tioned in the elementary phrenological works (such as the transverse ridge of the occipital bone), the skull is considerably thicker than at others. This fact is never lost sight of by the practical phrenologist in making observations.

In commenting on Pope's line, " Just as the twig is bent, the tree 's inclined," Dr Engledue hardly does the poet justice. Taken by itself, the line certainly expresses a most erroneous doctrine; but in connection with the preceding line, “ ”Tis education forms the common mind," it states essential truth. Pope is speaking of persons who have no decided mental bias; and in their case the vast modifying power of education is unquestionable. The work concludes with some judicious remarks on the application of phrenology to education and the criminal law, and on its great importance with reference to these subjects.

66

The whole is written in so luminous a style, and so much is embraced within moderate limits, that Dr Engledue's object in publishing can hardly, we think, fail to be accomplished. The object, in his own words, was not to give all that was known, but merely to excite inquiry, to stimulate to examination, to contribute as much as lay in our power to the diffusion of a science so essential to the improvement of the human race."

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

BIRMINGHAM. We observe that Mr Toulmin Smith has been lecturing here with much success. We extract the following notice of one of his lectures from the Birmingham Journal of February 18th-

Mechanics' Institution.-On Thursday evening last, Mr Toulmin Smith continued the subject which had engaged so much attention on the preceding Thursday. The room was again crowded, and the intense interest excited by the subject evidently continues unabated. It will be perceived that the lecturer, confident that his theme requires only to be understood in order to be universally appreciated, proposes to deliver his course before a miscel laneous auditory, commencing with an introductory GRATUITOUS LECTURE, explanatory of the various bearings of the science, and of its eventual influence on the state of society at large.

After briefly recapitulating the connected train of inductive argument by which the conclusion had been arrived at, that the quality of mind of each individual is correctly indicated by the exterior form of the skull-that form being an accurate representation of the form of the brain which it encloses, Mr Smith proceeded to remark upon a declaration which had been made in the same room on a previous occasion by Mr Mainwaring, that the skull exhibits great variations in thickness, and that this is always the case; so that the Phrenological examination is impossible, the exterior of the skull not representing the form of the brain. Mr Smith shewed, very clearly, that this declaration could only arise from an ignorance either of anatomy, or of the simplest principles of Phrenology. He stated that Mr M. had avoided stating whether the skull which he had exhibited as an example, was that of a healthy individual, or whether it was an aged or diseased skull. It would be remembered that it had been stated, in the preceding lecture, that in either of the latter cases Phrenologists avowed the impossibility of positive predication of mental manifestations from external manifestations. Mr Smith shewed, that, in making this declaration, Mr M. was contradicting the authority of all the most eminent anatomists, who allow that the exterior does represent the form of the brain; that if, as Mr M. stated, this diversity in thickness was always present, it would create no difficulty in the way of the Phrenologist, since he

would know in what portion of the skull the different degrees of thickness prevailed. Lastly, Mr Smith wholly denied the correctness of the statement, that this diversity does prevail. He shewed that it was not present in the skull which he then exhibited to them, and stated that, in the very numerous healthy skulls which he had examined, it had never been present. Mr Smith then proceeded to state, and to combat, the various objections which have been raised against Phrenology. He shewed that there is not one of these which does not spring wholly from the ignorance of the principles of the science possessed by the objectors. He stated that, since nature is constant in all her laws, one single real instance of a case contradictory to Phrenology would prove the falsity of the science; but no such single instance had ever been exhibited. After some observations on the divisions of the faculties, and the mode of observation of the development of their several organs in the living head, Mr Smith proceeded to explain the situation and functions of the nine organs of what had been termed (perhaps erroneously) the lower propensities, viz: 4. Amativeness; 2. Philoprogenitiveness: 3. Concentrativeness; 4. Adhesiveness; 5. Combativeness; 6. Destructiveness; 7. Secretiveness; 8. Acquisitiveness; 9. Constructiveness. Mr Smith concluded with enforcing the grand truth, that God has bestowed on none of his creatures any faculty, the exercise of which, within due limits, is not healthy, virtuous, and beneficial. LONDON MECHANICS' INSTITUTION.-Class for the Investigation of the Truth and Utility of Phrenology.-The object of this class embraces a wide range; for its complete attainment all facts and opinions having immediate reference to the nature of Man,-whether he is considered as a moral, intellectual, animal, or physical being,-may with propriety be submitted to the consideration of the members. The means adopted are the delivery of Original Essays and Lectures, upon the subjects of which (if time permits) a conversation takes place. It is also proposed to establish a Manuscript Magazine, for the collection of Facts, Opinions, and Reflections in accordance with the objects of the Class. The Class meets every Saturday evening. The Subscription is Sixpence per quarter. Essays and Lectures on the following subjects have been introduced during the present quarter, by the gentlemen whose names are attached :-July 1st.-Quarterly meeting of the Class, for the consideration of Secretary's Report, &c.-July 8th. Adjourned Conversation on the means by which the evils resulting from the abuse of Amativeness may be prevented, and the legitimate influence of feeling secured.July 15th. On the Character and Organization of " Greenacre," by Mr R. Edwards. July 22d. On the Institution of the Sabbath, considered phrenologically, by Mr J. F. Holdernesse jun.-July 29th. On the Improvement of Phrenological Busts, by Mr E. J. Hytch.-Aug. 5th. On the Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Brain and Nervous System compared with those of the lower Animals, by Mr Peede.-Aug. 12th. On the superiority of "Mill' swork on the mind" to all others on the subject, by Mr Stroud, an Anti-Phrenologist.-Aug. 19th. Mr Peede in conclusion. (These Lectures will be illustrated by Dissections.)—Aug. 26th. On the Question, "Is Man a free agent ?" by Mr Bond. The following still remain. Sept. 2d. On the Circulation of the Blood, by Mr Shouler.-Sept. 9th.-On the accordance between the external form of the skull and the cerebral development, by Mr Burbidge. On Politeness by Mr Johnston.-Sept. 16th. On Destructiveness considered with reference to its influence on Society, by Mr Johnston.-Sept. 23d. On the Metaphysics of Phrenology, by Mr E. J. Hytch.-Sept. 30th. On the Drama considered phrenologically, by an Investigator.-J. F. HOLDERNESSE Jun., Hon. Secretary to the Class-A Collection of Casts from the heads of celebrated characters, some Anatomical Preparations, and a Library of Phrenological and Physiological Works, are possessed by the Class; affording every facility for the attainment of both a theoretical and practical acquaintance with Phrenology. The Class has 32 members; and with the exception of the music, is the largest class in the institution.

