The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-07-12 00:00:00

DISCUSSION OF PHRENOLOGY, BRINDLEY t
RUMBALL.-FRIDAY EVENING.

Mr. BRINDLEY opened the debate by reminding the
audience of the fallacy of the phrenological proposition, in
estimating the total mental powers by the index of the
cerebral development, whilst, oa their own admission,
I'of the brain surface can be estimated

only one-di

craniologically. Secondly, that the absurdity of exa-
mination and treatment of criminals should be con-
ducted by this imperfect light of so-called phrenology,
which even in the mouths of phrenologists themselves, and
admitted by the present defence to be in a state of infancy.
Mr. B. then alluded to the filet of the Hendersonian bequest
being applied to the circulation of Combe's Constitution of
Man, a book of doubtful philosophy and infantile data.
lie re-stated the various depths to which the convolutions
of the brain were found to gu, ranging from * to one inch—
and that the boasted evidence from comparative anatomy
failed entirely in _

order of brain (human) into 37 organs.
• •••`• •••MkJIHIJa VIA Ul
Several other points of the inconclusiveness of craniology,
indicating psychological manifestations, were detailed, end
the omission of Mr. Rumball, the challenger in this debate,
to bring forward a brain, was shewn as inconsistent with
the true mode of conducting a debate—where the defence
was, bound to bring forward evidence in support of the
affirmative—instead of Mr. li'rindley, as the party challenged.
Mr. Rumball admitted in reply that only half the organic
developments were known, and endeavoured to show the
non-necessity of establishing the uniformity of the convo-
lutions as to ratio and equality of development. Mr. Rum-
ball repudiated the fact of the Phrenological Journal being
gceredited organ of the phrenologists, as the caprice or
'`.. of the editor was the only test of the orthodox

character or otherwise of the papers introduced in its co-
lumns. He mentioned a case or two of loss of the brain,
and injury to skull cap, &c. In proof of the truth of phre-
nology he quoted' some authorities in favour of his affirma-
tions, but they appeared to us scanty in comparison with the
numerous well selected ones which Mr. B. had in his re-
plies brought forward. A cast of want of correspondence
between the inner and outer tables of the skull, which Mr.
B. brought forward, was stated by Mr. Rumball to be an in-
stance resulting from disease ; but as the chairman stated
the appearance of the skull to be sound, the case was not
upset, though Mr. R. seemed to rest much weight upon i,t.
The strongest authority which Mr. R. adduced was a quota-
tion from Mayo, viz. " that the probability was great that
the different regions of the head are concerned with different
classes of sensations and emotions, and that it would be
found by those who bad most studied the craniological map,
that in some of its general features and leading indications it
will be believed to be correct." The debate closed for the even-
ing by Mr. B.'s pushing hard his antagonist for positive
phrenological data, and proofs of the truth of the science,
which Mr. Rumball seems at present unfurnished with;
but Mr. R. seemed more inclined, we must in fairness say,
to entrench himself behind the acknowledged facts of the
slow progress of all truth, and the difficulties attending the
championship of all the abstruse sciences, which comba-
tants would call fencing rather than thrusting home.
On Monday evening Mr. Rumball opened the debate.--
Dr. Sutherland in the chair.

The discussion this evening was Cif; very animated and
interesting character ; but, owing to the lateness of the hour,
we cannot do more than observe, that Mr. Brindley has not
only fully maintained his character as a disputant, but has
also considerably increased his reputation as a man of
scientific knowledge and research. He appealed to the
fact of his arguments and demonstrations, drawn from
the structure of the brain and skull, having been fully
conceded to him ; and contended that the busts brought
up in favour of phrenology could not be admitted in evi-
dence until the very contradictory statements concerning
Good's head were cleared up. Mr. Brindley many times
called upon his opponent to; give the measurements of other
criminals whose busts he produced, and also urged the
necessity of an examination of living heads. At length
it was agreed that a number of living heads should be phre-
nologically examimed by Mr. Rumball in the presence of the
committees, and that they should be brought up for judge-
ment before the audience to-morrow evening, when the de-
bate closes. This will undoubtedly give satisfaction, and
produced uncommon interest in those present. A very
crowded meeting may be expected to-morrow, and this prac-
tical test will do much to settle the question of phrenological

examinations
Dr. Sutherland, Dr. Dickenson, Dr. Watson, and J. Tay-
lor, Esq., on behalf of Mr. Brindley, and Dr. Thorburn and
Gillon, Esq., on behalf of Mr. Rumball, were on the
platform.

