childhood it is very soft, and even almost liquid under the finger, and its different parts cannot be clearly distinguished:'* Still at this time it is supplied with more blood, in proportion to its size, than at any subsequent period. It then grows most rapidly, and more rapidly than any other organ: its weight is nearly doubled at the end of the first six months; and hence the nervous system, being connected with the brain, is early developed, and becomes the predominating system in youth. At this period of life, however, which is devoted to the increase of the body, it is necessary that the nervous system should predominate; for this system is the source of all vital movement, and presides over and gives energy to those actions which tend to the growth of the organization. Besides, Infancy,' says Bichat, is the age of sensation. As every thing is new to the infant, every thing attracts its eyes, ears, nostrils, &c. That which to us is an object of indifference, is to it a source of pleasure. It was then necessary that the nervous cerebral system should be adapted by its early development to the degree of action which it is then to have.'+

But this great and early development, though necessary for the above purposes, very much increases the liability to disease: it gives a tendency to convulsions, and to inflammation and dropsy of the brain, and to other diseases of the nervous system, which are most common and fatal in childhood.

"It is, therefore, deeply important that the natural action of the nervous system should not be much increased, either by too much exercise of the mind, or by too strong excitement of the feelings, lest at the same time the liability of children to nervous diseases be increased, and such a predominance given to this system as to make it always easily excited, and disposed to sympathize with disorder in any part of the body; thus generating a predisposition to hypochondriasis and numerous afflicting nervous affections.

"Mental excitement, as has been shewn, increases the flow of blood to the head, and augments the size and power of the brain, just as exercise of the limbs enlarges and strengthens the muscles of the limbs exercised. The wonderful powers of mind which an infant or child sometimes manifests, and by which he surpasses ordinary children, do not arise from better capacity in the mind itself of the child, but, in fact, from a greater enlargement than usual of some portion or the whole of the brain, by which the mind is sooner enabled to manifest its powers. This enlargement takes place whether the mental precocity arises from too early and frequent exercise of the mind, or from disease, and it must arise in one of these two ways. But, in my opinion,

• Bichat's General Anatomy, vol. i.

+ Ibid.

14

mental precocity is generally a symptom of disease; and hence those who exhibit it very frequently die young. This fact ought to be specially remembered by parents, some of whom regard precocity, unless accompanied by visible disease, as a most gratifying indication, and, on account of it, task the memory and intellect of the child. Sometimes, however, it is accom panied by visible deformity of the head, and then the fears of parents are greatly awakened. Take, for instance, the disease known by the name of rickets. Every person understands that this is a disease of childhood, and, according to the best medical authorities, it arises from the irritation or inflammation of some organ, and frequently of the brain. Its most characteristic symptoms when it affects the brain, are an enlargement of the head, and premature development of the intellectual faculties, On examining the heads of those who have died of this disease, the brain is found very voluminous, but ordinarily healthy. Meckel observes that its mass is increased in rickets; an effect gradually produced, without disorganization of the brain, by ins creased action in its blood vessels, and the consequent transmis sion to it of more blood than usual. Being thus augmented in size, increased mental power is the consequence of this augmen tation. One of the most remarkable phenomena in the second stage of rickets,' says M. Monfalcon, is the precocious de velopment, and the energy of the intellectual faculties. Rickety children have minds active and penetrating; their wit is asto nishing; they are susceptible of lively passions, and have perspicacity which does not belong to their age. Their brains en

large in the same manner as the cranium does.' He adds, This wonderful imagination, this judgment, this premature mental power which rickets occasion, has but a short duration. The intellectual faculties are soon exhausted by the precocity and energy of this development.**

"I do not say or believe that cautious tasking of the minds of young children will frequently cause this disease; but I believe there is great danger that it will produce the same unnatural growth of the brain, and this will give rise to an exhibition of superior mental power, and be followed, as in the case of rickets, by permanent weakness, or loss of mental energy3+ (P. 34-38.)

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Several interesting cases follow, for which we must refer to the volume. Of one case of infantine precocity the author says: "The following, in my opinion, is the true explanation of the surprising mental powers exhibited by this boy. Disease or some other cause irritated his brain; this irritation attracted more than an ordinary quantity of blood to the head, and thus

* Dictionnaire des Sciences Medicales, vol. xlvi.

excited, and unnaturally or prematurely developed, certain portions of the brain; and just in proportion as these were developed, his mental-powers were increased."(P. 44.)

JedThe second section is wound up by the following words, part printed in italics: "From what has been said hitherto, we gather the following facts, which should be made the basis of all instruction; facts which I wish often to repeat. The brain is the material organ by which all the mental faculties are mani fested it is exceedingly delicate, and but partially developed in childhood; over-excitement of it when in this state is extremely hazardous.”(P. 50.):0 46

