The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-04-05 00:00:00

PHRENOLOG Y.

On Thursday evening let Dr. Spurebeim delivered his eighth
lemma on the science of Phrenology. In this lecture he obeerved,
en opening it, be should arm-mull topics of the highest in:port:owe.
He had already observed upon the general difference that existed
in the shape of heads; that on some the basis was larger than the
apper.part ; that in ethers the &metier part was larger than the
posterior that in some the head was elevated in the middle of the
upper region ; that in others it V/14 quite depresised ; and that in
some the development sas fuller in the middle ridge than la.
wally. The question to be decided was whether it was, indifferent
to have more brain in oee place than in another. Experience
alone could answer this impity. The phrenologist, judging from
what he had observed. coachicied that man was naturally a moral
sod religious being, because he found • particular portion of the
iteribral etas very lar m the se individuals who in an eminent
degree possessed those faculties. Some timorous men bad
ifaasiml that the doctrines of phrenology were dangerous. So it
was always with new doctrines. But the phrenologist did not
greats or invent what he promulgated • he only observed what
existed. Serge children wen more disposed to religious sentimeets
than others. la the more animal propensities, man was not given
ppm his own caprices. flow unlikely, then, watt it that in thin the
meat Important of his sentiments, he *odd be utterly abandoned.
It wan an hpuilon of the metaphysiciana !hateducaion was able to
create every faculty of toe mind. In consequence of this doctrine,
much time and Money had been wasted in endeavour to excite 10
ael!vity powers that never existed. It was impossible to teach either
animals or men what they were not disposed nature to receive.
The morality of mankind could not be whol y explained by any
*Derivative power. The organ of Derieeolence was quite WWI,
mead both aim its functions and its ruanifertzltion. in those in
whom it was roost developed, the welfare of their friends and neigh.
Mon would be particularly studied and promoted. In many per-
the feeling of benevolence was much stronger than the sense of
justice ; while, on the other hand, some individuals were strictly
joss bat weep seven t the desirable object was to unite justice and
tame/ I fit proportions. Again he begged tbeauditory to observe,
that he was not speaking of sieterminate actions, but of the faculties
which, aceordiag to sheer activity, led to dean. With respect to
the religions motinanits of mankind, ie wee known that in (Ales_
trashy dam were-niss osmosis! parse--dre dogmatical and the moral.
Phrenology did not pretend to decide as to the merits of any pret-
ested' belief ; it taught only that there was in mankind generally
• dispOsitlott to imbPae religious opigiooe. All ancient writers ad.
islttedthst men were inclined by nature to contemplate the power
and iniglikude of superior beings e some modern philosophers.
however, wished to decry this feeling ,mber • they argued that
all soitiesenta were founded on the raangforreilties alone. But it
was obvious that if men acted only from the suggestions cf reason,
their actions would be weak and tardy. The &ince of Phreno.
logy taught that the feelings impelled us to action, but that we had
bends* in intellectual capacity given to us to enable us to reflect and
reason on our passions. Al feelings were in themselves blind from
the lowest to the highest. For example, pure benevolence, if it acted
alone, without the control of the intellectual faculties, would fre-
quently lead to great mischief; it was necessary that even this good
feeling should be directed by reason. All the moral and religious
feelings were equally blind, and equally required to be guided by
mama. Soma persons were able to reason well, but always acted ill;
while there were others so goodnatured, that we desired to be with
egeari foe tea, thetmh we would not pay the smallest attention to
ober judgment. Dr. Nall had fixed what he coaled the seat of the
organ of Religion in the centre of the middle line of the heed.
Some individu.ds, however, had this part very elevated, and yet had
so religion, at least In one sense of the word, for he was aware there
was a great difference in the religious world as to the essential re-
quisites for salvation. elotve helm that it depended on faith alone ;
other. considered good works also necessary. In those of the lr..ter
opinion the organ of Betoevolvtiee would be found fully developed. In
those who were intent only on the act of worship, the organ of ve.
neratton would be larger. 'I hie sentiment induced those who pos-
sessed it to show respect generally to all entitled to it. Titer would
rotifer honour to their parent., as well as to the Supreme )`rather of
All. Nature gave only the fundamental power to respect, venerate,
and adore where it was due. Where this feeling existed strongly
among savages, they would pay honoursto the sun and moon, to
animals and en to stones. An individual might hate this organ
developed,folly:se and yet be an unbeliever; for this alone would
sloths sullicient to make him religious. He would respect the
opinions of adhere, but not believe them. In those, however,
whose beads were much depressed in the middle, it might be safely
affirmed that they were not naturally religious. The actions of an
individual might be conformable to the law, without his having it
written upon his heart. Heuer the necessity of law to compel men
againat their intimations to follow a certain rouse of proceeding.
The Profemot then observed, that he was about to speak of a power
which bad 'never been considered fundamental till the science of
Phrenology was understood, through jut organization was pod-
sive. This faculty was usually confounded with the will.
Indeed the metaphysical philosophers had been confused in
all their dissertations on the intellectual faculties. From tine
highest to the lowest, ell the desires, inclinations, affections,
sad passions of the human mind, had been supposed to elate
in an unintelligible combination. The organ of this faculty was
manifested In the cerebral part, at the top of the head, between the
organs of Self-esteem and Venierstion. It was called the organ of
Firmness. In dime who had it fully developed great positiveness
of tone and manner would be observed. It gave tie desire to corn-
roesed;-.weperhillmsif sembined with e full development of the
mean of deffeeetemn. It the intlivieual was religious, he would be
intolerant Some persons had an excessive fulness of thin negan.
In them it produced obstinacy, stubbornness, and infatuation.
dome persons might be argued it eh for ever; they would never be
convinced. If the heads to such people were covered with hair an
thickly that no aeon conld be discovered, the Professor said he would
noel hesitate to tarter of them that this organ would be found to be
developed in them to recess. Where it was only properly manifested
it gave a love of independence and a resolution to have an opinion
for oneself. Where it was developed but little the individual was
prune to yield to the impulse et his predominating feelings, and
could with difficulty rest.. any stolid-tattoo. After some general re-
marks on the mutual influence of the faculties, the Professor ob-
served, that he was next abeut to speak of the true moral sense.
The gins:ion was, whether there eta among men any natural
feelirg of justice ? tie knew that men's notions cf justice varied
in different countries. But there wan an internal feeling which made
men consider their actions with s view to do justice to their fellow-
orreatutro. There was, however, he regretted to observe, infinitely
more benevolence than justice in the world. An appeal to the feel-
jogs would generally succeed better than an address to the judgatent.
Many persons gave up all they lied fire the sake of benevolence.
hot fiw would sacrifice much for justice. Certainly every man had
an internal monitor, and who:re he was net personally interested,
every man could judge more or less correctly. But where the lore
art children, or the soeial etettletients, or self-esteem, or the love of
apprebetion interfered, and le cattle too strung, the sense of
Mstia was overberee. The Profeesur lamented that the sense
of justice wan generally so small amongst mankind, anti that
it was tio little cud tested by education. In childien it was
preeortOonitly larger to in in men, but neglect afterwards
prevented its develop ~:ca:, in proportion to the growth of
in. rest of the cerebra 111.145. Time organ of Conscientious-
VCIS was seated between Close of Foninese sit COllllOO3-
Some individuals acre renierkebly deficient in the deer.
lopn.ent of this mean, 2.1:11 they list been known in some
hearses no deny all io -a t iustice. A man might be unjust in
his actions who had it aril tl•nriorci., but this error would arise
from his tgeorance meth : yteli a nein would have the thirst el
Justice in his heart. Ii- loteet. weir most favourable to the de-
velop • ent cf the sung ries a, queetie.. The Professor, atter
suer- !einem' • e e out Coe enn lieu-mein of the head.
seta, te reecles..en. hi., to et !.cent-.e he ehnuld call the
etteet.el ef oweiteie tethe more euttieult par: of his subject,
erne te: welt the re.. ie
The assemely co. tee., .• e.i. ate in number. We observed
that several rid deeply attezthe to the
Lecture.

