and although the zeal was not maintained by the many, yet the original inquirers and converts after inquiry have ever continued to explain and defend what they believed to be the truth. A stronger proof cannot well be furnished of the fruits of the seed thus sown in Philadelphia, than the fact, that here Mr. Combe had the largest class by far of any which has distened to him in the United States, and it was only exceeded in point of numbers in one of the cities of Great Britain.

"In 1822, Mr. Combe's Essays on Phrenology were republished by Messrs. Carey and Lea, with considerable additional matter furnished by Dr. Bell, viz. a Preliminary Essay, consisting of the lectures already mentioned, and a chapter on the anatomy of the brain, as displayed by Gall and Spurzheim, and another on insanity. A review of these essay's will be found on reference to Dr. Chapman's Journal, Vol. 5th, and one of the Transactions of the Phrenological Society of Edinburgh (1824), and of Dr. Caldwell's Elements of Phrenology (1824), in the 8th volume of that journal The last was written by Dr. Bell. In the 7th volume of the same journal, there is an able article entitled Comparative Phrenology, from the pen of Dr. B. H. Coates. In the 12th volume of the North American Medical and Surgical Journal, a full review of Dr. A. Combe's work on Mental Derangement, written by Dr. Bell, is preceded by an outline of the science of phrenology, and of the basis, anatomical and physiological, on which it is believed to rest. From the same pen, there is a similar sketch given in the Appendix to the third edition of Broussais's Physiology; translated by Drs. Bell and La Roche.

"From the year 1823 to the present time, Dr. Bell has given some lectures on phrenology every summer to the class of the Medical Institute, as a part of his course on the institutes of medicine. We ought not to conclude without stating, also, that Dr. Harlan, even then advantageously known for his zealous prosecution of natural history and comparative anatomy, gave a short course of lectures on phrenology in the Philadelphia Museum, during the spring of 1822."

Mr. Combe's Address before the Boston Phrenological Society.-A short notice of this address appeared in a previous number of the Journal. It has since then been published in pamphlet form by the request of the society, a copy of which is now before us. Some of the topics discussed are especially important, as connected with the present state and advancement of phrenology. In accounting for the decline of many societies devoted to the interests of the science, Mr. Combe remarks as follows:

I observe, then, that many phrenological societies have perished from having prescribed to themselves objects of too limited a nature. They have undertaken chiefly the duty of verifying the observations of Drs. Gall and Spurzheim, and other phrenologists, in regard to the organs of the mind, and their functions; and have too seldom embraced, in their sphere of action, the application of this knowledge to the physical, moral, and intellectual improvement of themselves and their fellow-men; or, if this aim have found a place in the constitution and laws, it has not practically been carried into effect.

A knowledge of the organs and their functions, and of the effects of their combinations, is indispensable as a foundation for the useful application of phrenological science; and I have long been convinced by observation, that the confidence of each disciple in the power of his principles, and also his capacity of applying them to advantage, bears a relation, cæteris paribus, to his minute acquaintance with organology. Far from undervaluing, therefore, the importance of an extensive series of

observations in organology, I emphatically declare my experience to be, that it is the first step towards the formation of a true phrenologist; it is the second step; and it is the third step towards the formation of a true phrenologist.

But experience induces me to add, that this department is comparatively narrow. In a few years, an individual of ordinary powers of observation may attain to a full knowledge of organology, and a thorough conviction of its truth; and if he stop there, he will resemble a geometrician, who, after having mastered all the demonstrations of Euclid, shrinks from applying them. He would find the constant repetition of them uninteresting, because they had become familiar, and led to no practical results. The same rule holds good in phrenology. To sustain our interest, we must proceed to apply our principles; and here our difficulties commence. The most timid mind may employ itself, in the secret recesses of its own study, in observing casts, or in manipulating living heads, and suffer no inconvenience, except, perhaps, a passing smile of derision from some good-natured friend, who esteems his own ignorance more excellent than our knowledge. But when the phrenologist advances openly to the application of the principles of the science, then the din of conflict arises. He invades other men's prejudices, and sometimes assails what they conceive to be their privileges; for there are persons who claim as a privilege the profits which they may make by public errors. He is then opposed, misrepresented, and abused; and as he is conscious that his object is one of beneficence, he is unwilling to accept a reformer's recompense; discontinues his exertions, and the society becomes dormant. This fate has overtaken several phrenological associations in Britain. They have shrunk from the practical application of their principles, and consequently sleep.

