essay, it is to be regretted, but one in which the peculiar claims of the science are distinctly recognized. We are the more pleased with it, because, as the reader will perceive from the very pointed nature of the reference in the following extract, it prepares us for at least a fair exposition of the merits of the system in which we feel so deeply interested. The proprietor and editor of the work, Dr Sommers, a respectable clergyman in the church of Scotland, has our sincere thanks for his manly conduct in permitting the insertion of so unequivocal a testimony, and our best wishes for the success of his undertaking. We shall wait, with some impatience, for the appearance of that part of it in which the pledge thus spiritedly proffered shall be redeemed.
"If in addition to what Consciousness suggests, we have re"course to observation, we shall find that all the mental powers " of our fellow-creatures are manifested through the medium of "bodily organs. The remark applies equally to the very high"est powers of which our nature is susceptible, as to those of "the lowest order which we have in common with the brutes. "It would seem, then, a perfectly correct and philosophical inquiry, What are the portions of our organized bodies with "which our minds are most intimately connected? and, again, " as it is most certain that we have not only different degrees, "but also different kinds of mental powers, some distinctions " in which have already been enumerated, are there any differ"ences in those portions, wherever situated, corresponding with "such mental powers?
"Sensation is of different kinds, and is assuredly performed "by different organs,-or, in other words, different parts of our "bodily system are appropriated to different senses. It would "be quite according to analogy to infer, that other faculties of "mind have their specific organs, though we might never be "able to discover where they are placed. It is quite conceiv"able, too, that even though, by some means or other, they « were discovered, so that we should be entitled to say with "confidence, that such and such portions of our bodies were "the instruments by which the mind manifested such and such powers, we might be nevertheless completely in the dark "both as to the mode in which these portions were so employ❝ed, and also as to the precise kind of connexion, not to speak "of resemblance, which would be nonsensical, subsisting be"tween them. The case of the organs of the senses is quite in point here. Our knowledge of the structure of the eye, of "the exact similitude it bears to an optical instrument, by no
means accounts for the mode in which the mind sees by means of it; for though we have discovered the production "of pictures on the retina, we cannot explain how these pic"tures are perceived by an agent, or intelligent being, which "is positively not only altogether unconscious of them, but is "actually conscious of seeing the things which they resemble " in a very different position and place. The same thing may "be said of the sense of hearing, in which our knowledge of "the anatomical structure of the organ concerned in it aids us "not at all in the exposition of the general phenomenon; and we may extend the observation to all the other senses, be"tween which and the perceptions we make by means of them we can trace no similitude. Should the case be the same "with respect to any of the higher powers, and their supposed 66 organs, it would be foolish for us either to be surprised, or to "consider the circumstance as an objection to the discovery of "their relation and connexion.
Enough has been said, perhaps, to show the necessity of cultivating the science of mind, not, as has often been done, "by reflection on the objects of Consciousness alone, but in de "pendence on and in alliance with those organized systems by "which the powers and properties of mind are manifested, and "separate from which, it is certain, the existence of mind is "not discoverable by any of our faculties. If farther proof of "this necessity were requisite, it is abundantly supplied in the "history of the science itself, from which we learn the mortify"ing but most salutary truth, that no ingenuity, no excellence "of talent, no perseverance in the solitary abstract study in "which the metaphysicians have indulged, has hitherto been so "successful as to recommend a process of investigation, the very first principle of which is the hypothetical disjunction of "two things which nature always presents to us combined and "mutually influential. Some thousands of years have been spent in pursuing this process, the general adoption of which "is perfectly consistent, be it remarked, with numberless pecu"liarities of theory; it is surely full time that mankind, per"ceiving its unprofitableness, and regretting, as worse than "lost, the labours of those who engaged in it, should have recourse to another, the essential advantage of which is, that it respects as inviolable a harmony and an alliance as old as the "creation."-Vide PHRENOLOGY.
Phrenological Journal and Miscellany.
INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT. Condition of public mind as to Phrenology easily accounted for, and somewhat excusable, iii. Influence of the Edin- burgh Review in extending, prolonging, and embodying the prejudices against the system, iv. The terms of Phrenology vindicated, ib. note. Consequence of such prejudices and malign influence the science either totally neglected, or used as a laughing-stock, v. The better feelings now shown towards it result from its revival, and this augurs much in its fa. vour, ib. The converts were philosophical and disinterested, ib. &c. Some of them specially named, vi. Phrenology treated as a science in France-the English the only satirists there, vii. Its growing import- ance discoverable in the increased hostility of its opponents, viii. Their pitiful behaviour described, ix. A main difficulty of an advocate is to impart knowledge on the subject to those who despise it, x. The neces sary effect of that knowledge is conviction of the truth of the science, xi. The objects of the Journal-to disabuse the world, to expose the delusions of metaphysics, to demonstrate, by analysis of the best writers, the vast though unconscious prevalence of phrenological principles, to illustrate Phrenology by reviews of appropriate new publications, to obviate objec- tions and reconcile conscientious scruples, to adduce and explain facts re- garding human nature, to point out the absurdities and incongruities of rival or established theories, and to hold up to merited scorn the various delinquencies committed by certain specified enemies of Phrenology, viz.— RAILING and ABUSE-FALSEHOODS and MALIGNITIES-IMPERTINENCIES and INSOLENCIES-DULL JOKES-INDECENCIES-NASTINESSES, and BRU. TALITIES, exemplified in the Edinburgh Review, Quarterly Review, Black- wood's Edinburgh Magazine, Rennell on Scepticism, and the London Lite- rary Gazette, xi.-xxix. The rules of conduct to be adopted towards un- fair and fair opponents, xxix. Advice to men of science" to cease from scorning and begin to learn,” xxx. One sign of the times deserving the serious regard of established philosophers-the rapid progress of Phreno- logy and its absorbing influence among the rising generation, xxxi. SUPPRESSION OF PHRENOLOGY. A philosopher denounces Phrenology as "pestiferous nonsense, which ought to be put down by the hand of pow. er," 1. This sagacious decree appears to have been seriously contemplated by the official guardians of truth, who have recourse to various powers, in order to get it executed, 2. A convocation of metaphysicians deter- mined on, who, after much communing, agree on an appeal and petition
to the very profoundest authorities in the regions of transcendentalism, CHAOS, NIGHT, and DULNESS, 3. This petition sheweth the labours, merits, and rights of the petitioners as cultivators of metaphysics, 3 ;—their extraordinary success, and the brilliant anticipations, extending to at least two thousand years, founded thereon, 4;-their prudence in neglecting all consideration of the body while prosecuting this philosophy of mind, which, in consequence, becomes exalted immeasurably above what the vulgar call "nature," 7 ;-and their emotions in viewing, with prophetic eye, the far distant consummation of their sublime science, 9. Petitioners then com- plain of the disturbance of their prospects, and the violation of their mul- tiform right, by the fearless interruption, disloyal behaviour, and fraudulent pretensions of Drs Gall and Spurzheim, aided by two hateful but suitable companions, Reason and Experience, 9 ;—first, in questioning the consci- ousness of each of the petitioners to be an exact type of the minds of the whole human race, in neglecting and vilifying the speculations of the peti- tioners, and adopting instead thereof, a mode of investigating mind which awfully threatens to bring down the highest science to the capacities of the "common drudges of business," 10-secondly, by introducing a heresy of the most dangerous nature, and fraught with direst ills, namely, that the mind is actually influenced by, and dependent for the power of manifest- ing its faculties on, the condition of the body, 11;-thirdly, by daringly and absurdly claiming for a mass of pulpy matter, the brain, that it is the or- gan of the mind, in opposition to the most authentic cases of individuals living without any brains whatsoever, 12;-and, fourthly, by wickedly and malignantly collecting the skulls of the dead, pawing and gauging the heads of the living, making or taking casts thereof, as well as parad- ing skulls of sundry unseemly animals, all for various most dishonest and absurd purposes, 12. Against which manifold evils and vexations, the petitioners pray,-first, That Gall and Spurzheim be declared Ger- mans, and so incapable of making any discovery in science, 16;-- condly, That the whole of their doctrines, facts, &c. be declared nega- tively much worse than good for nothing, and positively, should they gain ground, a very nuisance to an enlightened age; and that the discoverers and inventors thereof, as also all their disciples, be declared and subjected to be treated as every thing that is nefarious, miscreant, incorrigibly stu- pid, certainly horn mad, and, beyond remede, altogether naturals;-thirdly, That the mind and the body be declared united or not united just as the various necessities of the petitioners may require ;-fourthly, That the brain be declared not only of no use, but also positively rather an encumbrance; -fifthly, That each hemisphere thereof be ordained to resolve itself into one undistinguishable mass, in place of assuming the special allotments unwarrantably awarded it by Gall and Spurzheim;-sixthly, That all the propensities and powers discovered by those two persons be abolished ;- seventhly, That the sole right of making and selling theories of the mind be declared to belong exclusively to the petitioners;-eighthly, That an endless number of the most discordant and fantastical systems of metaphysics, be- ing the product of the privileged, established, and endowed manufacturers and dealers in the science, be confirmed, revived, reverenced, and taught, as the only legitimate science of mind, in all schools, colleges, and univer- sities, within the dominions of the three Profundities addressed;-and, ninthly, That due punishment be inflicted on Gall and Spurzheim; and that they, together with Reason and Experience, be thereafter banished for ever beyond the bounds of the dominions of the said Profundities, 16-20. RECENT ATTACKS ON PHRENOLOGY. The ceaseless labours of the oppon. ents of Phrenology have left the task of refutation still to be performed, 20. The doctrine gains ground rapidly, 21. Pbrenologists have, for good reasons, hitherto avoided particular notice of opponents, 22, Conduct of opponents very unphilosophical, ib. Their want of candour and logic shown, 23. The number of the facts on which the phrenological system
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