The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-01-17 00:00:00

LETTER. NO. 7.

.
.• Mv. I.ainhton haring refused Mr. Thomas Pemberton that
sattsf.ctioo which one tiettletuan has s right to demand front an.
aka. can have no further communication s :di Mr. Lanman.
Sundirland, Jan. 10. 1824."
Mr. lamSion has been infiucneed, throughout this affair,
tarn by a sense of what was due to his own character anti station.
lie It tlr..t he could not acowlede his equality with an 'Mi.
victual ag:tinsi whom inch impu kntations gexi.vcd, without mocha step
beim maetioned by Gentlemen of honour and character. The mo.
meat that Mr. Lainbmn received their assurance that be could do
so irithnle personal degradation, his only and instant request to
those tientleiten was, to give every facility to the meeting. They
mud up wily to their instractions. and cannot be answerable fur
the ref.,021 given by Mr. Thomas Pemberton.
s..anday 31orring, Jan. 11, 1524.

PRREI'OLOGIC.4I, OBSERVJTIONS ON
THURTELL'S HEAD.

The science of phrenology is every day gaining partisans,
and many of thine who at first laughed at the theories
broached by Dr. call, now lock to his banners. We are
ghe' of it ; for their steps are upon ground the most inte-
rese.ng, anti of which we have hitherto, and perhaps as yet,
known nothing. A science which embraces such vast spe-
culations—illumined as it is by wine light of hope, should
not be turned from, upon a first view, but patiently attend-
ed to, through all its apparent or real absunlities, as the
diamond-finder searches the earth in which the treasure
lies. In the present state of this science practical observ-
ation is the best assistant, and therefore animals, who are,
in general, the victirua to peculiar passions—and more par-
ticularly those guilty of murder, become objects of phreno-
logical Interest. On this account we attended the execu-
tion of Thurtell, and having received permission, examined
the head two hours after his death. Although we differ in
some points from the physician who also watpresetit, end
who ..ve understand- was deputed by the Plutnolopeal So-
ciety to examine Thuriell's head, yet we have the mtisfac-
tion to think that we only differ upon niceties—points of
difference which must be ex by phrenological ilia-
cuscion, before that science can make any very decided im-
provemeut.
We only observed five developernents; namely. henevo-
knee, form, destructiveness (very slight), combativeness,
and amativeneas. The physician present with us, how-
ever, was of opinion, that the organs of ideality, imitation,
sad comparison, were full ; however, we must confess we
could rot perceive any particular developement of these
organs. lie also was of opinion that the organ of destruc-
tiveness was fully shewn ; but again we disagree with him.
It appeared to us that the organ of destructiveness was
very slight indeed, that it blended as it were with comba-
tiveness, which was a little fuller, and that benevolence
was entirety developed. We noticed a fulness (coin the
junction of the nose with the forehead, extending back to
the veneration. These are decidedly strong arguments
against the system of phrenology, if we admit tfiat Thur-
tell was a cool and deliberate, malicious murderer ; for we
must either do that or defend bhn, in accounting for his
crime, by imputing it to a sudden impulse of passion.
Mmitting that Thurtell's head exhibited the appearances
we represent, he was, according to the definition of the
Phrenological Society, a well disposed man, and they
would lead us to think that he committed the murder
under the influence of his combative organ, or from the
united influence of that and destructiveness. And if his
head exhibits what the deputed physician stated before us,
namely, the organs of ideality, imitation, and comparison,
nutlet' must have been formed of elements the most en-
viable. We know that he was a great imitator, and that
he indulged in imagination ; hut we cannot allow that these
organs appeared developed. We also know that ho was a
murderer ; yet the organ which indicates the disposition
to that crime has but a slight appearance, while benevo-
lence is large and full I—These arguments, however,
should not, we think, be opposed to the system of phre-
nology ; rather should they go to prove that the unfortu-
nate culprit did the murder under an irritation of feeling
and revenge, with which supposition the fulness of the
organ of combativeness will bear us out. Cool and deli-
helve murderers are generally cowards • but he has
plowed by des foamier is which he deported himself upon
the scaffold and immediately before he left jail, that he was
a courageous inan—one that could meet death in any shape ;
and thin power belongs to the organ of combativeness. We
meal perceive in his countenance when he was upon
,the
fatal platform, that the feeling of irritation was working in
his breast : his brow—his fierce eye—hies contracted lip—
his firm step—all showed that lie was in such a state of
saint!, that if he had then been storming a town, he would
have laid many an enemy prostrate.
From between the ()Thum' in the top outline, a great
htlness is evident, anti along this line are placed the or
of &re, form, and individuality. These agree with Dr.
system, and whether Thurtell pomessed the corres-
ponding faculties of mind or not, we are yet uninformed.
A continued fulness is observable along the top of the head
at the juncture of the two parietal bones, from which cir-
cumstance veneration and finances may be imputed to him ;
but from the anatomical structure of the head, at this part,
we must differ from the definition given to the elevations
which appear upon that part of the skull. We know that
along the line or suture at top of the head, and inside the
cranium, runs the longitudinal sinus always distended with
blood ; and, therefore, the bones directly over the sinus
can receive no impression from the brain • and as all the
external risings upon the bead are produced the pressure
of the various convolutions of the brain, we can pay no
attention to those appearances situated ever the sinuses.
As our limits in one number will not permit us to dilate
sufficiently upon plat nology iu general, we shall defer our
observations upon this point until our next ; and conclude
this article by ninarking that the new science has received
no accession of strength in Thurters bead. Physiognomy,
en the contrary, has more claims upon it. The narrow
forehead, thick eye-brows, small eyes with fat swellings
under them, long jaws, curled nostrils, thick lips with the
antler one falling, thin hair anti cireuniscrihesllard, the
lines of the checks and angles of the lips almost continuous
develope the temper and disposition of the criminal
far snore intelligibly than the present system of phrenology.
—Medical Adviser.

