This we have seen, but find M. Alexandre mistaken. The medal merely alluding to modulation of voice.* He gave no other account of his change of countenance in the nuns, quack doctor, &c. than that his endeavour was to CONCEAL HIMSELF, and imitate, or as near as possible, be another person. He has often disguised himself by this means when he wished not to be known. Aware of the severe trial to which such exertions must put the nerves of voluntary motion, and the subservient muscles, we asked him if he has no fears of some permanent set in these hideous forms? He answered, that at Manchester he did remain the quack doctor some hours longer than he intended, having walked in the street disguised by that gainly personification. He can remain voluntarily for a great length of time so metamorphosed; and Mr Joseph assures us, that he never varied while his bust was modelling. Our phrenological readers are well able to finish this sketch for themselves. Aware of the strong case of IMITATION which is established at every step as we proceeded, aware, also, that to effect perfect imitation in the voice and manner, nay, in the of another, countenance and very person has been found by numerous cases, and no exceptions, to require the agency of that important power SECRETIVENESS,† which enables all perfect actors (and imitation is only a species of acting) to copy what they see and hear, but likewise to secret what they are aware will spoil the illusion if allowed to appear; to exercise in perfection that art consisting in concealing art, which, as actors, they cannot do, unless they conceal themselves;-unless, by the exercise of this power, they change the tones of the voice, alter the usual and recognised action of every muscle, by the effects The reverse of the medal is inscribed as follows:-" Quod, sono vocis "scitè modulando, sive hæc naturæ dos sit sive artis, notiss: axovsvinns legibus "aut inludit aut inludere videtur." See the Transactions of the Phrenological Society, (vol i.) on the nature and range of the faculty of Secretiveness. We make reference to what is written before, to satisfy the impartial reader, that we do not create the combination to suit the case of M. Alexandre. of which on the countenance, the shape, the movements, they are identified as individuals ;-unless, in short, they sink their own character and very presence, and conjure up the individual to be personated. Who, for one moment, during the unparalleled personation of the Nuns, could recognise in one point the individual M. Alexandre? This combination of Secretiveness with Imitation, then, gives not only the impulse to imitate, which, for the wisest purposes, is part of man's nature, but the power to personate; not only to copy, but for a time to be the original. Without Secretiveness, M. Alexandre might imitate the quack doctor, but he would not be the quack doctor during the exhibition; he would still be M. Alexandre, doing as the quack doctor does. There are many who possess the power of mimickry to this extent, but this is not persona tion. The phrenological reader will at once see, that a good ventriloquist must be a perfect imitator of sounds, and of all sounds within the compass of his vocal powers; and must possess a great flexibility of larynx and tongue, to execute his imitations; and that this is the whole secret of that art, which was for ages considered too wonderful not to be preternatural. Our readers will naturally look for some information on the actual cerebral development of M. Alexandre, as confirming or shaking our explanation of his talent. We are enabled to gratify them, in consequence of M. Alexandre's having most readily allowed Mr Joseph to take a cast of his head, besides modelling the busts formerly mentioned; and it is impossible to imagine any result more satisfactory. To' ourselves it is the more delightful, that we inferred by anticipation every prominent organ, on leaving M. Alexandre's first exhibition, and stated our expectations of what his head would turn out, to several friends who were with us. 1. We expected, of course, that Imitation and Secretiveness would be large, if not very large, especially the latter; and Tune, for variation of sound, we thought requisite. 2. We looked for the powers of observation to be large. Individuality, Form, Size. 3. From the boldness, energy, confidence, and sustained character of the whole most difficult exhibition, we expected Combativeness, Destructiveness, Firmness, and Self-esteem, all large. 