Are we asked, why we consider the cerebellum, in the present case, to have been in a state of chronic inflammation. We reply, because it presented the effects of chronic inflammation? A superabundant secretion of serum is a common result acute inflammation of serous membranes, in every part of the body; and the structure of portions of the brain is known to be often reduced, by the same morbid condition, to a sort of gelatinous mass. Why should it not? We might almost ask, how notWe can it be otherwise? The brain consists, in a high degree, of albumen, tenderly organized. Demolish its structure by subacute inflammation, and that substance shows itself in somewhat of a pultaceous or jelly-like form. Such is the condition in which the cerebellum of confirmed onanists has been found after death. Softened, and somewhat disorganized, by a constant state of high and unnatural excitement, that portion of the brain has assumed the appearance of a gelatinous mass, surrounded by serum or penetrated by it. Several dissections in the large hospitals of Paris testify to this. So does the late dissection of a case, reported in No. II. of the Journal of the Phrenological Society of Paris. And, from its extreme tenderness and imper

fect organization, the brain of a mere child must be more easily reduced to a semi-fluid condition than that of an adult."

A summary of the evidence in favour of the doctrine that the cerebellum is the organ of the sexual passion, is then given. So far as we are aware, it is by much the fullest account of this matter that has yet appeared in the English language."

Some may be disposed to regard Dr Caldwell's language towards the reviewer as too severe, and to consider the present exposure more elaborate and minute than was rendered necessary by an opponent so little formidable. In such an opinion we should be disposed to concur, did we not think it probable that the smart castigation here inflicted, is intended to prevent, if possible, future attacks of a like nature, from dishonest and ignorant writers in the United States. The circulation of the reply among our transatlantic brethren, must have produced a strong feeling in favour of Phrenology; and we heartily congratulate the American phrenologists on their fortune in possessing such a formidable and unflinching champion of truth. t

The remaining four articles in the first number of the Annals are copied from the Lancet and our own pages. The papers quoted from us are, on the colony of Liberia, published in No. 34, on the practical utility of Phrenology, and phrenological cases both in No. 30.

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The second number contains a Phrenological sketch of Dr Gall, translated from the Journal of the Phrenological Journal of Paris vol. I.; Remarks by Dr Elliotson on objections to Phrenology by Professor Kidd of Oxford and a curate of the of Taylor, from the Lancet; On the state of Phrenology in Britain, being replies by the London Phrenological Society to a series of questions addressed by the French minister of commerce to the French consul in England, respecting the progress of Phrenology in Great Britain, also from the Lancet; and the following papers from the first and second volumes of our own journal: Essay on the phrenological causes of the different degress of liberty enjoyed by different nations;-On the organ and faculty of Constructiveness;-Application of Phrenology to criticism-Application of Phrenology on a voyage;-On the combinations in Phrenology ;-On the statement of cerebral development in words and numerals;-On the frontal sinus;-Fatalism and phrenology. Some notices of the progress of the

science in the United States are added; of which the substance will be found at the end of our present number.

THE winter session of the Society opened on Wednesday evening, at their rooms in Sackville Street. The meeting, as on former occasions, presented a very fashionable array of the fair sex. Some of the most distinguished medical gentlemen of the city were in attendance, and seemed to take a very prominent part in the proceedings. Members of the other learned professions were also present, who, as we are informed, are not less earnest and zealous cultivators of the science. The chair was taken by the Rev. Mr Armstrong, who premised that it fell to his lot, as president, to give a general outline of the principles and objects which the Society had in view. He commenced by entering on a very minute analysis of the doctrines, and reasonings of the ancient philosophers, Pythagoras, Plato, and Aristotle, whose fanciful theories and extravagant assumptions triumphed so long in the departments of science, and gave rise to all that vagueness and sterility in the physical systems which existed in those days. He detailed the various speculations of the Epicureans, Platonists, and Peripatetics, their extravagant notions concerning the essence of mind, its precise influence in all operations, with its relation to the external world; and, taking in review a long line of metaphysical inquiries, laid particular stress on the opinions of Descartes, Malebranche, and the celebrated John Locke, whose hypothetical system of ideas formed an introduction to the principles of Hume and Berkley, who, in their outrages of common sense, would sacrifice every property of matter in the temple of their own imaginations. He illustrated, with the happiest effects, the pernicious influence of the Aristotelian logic, in tending to prostrate the mind by the domination of authority, and warp the reason by the monarchy of system. By it the portals to improvement were completely closed-the currents of knowledge dried at their very source the veins of intellect exhausted of their previous stores and every ray of original genius suffocated in impenetrable obscurity. He showed an intimate acquaintance with the history of the middle ages. and pointed to the 15th century, when the art of printing was invented, as the period when man earnestly roused himself from a species of mental paralysis, and openly rebelled against the dynasty of uncompromising dogmas. Then it was that he began to observe seriously, and examine closely-thus fanning that dormant flame of research which gave a brilliancy and a splendour to all subsequent discoveries. It is scarcely possible, ob

From the Dublin Freeman's Journal of 19th December 1834.

