Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-10-11
PHRENOLOGY.

was not fully ascertained, anu the aoop'io" VI
what observation proved to be true IN Its steao'
as a mere shifting Of ground to AVOID hos'i'e al
tack, he has forgotten that no SCIENCE no ART, u"
machine, is ever perfect at the hrst. Ana ~hen
il is recollected that metaphvsicians nave oeeh
at work for 5000 years. and have ehected NO.
thing of any value in practical life, however no.
ble the exercise they have given to the mind may
have been, it seems scarcely fair to expect that
Pbrenolosy is to be perfected in twenty or thirty
wears. The progress of the science has been ra.
mid certainly, aud nothing could have excited
the degree of industry which phrenolos'sts have
disnlayeJ but the most firm conviction that they
ar, laborins in the cause Of truth. They consi
der that nothing that has come from the hand oil
the Creator can be devoid Of interest: the brain
has come from no hand but HIS; and yet the in
yesti.ation of the work Of God himself has been
made a subject for ridicule. IL the brain be not
the organ of the mind-if it be not cOnseries,
or pluralitv, of organs destined to enable the
mind to manifest itself by actions, anu oehOlu
and investigate the wonders OF creative power,
what is it? Is it useless-is II nothIns-'s u not
Che Creators work? We hesitate not TO pro.
nounce Phrenology to be an invaluable GIT OF
God to man; for it permits US to see more ana
more Of his in6nity, draws US INTO closer con-
nexion with his greatness and goodness -torces
al the sentiment of universal charity, and offers
means for greatly elevating the moral character
of mankind. Hundreds of phrenologists have
beeo. and still are, making observations on man
in all conditions, and in all parts OF the world;
and every day adds to the store OF chronological
science. Yet il is common cry OF the enemy,
=. Give Us facts!!" IL you really want facts,
do as we have done. Read the works OF Gall,
of Spurzheim, Of Combe, the multi.
tude of facts contained in the Transactions OF
the Physiological Society, in the chronological
Journal. and IN the Museum OF the Phrenolosi
cal Society, the most extensive collection IN the
world Of national, as well as Individual heads
attend the lectures Annually delivered, and now
delivering in this city.-and, having made YOUR
selves competent to observe, visit prisons, bride.
wells, schools, workshops; examine the heads OF
men noted for different talents and dispositlons-
the heads of individuals in your own families and
conpare all with the manifestations, and with
each other; get casts made from your own heads;
study your own developments, and faithfully and
honestly compare them with your talents aud
vour defects, your virtues and your vices. IL
Won cannot do this, there is no help for It. II
you do not choose to do this, let Phrenology
alone: " If ignorance be bliss, tits folly to be
wise"
Were any one to detect an error IN an arith-
metical calculation, he would scarcely be so ao
surd as to argue, from that circumstance, that
there was no certainty or truth m the science OF
numbers. The failure Of an experiment IN che
mis,ry to produce an expected result, does not
render that science unworthy OF attention. The
setting down Of plant in wrong class or Or
der. does not make botany ridiculous. Inc pro-
,luction Of bad picture does not prompt Us to
condemn all attempts to delineate nature. The
"a Tram
when we are sick, from demanding the assistance
of the physician and surgeon. u, then, IN all
sc,ences and arts, mistakes or failures do not IN.
duce MS to ,ienounce sciences and arts as quack.
ery. whv should such rancOrous and determined
bostility be evinced against a most important
branch of physiology. Why, because even
a nrac;icaI phrenolo.ist NAV commit an er.
ror. should the physiology Of the brain be regard
cd as field that is not to be looked upon BY the
eve of philosophy. Why should psychologists
he assaulted b. terms which it would be dlsrespect
cuI to this suoietv to repeat, because they chose
IN observe Nature in her most interesting aspect!
Hsppi'y they are not affected by hostility. The
cause Of truth, they know, must prevail; and as
far as they have gone. they are confident they
are proceeding in the direct road towards the de
yelopment of what is true; aud. as has been well
provrd, no obstruction thrown in their way can
prevent their pursuing 1t.
Psychologists will be most thankful to any one
Who NAV discover and point any errors into which,
in their zeal tor the discovery Of truth. they may
fall; but they are surely entitled, from their &c.
neral character and station in society, to expect
that. il the error il to be pointed out, il will be
so, IL not in philosophical spirit. at least IN
gent emanlv manner. Like other men, phreno
iogsts differ in their opinions, in politics. IN re-
l,.,,,n in matters Of taste. and other things -
But such differences have nothing to do with
the discovery of chronological, any more than
with that OF physical. truth. The object Of phi
losopaers, of every description, is the dis overy
OF the tue constitution of nature; but it is Gu
rious that what is in every schoolboy's mouth
should be neglected. that {" the proper study Of
mankind is man" To know ones self is every
ones primary concern; and when each of US
capdidiy considers his failings and defects, we
are prevented from too much assumption Of me.
rit; aud when we weigh ourselves in an even ba-
lance, our integrity will be known; and we shall
also discover our powers OF usefulness. while
D...,.,oux will teach us how to emplOy them