Star.
London, England, 1829-11-12 00:00:00

n

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

LITERATURE.

THE FOREIGN REVIEW AND CONTINENTAL
MISCELLANY.

IiT.ACE. TOMS awn TOVNG•
The Members of the new Phrenological Society, who
meet .ornewl,ere in the Strand, would do well to dip into
tier first Article in the last Number of the Forrign Re-
• ;Pte. An attentive perusal of this valuable Essay would,
in ail likelihood. save them a great deal of trouble. We
cannot resist the strong temptation of quoting a brief
passage of it ; and to give a helping hand in consigning
this monstrous system of philosophy to the " tomb of all
the Capulets :"
" Every head possesses the development of several organs—a
priori, we are unacquainted with the offices of any one ; how is it
possible, then, to appropriate tither to a particular faculty and fix
its peculiar office ? We may call that amativeness which is self-
esteem, that secretiveneu which is benevolence. Nor will the co-
incidence of the organ with the character avail of itself ; for it is
the combination of the different faculties and their relative activity
which determine the particular characters of individuals. Bene-
volence may correet secretiveness, amativeness. self-esteem. We
are to strike the balance between the whole, and compare the re-
sult with what we know of the character of the individual. Now
phrenologists confess, that if an unusual combination presents
itself, the phrenologist will draw inferences not corresponding with
the dispositions in nature, from not having had an opportunity of
ascertaining the effect of such combinations in nature. Wen! no
two skulls are alike—no two characters are alike. Almost every
metaphysician is competent to make the latter assertion ; the for-
mer position (though we know not how it is to be proved) must
be held by the phrenologist, and, we believe, is. If it be not held,
the theory is refuted by the want of correspondence with that ge-
tieral fact. Every combination must, therefore, be unusual.—
Every man has his particular identity ; he is himself alone, and not
another. So of his character—the influences which compose cha-
racter are differently combined in every different man. Thus,then,
every individual development stands apart ; it is a fragment from
the system ; it remains an isolated fact, and forms no portion of a
general truth. The difficulty, therefore, of predicating the cha-
racter of an individual from his cerebral development is very
great; but it is increased, when we recollect that it is only upon
the examination of all the organs that the character can be esti-
mated ; for one compensates another, and this counteracts that.
Now this is a requisition which it is impossible to fulfil. There are
several portions of the brain, particularly at the base, the develop-
:nents of which are not ascertainable during life, of which pans,
.ay the phrenologists, the functions remain to be discovered. In
striking the balance, are not these to be taken into account? The
convolutions of the brain ate not confined to its external surface ;
hut there remains still a region for them to map out! Who knows
what developments may here have taken place ? May these not
have produced combinations which would materially alter the
result ?
' There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.'
" Ay, and in the lobes of the brain too ;—ay, and with all your
knowledge too of its structure, Doctors Gall and Spurzheim ;
• What we know of the brain,' observes Richerand, ' serves only
to spew us that we are ignorant of much more.' And those parts
of which we are ignorant, would probably produce such disagree-
ments between the estimate of the phrenologist and the identity of
the mental manifestations, as would puzzle the most sagacious dis-
criminator of character and the correctest handler of the human
skull ; nay, the most accurate anatomist of the human brain."
Towards the conclusion of this article, we have the
following amusing but sound opinions in further illustra-
tion of the gross absurdities of the new philosophy:
" Nothing may be more easily manufactured than coincidences.
We once heard a Swedenborgian argue for the divine authenticity
of their founder's new revelation upon the ground of a favourite
coincidence. The inscription upon the Cross was written in He-
brew and Greek and Latin ; now, the Old Testament was written
in Hebrew, the new in Greek, and Swedenborg's in Latin. Here
was a coincidence. For what purpose could the inscription be
written in these three languages, but to typify the three revels-