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served the Rev. Gentlemany to conceive the wonderful advantages which the inductive process of reasoning has conferred on Natural Philosophy additions are being daily made to the stores of knowledge new facts are rapidly accumulating, which, collected with accuracy and reported with fidelity, rest on a stable and imperishable basis-hence the metaphorical expression of Nature being put to the torture, her inmost secrets scrutinized, and the key of her inexhaustible treasures delivered up to man, the lord of the lower world. In accordance with the true spirit of induction he became a convert to Phrenology, feeling a strong conviction in the truth of its doctrines; he confes sed that he was one of those who raised an early cry against the 'system'; he was prejudiced, but his prejudices being founded in ignorance soon vanished before the light of reason. He did conceive that its introduction was intended for the purpose of giving an explanation of the essence of mind, and would, in all probability, end in the renewal of all those bewildering controversies which clouded the perceptions of men for whole centuties. He also felt a very serious objection to the phraseology that was adopted the idea of there being organs specially intended for murder, theft, &c., established a degree of dangerous fatalism, which was quite irreconcileable with the dispensation of Providence, and altogether subversive of divine revelation. Any unbiassed inquirer, however, will readily learn that those terms are applicable to the abuses of the organs, and could by no means form any argument against the principles themselves. With respect to the doctrines of the science, he would hold it as undeniably true, that particular forms of heads were connected in a greater or less degree with particular manifestations of mind; children of the same parents, brought up under the same moral and physical control, breathing the same mental atmosphere, and in every respect similarly circumstanced, nevertheless betrayed traits of character and tendencies of disposition diametrically opposite. Who has not remarked the facility with which one has acquired a knowledge of language, another the science of numbers, while a taste for mechanical contrivances wholly absorbs the attention of a third? The brilliant beaming of an eye radiating thought and intelligence, forms an extraordinary contrast with the dull expression of Boeotian monotony. The old epithets of felix cerebri," "putridum cerebrum," and the more modern and popular terms of "hair-brained,” “ crack-brained,” "brainless," &c., were in themselves arguments in support of the doctrine generally, and shewed how we were in some measure compelled, by a species of intuitive instinct, to form our notions of individual characters from something striking in the configuration of their heads. He then exhibited the cast of an idiot's head in juxtaposition with the head of Edmund Burke, and ar

gued, as in these two cases the shapes of the head clearly indicated the degrees of mental qualities, was it not reasonable to admit that intermediate states of development had similar manifestations of intellect? He would deny the position of those who maintained that the capabilities of all are originally the same, differing merely by the influence of education. He would admit that education does in a great degree modify the faculties, but it cannot create them. Great minds are unquestionably born unto great men, however sullied in particular instances by natural failings and propensities; for in the brightest intellectual picture we are oftentimes able to discover blemishes which detract more or less from their intrinsic value. Several passages from sacred history proved that Phrenology was supported by revelation. It inculcated charity, disposing us to make Tallowances for the errors and frailties of fellow-men. By directing our attention to the exercise and use of our several faculties, it gave us self-knowledge; teaching us to control our evil propensities, and to regulate our moral conduct. It also went to establish an aristocracy in nature, unlike the aristocracy of birth or fortune, which is merely conventional; but an aristocracy which points out with the finger of beneficent wisdom the mighty pre-eminence of man over all created beings. At the donclusion of his able and eloquent discourse, he entreated his audience not to be biassed by pre-conceived opinions—recommending them in the words of the immortal Bacon, to observe patiently, examine cautiously, and generalise slowly; appealing to their senses and their understanding, whether a system founded in nature, and consistent with religion, did not merit a serious consideration. A vote of thanks was passed unanimously to the Rev Gentleman for his very able and argumentative dissertation, which contained an epitome of Phrenology, and combated so successfully the objections of its opponents, »vampp but grava

Mr Brabazou presented to the Society a very remarkable bust for their examination. The Secretary, Dr Evanson, an eminent phrenologist, Surgeon Carmichael, and others, severally expressed their opinions all equally agreed that it represented some extraordinary personage. The organs of Language, Causality, Self-esteem, Constructiveness, and Ideality, presented an unusually high state of development. Mr B. expressed his satisfaction at their forming so accurate an estimate of one of the most distinguished men of the present age. He was no less than the celebrated Mezzofanti, prefect of the Vatican Library, who spoke thirty languages and understood nearly forty. business of the evening closed by allusions to the rapid progress of Phrenology on the continent, and some cursory observations from Mr Carmichael on the heads of Napoleon, Spurzheim. Locke, &c.

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