Rumour speaks of a proximate alliance between the Mar-
quis of Blandford, now in his 21st year, eldest son of the
Duke of Marlborough, and Lady Francess Vane, the eldest
daughter orthe Marquis and Marchioness of Londonderry.
EMPLOYMENT OF FEMALES IN MINES.—A petition has
been got up in Wakefield to the House of Lords in support
of Lord Ashley's bill against the employment of females in
coal mines, which has been signed by our worthy Vicar and
all the influential inhabitants of our town. Mr. Mark Crab-
tree and Mr. S, Binns, who have waited upon the inhabitants
have not met with a single refusal. This speaks well of all
parties in Wakefield.

ADHESIVE WAFERS ON NEWSPAPERS.—By a corres-
pondence in the Manchester Guardian of Wednesday, it
appears that a gentleman received a newspaper sealed with a
printed adhesive wafer or label, and which was charged by

wrapper

The gentles

IS 1.1
fled to

3erieral

refunded

harped and the amount of postage could not be
Take the hint, ye teetotalers and anti-corn law

We regret to announce the death of Mrs. Fox, the widow
of the Right. Hon. Charles James Fox. This venerable
lady expired on Friday morning, at her seat at St. Ann's
Hill, near Chertsey, in the 97th year of her age.
The lighting of Paris with gas is making great progress.
Within the last few weeks, no fewer than 38 streets,
passages, in different quarters have received the benefit
of this improvement.

