Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-04-21
COMMUNICATIONS
PHRENOLOGY.
fCoucLuded


and half degree, the talents of persons they new
or saw" This is great mistake, or msconstruc-
uon. IL Ia difficult TO conjecture how any one can
understand ITO degree, aud half degree" the
principles of PhrenolUgy, and have such erroneous
views on the subject Of examination. Phrenolo-
glss pretend TO no such numerical computation OF
characters, as he has expressed. The figures on
the chart Indicate only the relative size OF the or
gans; from which Inference in relation to charac-
Ter is drawn in familiar language. Again he re-
marks, " have before me the Constitution OF
Man by George Combe" He then complains that
the wonderful talents and noble disposition Of an
individual, are by Combe, ascribed TO the form
Of the BRAIN" L. 5. is still bound in the spell of
his ideal independent being, education Combe
10 where denies the force and utility of educa-
ton; but in his system OF Phrenology, contends
for II, with talent and lively interest, worthy Of
that distinguished writer. In the example of Me-
lanclhon, Connie is illustrating organization ms
connected with character. The author does not
present uncommonly good organization, with the
prelence Tint it is incapable Of exercise or inl-
provenent. contrary cOncus on is highly ab.
surd The description of Maanclh II implies etn-
inent improvement. Connie does not mean TINT
every head like MnInncthon's mus; have chnrac
ter like hiss hut that n distinguished character
like Ms must have head aud temperament SIM
liar to his. The fact lhm exalted individual n
chevements so seldom occur with the same OPP
IiOIlHHitito anu HuuCGNHtHto, ~ IIOOl VI llt VII
umph OF great natural genius or high organza.
ti0n. l. 5. again remarks, that IN the same work
OF COmbe "is n drawing OF the head Of Pope
Alexander VI, very had man. There again this
character is Inscribed corehaI orgauiz ttlon." In
view of this remark Of the writer we would oh
serve that there those OF So noble genius, that
without extraordinary advantages, to do deeds
OF excellence aud greatness appears 10 be their
only element. While there are others untnvor-
ably organized that in similar circumstances aud
with equal advantages, seem 10 he wholly lncIiu-
ed 10 deeds Of arocy to he entirely reckless Of
every sacred principle OF social intercourse. aud
to wnnlon in the darkness OF their fearful nlachin
atoms This has been well known fact III all
ages, and We have ut present abundant examples
of this Kind. Has n difference of advantage or
education caused this difference Of characler?-
The careful and nboruns observation of every
grade of character by the most yirnous, learned,
and ingenious OF the age, have long shown TO the
world iacts, that in this casa make Phrenol, gy
triumphant. Why does |. >. continue to toy with
his gossamer threads of sophstry, While demon
stralion slares him in the face DO not Il heads
of the individuals under consideration perfectly
agree with their characters according TO Plrenol-
ogy But if thu fact had been the reverse the
writer doubtless would lave claimed 1t ~ a total
ofIhe principles for which we contend
yet the facts are, he strangely refuses o admit
that they are any proof in favor OF PhrehOogy
The examples we have Just considered IRE OF The
most extraordinary drvelopemeut, aud all the M
degrees between these extremes are
found with character, either good or bad less cou-
splcnnus md striking, IN proportion IL tie organs
ARE less prominent. Hence II IL FROM uncommon
develop emenrs atone that 10 look for SRI
king traits of character. Those heads in which
the organs are equally developed, are liable IL he
influenced 10y circumstances, aud led 10y exam
piles. either gooh or bad, but are never distinguish
pl for lhiun ,YtrnnrIi As suplt iuuiviI-
nas are frequently vasca,ing in their feelings
ana actions, according to their present condition,
il is frequently diilcu for the Phrenologist to de-
scribe IN Them any constant trait of character for
which they are distinguished. Examinations like
these, are frequently prolific grounds of dissas-
faction To those who are Disposed to doubt the
ruth of the science Again The writer, stating
hai Combe regards Phrebology as furnishing
na,nra index TO meutal qualities says 81 will
lnly remark upon this point, that our author re-
CARDS Plrenology as sulur guide then our otcn
'agacity" What does l. >. mean by our oWn
'agacity? Is not applying the principles OF Phre-
hoogy in the >i.,dy of human nature, MS much our
own sagacIty anything else? la this implied
objection of b'S, there is Intent assumption, that
principles which are sanctioned by long custom
Dnly, are ours that they are iniailiDe and that
Il is vain and presumptuous 10 atteinp; improve
nent. L. s. further observes "Of The influence
Ut education Ia forming the brain | find but very
ItIe III COHUe5 NOrK' MS Is uOuD1esS true,
Is CUmbe holds 10 no such doctrine a doctrine
which Pbrenology does not require, as we beye
We have already shown. Now, remarks the wri.
err =" let us suppose the brain, as alledged, is dN
led into thirty five parts, Tint each pat is an or
gan OF distinct faculty, and that the faculties are
always exactly proportioned in strength aud nctiv-
ny 10 the size oil their respective organs. Would
on this supposOn, enable us to us
,ertaln character with aay thing like accuracy
n lies nyl oh, Itnx
known, thai all the organs are not used in assocI-
alton in one process, but only the most prominent,
which are comparatively few. The skiIliul prac
ioner does not observe in separate succession
The influence of each organ, ike child, who
when learning TO read, stops TO spell every word
Ie pronounceS. The nscephancy of different Of
,ans is perceived by certain forms of the head,
more than feeling their prominence, aud their mu.
ual influence readily inferred Again gays |. s.,
Let us see: the merchant, who could dispense
With his scales in weighing tea, and by the mere
orce OF Judgment determine the quantity sod
with sufficient accuracy for commercial purposes,
would he regarded ms possessing extraordinary tai.
mt yet he would have the advantage of seeing
he bulk md feeling the weight of Ten" by this
igure, the writer is enheavoring 10 show the alb
urdity OF Phrenology from the iarI thai The nle-
Tor Of the brain cannot be examined, nor its
wei -ht ascertained by 0ccuar nui tangible proof.
This is all IDLE hypnthcsis. The things mention |
ID in his comparison are ihanmaie obi. cts are
entirely incidental, and hold 10 analogy with the
avs OF animal nature. Phrenolugy proceeds up
N the only true principle of nduclve causatiun,
that a cause which is followed by n certain Ell
ect, will he followed by the same effect in the
niue circumstances. Hence the well grounded
;0ncusioE, that an organization which maniics,s
certain disposition, WI, with II similar temptra-
hent, always manifest a similar disposition.
We observe tie remarkable fact that the most
aIened and warm opposers Of PhrenOlogy have
lever attempted 10 apply 10 il the test of demon
rnton 10 reiute il. They never lave attempted
U FIND head of decidedly bad organizlliOn con
lec,ed with disposition exactly The reverse. The
most crafty aud subtle Of oppusers have never
Presumed to play the magician, and endeavor TO
describe Character with the certainty and correct
less Oft skilu examiner thus taciy but absurd
y paying homage 10 the excellence OF that which
hey pretend 10 hold IN dcrsion On the other
land il is equally remarkable lhal rom the days
II its founder this science has courted denons,ra-
lou in every form within ills reach. The busts