the absence of benevolence, he could not have done so with more perfect effect. We have here just the qualities of the cat, veiling its deadly intent under the appearance of gentle, ness and suavity, until it is able at one leap to pounce upon its hapless prey. But we shall go on to consider the other parts of the character, throughout the whole of which secretiveness appears a predominant ingredient.

"The avarice of Louis gave way to apparent profusion, when it was necessary to bribe the favourite or ministers of a rival prince "for averting any impending attack, or to break up any alliance "confederated against him."

This is nothing more than his love of accumulating wealth, yielding to the stronger desire of acquiring or securing something else, which at the time he considered more valuable; of adding, perhaps, to his dominions, or of averting an attack upon those which he already possessed. The profusion here spoken of is merely a price paid for something else that is more desirable than the money expended, so that acquisitiveness is still operating even in the act of giving away.

"He was fond of license and pleasure; but neither beauty nor the chase, though both were ruling passions, ever withdrew him from "the most regular attendance to public business and the affairs of "his kingdom. His knowledge of mankind was profound, and he "had sought it in the private walks of life, in which he often "personally mingled; and, though personally proud and haughty, "he hesitated not, with an inattention to the arbitrary divisions of "society which was then thought something portentously unnatu"ral, to raise from the lowest rank men whom he employed on the "most important duties, and knew so well how to choose them that " he was rarely disappointed in their qualities."

The above corresponds admirably with what is stated in the books of phrenology with regard to the function of secretiveness; that, when united with a good development of the knowing organs (which this monarch undoubtedly possessed), it gives to its possessor a proportional share of the scavoir faire, and is accompanied with a kind of instinctive tact of penetrating into the motives and characters of those around us. When the reasoning faculties and higher sentiments are not very fully developed, it also gives rise to cun

ning, that crooked and short-sighted policy which seeks its ends by devious means, and which often in its refinements o'ershoots the mark it aims at, and in seeking to deceive others deceives itself. This is well illustrated by the following passage:

"Yet there were contradictions in the nature of this artful and "able monarch, for humanity is never uniform.* Himself the most "false and insincere of mankind, some of the greatest errors of his "life arose from a too rash confidence in the honour and integrity "of others. When these errors took place they seem to have arisen " from an over-refined system of policy, which induced Louis to assume the appearance of undoubting confidence in those whom it was his object to o'erreach; for in his general conduct he was as " jealous and suspicious a tyrant as ever lived."

We have noticed that his self-esteem appears to have been great; and its manifestations are accurately described in the pride and haughtiness" which is said to have been this king's general demeanour, and in the "jealousy and suspicion" which also are said to have characterized him; both of which, however, secretiveness led him to conceal and to suppress, when he had a purpose to be served by their suppres sion. Self-esteem is that principle to which the phrenologists attribute both pride and jealousy. It also gives rise to the love of power, to which Louis seems to have been more strongly attached than even to pleasure or the chase; and this, joined to his great acquisitiveness, sufficiently accounts for his regularity and attention to the business of the state. His being insensible to glory shews him to have been deficient in love of approbation and ideality, which give the desire of fame, applause, and worldly honour; and his cruelty and inattention to the rights and sufferings of others shew him to have had a small endowment both of benevolence and

This is also a tribute to phrenology which should not be passed over; for the apparent contradictions and want of uniformity in human nature are all easily explained by the principles of this science; but certainly cannot be unravelled by the speculations of metaphysics. Such accommodation to the irregularities of human nature is stated as one of the greatest objections against phrenology by superficial inquirers; but to us it appears strong presumptive evidence of its truth and accuracy.

conscientiousness. Veneration, on the contrary, appears to have been large. This sentiment, when properly directed, particularly when joined to a good endowment of the reflective powers and moral sentiments, leads to genuine religion; but when it has not the assistance of these to direct it to its proper objects, particularly when joined to a great cautiousness, leads to superstition, as it appears to have done

in Louis.

"Two other points may be noticed to complete the sketch of this "formidable character, who rose among the rude chivalrous sove"reigns of the period to the rank of a keeper among wild beasts, "who, by superior wisdom and policy, by distribution of food, and "some discipline by blows, comes to predominate over those, who, "if unsubjected by his arts, would by main strength have torn him "to pieces.

"The first of those attributes was Louis's excessive superstition,— a plague with which Heaven often afflicts those who refuse to listen "to the dictates of religion. The remorse arising from his evil ac"tions, Louis never endeavoured to appease by any relaxation in his "Machiavellian stratagems, but laboured in vain to sooth and si"lence that painful feeling by superstitious observances, severe penance, and profuse gifts to the ecclesiastics."

