The combination of large Secretiveness, Imitation, and the perceptive organs, gives the elements of his dramatic talent and humour. The skull indicates a decided talent for humour, but less for wit. The public are apt to confound the talents for wit and humour. The metaphysicians, however, have distinguished them, and in the phrenological works their different elements are pointed out. Burns possessed the talent for satire; Destructiveness, added to the combination which gives humour, produces it. An unskilful observer looking at the forehead, might suppose it to be moderate in size; but when the dimensions of the anterior lobe, in both length and breadth, are attended to, the intellectual organs will be recognised to have been large. The anterior lobe projects so much, that it gives an appearance of narrowness to the forehead, which is not real. This is the cause, also, why Benevolence appears to lie farther back than usual. An anterior lobe of this magnitude, indicates great intellectual power. The combination of large perceptive and reflecting organs, (Causality predominant), with large Concentrativeness and large organs of the feelings, gives that sagacity and vigorous common sense, for which Burns was distinguished. The skull rises high above Causality, and spreads wide in the region of Ideality; the strength of his moral feelings lay in that region. The combination of large organs of the animal propensities with large Cautiousness and only full Hope, together with the unfavourable circumstances in which he was placed, account for the melancholy and internal unhappiness with which Burns was so frequently afflicted. This melancholy was rendered still deeper by bad health. The combination of Acquisitiveness, Cautiousness, SelfEsteem, Love of Approbation, and Conscientiousness, is the source of his keen feelings in regard to pecuniary independence. The great power of his animal propensities would give him strong temptations to waste; but the combination just mentioned would impose a powerful restraint. The head indicates the elements of an economical character, and it is known that he died free from debt, notwithstanding the smallness of his salary. No phrenologist can look upon this head, and consider the circumstances in which Burns was placed, without vivid feelings of regret. Burns must have walked the earth with a consciousness of great superiority over his associates in the station in which he was placed; of powers calculated for a far higher sphere than that which he was able to reach, and of passions which he could with difficulty restrain, but which it was fatal to indulge. If he had been placed from infancy in the higher ranks of life, liberally educated, and employed in pursuits corresponding to his powers, the inferior portion of his nature would have lost part of its energy, while his better qualities would probably have assumed a decided and permanent superiority. In our next Number, we shall examine more fully the character and cerebral development of Burns. NOTICES. EDINBURGH.-The Proceedings of the Phrenological Society and of the Edinburgh Ethical Society for the Study and Practical Application of Phrenology, for the last winter session, will be given in our next publication. GLASGOW. Last winter Dr Robert Hunter, Professor of Aanatomy in the Andersonian University, delivered a course of twenty lectures on Fhrenology. He also treated of it briefly in his popular course on Anatomy and Physiology. DUNFERMLINE. In last number we noticed the gratifying success of Mr W. A. F. Browne's Lectures on Phrenology in Dunfermline. The course was concluded on 19th March. The total number of tickets sold was 260, and there was besides a regular attendance of from twenty-five to forty visitors at each lecture. The auditors consisted generally of the most respectable, influential, and intelligent individuals in the town, and the course gave the highest satisfaction. The effect of these lectures is very apparent. A great change has taken place in the public mind at Dunfermline on the subject of Phrenology. Among the converts are several of the clergy and medical men in the town. Perhaps the most important result, however, of Mr Browne's lectures, is the great and increasing eagerness which has arisen for minute knowledge of the science. At the last quarterly meeting of the members of one of the public libraries, the Librarian stated that a supply of phrenological books was much wanted, as the calls for them were so numerous that the few already in the library were quite insufficient to meet the demand. On 20th March, the day after the concluding lecture, a public dinner was given to Mr Browne by the Dunfermline Phrenological Society and a number of other gentlemen, in testimony of their respect for his character, and gratitude for the very valuable instruction which he had communicated. Mr J. Beveridge acted as chairman, and Mr George Roger as croupier. After giving the usual preliminary toasts, and "The memories of Drs Gall and Spurzheim," the chairman proposed the toast of the evening-" Health, long life and success to Mr Browne, and thanks to him for