Salons given to the world? Two are acknowledged,—and the
third is proved by this most surprising and extraordinary coinci-
dence Away with such gross attempts at imposition upon super-
stitious and gaping credulity !
" Even so it is, throughout the whole phrenological contest ; we
meet with nothing else but coincidences which prove nothing,
far many other things are coincident, besides the shape of the skull,
in the human frame, with the individual character. ' Chirontancy,
or the inference of the character from the shape of the hand,' says
Mr. Hamilton,' once possessed a very exalted reputation ; and long
before the tricks of palmistry were played off by the impostor,
grey-beard philosophers sifted intellects by shaking hands. And
our contemporary, Dr. Haslam, thinks that idiots have a peculiar
construction of hand, ' the sentient extremities being lest pulpy
and expanded.' Indeed, so wonderful is the mechanism of the
human band—so surprising its powers, that some philosophers
have erroneously considered that in it consisted the superiority of
man over the brute. But with these peculiarities of structure a
multitude of other phenomena are always associated—these must
be taken into account, and the connection clearly 'culminated
between structure and its final cause, before a conclusion is pos-
sible.' Phrenologists have failed to show this connexion between
the form of the cranium and the character of the mind—and now
Mr. Stone has undeniably proved its want even of coincidence :
I tell you once again,—that, at my birth,
The font of Heaven was full of fiery shapes;
The goats ran irons the mountains, and the herds
Were strangely clamorous to the ftighted fields—
These signs have marked me extraordinary.'
Ii the phrenologists should thus, like Glendower, persist in
answering us, we can only reply in the words of Hotspur—
' We think there are no men who speak better Welsh;
And perhaps we may be tempted to advise them in addition, to
Tell truth, and shame the devil.'
Ben Jonton, also, in his Alchemist, has well exposed the ab•
surdity of belief in mere coincidences—
. Where have you greater atheists than your cooks?
Or more prophane. or choleric, than your giaumen?
More antiehrittian than your bell-founders?
\\that makes the devil so devilish. I would ask you,
Sathan, our common enemy, but his being
Pee petually about the fire, and toiling
Brimstone and arsenick ?'
" Such absurdities, however, sometime', are not without their use.
The i•eliet in Alchemy, by the experiments which it induced, led
to important chemical discoveries. The anxiety of the two founders
of Phrenology to demonstrate that we think with our brains, and
cannot think without them, by leading them to dissect the brain,
has caused them to make some laudable discoveries relative to the
wrvous system. For these discoveries they deserve much credit,
but they go not even to prove that the brain is the organ of the
mind. They, indeed, leave this great question where it was left
by the ancients, and it does not appear that any satisfactory solution
of it is possible. Indeed it is our opinion that any attempt to locate
the mind at sills false philosophy."
We Are told that • Dr. GA LL was himself so deficient
in what are fancifully called the Organs of Form and
Lacatitir, as not to recognize the persons who sat next to
Lint at dinner, aftdr they had risen from the table, or the
places which he had frequently visited. Yet he was the
founder of a system which depends on the form and con-
figuration of the brain, and the situation of its different
convolutions. Thus, the founder himself was all along
a living exception to the doctrines which he travelled
from land to land to promulgate and enforce. Never,
surely, was there such another instance of self-delusion !P.
! Phrenology. The Dev ILLE of the Strand
and all his Angels of the Phrenological Society, with
(;EORG E Coots nu to boot': shall never conviuce us that
‘. •
there is a particle of sensensesat a ship's load of their Cranio-
logical speculations. ,
Did our limits permit it, we should have much plea-
sure um4dification in quoting largely from
.ois nwnber
of the Foreign Remetv now before us. It is, replete with
interesting. and Useful matter. Among other Articles,
0 u inn) EN x L's ilimoires—from which we gave a variety
of extracts mate weeks ago—holds a*prominent place.
We have likewise a number' of valuable, papers on the
• trench Drains, Modern Italian COmedy, Political Eco-
nomy, and on the United States of America. In this last
essay there is a Biographical Notice of President and
General JACKSON, which cannot fail to interest the reader.

