collected courage of the English, and for the irresistible go-a-head of the Americans.

Ideas like these, which had often crossed my mind, and to which I had paid no special attention, corroborating your convictions on the functions of the back-head, have now broke forth with new light upon my mind.

As to the organ of Cautiousness, I was never a believer in the functions ascribed to it. I soon saw too many fearless heads with preponderating Cautiousness, without much check, at the same time, from its antagonistic region of Combativeness and Destructiveness, to have much faith in the doctrine that ascribed to it the feeling of fear. I fully concur with you in the opinion, that courage, as well as fear, are feelings produced by a combined action of the whole brain, depending more on quality than quantity of the cerebral organs, and more on results produced by efforts of antagonistic regions simultaneously acting, than as specific functions of any peculiar set of organs. I think with you, that names expressive of a mental operation considered only in a peculiar relation, or to which the mind attaches but one single definite, limited conception, to signify function in all its various degrees of intensity, power, and activity, have retarded the progress of phrenology.

Your attempt in forming a new nomenclature, which will be expressive of the locality and not of the function of the organ, must ultimately redound to simplify and improve the science. By divesting from the mind, for example, the conception of Firmness, and directing it solely to a portion of the brain producing such a function, we shall understand more closely, and retain more lastingly, this function in all its various degrees, modifications, and combinations of action.

Phrenology is destined soon to become the only system of mental philosophy taught in all our literary and scientific institutions; the chief guide to direct us in our efforts for intellectual, moral, and religious advancement. How important it is, then, that in this science the march of it's adoption and extension should keep pace with that of its improvements and discoveries.

Mr. Combe's Lectures at New Haven, Ct.-The New Haven Record, of March 21st, in noticing Mr. Combe's lectures in that city, has the following very candid and common-sense remarks on the science:

The course of lectures on phrenology, by Mr. Combe, came to a close this week, having been attended throughout by an audience, for numbers and respectability, such as rarely falls to the lot of a public lecturer in this city. Much interest was felt to hear this subject expounded by its greatest living teacher, and the interest was continued unabated through

out the course. All who heard the lectures will, we believe, acknowledge that they have not only been interested, but profited by hearing much important truth ably illustrated, and many principles presented of great practical value. Indeed, we sometimes hear it objected to phrenology, that all the truth it contains was known well enough without it. But, although many of the principles deduced from it commend themselves to our understanding when fairly presented, yet they are prinIciples which without it, we have, at least in practice, failed to recognise. When they are demonstrated from the connection of the mind with its material organs, they become much more tangible, are more likely to be remembered, and thoroughly realised and acted upon.

The simple fact, that the mind is dependent on the body, and influenced by its condition, is by some hardly even recognised at all in practice. If phrenology only fixes this single principle, it will have rendered an important service. In the daily practice of life, and in our systems of mental philosophy, it is exceedingly important that the fact of the connection of body and mind be not lost sight of, and that the modes in which the one affects the other be understood. To this department of investigation, phrenologists have turned their attention and the attention of the public-the doctrina de fædere, as Lord Bacon calls it, a department in the field of science which his sagacity marked out, but which has been hitherto little explored.

It is perfect folly to laugh at phrenology, when the science of the mind, as taught in other systems, is confessedly in so unsatisfactory and unsettled a state. It is perfeet folly to deny its principles, without examining the facts to which it appeals. Considered simply as a system of mental science, laying out of view its organology, there is no other, we are persuaded, which will so well account for the actual diversities which the human character presents, and so well explain the various phenomena of the mind, as this. As a system of mental science, it is indeed very imperfect as yet, having been thus far more employed in external observation, (both of men's characters and their heads,) than in mental analysis. When observation shall have been carried to a sufficient extent, provided the science is true, there will still be a field for investigation, by interrogating consciousness more fully, guided by the light which observation has shed. Phrenologists have begun at the right end in this study, in beginning with observation. They have adopted the inductive method; and with facts so many and so well attested as they produce, the modesty of true science should lead us to inquire, and not to sneer or to dogmatise.

The most serious objection urged against phrenology is, that it is unfriendly to religion-that it is a system of fatalism, overthrows responsibility, and leaves no place for the doctrines of the Bible respecting sin and regeneration. Such objections we think are founded in mistake. Few will deny that men are endowed with certain constitutional propensities and faculties-differing in relative strength in different individuals -which develope themselves in the character, and are frequently transmitted from parents to children. These constitutional traits we know are so combined in some individuals, as to render it extremely improbable that they will ever become virtuous or religious men; while in others it is the reverse. Neither in the subjects of renewing grace, are any of these constitutional principles eradicated or new ones implanted, but a new direction is given to those already existing. Nor is the character of all true Christians shaped in one mould; but their religious character receives its cast from their natural character-their constitutional dispositions are retained, though differently directed and modified.

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