authentic likeness will show the organ correspondingly large. Conscientiousness was not less striking in developement and manifestation; and to know what was right, and fearlessly pursue it, formed the noble philosophy of his youth. Destructiveness and Combativeness were but moderately developed; and though some of the incidents of his life supplied them with abundant stimulus, they were ever restrained from all improper action.

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To preserve our benevolence in all its original freshness and fervour, while floating over the gentle streams of life, when the winds are all prosperous, and the untried heart responds in its enthusiasm to the all good" of the Creator when he gazed upon Paradise, is not difficult, requires no magnanimity, merits no praise. But it is far different, and bespeaks a lofty mind, enlightened by the philosophy that cannot hate and dare not condemn, to cherish kindness and good-will towards all to desire melioration of the mass, and rejoice in individual happiness, when our own course has been, and promises still to be, through the quicksands, shallows, and miseries of existence. Shelly received the due quantum of abuse, ever meted out to such as not only think for themselves, but act in accordance therewith. But the different effect of calumny upon him and Byron is worthy of notice, as marking a nice distinction in their characters. In Byron, it opened a fountain of bitterness, which poured itself forth in satire and malediction. Shelly it filled with more of sorrow than anger, pained and wounded Benevolence, but did not destroy it. Byron's Self-esteem and Approbativeness were deeply offended; Shelly's Conscientiousness, Benevolence, and Intellect. Byron felt abuse chiefly when aimed at himself; Shelly, whoever was the victim. The one cursed it as an encroachment on his rights; the other bewailed it as an outrage on justice.

W.

ARTICLE VI.

PHRENOLOGICAL CHARACTER OF OBERLIN.

The following cut is designed to present a correct likeness of the head of John Frederic Oberlin, who was greatly distinguished in one of the cantons of Switzerland for his talents, industry, and piety. There are many things connected with this head, which are peculiarly interesting to the phrenologist. It possesses all the natural conditions necessary to render its possessor both a good and a great man.

The

drawing indicates that the individual had an excellent temperament, being a combination of the nervous, bilious, and sanguine, in nearly equal proportions, which would give great physical strength and power of endurance, as well as a decided fondness for mental exercise and improvement. The brain appears to have been large, and was remarkably well-balanced. This last condition is one of the highest importance, and it is the leading feature to which we wish to direct special attention in the present character.

Phrenologists have always laid great stress on the supremacy of the moral sentiments. They hold that such is the nature of the mental faculties, and their relations to the external world, that in order for man to secure his highest happiness, and effect the great objects of his existence in this world, his moral nature should have a predominating, a controlling influence. And this is the leading design of Christianity. But the true nature of man must be correctly understood, before we can fully perceive the complete and perfect adaptation of Christianity to produce this effect, or before we can very efficiently employ the means which God designed for the amelioration and salvation of man. As phrenology alone makes known to us the true nature of man's mental and moral faculties, it must ultimately become a powerful hand-maid of religion; for the former is but the

counterpart of the latter. One is the book of nature; the other, of revelation: each bears the impress of Divinity. A most wonderful adaptation exists between the laws of the former and the precepts of the latter; and whenever, in the course of time, man shall use those means which are in perfect accordance with the truths of both, for civilising and Christianising the world, then, and not till then, can we rationally expect the blessing of God to follow invariably the means employed. God, in the fulfilment of his plans, can no more consistently suspend or violate the laws of his works, than he can blot out of existence the truths of his Word, which are as eternal and unchangeable as his own Divine existence. A great work, therefore, remains yet to be done in behalf of the regeneration of the race, and that, too, by human instrumentality.

In an examination of the character before us, we shall find that the individual obeyed no less the laws of his mind, than the commands of Revelation. It is true, Oberlin inherited from his parents a remarkable endowment of the moral organs, which rendered him very susceptible of religious impressions. He had not those difficulties to contend with, or overcome, which falls to the lot of the great majority of men. We may correctly and truly say, that he was naturally inclined to be intelligent, virtuous, and moral. We will here introduce some remarks by Dr. Spurzheim on the history and character of Oberlin.

This is an extraordinary head, a form that a phrenologist loves to contemplate. There is little brain at the basis, whilst all the upper and front regions are unusually large. The posterior sincipital portion being also in great proportion, independence of mind, steadiness, and perseverance in every pursuit and undertaking, will be prominent features in the exalted moral and religious character, indicated by the rest of the head. Self-esteem will here become dignity; Benevolence and Veneration be blended with, and made inseparable from, wisdom. In a word, such a cerebral organisation approaches in excellence the idea which phrenologists are apt to form of that of Jesus.

This model of Christian piety found the inhabitants of his parish, isolated in five different villages, poor, ignorant, agitated by heinous passions, and without the most necessary means of comfortable existence. But by labouring unremittingly, he, by degrees, succeeded in changing their wretched condition. He taught them to cultivate potatoes, flax, and such vegetables as succeeded best in light and sandy soils. He laid out a nursery, in order to supply the peasants with trees of various kinds, and showed them the advantages they would reap by attending to their cultivation. He gave instructions to the children himself, teaching the younger to read, write, and calculate; while he lectured to the more advanced in age, upon the cultivation of fruit trees, the principles of agriculture, and the noxious and useful qualities of the plants which the country produced. He particularly accustomed them to order and cleanliness.