SWAFFHAM COURSING MEETING, Nov. 10.
In consequence of the absence of some of the ptiocipal members
of the Swaffbam Club, the number of dogs was not so great as In
some former years. The morning being remarkably fine there
was a great deal of cOnapany in the Weimar Field when the day's
Coursing commenced: The sport was excellent, the bares being
strong, and the dogs in prime condition.
The Bails on Wednesday and Friday evenings are expected to be
fully attended by the Nobility and Gentry of the neighbourhood.
The following is an account of the sport :
70/1 THE COP.
Lord Stradbroke's bl. b. Mouse beat Mr. Wilkinson's TA b. Clara.
Mr. Caldwell's bl. b. Ruby beat Mr. Ewen's bl. d. Jupiter.
Mr. Chute's r. d. Hotspur beat Mr. R. Hamund's bl. and w. 1.

Quality.
Mr. Redhead's r. b. Lara beat Mr. Young's Dr. d. Vesper.
Mr. Gurdon's hi. d. Snowball beat Tyssen's wh. b. p. Gossamer.
Mr. Buekworth's M. and w. b. Brief beat Col. Wilson's bl. and w.b.
Novice.

-.- -
VIM MIMI MATCHEL
Mr. Buckworth's bl d p Barber sgst Mr. Cbute's bl and sv d p
Hornet, undecided
Mr. Wilkinson's bl b Cassina agst Lord Stradbroke's r d Maho.

met—no course
Mr. Redbead's bl d p Lightfoot beat Mr. Gurdoti's blue d p
Stanky
Mr. Tyuen's bi b p Giraffe beat Mr. Chute's bl and w d p Hawke
Mr. Gurdon's bl and w d p Sepoy beat Mr. Redhead's f d p Leech
Mr. Caldwell's bl b Rarity beat Mr. R. Hantond's bl and w b

Queen
Mr. Buckworth's r d Brickdust beat Mr. Hamond's bl d Quaker
Mr. Ewen's r d Jasper beat Mr. Tyssen's bl d Ganymede
WISTACKZ BWRIPITAICIS FOIL PUMP.
Mr. Wilkinson's blued p Claret beat Mr. Tyssen's bl p Gazelle
Mr. IL Hatnond's bl d p Quicksilver beat Mr. Gurdon's r d p So-
vereign

SECOND CLASS MATCHES.
Mr. Wilkinson's r b, p Clay apt Mr. Gurdon's f b p Sontag—un-
decided
Mr. Redbead's bl d p Lofty agst Mr. Buckworth's blue d p Ba-
chelor—undecided
Mr. It. Hamond's r s J Quietus beat Mr. Gurdon's d p Soldier.

that the defendants had been taken by surprise, a witness named
Avon having been examined, contradicting the testimony of Mr.
Hunt after be bad left the Court, and with whom he was not as-
quainted, either by name or appearance.
Lord Tuscan's, thought it would be a very dangerous prac-
tice to grant a rule in such an instance. u the question of credit,
to the testimony of Avon and Hunt had been left to the Jury.
and they had decided to which party they ought to give credit.
Rule refused.

-----
LLOYD I ALDfitn.
Mr. PLATT said he bad to apply fora rule Nisi in this case,
which came before the Court undefended. The action was
brought to recover the possession of a necklace, which the wit-
nesses at the trial swore the Plaintiff became possessed of by a
curious stratagem. They stated that the Plaintiff went to the
Defendant's house, and she was so eager to see the articles he bad
for sale, tbat she desired him to be introduced to her in the bed-
room, and he actually saw her io bed. She then selected the
necklace in question, and said abe must show it to a friend. She
then put it under the bell-clothes, and he was too delicate a man
to interfere with them to obtain possession of it again. lie (Mr.
Platt) held an affidavit of the Lady, who was now married, which
stated that she sold a dressing-case to the Plaintiff for £OO, and
that when She bought the necklace she stated that she would
pay him the difference, which he at first demurred to, but af-
terwards went away, and she did not hear any thing about
him until he brought this action, when she employed an Attorney
to defend it, and paid him money on account, but that, through his
neglect. it bad been tried as an undefended cause, a verdict bad
been obtained against her, and she did not even know that it had
been tried until she saw an account of it in the newspaper.—Rule

granted.
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS—Nov. 11.
On entering the Court, the Loan Curer Justice stated to the
Bar, that a question hid been raised in this and the other Courts,
whether leaseholders were eligible as bail. The Judges had con-
ferred together upon the subject, and decided that they were not ;
and therefore none but householders or freeholders would in future
be accepted.
LIIPIRIAL DISTILLERY CONPARY—NONTITILI V. DUNSTAN.
Mr. Sergeant TARDY (for some of the defendants) said, that
as this case was similar to the one of " Fox v. Clinton," which
came before their Lordships yesterday, be would not fully enter
into its merits. The only difference was, that the parties dis-
posed of tea shares in this Company in 1823, and a question had
arisen, whether a stamp was necessary to the contract in this tran-
saction. According to the opinion of Lord Tenterden and Mr.
Justice Littledale, in two similar cases, it was not, as these were
merely transfers.
The rule for a new trial was therefore granted.
LLOYD v. WIGNRY AND OURS.
Mr. Sergeant Wane (for the Defendants) applied for a rule to
show cause why the verdict in this case, which was an action tried
during the Sussex Assizes before Mr. Justice Duette, should not
be set aside, and either a nonsisit or a new trial granted. The
action arose out of the formation of a sewer, in Ship-street,
Brighton. and the Plaintiff, who is the proprietor of the New Ship
Inn, sought compensation for injury done to his premises, for
which a verdict for £lOO bad been given.
Rule to show cause granted.
The Court was occupied the whole of the morning in bearing
applications for new trials.
EXCHEQUER CHAMBER, Nov. lt.
The LORD CNIEY BARON at in Equity this morning.

