to express hunger, is not in reality correct. The brain is the craver, and is excited to a craving state only by emptiness of the stomach, unless the organ of Alimentiveness be so large, or so stimulated by some internal morbid action, as to need no such excitement; or unless disease be present in the stomach, so as to transmit to the brain the sensation which, during health, is transmitted by inanition alone.

"People are sometimes afflicted with imaginary voices speaking to them: can you account for this?

"It may be explained in the same way as apparitions. There are unquestionably certain parts of the brain which take cognizance of sounds: we call the nerve of the ear the organ of hearing, but, strictly speaking, it is not it is merely the medium for conveying sounds to the brain, where the true organ resides. Now, suppose that the portion of the brain appropriated to this sense is stimulated by some internal cause, in the same way as it is by real sounds conveyed to it by the nerve, the person will have the idea that he hears, and that often as distinctly as if subjected to the stimulus of actual noise. Fanatics and deranged people sometimes imagine they hear angels, and even the Deity speaking to them, and persons perfectly deaf have at times sensations as of voices addressing them, just as the blind are occasionally haunted by spectral illusions. All these phenomena are explicable upon the principles just mentioned."

The subject of Dreams is next discussed; and, after them, Insanity-the origin of motives-the characteristics of criminal brains the effects of different kinds of food on the activity of the brain-memory-the analysis of envy, selfishness, indolence, jealousy, hypocrisy, credulity, incredulity, impudence, frivolity, presence of mind, religious melancholy, &c.

and activity, and national brains, are also discussed.

Power

It

There are a very few minor points on which we do not entirely agree with Mr Macnish: but only one-his explanation of the fact, that "some people are characterized by strong and per.. manent likings and antipathies,"-deserves to be noticed. arises," says he, "mainly from a great development of Destructiveness and Firmness. If they take a liking to any person, the former gives it warmth, and the latter endurance; and the same with regard to their antipathies." We confess ourselves unable to perceive how Destructiveness affects the warmth of either likings or antipathies. It only produces hatred of those who, by some other faculty, are disliked. Self-Esteem dislikes rivals, Love of Approbation calumniators, Acquisitiveness those who do what is adverse to our pecuniary interest, and so on.

The work concludes with the following question and answer. "What is the main object of Phrenology?

"This is made sufficiently apparent by the whole tenor of the

preceding pages, and hardly admits of a condensed reply. It may be stated briefly, that the purpose of the science is to give man a knowledge of himself, to point out the true method of studying the mind, and of directing and applying its energies to proper uses. Phrenology is a study which tends eminently to virtue; in particular, it teaches toleration and mutual forbearance. By demonstrating the natural variety of human dispositions and talents, and the innateness of our strongest motives, it loudly urges us to judge charitably of the actions of others, and to make allowance for their imperfections-to lay upon no individual more than he is able to bear, and to desist from the mad attempts which have so often been made to assimilate to one common standard the opinions of the whole community. the philosophy of education, and on the treatment of criminals and the insane, phrenology throws a flood of light."

The Appendix contains, No. I. An account of the mode of designating the relative size of the different organs. No. II. A Phrenological analysis of the Character of George Campbell, executed for murder. This is an exceedingly interesting case. No. III. Another case in which natural dispositions and talents were inferred from a cast of a head. This also is curious and instructive. No. IV. Cases of simultaneous change of character and form of head. No. V. contains extracts from an interesting paper by Mr Robert Cox, published in our 9th volume, entitled, "Observations on the mutual Influence of the Mental Faculties."

On the whole, we are proud of the addition of Mr Macnish to the list of phrenological authors, and regard the present work, in point of interest and utility, as quite equal to those by which he has already established a well-founded literary and philosophical reputation in Britain and America.

ARTICLE XVI.

1. TESTIMONIALS ON BEHALF OF GEORGE COMBE, as a Candidate for the Chair of Logic in the University of Edinburgh. John Anderson, jun., Edinburgh : Longman and Co., and Simpkin, Marshall, and Co., London. 1836. 8vo., Pp. 167.

2. THE SUPPRESSED DOCUMENTS; or an Appeal to the Public against the Conductors of the Scottish Guardian. By GEORGE COMBE. Glasgow : John McLeod. Edinburgh: John Anderson, jun. 1836. 8vo. Pp. 14.

It is not usual for candidates for professorships to publish their testimonials; but as those of Mr Combe relate much more to Phrenology, and the estimation in which it is held by men of talent in different parts of the United Kingdom and on the con

tinent, than to himself, he has put them within reach of all who take an interest in the science. The testimonials are so strong and numerous, that we are not surprised to learn that they have astonished many who previously thought Phrenology too absurd to merit serious consideration. In fact they have taken by surprise not a few even of the phrenologists themselves. Prefixed to them is the following address by Mr Combe to the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council of the City of Edinburgh :— “23 CHARLOTTE SQUARE, EDINburgh, "10th May 1836.

"MY LORD PROVOST AND GENTLEMEN,-On the 9th of April last I addressed a letter to the Right Honourable the Lord Provost, offering myself to the Patrons of the University as a Candidate for the Professorship of Logic, then declared vacant; and I now very respectfully submit to your consideration some Testimonials on which my pretensions to fill that chair are founded. As I aspire to this honour on account of my exertions in maintaining, diffusing, and applying a new doctrine, which has not yet been admitted into any of the older Universities as science, I beg your indulgence while offering a few observations on the points on which the testimonials have been chiefly designed to throw light. But, before entering on these topics, I am anxious to call your attention for a moment to the history of the reception of other important discoveries by the ages to which they were first disclosed.

