THE CHRISTIAN EXAMINER.

applause are no longer to be awakened and commanded by the gaud and glitter of artificial distinction alone. The aristocracy of mind is now receiving its due.

But the British Association is devoted exclusively to the advancement of one section of science. It has adopted the Philosophy of Matter. We ask, Is less importance to be attached to the Philosophy of Mind? Are mental and moral philosophy to be neglected, because natural philosophy is to be promoted? Certainly not. That department is ours-we wish to pursue it definitely but separately. The British Association has its object, and we have ours-distinct certainly, but not thence necessarily hostile.

Finally: Let phrenologists be but true to themselves and their science, and all that they desire must be accomplished. Our science requires but to be known and understood to be believed and adopted. Truth must triumph; and of all the scientific truths that have been promulgated for the benefit of man, we sincerely and firmly believe Phrenology to be the most important.

ARTICLE XV.

THE CHRISTIAN EXAMINER, No.65. Boston, U. S., Nov. 1834. 8vo. ANNALS OF PHRENOLOGY, No. 5. Boston, U. S., May 1835. 8vo. THE EDUCATIONAL MAGAZINE, Nos. 9, 10, and 11; (Sept., Oct., and Nov. 1835). London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.. 8vo.

THE CHRISTIAN PHYSICIAN AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL MAGAZINE, Nos. 1, 2, and 3; (Sept., Oct., and Nov. 1835). London: E. Palmer. 8vo.

THE ANALYST, Nos. 11 and 12; (June and July 1835). London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. 8vo.

We have never regretted the want of space so much as in finding ourselves, as we do at present, compelled to notice in a single brief article so many publications which individually deserve more attention than what it is possible here to bestow upon the whole.

The Christian Examiner contains a long article, entitled "The Pretensions of Phrenology examined;" and the intention of the writer (who is a cloudy metaphysician) is to prove those pretensions to be groundless. His objections are, 1st, That Phrenology is materialism;" 2d, "That the energy and perfection of the mental faculties are not always proportioned to the development of the brain-that idiocy, in many cases, if not all, consists in a disease of the nerves"-and that insanity affords no

"If

proof in favour of Phrenology, 3d, That comparative anatomy furnishes evidence against Phrenology; 4th, That phrenologists admit no such faculty as Memory; and 5th, That consciousness is insulted by phrenologists, because they do not admit it to be a faculty of the mind. These objections are ably and conclusively replied to in The Annals of Phrenology, where the ignorance and laughable dogmatism of the objector are made abundantly manifest. We extract a short specimen of his remarks. it be maintained," says he, " that the mind operates by means of the brain, we throw the burden of proof on the physiologist, and demand positive demonstration of the fact; for we are by no means satisfied with the evidence hitherto adduced in support of it." It is much to be feared, that while this sceptical frame of mind continues, no evidence in addition to what is already accessible to him will be " positive" enough to make him change his opinion. The article is characterized, as usual with such productions, by vague, declamatory, and sweeping assertion, and a plentiful lack of knowledge of the doctrines assailed. The writer has inserted another paper on the subject in The New England Magazine for March; where, among other modest things, he says, " I am convinced that my reasons against Phrenology are unanswerable." The tone of his letter, however, shews that he is ill at ease on the subject.

"Be

The reply in the Annals extends to seventy-one pages, and constitutes Article I. The second is an "Anatomical Report on the Skull of Spurzheim, by Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, M. D." The dimensions are carefully noted, the appearances of the bones described, and the article illustrated by horizontal and vertical sections of the skull. Dr Spurzheim died on 10th November 1832, and his brain was weighed on the 12th. ing present," says Dr Shurtleff, " I took an account of the weight, which, after deducting that of the napkins, &c. which were used, was exactly three pounds seven ounces and one dram, or fiftyfive and one-eighth ounces avoirdupois. The brain was previously deprived of its liquors, and divested of the dura mater." The dimensions of the skull differ very slightly from those published in our 39th number. The discrepance is no doubt owing to our measurements having been taken from a cast.