his exertions in the cause of Phrenology.' Mr Browne replied in his usual elegant and forcible style, and concluded by giving " Prosperity to the Dunfermline Phrenological Society." Various other toasts were drunk; among which were, "The universal diffusion of Phrenology," "George Combe, Esq.," "The Edinburgh and all other Phrenological Societies," "The Opponents of Phrenology," "The Conductors of the Phrenological Journal," "The universal ascendency of Truth," and "The Cause of Education." These toasts were introduced by neat and appropriate speeches from the Croupier, Mr D. Young. Mr A. Stevenson, Mr J. Gall, Mr J. Hutton, the Reverend Messrs Young and Cuthbertson, &c. The Dunfermline Phrenological Society has farther testified its respect for Mr Browne, by presenting to him a handsome pair of silver callipers. We are happy to add, that Mr Browne has just been appointed medical attendant to the Montrose Lunatic Asylum. This, we believe, is the first occasion on which a phrenologist has been called to fill such a situation in Scotland. Mr Browne's phrenological opinions were urged against him, but he was elected by an overwhelming majority of votes. There were four candidates, three of whom had one, two, and four votes respectively, while Mr Browne had twenty-two. His knowledge of insanity is extensive, and well qualifies him for his new duties. We hope he will favour us with reports of such remarkable cases illustrative of Phrenology as may fall under his observation in the Montrose Asylum. GREENOCK.. On 18th February 1834, the number of members of the Greenock Phrenological Society was twenty-eight. The meetings are held once a fortnight, and had till that time been occupied with discussions on the objections that have been raised to the system, and expositions of the functions of particular cerebral organs, illustrated by cases falling under the observation of individual members. A phrenological library has been formed, but little progress has yet been made in the formation of a museum. A course of seven lectures on Phrenology was delivered, by invitation of the Society, in the West Blackhall Street Chapel, Greenock, on 28th April and following evenings, by Dr Robert Hunter, Professor of Anatomy in the Andersonian University, Glasgow. The course embraced "a Short History of Phrenology, and an explanation of its fundamental principles; a Survey of the Nervous System, and the Functions of its different parts; an Exposition of the situation and sphere of action of the different Phrenological Organs, and a Demonstration of the application and importance of Phrenology to the Education of Man." These lectures were completely successful. Upwards of a hundred auditors attended the first, and the number regularly increased till the last, at which about 240 persons were present. ALYTH.-A Phrenological Society has just been started, by twelve young men, in the village of Alyth, Perthshire. They have procured a supply of Phrenological books; and Mr Fenton, surgeon in Alyth, has engaged to give them a course of lectures on anatomy and chemistry, and to aid them in their phrenological studies. This is one of many examples of the increasing appetite for knowledge, which the industrious classes in Scotland are displaying. WARWICK. In the beginning of March last, a Phrenological Society was instituted in Warwick. It now consists of sixteen members, and we are particularly gratified to learn that the President's chair is occupied by Dr John Conolly, late Professor of Medicine in the London University, one of the editors of the Cyclopædia of Practical Medicine, and author of a well known and excellent treatise on Insanity. In the latter work, published several years ago, Dr Conolly declared that "the facts alluded to in it, many of the phenomena of disease, and the observation of all mankind, seemed to him to prove that the first principles of Phrenology are founded in nature;" and that he "could see nothing which merits the praise of being philosophical in the real or affected contempt professed by so many anatomists and physiologists for the science." Subsequent observation and reflection have strengthened this opinion, and it is creditable to Dr Conolly that he now more boldly than ever stands forward to avow his belief. The names of the members of the Society, so far as we have learned them, are—the Reverend J. A. Morris, M. A., Warwick; the Reverend Henry Harris, B. A., Warwick; John Twamley, Esq., Warwick; Mr Edward Dearle, Professor of Music, Warwick; Mr Owen W. Williams, M. R. C. S. L., Leamington; Mr Egerton A. Jennings, F. L. S., M. R. C. S. L., Leamington; Mr William D. Watson, M. R. C. S. Edin., Warwick (Secretary); and Mr William Rider, artist, Leamington. A large collection of casts has been ordered from Edinburgh. TAUNTON." Mr Cox commenced a course of lectures on Phrenology at Taunton last week, which has excited much interest."-Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 8th March 1834. PAUPER LUNATIC ASYLUM AT HANWELL.