Dr Brigham's third section is devoted to the "Consequences which have resulted from inattention to the connexion between the mind and the body," and to the proposition that "the best minds are not produced by early mental culture." He strongly recommends to teachers of youth to acquaint themselves with human anatomy and physiology, especially of the brain, before they proceed to cultivate and discipline the mind. He objects to the excessive abundance of books for children," some of them for children of from two to three years of age; and holds that time is idly spent and mind injured in poring over such books. This, he says, is the result of making prodigies of children. The following is an example of the kind of infant education which the author deprecates. "That children do have their mental powers prematurely tasked, is a fact which I know from personal observation. I have seen a course like the following pursued in many families in various parts of the country, and I know that this course is approved of by many excellent persons. Children of both sexes are required, or induced, to commit to memory many verses, texts of Scripture, stories, &c., before they are three years of age. They commence attending school, for six hours each day, before the age of four, and often before the age of three; where they are instructed, during three years, in reading, geography, astronomy, history, arithmetic, geometry, chemistry, botany, natural history, &c. &c. They also commit to memory, while at school, many hymns, portions of the Scriptures, catechisms, &c. During the same period they attend every Sunday a Sabbath-school, and there recite long lessons: some are required to attend upon divine service at the church twice each Sunday, and to give some account of the sermon. In addition to these labours, many children have numerous books, journals, or magazines to read, which are designed for youth. I have known some required to give strict attention to the chapter read in the family in the morning, and to give an account of it; and have been astonished and alarmed at the wonderful power of memory exhibited on such occasions by children when but five or six years of age. I have known other children, in

addition to most of the above performances, induced to learn additional hymns, chapters of Scripture, or to read certain books, by the promise of presents from their parents or friends.

"The foregoing account fails to describe the amount of mental labour required of many children, in intelligent and respectable families."(P. 58, 59.)

The fourth section adduces the " opinions of celebrated phy sicians respecting early mental cultivation;" such as Tissot, Hufe. land, Spurzheim,* Sinabaldi, Friedlander, Ratier, Julien, and others, who join in reprobating early mental labour.

We must content ourselves with referring to the fifth section, on the "Influence of mental cultivation and excitement in producing insanity, nervous affections, and diseases of the heart."

The sixth section is entitled "Remarks upon Moral Education-Influence of example;" and here, for a reason that will af terwards be apparent, we think it important to quote the author's "The remarks which I have made respecting the danger of too early cultivating the intellectual faculties, do not fully apply to the development of the moral qualities; though in regard to them some caution is necessary; for danger is to be apprehended from strongly exciting the feelings of children and awakening their passions. In endeavouring to call forth and cultivate those moral qualities which are good, and to suppress the bad, we should constantly keep in mind that the brain is not, only the seat of the intellectual faculties, but is also the agent by which the passions, the affections, and all the moral qualities,

We have much pleasure in quoting the following note by Dr Brigham, devoted to that great man :-"The above quotation is taken from the French" edition of Dr Spurzheim's valuable Essay upon the Elementary Principles of Education. A later edition in English, with additions, has been published, which I have not seen. The learned and estimable author of the above is now in this country, and proposes to lecture upon the interesting science of Phrenology; a science to which he has given a philosophical character, and which, by his labours, he has advanced to its present high standing. I cannot but believe that his visit to this country will be productive of great good, by directing the attention of the public to the immense importance of physical education; a branch of education, the almost entire neglect of which, in this country, threatens dangerous and lasting consequences. As to the correctness of the phrenological system, I am not qualified to determine; but so far as I have had an opportunity of observing, I think it explains the phenomena of the morbid action of the brain far better than any other.

"I leave this note as it was in the fi:st edition, though the work referred to has been reprinted in this country. I still hope, that, although its illustrious author lived but a few months after his arrival in this country, his visit will be of great service to it, and that he will ere long be accounted a great benefactor.

"In a letter which I received from him but a few days before the illness which terminated his life, he remarks upon the uncommon mental activity of the people of this country, and expresses his belief that the science which he taught would do great good here, and would contribute to a reform in edu cation. I trust that he has awakened a spirit of inquiry on this subject, that will not subside until the benefits he predicted are realized.”—(Pp. 66, 67.)

are manifested. That this is true, is shown in the same way as I have proved that the brain is the material organ of the mind. Insanity alone furnishes abundant proof. This disease of the brain as often deranges the moral as the intellectual faculties." -(P. 87.) Again: "The great object, therefore, in moral education should be, to call into repeated action those organs that manifest the good qualities, and increase their activity and power. For this purpose, it is necessary to study the characters. of children when quite young; and when certain moral qualities appear to predominate, that are likely to produce bad traits of character, great efforts should be made to develope and call into activity opposite qualities: when a child appears exceedingly selfish, he should be taught and accustomed to practise benevo lence. In this manner it is as certain that the moral qualities which are most desirable may be cultivated and made predomi nant, as that the memory may be increased by exercise."(P. 88.)

We regret we have not space to analyze the seventh and eighth sections, entitled "The cultivation of the mind at a proper time of life not injurious but beneficial to health;" and "Influence of mental cultivation in producing dyspepsia in li terary men; irritation of the brain the most frequent cause of this disease." In both sections the reader will find some most valuable practical truths. Among the reasons which, independently of his own experience, have led Dr Brigham to the opinion, that, in many cases, dyspepsia or indigestion is primarily a disease of the brain and nervous system, are the following:

"First, A blow or other injury of the head, or a tumour in the brain, frequently produces sickness, irritation of the stomach, and all the symptoms of dyspepsia.

"Second, Dyspepsia may be produced by mental affections,' says Dr Parry; and in this opinion he is supported by numerous observers. Who is there that has not felt the influence of bad news, or mental agitation, in destroying the appetite and deranging digestion, and thus producing dyspepsia for a short time?

"Third, Insanity, or disease of the brain, is usually preceded by the symptoms of dyspepsia, and recovery from mental derangement is often marked by a return of these symptoms."

"Fourth, Examination of the bodies of those who have died after long continued dyspeptic symptoms, confirms the opinion I have advanced, that dyspepsia is often a disease of the head, and not of the stomach."

"Fifth, The fact that dyspepsia is frequently cured by permitting the overtasked and tired brain to rest, or by changing the mental labour or excitement, is evidence that it is a primary discase of the head, and not of the stomach."