The good pastor, with his parishioners at his back, actually worked at the formation of convenient ways from one village to another, and of a

good and ready communication with the great road leading to Strasburg. To this city he sent children to become artisans, such as tailors, shoemakers, smiths, and carpenters, a female to learn midwifery, and a promising youth to study medicine and surgery. He himself had some knowledge of the healing art, used the lancet in cases of necessity, and preserved the most necessary remedies in his house, which he distributed as he thought they were required. He devoted his talents, time, labours, and whole life to the welfare of his flock. He persuaded a benevolent family, Legrand, to favour his philanthropic views, and to transfer their manufactory of ribands from Basle to his parish, and to furnish employment to the people.

Besides his vast care of all worldly concerns, he paid the greatest attention to moral and religious instruction, which he enforced in the most effectual manner by deeds as well as words. He ended a law-suit in which the parish had been involved for many years, and he brought good will and mutual love to dwell with his flock, instead of discord. He well deserves the title father, which his parishioners have given him. Their love and gratitude surely will not terminate with his existence, and the good he has done will live long after he is dust.

As Dr. Spurzheim very correctly remarks, respecting the head of Oberlin, "there is little brain at the basis, whilst all the upper and front regions are unusually large." It will be remembered, that the organs located at the base of the head, are chiefly those of the propensities or animal feelings; while those in the frontal and coronal regions, are the organs of the intellect and moral sentiments. Accordingly, the intellectual and moral nature will constitute the leading elements of character. In case an individual so organised is properly educated while young, and is placed under correct religious influences, he will be led to form a character which, in all its features, will approximate to a more perfect standard, than is rarely to be found a character which will correspond, in some good degree, with the requirements of the word of God, as well as with the laws of the human mind. Enlightened Benevolence, Veneration, and Conscientiousness, will be the ruling faculties, teaching their possessor to "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly before God." It is true, grace may do much for such an individual, but nature must first furnish the materials.

We can notice only a few points in the character of Oberlin, in addition to the clear and condensed summary of his history, which is contained in the above remarks of Dr. Spurzheim. Our limits prevent a critical analysis of his mental faculties, or extended quotations from his biography. The reader must examine the life of Oberlin for himself, and, if he be a phrenologist, he will find it a most interesting and profitable exercise to test the mental manifestations of Oberlin by the principles of phrenology-analysing each faculty by itself, and then considering all their diversified combinations—and he will find such a beauty, consistency, and perfection of character, as we believe can be VOL. II.-30

found no where else in the annals of history. It is an example well worthy of imitation.

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Oberlin was blessed with intelligent and pious parents. "He was," says his biographer, "from his very infancy, the subject not merely of pious convictions, but of holy affections towards his Heavenly Father. During my infancy,' says Oberlin, God often vouchsafed to touch my heart, and to draw me to himself. He bore with me in my repeated backslidings, with a kindness and indulgence hardly to be expressed.' His character, as displayed in the uniform tenor of his life, presented a remarkable combination of varied excellencies; for whilst much exalted sanctity and intrepid zeal were conspicuous, an unwearied ardour of doing good, and an habitual willingness to renounce his own interests to promote the well-being of his fellow-creatures, were equally evident. In addition to this, his extreme simplicity, conscientious integrity, sweetness of temper, and refinement of manner, caused him to be both ardently loved and sincerely revered; whilst his industry, his agricultural skill, his knowledge of rural and domestic economy, and the energy with which he carried his plans into effect the moment he was convinced of their utility, rendered him not only an example, but a blessing to the people among whom he resided, and afforded a delightful proof of the advantages that may accrue from a union of secular and spiritual duties."

We have said that, according to the principles of phrenology, the head of Oberlin was remarkably well-balanced. Every mental faculty, whether of the feelings, sentiments, or intellect, appears to have been equally developed; and from a thorough examination of his character, we cannot point out a single excess or deficiency. His social and domestic feelings were unusually ardent and strong, yet they were invariably governed by a well-disciplined intellect and enlightened moral sentiments. The faculties that give force, energy, and independence of character, were decidedly strong, but they were always directed to the wisest and most benevolent objects. He had naturally a great deal of tact, management, and shrewdness, but these qualities were never employed, only in advancing the happiness and best interests of his fellow-men. His intellect, both observing and reflecting, was of a high order. His knowledge of the arts, sciences, and literature, was very extensive. In fact, he was really profound in almost every department of learning. Had he been ambitious for fame and worldly renown, few in any profession or business could have acquired more applause and greater distinction. But Oberlin, cheerfully and unreservedly, consecrated all his talents aud attainments to the good of man, and the glory of his Maker.