The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-09-11
For the National Era.
THE NEW SCIENCES.

IL Is common nowadays to speak of the new
SCIENCES and the great changes in philosonhv
which are going o. Many, especially of those
VINO are not well versed in positive science. seem
70 De Impressed with the idea that a new liOht b
leasing ior'n, and that We are just upon the eve
uioS' astounding developments, which are TO
change the aspect of all philosophy. In this vagina
and susceptible condition of the publio mind
number OF most marvellous revelations fso oalledl
arc put iorth, which are so loose in conception
huu e1traVagant in their pretensions as 10 tar
tue puohc credulity almost beyond endurance
Nv Che same time, quite a number of itin.rant
mesmerizers hold forth to astonished multitudes
ana attract eager audiences by the announcement
'hat they have some newer and greater wonder N |
reVeal-some secret spell-some wonderful nrin. |
o'Ple 70 communicate, under pledge of secresy. |
Vhe value OF which is just ten dollars j and how
ever ignorant or unprincipled the exhihitor who
claims this unparalleled knowledge he 6nds n
the public oreanlitsa h- srS@ -s .,.s.-. 80,
mesneric, snd neusological -
mr. REORGANIZATION Sciences relating 10 mau "ro W
favorite subjects Of scioists and charlatans "niie
hut a small number of scientlhc ana honorAo,e
men have devoted their inquiries to these deeply
interesting themes , Il.
Hence i ia that the intelligent general readers
~ onr country are quite at loss 10 know how 10
reoord these mesmeric wonders, and the various
cbTvsalis forms of science which are daily attract
ing increasing attention. Having myssh oeen
fa9orohlv situated for several years TO understand
,ha nrogress of the various scientific movements
Of this character and TO become ACC 1snted WIN
the merits Of the gentlemen who have attrac'eo
public attention upon such subjects, ieei prompt
ed TO say q few words In reference 10 we p.esen.
confused. vet. think, hopeful condition OF what
have heen called the "Anthropolcgical sciences"
The system of phrenology propounded by eau
o,d Snnrzheim lin the details OF which, by the
wav have never been adevoted believer) mas not
been honored by many distinguished supporters
and advocated considering the value OF its claims
g true In Europe, Brousssis, Combe, Vimont
Elliotson. and perhaps dozen others, might DC
cited ms decided champions OF the system In suui-
ton 10 considerable number OF believers OF .ne
dootrine. la America, Professor Caldweii, ne tne
| first and most distinguished teacher OF us Ioo'
! ,rines stood alone for many years, unil Dr
! buchanan. DIR. Powell and the Messrs- Fowler
became its champions and popular propasators
During the last fifteen years, the diffusion ana
| ,na;n,enanee of the science In this country mas
h.an mainly due 10 the labors OF these gentlemen
IA ,be,r nopils They have done much to en-
| Wohtsn the pnblic mind and deserve well OF their
| conn,ry wherever they have carried pnrenoiogy'
thew have carried also spirit OF phiiantnrOPy'
az liberal philosophy, and OF universal reform
IL may be asked Have these gentlemen 1 y, ~
anything 10 improve upon the suggestion y, ca =,
"a Sn9rzhejm7 Has anything been done te
rander the scenoe Of the brain more accurate ano
wo,thv of place among the exact sciences
\, ,nust he confessed that meTs CTdHoiOgy has no
> .a..no.d far beyond It's condition as LETT by ual
end Snurzheim Even the active MIND OF merlc
L. L. onr,,;hn,ed but few new observations IN Tn
~a,nsr ~ q all although venture TO say that,
nraciicsl phrenologists, our American cn',iva,or
! ~ the science are uprivaled in the world IN
, | sL;ll Of the Messrs Fowler Is well known q, IN
!. E,s, That of DR.. Buchanan aud Dr. foNsn
9 sto~ ,'ayn n tasted In the West and South,
M ~ .dvsncs Of any exhibitions OF phrenolog
I cal skIII Of which have any knowledge ga
y .1as nsysr much Of practical phrenologist, An
Ala M, profess to Judge well Of degrees OF deSe
~ onr0snt and shades Of character. SpurEheim W
10 ,,nch more practical; but have yet TO learn IA
~ Ear manifeated as accurate perception
ohs,acter. temperament, and organic deveiopme'
s;,hsr nv sight or touch, as have seen display
nv onr distinguished Western cranioiog.S'
could relate several instances OF their sNiii ""'
Dr. would appear not little marvellous
In. mt perhaps all this may appear 10 some
ok, 1t, ~ the name Of science Doubtless
err, Ia and the reasoning were not In all cases
oisar as those of mathematics, but the results "
oo"allv striking, whether arrived at by SUI
,ndnctiop or by the quick sympathies ana
aid Int mysterious process OF genius
sen ''I oonSsss however, have been much m
md rleased with the efforts Of DR.. Bachansn 70
nth Ioovs the uncertainties Of chronological sciei
Pr. and suhstitute an exact experimental bass Tor
: TO ;rdsenite data OF cranioscopy " nj: assert,
mon this subject are correct, be has placed p
d II Dplor,cal science upon an entirely new o.
me. G,II relied upon cranal protuberances or on
nee "a the guides to the study OF the brain bucna
recognizes the value OF that method bat ciS
,Ss, he has discovered the art OF exciting 'hs
lions cerebral organs, In the natural waxing =
wi,hout any mesmerio preparations oln'.
rromnlaaiion Of DR.. Buchsnans discovery
a.. bas heen vast amount Of experimenting on
NV, hrain by mesmeric operators who have uspl
" ~ wdsIy from the simple aud scensnc me.hoo
"a n, n which are better adapted 10 the caii''
az, ~ .ciencs than to popular exhibition.
H. That this discovery Is true, ! nave no'
h .,ahtsst doubt, for | have witnessed hundre
' Ta;sh, say thousands, of experiments when '
,sao ss5ssv the most stubborn skepticlsm. IL
Ia Ssd Iis,ed by many who have heard DIR. Baena
igcld exposition Of the new system, ina.
,hs,s entirely removed the difficulties and ooscn
ou,. oS the old chronological syssem, ~ converts
,1s.t from a matter Of chronological oossrvsuon
~ al science Of experimental demonstrssion no
'snos "a sasIly avoid this ooneluaion II We Aam