Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1836-09-09
A MAN WITH HIS HEAD IN A BAD BOX.

| A MAN WITH HIS HEAD IN A BAD BOX. |
A singular occurrence took place in a
town in neighborng state, not long since,
which was attended with consequences ofthe
most awkward nature 10 the individual who
bore prominent share IN the affair and
whose READ name we shall, for reasons not
necessary 10 mention, conceal under that oil
Mr.. Sn00ks. It seems that Mr. Shocks I'M
fortunately was the possessor OF head oil
unusual dimensions and peculiar shape,
which attracted the attention OF an individu-
al who had become interested in the study
OF Phrenolocy. This lover Of remarkable
Developments gazed at Mr.. Shocks head
with admiration; he longed to touch it, toI
have il beneath his hands, and. in an evil
hour poor Mr. Shocks consented TO be man.
ipulated by the devoted follower Of Gall and
Spurzheim Mr.. Snooks head was found
TO be remarkable one--so much so that
the interest Of the science required cast to
be taken, and Shocks, who was not aware
oithc exact nature OF the operation, at length
Welded a reluctant consent TO the soicita-
tons Of the ardent discoveries of bumps
,, The Phrenologisi himself had never been in
strucled in the rather difficult process OF ia
king casts; nevertheless, he conceived him
self equal to the task on this occasion, hav-
ing frequently received verbal instruction
from those who had conducted that opera
ton He was told to mix the plaster 10 the
? consistency Of cream, and then TO apply il
:, with an unsparing hand TO the head and face,
,, having pieces Of Irvine lying in different d.
rectons across the Uranium, which being pull
!, led before the plaster became hard would cut
q il in several pieces. and thus 1t might be ca
/. silly disengaged.
Every thing being prepared. MIR, Shocks,
4, with courage and resolution which re-
!. fleet the highest honor on his character,
submitted his Uranium TO the disposal OF the
!. amateur artist Quils were stuck in bis
= nose 10 allow him the means Of respiration,
the plaster was mixed. and. seizing a spaiu-
: Ia. the enthusiastic follower of Gall laid it
y lthickly on. Mr.. Shocks face was soon Gov
> cred the first portion being applied 10 the
:, mouth, the artist having resolved to put a
:, stop TO all circumstances as expeditiously as
e possible The nose the eyes the ears, and
= the whole head, were soon covered with a
!, mass of plaster nearly two inches and weigh
- ing ten or fifteen pounds. The weather be
y ing warm, the application OF cold plaster a
- first produced sensation rather agreeable
= than otherwise But such was the natur,
" of that material that il soon became heated
., and his whole head seemed SURROUNDED
- with. or immersed in. dark, noisome, anc
!, suffocating atmosphere. To add to the awk
- wardncss of his situation, he found no liiil'
= difficulty in breathing owing to some mis-
p, manao cement in introducing the quilts Int
i, his nostris.
"a Thus shut out from all communication
=, with the external world. and not being at tn
=. zine in mood to commune with himself
%, the sensations of poor Mr.. Shocks wer
Nv truly horrible. He comforted HIMSELF how
- ever. with the reflection that they would b
~, !" of short duration But his feelings may b
~ in some degree imagined, they cannot be de
u, scribed. when he learned that the ignorar
y artist had suffered the plaster to remain o
Gu his head so long before he attempted to d
I've vide il with the strings that the process coul
Nv not be carried into effect Mr.. Snooks a
tempted TO speak; but he could not arlict
's late SYLLABLE; he strove 10 scream, but hi
~ voice sounded like the deep muuerings (
u, the thunder in the distance
a. He then resoried TO gestures, and mad
,er significant signs, which would have excite
I'VE the admiration of a Frenchman, implorln
MI relief He stamped, he kicked and thre
ar. his arms about like windmlll; but all
,ve no purpose. 1t seems as if he was horribl
er. doomed TO veal his head in shell for lii
civ This idea flashed on the mind OF Mr., Shook
ex. but it was too dreadful TO bear. He sprun
fl ND, and making the most unearthly sound
which were intended for means, he gropt
ard his way with much difficulty towards Il
md door, being mpelIed by an instructive lee
on ing TO seek for sympathy and assistant
ind from the public at large.
ant This martyr to science reached the fro
cen door before his friend, the Phrenologl
rted could determine in his own mind what cour
prit to adopt He was for a time as much Q
ave tonished al the unlucky result of his labou
ger as his unfortunate victim; but soon recoV'
IN ing the use Of his faculties, he called Q
was Justify for mallet or a top maui and CHS
IMP But Mr.. Shocks was too impatient to
hen rid of the burden which pressed heavily
ain, his head to be satisfied with dilatory mel
nee ures He made desperate effort TO desce
lore the stone steps at the front entrance OF
sea, house; but while cropping his way unass
ltful ted, in worse than Cimerian darkness,
leful fortunately, as the sequel proved, made
Ives false step, and in accordance with the rece
rea- ed principles Of grayitation, which ADM
bly illustrate the correctness Of Newto
e. theory, pitched head foremost on the pay
rain. sidewalk, to the great astonishment of
and passers BY The shock was so grea. 9