4. From much of his general manner, and from his complete conception of all the affectations of Miss Flirtilla, we anticipated a considerable Love of Approbation. And, lastly, We referred the neatness and cleverness of his arrangements and changes to his Constructiveness, added to his mechanical skill and quickness of observation. The development was some days after taken by Mr Andrew Combe, who had not seen his exhibition; and it will be seen, by a note of it subjoined, how invariable nature is, as unveiled by Phrenology. The Imitation and Secretiveness are not exceeded in Mr Joseph's bust of Mathews, or in the cast of Clara Fisher, in the collection of the Phrenological Society. In the same collection is deposited the cast from M. Alexandre's head, presented by Mr Joseph, which all are invited to see, measure, and compare; but particularly those who still compliment the good faith of the Phrenologists, by believing, at least by alleging, that they find what suits their purpose, in any head whatever. 1. Amativeness, rather large. 2. Philoprogenitiveness, large. 3. Concentrativeness, full. 4. Adhesiveness, large. 5. Combativeness, rather large. 6. Destructiveness, large. 7. Constructiveness, large. 8. Acquisitiveness, rather large. 9. Secretiveness, very large. 10. Self-esteem, large. 11. Love of Approbation, rather large. 12. Cautiousness, rather large. 13. Benevolence, large. 14. Veneration, full. 15. Hope, full on the other. moderate on one side, 16. Ideality, full. 17. Conscientiousness, large. ARTICLE XI. PROCEEDINGS OF THE PHRENOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 1824, Feb. 19.-Notice of John Thurtell. (This was mentioned in last Number.) MR LYON read a phrenological exposition of the principles on which he proceeded, in inferring the natural dispositions and talents of Iago, from a development put into his hands, and also illustrations from the character, as delineated by Shakspeare, showing its exact conformity with the sketch, as given in our last Number. A notice by Mr Ritchie, on the talents and cerebral development of Master Hubard, was also read. March 4.-Mr W. Scott read a phrenological essay on the formation of Shakspeare's characters in general, and additional remarks on Macbeth. A letter was read from Mr B. A. Hoppe of Copenhagen, intimating a donation of several Danish skulls to be made by him. Mr M. N. Macdonald, W. S., and Mr W. R. Henderson, younger of Warriston, were balloted for, and admitted ordinary members. March 18.-Mr G. Combe read a phrenological notice of the celebrated juvenile actor, Master G. F. Smith. Suggestions on the notation of cerebral development, by Sir G. S. Mackenzie, were read, and remitted to the council. Mr R. Buchanan read a phrenological analysis of Shakspeare's character of Othello. The secretary exhibited a cast taken by permission of Professor Jameson, from a skull said to be that of George Buchanan, the historian, deposited in the College Museum. He also exhibited the skull of a Circassian girl, presented to the Society by Mr Wilkie, surgeon, Innerleithan, and read a letter from Mr Wilkie, containing some remarks about this skull, and another one belonging to Dr Monro, of a cast of which the Society is in possession. He likewise exhibited a cast of the head of Pallet, the murderer of James Mumford, presented by Dr Elliotson of London; and six skulls presented by Dr Forster; and read an interesting letter from Monsieur A. A. Royer of Paris, announcing donation of skulls. April 1.-Mr Andrew Combe read a reply to objections to Phrenology, by Professor D. Karl Asmund Rudolphi of Berlin. Mr R. Ellis exhibited a new craniometer, as improved by himself and Mr William Gray, with which the Society expressed themselves highly pleased, and appointed the instrument to be used on all future occasions, when the measurement of development requires to be taken. Mr William Ellis, solicitor, Supreme Courts, was admitted an ordinary member; and Mr James Douglas Oliver, rector of the grammar school, Selkirk, a corresponding member. April 15.-Mr Simpson read an essay on the functions of the organ of weight, as the instinctive adaptation of animal movements to the laws of equilibrium. Mr Andrew Combe read a report upon the cerebral development of John Pallet, executed for the murder of James Mumford. The Secretary read a letter from the Director of the Bulletin Universal des Sciences et des Arts, Paris, soliciting periodical information of the proceedings of the Society. The Secretary exhibited a cast of the head of Charles MacEwen, lately executed at Edinburgh for the murder of his wife, presented by Dr Monro. mask of Richard Robert Jones of Liverpool, a celebrated linguist, with a notice of his dispositions and talents, by Dr George Douglas Cameron of Liverpool;-and the skull of a beaver by Andrew Bonar, Esq. of Kimmerghame, upon which last, Mr William Bonar made a few remarks,-were laid before the Society. The Rev. Frederick Leo of Mecklenburgh Schwerin was admitted a corresponding member. A April 29.-An essay by Mr John Hamilton, advocate, on the accordance betwixt Phrenology and Christianity, was read, communicated by Dr R. Hamilton, Mr John Hamilton not being a member of the Society. The Secretary read a phrenological notice by Dr Oswald of Douglas, Isle of Man, of John Camaish, executed at Castleton, in the Isle of Man, in April, 1823, for poisoning his wife. Camaish's skull was |