Article III. is a review of the 39th, 40th, and 41st Numbers of this Journal. The reviewer is pleased to estimate our labours very highly, and gives them more applause than we can well admit their title to. Article IV. is headed "Last Death of Phrenology; effected by the Mask of Napoleon Bonaparte. By Wm. B. Fowle." Article V. is a " Phrenological Analysis of Infant Education," extracted, along with that which follows,namely, a review of the Paris Phrenological Journal, No. 5,from our own pages. The seventh and last article (on phrenological quacks) is reprinted in our present Number. We are much pleased with the zeal and talent ent which the May Number of the Annals exhibits.

The Educational Magazine next demands our attention. It is published at the amazingly low price of one shilling, and contains much valuable and important information relative to the principles and practice of education. The contributions of practical men, as well as of educationists more exclusively speculative, are solicited and published; while, at the same time, the work may be looked upon as a kind of storehouse, in which all that is most interesting in regard to education is collected from contemporary journals and other publications. The conductors are liberal thinkers and sincere philanthropistsmen anxious for the improvement of every grade of society in knowledge, happiness, virtue, and religion. The importance of moral training, especially in Infant Schools, is strenuously advocated; and the means of reform in every branch of education are largely discussed. But what is peculiarly gratifying to us as phrenologists is, that the conductors seem fully aware of the momentous truth, that to effect the moral and intellectual improvement of man, we must take the preliminary step of improving his physical organization-on the condition of which the efficiency and just balance of the faculties so essentially depend. It is their aim " to provide a record of all such mental and physiological facts as shall tend to produce a more accurate knowledge of the faculties of the mind, and of the effect of physical influences, and thus to enlist the teacher as one of the best observers of these facts; -to apply mental science to instruction, and to establish the art of teaching upon the basis of sound philosophy, and in connexion with the organic and moral laws;-and to endeavour to enlist the philosopher, the physician, and the medical practitioner, in the subject of education, with a view to ascertain how far medical science may be held subsidiary to the science of education, how far moral remedies may be applied to the body, and to what degree bodily remedies act upon the mind." Such, and similar to these, being the objects of The Educational Magazine, we regard it as an important auxiliary in the battle fought by ourselves; and trust it will meet with the encouragement which it deserves. Without identifying themselves with Phrenology, the conductors speak very favourably of its utility and merits, and forcibly maintain its title to receive a sober and candid consideration. The author of a series of essays on "The Philosophy of Teaching," three of which have appeared, takes Phrenology throughout as the groundwork of his discussions.

The Christian Physician has three leading aims to teach Phrenology; to shew that happiness is the invariable result of obedience to the laws of nature, and misery the punishment of their neglect; and to advocate liberal views in politics, and toleration in religion. It consists of twenty-four pages, and is sold at fourpence. The conductors have our best wishes for their success. An essay on Phrenology is contributed to each number by Dr Epps. From his second paper we extract the following instructive case : -" A boy, aged nine years, was kicked by a horse in the forehead: he was taken up insensible; the skull was driven in in the situation of the organs of Causality and Wit on the right side of the head. He lost a considerable portion of brains, perhaps two table-spoonsful. He was, by the skill of a medical practitioner in Kent, restored to health, and went to school, and, though not bright, did his duties at school as well as most boys. He entered into business after serving an apprenticeship; and forthwith became liable to fits. The exercise of his reflective powers in arranging the business concerns awakened the affection of the brain produced by the injury, and thus the fits were induced. He found, moreover, that these attacks came on generally when his mind had most thinking to perform; and, also, if he could direct his mind into other channels just before the attack came on, he avoided the attack. The consequence arising has been that he has been obliged to give up business." This case is adduced by Dr Epps as an illustration of the fact, that the mind is often supposed to be uninjured by disease of the brain, because the patient is able to answer questions correctly, and to conduct himself with propriety among his acquaintances. But although this be the case, still the intellect may be utterly incapacitated for acting vigorously in circumstances requiring effort or application. Had the mind of this boy been judged of before he left school, it might have been pronounced perfectly uninjured; but as soon as the necessity arose for applying the faculties energetically to the business of life, the effect of the lesion became very apparent.