sown v. WILLIAMS.
This case stood in the paper for judgment. His Lordship,
after going into a detail of the extraordinary litigation between
the parties, said he could not satisfy his mind to pronounce a
final judgment, until the cause had been again referred to the
Master ; such had been the obstinacy on all sides, such had been
the difficulties, perplexities, and labyrinths, into which the question
in dispute had been brought, that, in its present state, it was im-
possible fur any Judge to decide with satisfaction to himself. Now
(said his Lordship) I know it will be said this proceeding will cause
another delay, and the Court will be censured ; but it is not the
fault of the Court ; it is the fault of the parties. It is now twenty
years since the bill was filed.
Mr. War.xaa—No, my Lord, only fourteen years.
CHIli BARON—WeII. never mind, say fourteen years, the whole
of which time has been attended with ruinous expense, and the
case now presents much greater difficulty than it did at its com-
mencement; and I again say it is not the fault of the Court, but of
the parties themselves, for at the outset it might have been settled
by a mutual friend in two days. His Lordship concluded by say-
ing, In justice to those who presided at the Equity Courts, he felt
bound to state thus much.
ARCHES' COURT, Nov. tI.
This morning the Court sat—Sir Joint Nicnott. presiding.
SIiAC ZZZZZZ
In this case Dr. Lcsiancreon prayed for further delay, as time
had not been afforded to receive answers from Paris to Mamie-
lions sent to one of the parties.—Case postponed.
LIVING V. LIVING.
The Court was prayed for further time, in order that the requi.
shim might he received.
Sir J. Nicoott said there really must be an end to any further
delay in this case.
The Court was informed, that by the Hamburgh steam•bost
now sine, an answer was expected.
After some short consultation, Sir JOIIN SICHOLL ordered the
case to stand over till next Court day.
There was no case of interest on the paper and the Court
adjourned.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

GUILDHALL.
Thomas Holkck, a drover's assistant, was charged with stealing-
a sheep on the Sd instant.
Thomas rroctor, a master drover, stated, that latterly two
or three sheep per month had beta stolen from him, and he be-
lieved other masters were suffering as severely. The prisoner bad
been in his service a consid.rable time, and on Monday se'nnight
he left him in charge of a number of sheep, one of which was
missed upon taking them our of his charge.
Henry Simmous, in the employ of Mr. Giannelli, an image-
maker, in Cock-lane, said the prisoner was standing in the lase
with a drove of sheep, on the day named, and put a sheep into
Mr. Gianntili's yard. saying he bad perviously obtained leave to
do so. It was marked down the face and nose with red-ochre.
Another lad proved that the prisoner and another man fetched
the sheep away, after dusk, the same day.
Proctor said the sheep stolen was marked in the way described
by the witness.
The prisoner stated that the sheep he had left at Giannelli's bad
strayed into the Soak, and was claimed afterwards Dy the owner.
whose name or residence he did nut know.
Mr. Alderman Warrassatr committed him for trial.
BOW-STREET.
The Police Officer, No. 74, was charged with having suffered a
person who had been given into his custody on a charge of felony
to escape. It appeared that a clerk in she employment of Mr.
Hantiltoo, solicitor, of Southampton-street, Strand. had embezzled
his master's property to a considerable amount, and had abwonded.
A warrant was taken out at Bow street Office for his apprehen-
sion. and it was intrusted to Taunton jun. to execute it. He in-
formed the clerks of Mr. Hamilton that if they should see the of-
fender, they should give him into the custody of the lest police
constable they could meet with. Yesterday morning two of Mr.
Hamilton's clerks met the accused in Holborn, and gave him into
the custody of Police Constable, No. 74, and at the sante time
told him that Taunton held a warrant against him. The police
constable stated that the prisoner requested him to allow him to
leave a bundle at his father's house in Brownlow-street, Drury.
lane, and told him that be was only in custody for an assault. He
accompanied him to his father's house, and they entered a front
room. The prisoner said that be had something to say to his fa-
ther in private. and they went into a back room. The father
closed the door. In a few minutes afterwards the father came
out and said that his eon bad escaped out of a back window.
Mr. Haus asked if the father of the young man was present ?
The officer said that he was, and brought the old man forward.
who said that he did not know that his son was in custody on a ,
criminal charge. He supposed that his son had been arrested for
debt, and connived at his escape, as every father would have door.
Mr. Haus said he should look to the officer for the re-appre-
hension of the prisoner. and that be should not detain the father,
who had acted from strong parental feelings.
Mr Thomas, the Superintendent of the Police of the Districts
said that if the Police Officer did not re-take the man who bad
escaped, he should report his conduct to the Commissioner of
Police.
Mr. Hams advised the officer to do his best to apprehend the
man whom he had allowed to escape.
Pieria Papas, an old bald.lseaded man.. and Anse Pros, the
father and daughter-is.lm of the boxer of that names wbeitas
recently transported for life for manslaughter, were charged with
traitorously having in their posse a number of moulds.' flit the
portals, of manufacturing base oohs. •
The pollee. in consequence of information, went to a house in
Chortle-street, fit. Giles's, where. in a room on the drat deer, oc-
cupied hy the prisoner. % they found several moulds foe casting shit-1
bum sad all tbe other apparatus usal,in Illegal coining. • '
• prisoners denied die sharp generally. and were remaoded.
MARLBOROUGH-STREET.
John Learns was charged with the following robbery :
Mr. John Normal, a gentleman recesitly arrived from Sigaer.