WICK.-Mr Keir has been delivering, to a highly respectable audience, a course of lectures on Phrenology, illustrated by diagrams and illuminated portraits.

THORNHILL.-We learn from the Dumfries Times that the Rev. Mr Os

borne of Dumfries delivered a course of lectures on Anthropology at Thornhill. These lectures are stated to contain novel and interesting views on that subject, but as no report of them is given, we are unable to form an opinion on this point.

We have received a copy of the Doncaster Chronicle, containing a letter from Dr John Brown, Worksop, addressed to the late Dr Macnish of Glasgow, calling attention to an error which the latter gentleman had fallen into respecting the musical prodigy known by the name of the Infant Lyra, whom he states, in his edition of Brigham on Mental Cultivation, to have died in consequence of over exertion of a naturally active brain. Dr Brown informs him that the young lady is alive and in good health. We doubt not that our lamented friend had what he considered good authority for believing the circumstances to be such as he states; and he would have been happy to have corrected any error into which he may have inadvertently fallen. We must remark, however, that we do not consider Dr Brown's strictures on what he considers to be the views of phrenologists regarding education in childhood to be at all called for. Phrenologists do not object to infant education; they have, on the contrary been, in this country, its earliest and most zealous advocates. But while they have exerted themselves to render that education more practical and effective, they have ever cautioned the public against its abuse. Notwithstanding the instances which Dr Brown cites, of precocious children being early occupied in mental tasks, and yet continuing to display eminent abilities in adult age, we must still retain our conviction of the hurtfulness of overtasking the young mind; and in this opinion we are borne out by the recorded experience of nearly the whole of the medical profession. Indeed, that much evil results from the manner in which the majority of seminaries are still conducted, is a fact which we do not expect to see contested. If Dr Brown does not approve of the exercising of the intellectual faculties to the neglect of the other mental and bodily powers, it is possible that his opinion on that point and ours are very much alike, for of this we cannot well judge, as he is by no means explicit as to the mode in which he would employ the minds of the young. In conclusion, we would call Dr Brown's attention to the fact, that the text of Dr Brigham applies to the United States of America in which infant education is pushed to a much more extreme degree, and the evils of great mental excitement much more severely felt than in this country. Dr Brown will perceive, then, that in supposing Phrenologists in this country to be hostile to early training he is mistaken; the point contested between them and other educational writers is of what nature that training ought to be.

STAR IN THE EAST, OR WISBECH AND EAST OF ENGLAND GAZETTE.— It is much to be wished that our newspaper press would employ itself more in diffusing solid and moral information in regard to matters of importance in daily life, rather than occupy itself entirely in the discussion of party politics, and in pampering the depraved taste for accounts of robberies and murders existing among the middle classes of this country. We have always experienced much pleasure in looking into the journal whose title is prefixed to this notice, not only on account of the very moral tone which pervades all its contents, but also on account of the valuable articles which it contains on various subjects connected with morals and education. We had intended to lay before our readers several extracts from one of a series of articles on education, but are prevented from doing so by the great influx of matter for our present number.

THE MURDERER GREENACRE. We learn that Dr Elliotson has had an opportunity of examining the head of this notorious criminal, and considers it to be one of the most villanous he ever saw, and in complete accordance with his character.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.-We have received communications from "A London Phrenologist," and Mr E. J. Hytch, too late, however, for this Number. C. B.'s communication is in the same predicament.

We have also several articles prepared which we have not found room to insert.

INDEX

TO THE

TENTH VOLUME.

Apparitions, cases of, 45, 217, 358.
Aristotle, philosophy of, 193, 281-
His supposed cerebral develop-
ment, ib. His opinions concerning
the functions of different parts of
the brain, 372.

Asylum of Pirna, 704.

Asylums, notice of Mr Browne on,
687.

Athenæum on sympathy, 371.
+Avril, character and cerebral de-
velopment of, 393.