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Arthur Trevelyan, James Marr, Donald Gregory, Thomas Duncan, and Robert Walker, Councillors; Andrew Brash, Librarian; Thomas Moffat, Treasurer; R. D. Douglas, Secretary.-Dr Gregory then communicated to the Society some interesting particulars relative to the progress of Phrenology in France.

11th November.Mr Cox read a paper on the reception of Phrenology by medical men.

18th November,

Mr Brash read an essay on Fatalism. 25th November. Mr Cox read an Exposition of the prin ciples according to which phrenologists infer dispositions and talents from the size, form, and quality of the brain; being the first of a series of essays on practical phrenology which he has undertaken, at the request of the Society, to bring forward this winter.

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2d December.Mr Cox read an essay on the effects of different sizes of the head."

9th December.Dr Gregory read phrenological observations on Mr Bulwer's work" England and the English." Mr Cox read an essay on the effect of very large size of head.****

16th December.Mr Brash read an essay on the evils resulting from the Scotch law of primogeniture and entail. Mr Cox read an Essay on the effects of the different proportions in which the regions of the brain are developed relatively to each other.

23d December-Dr Gregory read farther observations on Mr Bulwer's work.

20th January, 1834-Mr Cox read an Essay on Amativeness. 27th January-Mr Drysdale read a Phrenological Analysis of the character of Cowper the poet. Mr Cox read Observations on the objection that Phrenology leads to materialism.

3d February.-Mr Alexander Ireland read an Essay on free inquiry.

10th February-Mr A. G. Hunter read an Essay on the freedom of the will..

17th February-Mr John Mackenzie read an Essay on moral responsibility. Mr Cox read Remarks on the objection that Phrenology leads to the doctrine of fatalism; also an Essay on Philoprogenitiveness.

24th February.-Mr Cox read an Essay on the character and cerebral development of Rammohun Roy.

3d March. Mr Walker read a Phrenological Analysis of the character of George IV.

10th March.-Mr Douglas read an Essay on the Animal Propensities. Mr Brash read an Essay on Marriage.

17th March.-Mr Cox read an Essay on Concentrativeness. 24th March.-Mr Mackenzie read an Essay on Beauty. 29th March. The Society dined in the Café Royal.

31st March.-Mr Cox read an Essay on Combativeness; and Mr James McKean read a paper on Love.

5th May.-Mr Cox read an Essay on the character and cerebral development of Robert Burns. A discussion ensued, in which a part was taken by two of Burns's correspondents, Messrs Robert Ainslie and George Thomson, the former of whom read several of the poet's letters. On the motion of the essayist, the thanks of the Society were voted by acclamation to Messrs M'Diarmid, Rankine, Kerr, Bogie, Crombie and Blacklock, of Dumfries, for their exertions in procuring a cast of the poet's skull.

12th May-Dr Gregory read an Essay on the character and cerebral development of Signor Emiliani, and on the Faculties which constitute the elements of musical genius.

19th May.-Mr Brash read an Essay on Mind and Matter. 26th May.-Mr Cox read Observations on the effect of intellectual education on the moral character.

2d June. Mr Brash brought under the notice of the Society a statement regarding the effects of a wound in the brain, in an article in Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, entitled "The Philosophy of Death, No. 2. ;" which gave rise to some conversation. The Society spent the remainder of the evening in the examination of crania.

9th June. Mr Cox read an Essay on Adhesiveness, and communicated to the Society a paper on Modesty and the origin of Marriage, written by a phrenologist resident in Paris.

16th June.-An Essay on the Temperaments, by Mr Daniel Noble, surgeon in Manchester, was read; also some account of the Caribs.

23d June. Several members read characters inferred from the development of an individual whose head had been manipulated by Mr Cox.

30th June.-Mr J. Montgomery Stuart read first part of an Essay on criminal legislation, by Sir G. S. Mackenzie, Bart. Messrs Brash and Cox read characters deduced from two skulls from New South Wales.

7th July-An Essay on civilization, by Mr Simpson, was read.

14th July.-Mr Brash read a paper entitled " Anti-phrenology," by the Rev. Charles Findlater, minister of Newlands; with an answer thereto by himself.

21st July-Mr Stuart read the second part of Sir George Mackenzie's Essay on criminal legislation.