Da. Paaa.—The library of this eccentric and learned
man is not to be dispersed. Ilis will does not contain any
directions as to its tato, but it was his last and anxious
desire that it should be kept together. Eari:y is by no
means the character of the collection ; it contains few
books which the University and British Islusunn Libraries
do not also possess. The metaphysical portion of it is by
fur the most full and curious; and is what Dr. Parr him-
s.•lf particularly appreciated, and collected asi:h the most
sons ardour. The religious controversies, and all the
tracts rebating to British Church history, are highly vain-
aVe and complete. The classical portion of the library is
weil known: the theological part is very extensive, com-
prising the more resent Gentian publications. It is much
to be regretted that the Doctor never trade a Ci-taiogre
/lois/Attlee, which, with his peculiar learning, would have
Lc.:, invaluable to the scholar and librarian. The esti-
mecl pecuniary worth of the entire collection varies
1....0. foe to nine thousand pounds. Many of the volumes
.rc tilled with valuable end tegilde notes, in the Doctor's
Cliinese cliaraztar. Several hundred rings are be-
e ,:!) it i.; t,is will to his numerous friends and acquaint-
.•.c•• that :he Duke of Sussex, as of Royal blood, is to
ie of the %Alite of six guineas. The hulk of Dr. Pan's
I,r-sate :s le!t b.:twe,in his two surviving grandchildren,
tb 3 1,4!“1,)111? pro% i,ion ter Mrs. Parr. Ills own three-
for 11. i funeral were as eccentric as his living con-
. - The ronk of the r,spoctive pall-heart rs, bearers,
.• in 'timers, was spec ally dictated by the deceased. The
et Iv.li tCso ordered for the farmers who carried him to
• ice—a co!.1 shoulder of veal and mutton, a pint of
•i • •.(c tuner d, and a Fist on their return, with
• eadt !

I hroth-_: r, of the ',arr.,: ut. I lecher ington, sailed from
I. • ^n h0:.r.1 the William "l'honipson, Capt. Crocker,
‘r York, on Fri lay. t !no wan taken very ill after
Roe;:, o to,tc!l so, that it was deemed
i•,• Le s!l.bu:tl not lico::0.11. A tit lsn vessel was pass-
-1•0," i)nbl:n foe L:verpoai at the time, which was
1-!• ki. and th: brothers put on board, but, melancholy to
a:!. the one !lilt •.V.2.a tjoll before r...aAred
L.% %...,1„

am.

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