The Sun.
London, England, 1865-08-14 00:00:00

TO THE.EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—Owing to an attempt of the person in
Edinburgh who was permitted to take a cast of the
head of Dr. Pritchard for scientific purposes to
make it private property, a copy has only re-
cently found its way to London. The head is by
no means of the low animalised type. The chief
defect is in lack of development of the organs of
" Firmness" and " Conscientiousness" rather than in
.any unusual redundancy of the animal region or
any of its organs. Had there been a full develop-
ment of the above-named moral organs, the head
would rank, in point of shape, with the superior
types. When we consider the vast importance
of the faculties whose primary office is to give sta-
bility and fortitude, love of justice, and adhesion
to truth and integrity, we can readily see what
a wide inlet is afforded to any strong passion by
which the individual, defective in those protective
powers, may be habitually solicited. But thin parti-
tions divide moral weakness from wickedness. Un-
protected by innate firmness and integrity, Prit-
chard had long pursued a down-hill course, and
descended by little and little to the state of mind
which made him the creature of unfavourable cir-
cumstances—avowedly believing in God, and in a
future responsible existence, whilst, like too many
so-called believers, he was practically an atheist.
In judging the man it should be considered that for
many years he made friends and bore a good
character among his companions in the navy ; and
that, unlike many who have plunged into crime, it
was comparatively late in life when the last increase
of burthen broke the originally feeble back of the
unfortunate animal, for into such had Pritchard at
length become mentally degraded.
Certain practitioners of phrenology in the pro-
vinces have made Pritchard's cast in all points con-
form:to his actions. This ex post factoskill in phreno-
logy is within easy reach ; but I venture to say that
had Pritchard ever submitted his head to any of these
oracles lie would have received for his money no
small amount of laudation. The cast was very badly
taken. The open mouth makes the feeble chin still
more feeble in expression. The nose, though indi-
cative of breed,- has naturally a more prominent
cartilage and more compressed nostrils than the
physiognomist could be pleased with.
That Pritchard had a good intellect, and was by
no means " all evil," cannot be doubted. The cast
is to be had from Vago, of Gray's-inn-lane, at a
fair price. C. DONOVAN,

School of Phrenology, 111, Strand,
Aug. 14, 1865.

The Officer Shot at Chatham.

Major De Vere, the officer fired at by a sapper of
the Royal Engineers at Chatham on Friday after-
noon, under circumstances already detailed in The
Sun, was still alive at the time of the despatch of our
correspondent's parcel yesterday evening. He was,
however, without any apparent chance of recovery.
The rifle bullet entered the back just below the right
shoulder, and taking a slanting direction
passed out
an inch or two below the left breast, striking the
ground a few feet in advance of him. During the
whole of Friday night Major De Vere remained in
an exceedingly weak and prostrate condition, but
on Saturday he somewhat rallied, and was pro-
nounced better. Yesterday, however, unfavourable
symptoms became apparent, and in answer to in-
quiries it was stated that he was hourly becoming
weaker, although retaining consciousness.
The accused, John Currie, who made the attempt
on Major De Vere's life, has maintained the most
stolid indifference since he has been in custody, and
has frequently expressed the wish that he had killed
that officer outright. On being informed that hopes
were entertained that Major De Vere would recover
he became greatly excited, and expressed the wish
that he might die. He said it was " a pity such a
tyrant as he had been should be allowed to live."
Only 'a few days before the attempt on Major De
Vere's life. Currie had been released from the cell 3,
where he had been confined by Major De , Vere's
orders for some trifling military offence. This,
coupled with his having been reduced by the same
officer to a lower class in his working squad, whereby
his working pay was considerably reduced, appears
to have induced him to make the determined at-
tempt to take that officer's life. Currie is described
by his more intimate comrades as being generally
of a mild and inoffensive disposition, and, from his
general demeanour, not at all the man to commit
the serious crime of which he has been guilty.

RAGS.—The following information has been re-
ceived at the Foreign- office by telegraph from her Majesty's
representatives in Belgium and Russia :—" The law for the
abolition from the Ist of January, 1868, of the export duties
on rags on the Polish frontier of Russia has been reduced
to 20 kopecks.'"