28th July.-Mr Stuart read an extract from Moore's Life of Lord Byron, regarding the size of his Lordship's head; after which a long discussion on this subject, and on the character and genius of Lord Byron, took place. The Society then adjourned till the first Monday in November.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

LONDON UNIVERSITY AND PHRENOLOGY.-At the annual examinations in the medical school of the London University in May last, several of the pupils in the Practice of Physic class, of which Dr Elliotson is Professor, adopted the phrenological principles as the only basis on which an intelligible account of mental affections could be erected. We have seen two or three of the extempore dissertations on this subject. and have been extremely grati fied with their general clearness and accuracy. It will one day be the proud boast of the London University, that, knowing Dr Elliotson to be a phrenologist, and one who would not conceal his opinions, it nevertheless placed him in its most important chair. To Dr Elliotson himself it must afford infinite satisfaction to witness the readiness with which the ablest of the unprejudiced youths who listen to his prelections seize upon the truth and apply it to practical purposes. We congratulate the University on having a man of Dr Elliotson's undoubted eminence and talent among its medical professors. Few have of late years done so much as he to advance the science of medicine; and his reputation as a physician is so well established, that his advocacy of Phrenology cannot fail to operate most extensively and beneficially on the younger members of the profession. We need hardly remind our readers, that Dr Elliotson was one of the earliest phrenologists in Britain, and that he wrote in favour of Phrenology at a time when obloquy and ridicule were likely to be his sole rewards.

MANCHESTER.-The Manchester Phrenological Society continues to display much activity. We intended to publish in this Number an excellent essay on the Temperaments, read at one of the meetings by Mr Daniel Noble, surgeon; but are reluctantly obliged to postpone it for want of room. It shall certainly appear in our next.

LYMINGTON. We observe from the Salisbury Herald of 31st May, that on the 19th of that month, Mr Deville gave a lecture on Phrenology at the Lymington Literary and Scientific Institution; the money paid for admission being given to the funds of the public dispensary. "The lecture," says the Herald," was well attended; indeed the boxes were completely filled by most of the respectable inhabitants; and if we may be allowed to form an opinion, Phrenology has gained not a few points amongst us."

GLASGOW. We are much pleased by the able Report of the Committee of the Glasgow Mechanics' Institution, dated 6th May 1834. It contains a forcible reply to the objection that the scientific knowledge taught in the Institution has not a sufficiently moral and religious tendency. That Phrenology continues to maintain its ground is obvious from the following extract:"The Committee have pleasure in announcing, that, at their solicitation, Dr William Weir has kindly consented to deliver a course of lectures on Phrenology in the Institution, during the months of August, September, and October next. In this course, Dr Weir will give a concise and pcpular view of the principles of the science; a full account of the various organs and faculties; with a consideration of the practical application of Phrenology to general conduct, education, and the science of morals." The first lecture, as we learn from the Glasgow Argus, was delivered on 5th August. "It occupied nearly an hour and a half, was delivered in a clear and forcible manner, and was listened to with marked attention by the very large and respectable assembly."

PARIS. An association entitled "The Universal Society of Civilization," has been established in Paris. It has instituted a philosophical school, where lectures are given gratis, on sciences, arts, and industry. M. Dumoutier recently lectured on Phrenology to crowded audiences. The fifth, sixth, and seventh Numbers of the Journal of the Phrenological Society of Paris, which we have now obtained, indicate no abatement of spirit in its conductors. We shall take an early opportunity of noticing at some length the contents of these Numbers.

AMERICA. Extract from a letter, dated Albany, United States, 30th April 1834, to a gentleman in Edinburgh:-" Societies similar to the Edinburgh Association for procuring Instruction in Useful and Entertaining Sciences are springing up throughout this State. One was formed in Albany last winter, called "The Young Men's Association for Mutual Improvement.' Mr Dean, their President, has just finished a course of Lectures on Phrenology before the Association. He presented me with a ticket, and so great was the interest created, that he has been obliged to repeat the lectures twice. He was without casts to illustrate the subject, which was a great disadvantage to him. His lectures are to be published, and I shall send you a copy, so that you may be able to judge of them for yourself. Lectures have been delivered before the Association this season, on Astronomy, Anatomy, Geology, Medical Jurisprudence, American History, Horticulture, American Literature, Comparative Examination of the Animal Kingdom, and Botany. The Association has a library and reading-room, where may be seen all the leading periodicals and newspapers of the United States. The citizens of Albany have cordially supported it, by giving donations of money and books. The members are males, between fifteen and thirty-five years of age, who pay two dollars of entry-money, and one dollar annually afterwards. The lecturers were all natives except two, who were Scotchmen. I have got two numbers of an American periodical called The Knickerbocker, which I shall send you shortly. One contains an article on Phrenology by Mr Timothy Flint, who always speaks of Mr Combe with the highest respect: the other number has a review of The Constitution of Man,' by another hand.”

An English translation of Gall's work Sur les Fonotions du Cerveau, to consist of three volumes, was announced last winter as proposed to be published at Boston."

RAPHAEL'S SKULL.The following letter, addressed to the Secretary of the Phrenological Society, and dated Rome, September 30. 1833, having been sent by a private hand, did not reach Edinburgh till March 1834.

"SIR, I have not the pleasure of being known to you, but will indulge a hope that the communication itself, which is the cause and subject of this letter, may be deemed extenuatory of the liberty I take in addressing you.

"Late perusal of two numbers of the Phrenological Journal, has totally suppressed in me the hasty deference with which I had listened to objections hazarded against the system; and I now sincerely avow regret that present literary and antiquarian avocations at present do, and for some time will, preclude my going in medias res, or even endeavouring to master the rudiments of so interesting a study.