The Analyst is a monthly journal of literature, science, and the fine arts, printed formerly at Worcester, but now at Birmingham. We have looked into the greater part of the 11th and 12th Numbers, and think the work conducted with much ability. No. XI. contains a spirited paper by Neville Wood, Esq. entitled, "Some Remarks on a Review of a Paper on Phrenology by Dr Milligan." It relates to the parallelism of the tables of the skull, a subject on which Dr Milligan was fond of carping against the phrenologists, though without any distinguished success. As an objection to Phrenology, the want of absolute parallelism of the tables is now, we believe, universally abandoned.

The 12th Number of The Analyst contains an excellent paper, entitled, " Remarks on Phrenology as applied to Education." We intended to extract a portion of it, but, having no more space, must content ourselves with recommending it to the attention of our readers.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

EDINBURGH. On 16th, 23d, and 25th September, a course of three lectures was delivered in Clyde Street Hall by Dr John Epps, on the applications of Phrenology to education, criminal legislation, and government. Notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather on all the evenings, the attendance was numerous and respectable. - Mr Combe is at present lecturing once a-week on Moral Philosophy to the Philosophical Association, in the Waterloo Rooms. His audience, hitherto, has been 600 persons.

The following office-bearers of the Edinburgh Ethical Society for the Study and Practical Application of Phrenology (which meets in the University every Friday evening, at half-past eight o'clock) were elected on 13th November; A. G. Hunter and William B. Hodgson, Presidents; Robert Cox, Secretary; Thomas Moffatt, Treasurer; George Cruikshank, Librarian; Alexander Ire. land, William Brown, William Nichol, Andrew Brash, and Abram Cox,

Councillors.

GLASGOW. A course of lectures on Phrenology was delivered by Dr Weir in the Mechanics' Institution, during September and October last, to about one hundred auditors. Phrenology will be taught this winter in the Anderston, Calton, and Potter's Institutions in the two former by Mr Gullan, and in the last by Mr Duff. The Glasgow Phrenological Society has commenced its sittings with the prospect of an animated session. The office-bearers areDr William Weir, President; Mr Charles M'William and Dr Maxwell, Vice-Presidents; and Mr Richard S. Cunliff, Secretary.

DUNDEE The Dundee Mechanics Phrenological Society was instituted in March 1826, and from that time till the end of 1831 met regularly once a fortnight, for the purpose of reading essays, holding phrenological conversations, and borrowing and returning books. The entry-money was two shillings, and a weekly sum of twopence was afterwards exacted, till the whole payments amounted to a pound, when the member became free of all farther demands. Under this system the society flourished well, and acquired a considerable number of books and casts. In December 1831, it was thought advisable to make arrangements so that any individual could get the use of the library for a quarter without entering the society, and this plan has been eminently successful. The librarian attends every Saturday evening from eight to nine o'clock. Members pay 3d. a quarter, and subscribers, recommended by members, pay 4d., both in advance. For new numbers of the Phrenological Journal, every reader pays a penny per diem for the first two weeks after publication, d. per diem for the second fortnight, and d. per diem for the next eight weeks. The society possesses seven copies of Combe's System, four of his Elements, eight of his Constitution of Man, two of his Letter to Jeffrey, two of Dr Combe's Physiology, one of his Observations on Mental Derangement, three of Dr Spurzheim's Philosophical Principles of Phrenology, a complete set of the Phrenological Journal and duplicates of many of the numbers, with a variety of other phrenological, as well as antiphrenological, publications. There is also a collection of casts. The society's income in 1832, was L. 8, 12s.; in 1833, L. 7, 6s.; in 1834, L. 7:16:81. We mention these facts because they may serve as useful hints in other quarters.