The other point alluded to, his disposition to low pleasures and "obscure debauchery," is to be explained by reference to qualities already indicated. It arises from the ani'mal propensities joined to secretiveness, which delights most in those gratifications which are indulged in a hidden and concealed manner. To the secretive man in particular, "stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant." What follows is no less indicative of the predominance of the same propensity.

"The wisest, or, at least, the most crafty sovereign of his time, was "fond of ordinary life; and, being himself a man of wit, enjoyed "the jests and repartees of social conversation more than could have "been expected from other points of his character. He even "mingled in the comic adventures of obscure intrigue with freedom "scarce consistent with the habitual and guarded jealousy of his "character; and was so fond of this species of humble gallantry, "that he caused a number of its gay and licentious anecdotes to be "inserted in a collection well known to book-collectors, in whose VOL. I.-No II.

N

"eyes (and the work is unfit for any other), the right edition is very "precious."

It is curious enough that the propensity of secretiveness, which, as we have seen, furnishes a key to so much of the character of Louis, should also account for this. The observations of phrenologists have determined that this power is an essential ingredient in humour, or that talent which enables its possessor to amuse himself, quietly and covertly, with the foibles and failings of others. That this was one of Louis's qualifications is undoubted, as well from many parts of his real history, as from what is attributed to him in the present work; the most memorable instance is where he teases the Cardinal Balue by practising upon his skill in horsemanship during a boar-hunt, and at the same time punishes his Reverence for a certain want of tact he had displayed in venturing to speak to his majesty at an unwelcome time upon a subject of state-policy. We give the scene, as it illustrates better than any thing we could say, this peculiar quality. After mentioning some other foibles of the cardinal, his awkward attempts at gallantry, and affected fondness for the martial amusement of the chase, it is mentioned that

"the gallant horses, which he purchased at almost any price, were "totally insensible to the dignity of carrying a cardinal, and paid no more respect to him than they would have done to his father "the tailor, whom he rivalled in horsemanship. The king knew "this, and by alternately exciting and checking his own horse, he "brought that of the cardinal, whom he kept close by his side, "into such a state of mutiny against his rider, that it became apparent they must soon part company; and then, in the midst of "its starting, bolting, rearing, and lashing out alternately, the "royal tormentor rendered the rider miserable by questioning him upon many affairs of importance, and hinting his purpose to "take that opportunity of communicating to him some of those "secrets of state, which the cardinal had but a little before seemed so anxious to learn.

"A more awkward situation could hardly be imagined, than "that of a privy counsellor forced to listen and reply to his sovereign, while each fresh gambade of his unmanageable horse "placed him in a new and more precarious attitude;—his violet "robe flying loose in every direction, and nothing securing him

"from an instant and perilous fall, save the depth of the saddle "and its height before and behind. Dunois laughed outright; "while the king, who had a private mode of enjoying his jest in"wardly, without laughing aloud,"-(what can more distinctly mark the perfection of that power which suppresses the outward indication of the feelings?)" mildly rebuked his minister in his eager passion for the chase, which would not permit him to de"dicate a few moments to business. I will no longer be your "hindrance,' continued he, addressing the terrified cardinal, and "giving his own horse the rein at the same time.

"Before Balue could utter a word by way of answer or apology, "his horse, seizing the bit with his teeth, went forth at an un"controllable gallop, soon leaving the king and Dunois, who fol"lowed at a more regulated pace, enjoying the statesman's dis"tressed predicament."

We have mentioned that the secretive propensity is found by the phrenologists to be accompanied by a tact which is essential for enabling its possessor to penetrate into the secret purposes of others. Other powers are doubtless required for giving this talent in perfection, but secretiveness powerfully aids the other faculties in this sort of penetration. It is also accompanied by a corresponding desire of discovering those purposes; and indeed this is only one of the means by which the secretive are guided in knowing when and how to conceal what is passing in their own minds. This fact in the philosophy of mind is repeatedly referred to, and is indeed the very flower and essence of the quality of cunning to which the propensity is known to lead. It is mentioned, that Dunois possessed a native openness and intrepidity of character, which "made him from time to time a "considerable favourite with Louis, who, like all astucious persons, was as desirous of looking into the hearts of "others as of concealing his own."

*

Phrenology has established that this power is an essential ingredient in the talent for acting, and to the perfection of the art of personation, both of a tragic and comic kind. Let any one read what follows, and consider whether the same powers which are shewn by the king in this instance might

Vol. i. p. 225.