"It has happened, that just at the time when I was devouring the pages to which I have alluded, the discovery of the bones of Raphael was effected in the Pantheon, and it immediately struck me, that attainment of a cast of that sublime artist's skull might be acceptable to your Society, and of utility in its researches. In consequence, I forwarded to the Pope, through the medium of the Cardinal Secretary, a memorial, of which the following is a translation:

"MOST HOLY FATHER,-The recent discovery of the bones of Raphael Sanzio impels Mr J. J. F. Hely, an Irish gentleman, and a member of the British army, respectfully to offer to your Holiness a tribute of congratulation upon an event which is a subject of universal exultation, and will constitute a distinguished epoch in the annals of your pontificate.

"At the same time, as so fortunate an occurrence may be productive of increased gratification to the lovers of the fine arts, and probably of utility to scientific men, and this without causing any injury to the remains themselves, your memorialist is encouraged to beseech your Holiness to permit him to cause a plaster-cast of the skull to be taken, by an expert artist, and at his expense.

If time would permit your memorialist to transmit information of his purpose to his own country, such tidings, as well as those of the requested favour being eventually granted, would, he is persuaded, be received with en

thusiasm and gratitude by all to whom the arts are dear, and by whom science is venerated.'

"To this application I have not yet received any answer. In fact, it had been more than hinted to me, subsequently, that the tenets here are hostile to Phrenology and its deductions. In such case, I can hardly expect the boon to be granted. At all events, I shall take the liberty of saying with an old writer Sit voluisse satis. Should I, however, be agreeably disappointed, you may rely upon receiving the cast. Mean time, I have the honour to be, Sir, your very obedient humble servant, J. J. F. HELY."

Subsequently to the arrival of the foregoing esteemed communication, we received letters from two phrenological friends, who had seen a cast of Raphael's skull; and with one of whom, Dr Robert Verity, a phrenologist of very considerable skill and acuteness, we lately had the pleasure of conversing. Only two casts have been made; and there is a prohibition to the effect that they shall not be multiplied." The proofs adduced in favour of the authenticity of the skull," says one of our correspondents, "are various. The most conclusive are in Raphael's own hand-writing, contained in a codicil to his will. He was buried in the Pantheon beneath an altar, and his will is deposited in the archives of that church, where perpetual mass is said for his soul, as he left a sum of money for that purpose. He also left to a sculptor, whose name, though mentioned, I forget, a certain sum to defray the expense of a statue of the Madonna, which he requested to be placed above his tomb. Beneath this statue the skeleton was found. It was examined by antiquaries, surgeons, &c. The length of the skeleton, 7 Roman palms, agrees with the height of Raphael. The sockets of the elbow and wrist bones were found different from those of the left, owing to the continual employment of the right arm in his art. He was a Knight of the Golden Spur: the badge of the order was found in his grave. Moreover, it is stated by several authors that he was buried in the Pantheon; and the evidence altogether is of such a satisfactory nature, that it is the general if not universal belief, that the skeleton is that of Raphael. Since the Council of Trent, interment beneath altars has been prohibited: Raphael died 38 years before it." Dr Verity says, "Only two casts were allowed to be taken; one of which is in the possession of the Academy of St Luke, and the other is deposited at the house of Signor Fabris, professor of sculpture, 14 Via Felice, to whose care it was consigned by the Academy of the Fine Arts, with the view of aiding him in the execution of a bust of Raphael which had been ordered by the Pope. Learning that the casts were guarded with all the professional jealousy of their respective possessors, I was enabled, by the kindness of Sir William Gell, to employ the influence of Signor Nibby, professor of archæology, in obtaining the consent of Signor Fabris to permit me to examine the one in his studio. The Professor assured me the cast might be depended upon as most accurate, the Government having employed for the occasion the most skilful artist in that department who could be found in Rome. With the exception of the upper part of the occipital bone, which is broken off, the cranium and bones of the face are perfect, and the lower maxillary bone is surmounted with a circle of teeth of great beauty. The organization appeared to be of exceeding delicacy, owing most probably to the fine quality of the osseous substance. The bones of the nose descend from the forehead boldly, and in a singularly forward manner, full and broad in the transverse direction between the orbits the situation of the organ of Form; and so filled up are the internal lateral regions of the orbits, that I could not refrain from calling the Professor's attention to the point, when he assured me it was no accidental circumstance, but the exact fac-simile of the parts themselves in the skull. Certainly this combination of development is of striking beauty in the eyes of a phrenologist. Holding up the cast, and placing it by the side of a large engraving of Raphael, Professor Fabris begged me to observe how closely the features of the cast resembled those of the portrait. It is Raphael himself,' he said.” The skull, we are further informed, differs from that of Don Desiderio Adjutorio, formerly supposed to be Raphael's, in being narrower, and having less general volume; but the combination of the organs is very favourable to the excellence in the fine

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