The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-02-07 00:00:00

LONDON PHRENOLOGICAL socrErr.

[From the Pottsiiaic Miscellany.]
We hare great utisfeetkin in directing the attention of
the literary public to this Society, as well for the purpose.
of exhibiting the madam of its members, characterized b
persevering industry, zeal and ability, as fur that of excit-
ing a disnosition to inquire into and examine the princi-
ples of die science they advocate. We are fully convince l
that if such inquiry were instituted, the advantages to mat:-
kind at large would neither be few nor unimportant. The
philosophy of the mind would no longer be regarded as
" refined nonsense" but would attain to that pre-eminence
in the scale of scientific investigation of which it is so worthy.
Among many interesting and scientific essays, that which last
etgagt.ti the attention of the Members of the Society, was
one " On Me importance of the Principles of Phrenology, a 4
applicable to Education." The author showed that an
early knowledge of the mental bias of children, and of their
capabilities and deficiencies, enabled the preceptor to adrw
the meats to the end with greater certainty than when swift
knowledge was only attained through the powers evineed
at a more mature age. This early knowledge phrenology
can alone impart. This science, inculcating the notion of
a plurality of faculties, each manifested through the me-
dium of a distinct organization, furnishes the key to {ha
mental constitution of man. The .fully-developed orgies
enables one to judge of its future activity, while the deb-
dent sign forbids a heartless pertinacity in endeavouring.
to produce an impression where usestal perception must ne-
cessarily be weak. How many a lad with superior intellec-
tual faculties is esteemed stupid and perverse, because he
feels a difficulty in acquiring the first principles of science !
How many are regarded as indicating brilliant talents, who
cannot compare one idea with another. A pre-emi-
nently active faculty will necessarily furnish indicatious of
its existence ; but how many individuals are there, with
faculties far above mediocrity, lost to society through
the ignorance of those intrusted with their early instruction
To illustrate these and many other interesting triples in
the above essay, casts were produced, and cases related of
known individuals. Among the latter was that of a young
gentleman, who was presumed to furnish a complete re-
futgtion of all that had been advanced as phrenological
truth. With a very finely-developed head, his reflecting
faculties pre-eminent, and with perfect health, he was re-
presented as dull, almost amounting to idiotcy, although at.
times his observations were acute and sensible, and evinced
that information previously imparted had nOt been aho-
gether disregarded. This led to a belief that perverseness
and obstinacy were the characteristics ; and punishmerno
of no ordinary severity had been resorted to, without pro..
dining the desired effect. An expert phrenologist, merely
from the report given, at once singled this youth from
among his companions, pointed out at once the defect
under which he laboured, and showed the injustice ha had
been subjected to. The organ of individuality was reef
markably defective, as were most of those destined to tale
cognizance of the qualities of bodies. His perception of
facts, in short, was weak; hence his fine intellectual facul-
ties had but scanty materials to exercise themselves upon.
Others of an opposite character were produced, with the
lower series, or knowing faculties, largely !developed, its
which admiration and delight resulted from the apparent
talents of the possessors. In these examples, however.
the experienced phrenologist clearly sees the quick per-.
ception of facts, but ill seconded by the reflective powers,
and consequent loss of former fame.
With reference to this subject, the case of the tv
children at present exhibited at the Egyptian Hall
musical prodigies, was adduced. These children, it ap-
pears, were discovered by two phrenologists in an obscure
abode. Their musical faculty ascertained, and an educa-
tion of four months, rendered them almost what they new
appear. The development of their heads was contrast, ti
with that of the infant Lyra, and an interesting discussieu
arose upon their respective excellencies. It tended to
show, likewise, the perfect accordance of the faculties me ne.
fested with the central organization. The particulars of the
case of these children will be made public at a future period.
Casts of two brother, were exhibited, illustrating
further the influence of organization upon manifestation.
One boy, fully developed on the lower region of the fere-
head, has, during a long period, evinced talent in the ac-
quisition of first principles, but experiences a difficulty is
combining ideas. The other manifests a totally opposi.e
character, and, until within the last six months, has even
been esteemed stupid and heavy. The application of the
principles of phrenology, by calling into action the knowing
or perceptive faculties, is already producing most benefiLial
effects on this last case.

The skull of a female, which had been left at the So-
ciety on the preceding evening, as a test of phretiologic3l
acumen, was also exhibited, and the character of the iud►-
vidual predicated. The gentleman- who produced the
skull then read the known character of the individue%
which was in strict accordance with that predicated front the
development.

On Saturday a deputation of gentlemen connectea ii`t
the silk trade waited by appointanint upon Lord Liverpool,
at Fife-house, where they met hts Lordship, the Chancel-
lor of the Exchequer, the President and Vice-President of
the Board of Trade, and Mr. Berries, the Secretary of the
Treasury, for the purpose of receiving an answer to cer-
tain reports which they had delivered respecting the suite
of the silk-manufacture of the country as compared with
that of the Continent. Messrs. Gibson, Hale, Janes,
Bell, Ballance, Morse, IVoollam, Ste. attended. After an
interview of more than two hours, during which the va-
' rims' topics connemed with these reports were fully and
amply discussed, with various degrees of success, as far as
regards the present admission or postponement of fortir,rt
manufactured silks, the deputation received the uuqua-
Med answer of Lead, Liverpool awl his colleagues-, that
that they saw no..wmaon whatever for recomnserstling tar
Parliament the postponement of the introduction of foreign
wrought silks beyond the Sth of July next.

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