WILL OF JUSTICE LITTLEDALE. —The will of the late
Justice Littledale, Knight, one of her Majesty's late judges
of the Court of Queen's Bench, has just been sworn to by
the executors, in the Prerogative Court of the Lord Arch-
bishop of Canterbury, in Doctors' Commons. The personal
property has been sworn under £250,000. There are several
.legacies bequeathed to the testator's grand-children, servants,
and clerks ; but the bulk of the propertygoes to his daughter,
who married Mr. Courtney (who is one of the executors),
to whom a dowry of £23,000 was given at marriage.
ELOPEMENT.—On Friday last, an antiquated lady, known
by the familiar appellation of " Mother Gossip," was most
actively employed in Billing,ham, Norton, and Stockton, in
circulating a report that an elopement had that morning
taken place in Dillingham ; and which subsequently proved
to be correct. The parties are Mr. Hugh Short, who has
been residing for son-re time at Norton, and was formerly of
Durham University, and the lady Miss M. A. Burrell,
daughter of the late Mr. F. Burrell, of Billingbam, who is
possessed of an independent fortune. Early in the morning
of the above day, Captain Short, brother of Mr. Short, en-
gaged a chaise and pair at the Vane Arms, Stockton, with
which he proceeded on the road to a certain spot where his
brother and his willing captive were anxiously awaiting his
arrival. They soon entered the vehicle, and proceeded
straightway to Durham, whence they went forward in wed-
ding haste to Gretna Green, where the indissoluble knot was
tied, As the young lady has made choice of the man she
loved and esteemed, in preference to several wealthy suitors,
it is sincerely hoped by all who know her that the apla h ' ness
of both will be complete.—Durham Advertiser.
LAUNCH OF Ma PRINCE OF WALES INDIAMAN.—On
Saturday, an immense number of well-dressed persons as=
sembled in the yard of Messrs. Green, Wigram, and Green,
the celebrated ship-builders and owners, to witness the launch
of the above splendid vessel. The Blackwall Pier, the Water-
men's Pier, and the whole river frontage, presented a most
animated appearance from the constant arrival of small craft
and steamers with persons anxious to be present. Everything
being in readiness, at a quarter past two o'clock precisely
the stocks and fastenings were removed, and the vessel glided
majestically into the bosom of Old Father Thames, amid the
tiring of cannon and the shouts of the assembled multitude.
She was decorated with a number of handsome Union
Jacks, and could not have had less than 500 persons on
board at the time. The ceremony of christening was per-
formed by Miss Dundas, daughter of Admiral Deans
Dundas. This fine vessel is a frigate, built as a fast sailer,
and will be manned and carry sufficient weight of metal to
defend herself against a ship of war of similar tonnage.
Among the numerous visiters on the occasion were Admiral
Dundas, M.P.' General Carpenter, Colonel Wyndham,
Captain Owen, Captain Toiler, several naval officers of rank,
and a considerable number of military officers and marines
from the garrison at Woolwich. Another noble vessel of
the same dimensions and tonnage is finished,-to be called the
Queen, and will be launched from the same yard on orahcut
next Saturday week. After the launch, upwards of 500 per-
sons of fashion and respectability were admitted by cards
into an immense workshop, which had
_been fitted up as a
refreshment room, where they partook of a sumptuous
cold collation. The ceremony passed off without the slightest
accident.
The Cork Constitution, in the course of a very sensible
A.t the last
ar-
ticle on the benefits which might natursaellnytehnacvee
antici-
pated to result from the labours of the Tipperary sobpfeeeecnxiaeleeuotimon
tshayemetoetci:iearr , assizes
mission, states the following singular facts respecting the-
case of the culprit Byrnes, now under
for the murder of Mr. Robert Ilan :—"
I. he same
witnesses were sworn, the same evidence was produced and
for Nenagh he was arraigned onretande
gceo.uld
few who heard the one or who
quired much time for deliberation ;hate re-
were for acquittal, while only one would eleven of the jury
him guilty. That one bad immediatel ve pronounctede
county. His life was not safe in the
neighbourhood in
after to uithrcl%
he lived, and he had to seek an asylum l q w
he is now l
elsewhere.
in —, but why expose him to danmesr7;v. He
en to
owhour,
hour, so much does he dread assassination that, if we
are not misinformed, he is preparing to emigrate. How
can justice be expected in a community like this?
and was not government right in resolving that, with
foul offences on the calendar, they would transfer the
trials from the district in which those offences had been
perpetrated, and commit the duty of deciding on the
evidence to persons less likely to he acted on by favour
or by fear ?" To this the Constitution adds tke following
still more singular circumstances r—" When we state that it
has been communicated to us by a person who was present,
that, of thirteen gentlemen from the northern district of Tip-
perary who met at dinner during the commission, therewere
but two who had not lost a father, a brother, orsoi
readernew ill not
imme-
diate relative by the hand of the assassin, theare,
of persons
wonder that juries, composed,
as the'YtiuMes tenacious of easily accessible by a bullet, are sometimes
themselves to death.
pro-
nouncing a verdict that may
doom
brother of Mr. Welland,
Among the eleven sufferers was t
of Mr. Cooper. The latter gen-
tleman, it will be remembered,
The most commendable idlenesss Is,. perhaps, that which
assumes the mask of m
• (lustre. Knitting, knotting, and
netting, oriental tinting, wafer-basket-making, card-work in
in particular, all
I worsted-work are the
general, and rug and
ingeniousidleness. Why, we have seen young
labours of canvass with all the earnestness f
ladies undertake a
election, andyet • 0 a cony_
a contested
mittee-man at
unsuccessful
candidate, as soon as they got—worsted;
while
ad their canvass f
have actually spr or a sale (at a fancy
some ver passed the needles.
fair), and yet ne
~,.
DaalNan" TRAGEDIES. the first time Nero shaved,
alders beard-down
he deposited his min a pyxis, or jewel-
no doubt, t
ease, witi•l a view,
hood's d o preserve a memorial of the
beauty of his ma . awn, the excellenceof h* • -
. The tirst tune an author h !s soap
and razor. r as a la " damned"
Ire deposits the memory of the same in his breast,as an evi-
de„aa of the brutality of the public in
cellence of his five-act drama. if
it
his and the ex-
energy to write a legitimate play it t require considerable
as much to get it acted, amid amidst ' generally requires twice
state of Denmark" and the "8 all the rottenness of " the
All these vigorous elements,plague of both the houses."
and rebou on high in therefore,. will vigorously react
cases of allure ; and "the author
who has andplay damned," t morning in a paroxysm as Hazlett says, "is the next
is always attributeof conceit." Of course, the failure
the least possible solely to the author, just because he has •
eto do with the thepractical art of the bus'. 1 ness ; anti practical P
men make it a rule to lay the filmic
upon any body but themselves. When a practical man suet-
ceeds, it is only
because he is a practical man ; when he fails,
we then hear of the existence of a vexatious theorist who
went before him blowing bubbles, and whom he followed
with the wisest intentions.—Frazer's Magazirte for July.