Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-10-09
PHRENOLOGY.
Tsa Geo. S. MeK.nsie's address, Continued


what parts Of the brain are the mental faculties
connected! Into this do not intend to enter.
But il may be useful to see what progress the me-
taphysician and mere anatomist have made in 1t.
This part Of the subject, and the conclusion OF
what wished to submit TO the Society on the
subject Of Phrenolosy, will defer to the next
meeting; and will now submit some specimens
Of natural skulls, in order to shew that size Is
connected With the energy OF national character
and talent. What bring before the Society IS
only general principles; and, therefore, | am
not to describe the skulls farther than to name to
what countries they belonged; and believe eve
~ eve will at once SEE the general difference Of
size, and every memory recolect the national
character for power or energy. The skulls are
Swiss, hindoo, and Peruvian.
10 a former communication to the Society,""
stated the fundamental principles Of Phrenology
to be these:-1. That Man is being compound
ed Of mind and matter, and that his nature must
be studied in accordance with that fact: 9. That
the discoveries Of Anatomists and Psychologists
have determined, that the nervous system is that
portion Of the animal frame with which the mind
is in. most direct. connexiOn; and that, as the
brain is the fountain of all nervous influence,
that organ is the one on which the mind directly
operates to produce all its manifestations: 8.
III.
ferent kinds, and directed to different objects
and purposes, and never appear all at one and
the same time, the brain is not single organ,
but congeries Of organs: 4. That II is q gene.
raj principle throughout nature, that size, all
other things being the same, is a measure OF pow.
err, and that large brain indicates greater pow
er than small one; and that, all other things
being still the same, and the brain being a con-
geries Of organs, size in each organ, as cOmpar.
ed With another, indicates proportional power.
These principles I endeavored to elucidate as
we'll as | could within the time usually allotted
to papers read before this Society. Their full
calculation would require much more time; but
hope said enough to induce at least some OF
those who heard the, to consult the various re-
cent chronological publications, in which they
will find the subject minutely treated. with am.
pie reference to the works OF anatomists and
psychologists. concluded by remarking, that
the next inquiry was, naturally. respecting what
parts Of the brain are connected with particular
operations Of mind, but that it was not nv pur-
pose to enter on that inquiry. do not appear
here as a teacher of Phrenology, but only to
make an attempt to induce those who have de.
rided, without understanding the subject, to sub
nit to be taught, and to inquire for themselves.
without yielding to unmanly prejudice. ] NAV
now remark, that, as there are poets who cannot
model statue, sculptOrs who cannot write poet
nv, men Who can exhibit brilliant reflections from
the mirror of fancy to the delight aud instruc.
ton Of the whole world, but who are neither
painters nor sculptors, and have pursued no
branch OF history Or science,-so are there men
who cannot, from the popularity Of their natu
raj constitution, become Phrenolossts, or judge
Of Phrenology conscienliously. or make use OF
facts when presented 10 them. To such men,
whose perceptions in inductive philosophy are
feeble, we may grant the indulgence Of exercis-
ing themselves in attempts to pull down Phreno.
logy, especially as they seem to have humility
enough to prevent their aspiring to substitute any
thing better in its place. Those, however, who
do possess talent Tor observing and applying
facts, and who can act and think conscientious
". are without excuse, when they Join in the
outcry, instead Of making Of their talents
tor which they were given BY the Creator. Pass
ing over, then, the details Of the practical part
Of Phrenology, will proceed very shortly to
inquire whether the study Of mind, as heretofore
conducted, has led to any useful practical re
suits. | will then read short account Of the
manner in which Dr.. Gall was led to his disco.
yeres. and conclude with a few general remarks.
As the wisdom Of our ancestors is now begin.
ming to be questioned in regard to many things
which have long stood still; as mems minds seem
less inclined to trust to what mere antiquity has
hitherto rendered important. whether in arts,
science, or legislation, 1t is not surprising that
some desire should be evinced to render mental
philosophy practically useful. Every effort to
correct abuses in society has tailed. The fetter,
the lash. the galIOws. are not in less employ ment
than heretofore. Perhaps it may appear bold
assertion, that the increase of crime, and the in
efficacy Of thousands of benevolent projects for
ameliorating the condition Of society, are owing
to the state Of mental philosophy, But it is with
perfect confidence make the assertion, and add,
that until mental philosophy improves, society
will not improve. The pretensions Of that phi.
losoPhy, as now taught in the schools. are no
doubt great. A vast body Of rare and admlra.
BILE talent and eloquence has been devoted to it's
service, and our gratitude ia justly due to all
the great men who have devoted their lives to
the attempt to improve it. But system has sue.
ceeded system, each displacing the other, and
still something remained to be done There
cannot be doubt that the want of success was
owing to philosophers leaving out of their view,
that man is a compound being, and confuing