NOLET.T.—This man has had the impudence to appear
on the Rot d Exchange, and to address a wine merchant
whom he had known before his late exposure. It is
scarcely neecsaary to say that his salute was received with
contempt.
We understand that it has been determined by his Ma-
jesty's Government to commute the sentence of Hunt, for
the murder of Mr. Weare, from death to transportation for
life. No intimation of this merciful intention has, as yet,
Bert given to Hunt, who, to use the words of the Chaplain
of the gaol, is " deplorably low spirited."
The &Inge or the place of execution, Edinburgh, is not
yet determined on, but we understand a model of an &pp:t-
rate: has 'tun din eted to be made for the approval of the
Toss Council. it is not intended to erect it on the roof
of the entrance to the Calton-hill gaol, but to project a half-
eircu:ar photon'', connec:mlsith the towers on each side of
the gate, which would be seen a great distance on the road
qi: atd west, witMut crowding the bill.—Seoferrune.
tenor tat[ N r—Voe NT RY.—The annual commercial
ytturat atterd a very gratifying picture of the external
rgpecu of the country. lints, although the export of
-14 tr, embed and refined, from London, was equal to
4i 4'9 hogsheads lies last year than formerly, still the'
°Ube; of
,hogsheads on which duty has been paid is
1.5.404 more hat year than in 1822, making a difference of
'44'l hogsheads taken for the into nal consumption of the
c'a'nt, and which has occasioned the great increase in the
aiLlat' R •rcnue. In the ports of the Clyde, as we for-
ItriT noticed, Om increased consumption was 38000 cwt.,
le 'itt'::•3 upon whieh would amount to 74,2501., —Slur.
A hiter from boot rara, natal the 26th of November,
eilzet. that it was at that time believed the negroes had
"tooled to make . water attempt at revolt before the arri-
-I'4 olfac troops which they learned were to be despatched
r..„411,1hit4i8. Several persons had, in consequence, been
e—"lril before the Governor, but the particulars had
ll'. then transpirtsl. The reiuforeement of troops from ,
"r'i" would reach the Colony early in December.—Wur-

VIIPPING INTRELIGENCE.

The following are copies of letters received from the Ageot to
Lloyd's, at Cuxhaven, dated Jan. 5, 1824 :

" SI 11-11crewith I enclose you a letter this day addressed to me
by Captain Moon, Commander of his 31ajesty's packet, Lord Dun-
can, Cu the subject of the two beacons hating been blown down at
Sandy Island, which bad formerly been the guidance for shipping
at lieligoland.—l am, Sir, Lc. J. DUTTON."
" John Bennett, Esq. Secretary at Lloyd's, &c."
" Cuxhaxen, Jan. 5, 1824.

" DEMI Stlß—As it is highly necessary that it should be known
to the different Comatinders of packets, and others who may make
use of Heligoland Roadstead this winter, I think it sty duty to
make known to you, for their information, that I observed, in going
into that anchorage on the 2a January, that the two wooden bea.
cons on Sandy Island, which are the leading marks to keep vessels
clear of the Stein Rat, that lies in the fair way of the entsanoe be.
tween the two islands, have been blown down by the late gales, as
I was informed while lying there, and have not been replaced
since. " I am, Sir, &c.

"JAMES. P. MOON,
" Commander of 11. M. packet Lord Duncan.
" To J. Dutton, Esq., agent to Lloyd's."

" Barcelona, Dee. 14.

" On the New Mole of this port, which is building out towards
the South 6. West, the distance of 212 Castilian toises from the
commencement, and 30 Miser within its extreme point, a Light-
house has been erected, to serve as a guide to those who mar enter
during the night, from which, to the point of the river Llobregat
bears S. 25. W. of the point of the compass, the Signal Tower of
3loojuick S. 87. W., the old Light-house to the N. 20. W., and
the point of the river Resat N. 33. E.
(Slimed) " GERARD MURPHY,
• " Captain of the Port."

CUSTOM-HOUSE. JAY. 16.
EYTIMED I)tw*lDl.
Atalanta, Byrne (De Bit. broker). from Harlingen.
Johanna and Louisa, Goateed:dm ( Castendeick. broken, Antwerp.
Pietajinal Maria, Eggers (Simon, broker), ditto.
Chreetwerce, Fournier (imon, broker), from Calais.
Gustav, Gass ((aatendeiek, broker), from 3lemel.
Sarah, Nutehey (Smith, broker), from ditto.
Caledonia, Rae (Cartendeick, broken, from Stettin.
Bolden, Burleson (Rule, broken. from Riga.
Angerstein. 'ltotopson (Marshall. broker), from Antwerp/
General 31 urray, Clark (De Die, broker), from Antwerp.
Jonge, Johanna segert (De Bic broker), from Antwerp.
It! Lobbing (Haman, broker), from .intwerp.
Morgenstern, Vern (De Bie, broker), from Antwerp.