Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-10-01
PHRENOLOGY.

mise made to YOU, some time since, | herewith
send you, as introductory, an essa! " On the
principles of PArenology," 10 the course that
nav hereafter follow. 1t appears so well adapt
ed to the object 10 view, that there can be no ne.
cessity in apologzng for the deviation, IN this
instance, from the course already agreed upon.
1t was. originally. read to the Royal Society OF
Edinburgh. during the winter Of 1880. by Sir
Geo. s. Mackenzie, Bart; the president OF the
Society (the Iate) Sir Walter Scott. Bart, in
the chair; and was subsequently published in
the Esd number Of the Psychological Journal
1t has been represented as having attracted a ve-
~ large meeting, both Of members and stran
ers,-and that it was not written with view
to publication in any form; but that we are in.
debted to both the Royal aud chronological So
cieties Of that city for ITS PRONUNCIATION, and
consequently its diffusion Of important truths.
Ma. PREsIpENr: The Society having former.
" listened TO attacks on Phrrnulogv, when no
one was allowed to defend it, take the opportu
nifty of an occasional residence 10 town, (being
as I believe, with one or two exceptions. the on
Iy member who has av0wpd conviction of its
truth,l to Offer a fair and correct view of the
priucipes on which that science is founded. |
have indeed been told, that any attempt to in.
duce the Society to listen to single sentence in
favor of PhrenoI"sy would be vain--that there
existed a deter mined resolution to support its
enemies. This, however. | have been always
unwilling to believe; and, were It true, have
too long sustained, with other Phrenoogists. the
weight of rdcule, uf ignorant, as well as Of viii.
fui INSTRUMENTATION aud abuse, to shrink from
IN honorable exercise Of nv privilege as a mem
Der of this Sncietv; and | feel too confident Of
the stability and truth Of the principles | now
proDnSe 10 tevslope, to be in the slightest degree
alarmed fur consequences On the contrary,
hayin. long since p"r,ed my reputation IN Phre
nn|ogy, and having seen that Nature on every
hand proc claims lis truth, every day gives ,se
fresh cause to b. proud ut having been one of
the fitst in Britain To see its Importance Ii is
very Tar igon IN, intention. or my wish, To Px
cite or carry any thing like controversy in
this Society. | had not the advantage of hear
ine what was read before it against Phreno!Osy;
nor have seen, or had explained TO me, any &c
count Of the papers which were read. Contro
Yer,y Is therefore, with me. DOT Of the question;
and should have occasion to make anv remarks
On the conduct of the opponents Of Phrenology.
these, as we'll every thing | shall advance. are
20 be held as general, and Il, having no reference
Whatever I'D dDN indt Udf nave passed IN
this Society. All knnw is. that learned pro.
fe,s,r did read sone papers hostile to the sci.
ence; but of the nature even OF his arguments
am wholly i.noraott will also premise. that
while was myself ignorant of the principles Of
Phrenology, end had not examined nature,
was as loud III nv prejudiced condemnation of
il as any one could be. was IN the situation of
many members Of this Society, who listened on
ly to what was said in opposition, without know
my any thug respecting the true state Of the
Gaze. To know this, requires labor and study;
but it is well known that individuals may exist
who are incapable by nature either of observing
or Of applying facts; and it is also true in ma.
ture, that individuals may exist who, being ca
pable of observation and application, neverthe-
less may take pleasure in mi'rrpresenting what
they have seen. All aim at is to shew that the
science, the cause Of which l advocate, is found.
ed on principles strictly philosophical.
There has been very generally evinced an un.
Willingness to consult chronological books, and
al aversion to apply to nature for Information,
that is surprising in this age Of discovery, and
especially "a regards those who are pleased to
profess hostility 10 the new philosophy Of the
mind, without knowing ans thing at all concern
ing it, They seem to be more disposed to take
things for granted, than to trouble themselves
with investiy cation; to be more anxious to refute
than TO understand. 1t is unnecessary for me
to enter the lists against weapons which, though
they may be well polished, have no temper
TO penetrate the breas'plate which phrenolo.
gists wear, aud with which they have been fur.
nished from the srmory of truth. They have
stood their ground; and while the enemy has suf-
fered loss, their ranks have been continually ex
tending. Many who we're bitterly hostile. 49,
some who actually travelled for years in search
Of facts to overthrow the system, have manfu!ly
and honUrably acknowledged our superiority, and
joined Us; and we have not to complain Of sim
gle de,ertion.
Were Phrenolosy merely speculative sci.
ence, one founded on individual consciousness,
1t m,sh' be d'sregarded As Improbable Its pre-
tensions, however, are higher. II prufesses to
be + science founded on facts and observations
--,o We strictly inductve. II processes to exhi
b., The true mental consultation Of men, and to
explain the causes ut variety in character and
talent 1t pr"tesses to he engine Of as great