The time is not yet, but will probably soon arrive, for resuscitating them into active existence, as societies for physiological, moral, and intellectual reform; and I venture to prophesy, that whenever they shall embody a reasonable number of members, pledged to the application of the principles of phrenology in these great fields of usefulness, their success will be conspicuous and cheering.

The human mind is regulated by uniform laws, and the same events happen, in similar circumstances, in the United States and in Britain. In several of the cities of this country which I have visited, I have found that phrenological societies have existed, flourished for a brief season, and then fallen into decay; and in general, the cause appears to have been the same. The members soon became satisfied that the great principles of phrenology are true; but they were not prepared to proceed to the practical application of them in any department of usefulness. They saw a public that was either hostile or indifferent to them, and they did not feel in themselves sufficient power to cope with these adverse feelings. The consequence has been that phrenology has seemed to fall asleep. Its enemies have thought that it was dead. But when did any great truth, fraught with blessings to the human race, perish? The ignorant and despotic priesthood which sent Galileo to a dungeon, congratulated themselves that they had cut up, by the root, the heresy of the earth's revolution on its axis. But how delusive was their dream, how absurd their estimate of their own power! The Creator had swung the globe on high, and impelled it in its diurnal and in its annual course. Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton, were guilty only of calling the attention of mankind to what the Creator had done. If the nations were offended, and averted their eyes, worlds did not therefore cease to roll; men, alone, suffered the consequences of their conduct. They remained

buried in a stolid and barbarous ignorance, which led them to wage horrible wars with each other; to believe in witchcraft; to bow their necks, in all the helpless imbecility of intellectual darkness, to ruthless tyrants in church and state. So it ever must be when natural truths, in other words, the works of the Creator, are discovered, presented to mankind, and rejected. They do not cease to exist and to act. Truth cannot die. Accordingly, in this country, I find phrenology flourishing in astonishing vigour as a practical art. Wherever I have gone, I have found men who call themselves practical phrenologists, exciting a vulgar curiosity concerning the science; examining heads; predicating character; using it, in short, as a species of palmistry or astrology, and extracting, as I have been told, large sums of money from the people by their skill. I have heard these humble practitioners denounced, by educated and philosophical phrenologists, as the greatest enemies of the science; as having degraded it, and rendered it disgusting to superior minds. I acknowledge the consequences, and lament them; but I am disposed to deal charitably with the offenders. They did what higher men left undone. They not only boldly proclaimed their own conviction of the truth of phrenology, but they applied it, to the best of their ability. If the educated phrenologists will do the same, they will be more successful; and they will wipe away this opprobrium from the science, in the only way in which it can be removed, by substituting a better practice in its place.

I repeat, then, my humble conviction that every phrenological society, to be permanently successful, must engage in practical objects; and I need not mention how wide is the field for the application of our science. The members of this society are acquainted with many of its departments, such as education, insanity, criminal legislation, prison discipline; criticism, biblical and profane; political economy and moral science. To the successful prosecution of all of these, a knowledge of mind is indispensable.

A knowledge of the location and functions of the several organs, is an important acquisition; but the numerous applications of the science to the advancement of human happiness, and the improvement of the race, are considerations of far greater importance. We need not here repeat nor enforce Mr. Combe's remarks on the absolute necessity of carrying out these applications, in order to sustain and advance the science. It is not necessary, and neither would it be possible, for every person to become a good practical phrenologist; yet most, if not all, by some little study and attention, may be able to judge very correctly from mere observation of the leading features of character. Every person will find even this knowledge of very great advantage in understanding human nature—in knowing at once with whom he has to deal, and how to adapt himself to the various wants and conditions of those with whom he may have intercourse in the world. Practical phrenology is good in its place, though it may occasionally fall into bad hands, and a bad use may be made of it. So may every other good thing be perverted. This must be expected until the public generally become better acquainted with phrenology, and until men of character and influence will acknowledge its claims to credence and support, and will take the lead in advocating and promulgating its principles.

