Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1848-11-09
THE PHRENOLOGIST.
BY II. r. ADDISON.

o0e"Cu w ioiSct oil OtbtI ClICuliIotduCCS' al
other subjects, save the one engrossing topic
on which he was engaged His eve, wide
ly dlla'ed, saw no object save the bright i'm
agery created by his fertile brain. His voice
was impassioned. His every pulse beat
high. The professional the time speak of,
was just two and thirty, and ranked him
self as the very leader Of Gall and Spur
hem'a energetic disciples. On the subject
OF Phrenologv he was discoursing when
entered the Dining-room of the Baron Hart
mann.
1t was fine summer evening. Strawber-
ries and other fruits decorated the board
The weli-iced Johannesburg and the cellar
cooled LATHE stood ,emptingly on table,
around which about dozen young men.
with The worthy baron and the professor, sat.
1t appeared that, IN the height of his en-
thusiasm, Leyden had, to please the COM
pany, examined their heads, and with many
wise looks pressed the bumps which he de-
clared to be the unerring indications Of the
human character and passions. Some un-
fortunate wight in company, however, had
evidently shocked the examiner by de-
monsration of wicked propensi,ies, for he
slrenuously refused, on this occasion to pro-
nounce upon the several organs, declaring
he ''mighl give offence,n he "migh, be
wrong" "indeed it might appear ividious;"
in short, after making several similar ex-
cuses, the professor sat down in media,ive
silence; nor. could he again be brought to
speak, save and except upon the general
merits of the system, subject on which he
never failed 10 enlarge.
1t is curious fact. tina, never in my life
heard the subjec, Of phrenology preached
without a laugh being raised al lis expense,
which very naturally annoys the supporters
OF this theory and brings on the warmest
argument. 1t was discussion of this kind
shatprobabIy had raised The fire which flush
ed the cheek of Leyden on the evening of
which speak.
The conversation had now taken a new
channel. A dreadful murder had been con-
mi,ed in the neighborhood of The Black
Forest. A young girl had eIoped from her
parents some weeks before. The compani-
on of her flight vas supposed 10 be young
man who had been staying in the neighhor-
hood he had disappeared abou, The same
time. She had just been found savagely
murdered. while the supposed partner of her
guilt had reapPeared, and declared that be
had with difficulty escaped from the hands
of bandllti, who had, without any apparent
motive, seized and Imprisoned him. To
prove this, he showed several severe wound,
which he had received in The successful
struggle he had had with two of the gang
in his endeayor to iibers;e himself. THIS
story, however, appeared so improbable,
that no belief was attached 10 it, and the
young man was hurried to prison, there to
abide his trial.
This sad story had been repeated with
painful minu.eness by Carl Hofenon,a hand
some young man, who had lael arrived ..
Baden, and whose mild and gentleman,
manners bad already won for him the gold
Ell opinions Of all the society assembled
there. No one was more pleased with him
than the old baron. II was even believed
tina. he ranked so high in The good old mans
opinion, that it was rumored he had pro-
posed and was actually accepted by Clara
Hartmann, with The full sanction of her
father.
As narrator, few could excel him. His
vivid descriptions lert life 10 his stories :;
and when he chose, las on the present oc-
casion) he could harrow up the nerves Of
even The most apathe,ic, by depicting hor-
rors in their most gar;ng, most appalling
coors.
One burst of Indignation, as he concluded,
bespoke how truly he had interested his
auditory. A thousand execra,ions were
heaped upon the head of the unhappy youth,
who seemed plainly. incontrovertibly, from
the details given by Carl, to be the perpetra-
tor of the bloody deed.
''i'Il 60 to see his execution myself ]
could enjoy the death torures of such a
wretch 20 Indignantly exclaimed the Prince
of Osehach, young Russian, as he took a
pinch of snuff, and handedto his next neighbor
his splendid box which dazzled the eye by
the richness Of the diamonds encircling it.
off such wretch existed on my estates, I'd
have him racked.''
Sand we'll would he deserve it cold
hearted, cruel assassin" chmed in another.
MAY he be punished in the world to
come - fervenlly calculated Carl.
May, nay" said the old baron, that is
saying too much. 1t is true the man de-
serves an earthly punishment; bu. you are
allowing your anger against vice, my dear
boy, to carry you too far.' And the old
noble good-nasuredly patled Carl on the
arm.
Thus various subjects were discussed and
argued; but during the whole evening Ley
den spoke no, word. A. last the hour for
breaking up arrived and according TO Ell
quetle the prince moved first. Ere he did
so, he requested the return of his snuff-box.
The person to whom he had handed it de-