"Professor Playfair, in his historical notice of discoveries in physical science, published in the Supplement to the Encyclopædia Britannica, observes, that in every society there are some who think themselves interested to maintain things in the condition wherein they have found them. The considerations are indeed sufficiently obvious, which, in the moral and political world, tend to produce this effect, and to give a stability to human institutions, often so little proportionate to their real value, or to their general utility. Even in matters purely intellectual, and in which the abstract truths of arithmetic and geometry seem alone concerned, the prejudices, the selfishness, or the vanity of those who pursue them, not unfrequently combine to resist improvement, and often engage no inconsiderable degree of talent in drawing back, instead of pushing forward, the machine of science. The introduction of methods entirely new must often change the relative place of the men engaged in scientific pursuits, and must oblige many, after descending from the stations they formerly occupied, to take a lower position in the scale of intellectual improvement. The enmity of such men, if they be not animated by a spirit of real candour and the love of truth, is likely to be directed against methods

by which their vanity is mortified, and their importance lessened.'*

6

“The treatment experienced by Galileo and by Harvey is too well known to render it necessary for me to recapitulate it here; but, at a later age of the world, the discoveries even of Sir Isaac Newton met with a similar reception. Professor Playfair, speaking of the announcement of the composition of light by that distinguished philosopher, says: Though the discovery now communicated had every thing to recommend it which can arise from what is great, new, and singular; though it was not a theory, or a system of opinions, but the generalization of facts made known by experiments; and though it was brought forward in a most simple and unpretending form; a host of enemies appeared, each eager to obtain the unfortunate pre-eminence of being the first to attack conclusions which the unanimous voice of posterity was to confirm.' †

"These observations are applicable to Phrenology. Professor Andral, one of the most distinguished physiologists of France, remarks, that this science also must pay the usual tax of entry; some one must be put to inconvenience in its progress, and few persons are fond of being set aside. It has, moreover, the great fault of being younger than those it claims to enlighten; but let it alone, and it will throw all obstacles behind it with marvellous force.'

"One of the greatest reproaches that have hitherto attached to established Universities, is their pertinacious adherence to erroneous opinions after they have been abandoned by the general judgment of enlightened men. This has led a distinguished author to compare them to beacons moored in the stream of time, which serve only to mark the rapidity with which the tide of civilization is flowing past them.' It is a characteristic feature in the constitution of the University of Edinburgh, that its Patrons do not belong to the class which has generally brought upon itself the condemnation of resisting important discoveries; but to one engaged in the active business of life; one which, although not boasting of a scientific character itself, possesses intelligence sufficient to appreciate the value and to understand the direction in which the currents of science are flowing, and which therefore is more open to the adoption of new truths than are those learned bodies, which cease to oppose improvements only when their individual members who have been educated in exploded opinions cease to exist. Truth,' says Mr Locke, scarce ever yet carried it by vote any where, at its first appear

* Part ii. p. 27.

6

+ P. 56.

Extrait du Discours prononcé à la Séance Annuelle de la Société Phrénologique de Paris, par M. le Professeur Andral, Fresident. Avril 1835.

ance.

New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed without any other reason, than because they are not common. But truth, like gold, is not the less so, for being newly brought out of the mine. "Tis trial and examination must give it price, and not any antique fashion; and, though it be not yet current by the public stamp, yet it may, for all that, be as old as nature, and is certainly not the less genuine.'

"The Logic Chair, as hitherto taught in the University of Edinburgh, has embraced the study of the intellectual faculties of the mind and their applications; and, regarding it as the junior class for mental philosophy, I proceed to point out the bearing of the accompanying testimonials on the subject of appointing a new professor.

Phrenology professes to be the science of mind, discovered and matured by observations made on the manifestations which accompany the cerebral organs in a state of great development or deficiency, both in health and in disease. It possesses, therefore, two distinct characters: 1st, That of the Science of Mind, considered apart from its connection with organs; and, 2dly, That of the Physiology of the Brain.

"The following individuals certify that Phrenology, viewed as the abstract science of mind, is superior to any system of mental philosophy which has preceded it, namely-His Grace the Lord Archbishop of Dublin, late Principal of St Alban's Hall, and Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford, and who, by his works on Logic and Rhetoric, has established a right to be regarded as the highest British authority on this subject, p. 5;-Dr Barlow, p. 4;-Sir George S. Mackenzie, p. 7;-Dr Macnish, p. 15;— Dr Evanson, p. 20;-Dr Gregory, p. 21;-Professor Nichol, p. 23;-Captain Maconochie, p. 24;-Dr A. Combe, p. 25 ;The Hon. D. G. Hallyburton, M. P., p. 49 ;--Professor Longfield, Dublin, Appendix, p. 50 ;--Charles Maclaren, Esq. p. 57: -Robert Chambers, Esq. p. 55;-The Hon. Judge Crampton, p. 63, &c. &c.

"The following individuals certify that Phrenology contains a true exposition of the physiology of the brain, viz. The most distinguished medical authorities in Paris, pages 28 to 33 ;Dr Wm. Weir, p. 36;-Dr Mackintosh, p. 45;-Dr Elliotson, p. 47;-Richard Carmichael, Esq., Appendix, p. 3;-John Fife, Esq. Appendix, p. 8;—Alexander Hood, Esq. Appendix, p. 2;-Dr Robert Hunter, Appendix, p. 34 ;-Dr James Johnson, p. 67, &c. &c.

"Assuming that these certificates afford as satisfactory evidence of the nature and truth of Phrenology as can be obtained without personal investigation, the next object which I have aimed at establishing is, that it is useful. Lord Bacon inferred that the Philosophy of Aristotle was false because it was barren ;