-The Atheneum of 3d May 1834 contains a very interesting account of this Asylum, furnished, as the editor mentions in a note, by "a friend, who was led accidentally, the other day, to visit the asylum; and who is anxious to give publicity to the system of management observed in it, and the admirable results of that system." We shall copy the article in our next number, and have only room to mention here, that the institution is conducted by the superintendent, Dr Ellis, on phrenological principles. It is gratifying to find an unphrenological writer calling attention to the "admirable results" of such a system of management. Hanwell is in the neighbourhood of London. We understand that casts of the skull of Dr SPURZHEIM and the head of RAMMOHUN ROY, are on sale by Messrs Luke O'Neil and Son of this city. DR VIMONT'S Treatise on Human and Comparative Phrenology is now, we presume, completed. We are in possession of nearly the whole of the plates, but the second volume of the letter-press has not yet reached Edinburgh. As soon as it arrives, we shall endeavour to give an abstract of its contents, and to do justice to the high merits of the author. For accuracy and beauty the engravings are unrivalled. NEW PHRENOLOGICAL CAST.-We have received from Mr William Bally, artist in Manchester, a copy of the phrenological illustration invented by him, and noticed in our last number under the denomination of a "Mechanical Brain." It is a very ingenious contrivance, and will be of great use to students of phrenology and lecturers. The cast, in its complete state, represents the head of a youth about fifteen years of age. The skull and integuments are removable in two halves, and the brain is then seen enveloped by the dura mater. The brain is divided into several pieces, which are taken out separately; and finally, the base of the skull, on which the brain rests, is seen. The frontal lobe may be removed, and that of an idiot substituted for it. Of course the anatomical details are not perfectly accurate, but, on the whole, the cast is calculated to give a very good general idea of the interior of the head, and the relations of the external and internal parts. We strongly recommend it to phrenologists and phrenological societies. The price is ten shillings. The cast may be seen at Mr Bally's Rooms, adjoining Gauthorp's Buildings, Oxford Street, Manchester. The last number of the Journal of the Phrenological Society of Paris which has yet reached us, is No. 4. The work ought to be forwarded regularly in exchange for the copies of ours sent to Paris. A friend has shewn us No. 7, recently published. It contains a sketch of the life of Dr Spurzheim, the letters of Mr Capen and Dr M'Kibbin announcing his death, and Dr M'Kibbin's notes of the post mortem examination, all translated from the 35th and 36th numbers of this journal. The translator animadverts strongly upon Dr Jackson's report of the medical treatment and dissection. The remaining contents of the French Journal area Biographico-Phrenological Notice of John Adrien Bigonnet, by Dr Corbière; Analysis of Spurzheim on Education, by Dr Sarlandière; and Analysis of No. 5 of our own journal, by M. Berbrugger. In a future publication we shall notice it at greater length. The following works are in our hands for review, but the urgent demands upon our space force us to delay noticing them till next number: The Teacher: or Moral Influences employed in the Instruction of the Young. Intended chiefly to assist young teachers in organizing and conducting their schools. By Jacob Abbott, Principal of Mount Vernon School. Revised by the Rev. Charles Mayo, LL. D. London: Seeley and Sons. 1834. 12mo, pp. 328. Necessity of Popular Education, as a National Object; with Hints on the Treatment of Criminals, and observations on Homicidal Insanity. By James Simpson, Advocate. Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black, 1834. 12mo, pp. 402. The Principles of Physiology applied to the Preservation of Health, and to the improvement of Physical and Mental Education. By Andrew Combe, M.D. Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black. 12mo, pp. 320. The Book of Aphorisms. By a Modern Pythagorean. Glasgow: W. R. M'Phun. 12mo, pp. 224. EDINBURGH, 1st May, 1834. INDEX TO THE EIGHTH VOLUME OF THE PHRENOLOGICAL JOURNAL Ablution and bathing of the skin, ad- Accomplishments too exclusively at- Actions cannot be inferred from ce- Alderson, Dr, his Essay on Appari- Alexander VI. Pope, engraving of Alimentiveness, craving for intoxi- Alyth Phrenological Society, 663. B. Mr, his dispositions inferred from Bally's "Mechanical brain,"575, 664. 37. his testimony to the truth and Bell, Sir Charles, on the nerves of the muscles, 171.-answer to his objec- Benoit, parricide, his head and cha- Bible, different interpretations of the, Biography, utility of the study of, Bishop, murderer, engravings of his Black, Dr Joseph, his prejudice Black's Student's Manual, notice of, Anatomy and physiology, evils of po- Blind see apparitions, 562. Anecdote to the honour of Phrenolo- Animals, letter on the instincts of, Apparitions, notes on the philosophy Blumenbach's Decades quoted, 294, 531. Blunders, alleged, of Phrenologists, Boarding-schools, irrational treatment |