Anecdote of a Dog.-A correspondent has sent us the following curious anecdote respecting a dog, and assures us that we may rely on its correctness, as several very respectable and intelligent individuals witnessed the scene, which is thus described:-"A small dog attempted to

cross a river, which had a sand-bar in the middle of it, and became entangled in some brush before reaching the bar; a large cur dog seeing his situation from the bank, swam immediately to his assistance, and caught him by the neck and bore him to the bar. The small dog then swam from the bar towards the opposite bank, and was again obstructed by brush; the large dog having remained on the bar, and seeing his situation, swam again to his assistance, and seizing him as before, carried him to the shore, on the opposite side, and then returned to the side of the river from which he started. This scene was witnessed by a large number of persons, all of whom agreed that the large dog could have been actuated by no other motive than that of Benevolence or attachment."

Dr. W. Byrd Powell.-For several years past, this gentleman has been prosecuting the science of phrenology, with untiring zeal and industry, in the southern and western states. He appears to be decidedly popular as a lecturer, original in his investigations, and independent in the expression and defence of his opinions. We have sundry papers before us, containing very commendatory notices of his recent labours in several places in the states of Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

"We have before us several numbers of the American Phrenological Journal, a publication, issued monthly in Philadelphia, edited with talent and discrimination, and tastefully presented in its externals. Let phrenology alone,' said the celebrated Andral, and it will throw all obstacles behind it with marvellous force. There is no instance of a truth, fairly launched, having failed to make its way.' Long and arduous has been the conflict, but victory is no longer doubtful. The choicest flowers of vituperation, the most subtle argument and witty sarcasm, have all been unavailing. The often slain now flourishes, to all appearance, in the fulness of youthful vigour, and the calmness of conscious strength. And why has phrenology stood thus unshaken amid the storm of opposition? Simply because it is founded on a rock-the rock of nature. Its doctrines are generalisations of almost innumerable carefully scrutinised and verified facts, and against these no force of argument, nor keenness of sarcasm, nor virulence of bigotry, can prevail.”—Knickerbocker, N. Y.

"The American Phrenological Journal proceeds vigorously: its contents are judiciously selected; and many of the articles are very ably written, and possess great intrinsic interest. Altogether, we have been so much pleased with it, as far as hitherto seen, that we cannot help much regretting the limited circulation it is likely to have in England." -English Phrenological Journal.

"I speak literally, and in sincerity, when I say, that were I at this moment offered the wealth of India, on condition of phrenology being blotted from my mind for ever, I should scorn the gift; nay, were every thing I possessed in the world placed in one hand, and phrenology in the other, and orders issued for me to choose one, phrenology, without a moment's hesitation, would be preferred."-George Combe.

Mr. George Combe and his lady sailed from New York, for Liverpool, in the British Queen, on the 1st of June.

Admitting the brain to be the organ of the mind; admitting, also, that the brain is not a unit, but a congeries of organs, each having its appropriate and peculiar function; and lastly, admitting that the energy of every function is proportioned, cæteris paribus, to the size of its individual organ; it follows, necessarily, as is remarked by Cuvier, that the size of any cerebral organ affords a direct clue to the discovery of its function. Let us suppose, for example, that the use of the optic nerve was unknown, but that it was invariably found to be far more largely developed than any of the other nerves of sense, in animals with powerful vision; such as the eagle, and much less so in animals which see very imperfectly, such as the mole; and that no instances were to be found in the same species, in which, all other circumstances being equal, powerful vision coexisted with the smaller nerve, or a larger nerve with feebler vision; would we not be justified in at length inferring that the use of the nerve was to serve for vision? In like manner, if a particular portion of the brain is invariably found to be large, in relation to the other parts of the same brain, in individuals remarkable for timidity and wariness, and relatively small in persons remarkable for rashness and the absence of fear, and no instance can be adduced in which, cæteris paribus, the proportion between the feeling and the organ is reversed, are we not entitled, after sufficiently extensive observation, to hold that the use of that part of the brain is to serve for the manifestation of the sentiment of Cautiousness? And if this mode of investigation is applicable to one part of the brain, and to one faculty of the mind, it is obviously applicable to all. The only indispensable condition of evidence of this description is, that the coincidence shall be real VOL. II.-31