The daily press. (Cincinnati [Ohio) 1859-1859, 1859-03-23
PhrenOIOgy.

Phronoogy, or the Science Of Mind, num-
bors among its admiring disciples host of the
greatest men now in existence-both in this
country and in Europe. But this was not al
ways the case, There was a time when it had
to endure the scorn Of tho cynic, the vulgar
scoff of the unthinking, and tho powerful
broadsides of some of the literat, chiefly of the
orthodox persuasion, fired off in certain maya
zines-monthles and quarterlies, pamphlets,
sermons and so-forth.
Phrenologists, however, have no great rea-
son to complain that their lot, in this respect,
has been worse than the lot Of others who
have had the honor of broaching some new
idea, or introducing some practical improve
ment into the business Of life. All discoveries
are, at first, greeted with a shout of derision,
and their introducers are sure to be branded with
the opprobrious epithet of "innovators;" while
the cheap argument OF denounoing the new
doctrine "humbug," or the like, is found to
be most convenient for silencing the Newlight
preachers, and initiating the self confident op-
posers with an extra quantity of egotistically
offensive gas. ~.
The Phrenologists, we are happy to say, have
witnessed, endured and survived their greatest
struggle. "Logical' detractors of the science
are pretty well silenced; while combined attacks
| from theological system makers are no longer
to be apprehended. Phrenology has the field
| and long may its vOtaries wear, with dignity
and grace, the honors it confers. But it may
be asked what injurious effect has its victorious
triumph over all opposition had on thatreligion-
for the safety of which so many timid souls
did quake and fear when the facts of the sci
ence were first announced? None, whatever.
The religion of hristianity-revealed religion
in general-has not even been assailed by Phren-
ologists. Nothing like malice prepenSe against
any system of religion or ethics ever influenced
| whose honest and unmistakable voice is now
and then heard warning mankind not to attri-
/ butte to Divine Providence the evils arising
from the neglect Of sanitary measures. We
write not from ignorance Of the men who are
l Professors of this Science-we have had the
honor of the closest personal intimacy with
teachers of Phrenology, whose childlike sim
plicity of Christian character we have never
seen equaled; whose faith in the pleuary in
| spiration of the Scriptures was without waver,
and whose lives were an illustration of purity
of mind and honesty of purpose. .....-
Happily, our experience of the innocuous ma
ture of the science on religious belief is more
than corroborated by the positive declarations
| of man aminant no Chriaf;ona M to ;ts orao
practical value in the affairs of life. Take one
testimony on this very point: ~ look upon
\ Phrenology," says the Hon. Horace Mann, "as
the guide to Philosophy and the handmade of
Christianity. Whoever disseminatos true
Phrenology, is public benefactor."
Here is another from the pen of the far
famed author of The Fatare STATE, Logic, and
other important works-Bishop Whately, of
Dublin: "Even if all connection between the
brain and mind were a perfect chmera, the
treatiscs Of Phrenologists would be of great
value, from their employing metaphysical
nomenclature far more logical, accurate and
convenient than Locke, Stewart and other
| writer's of their schools" A..
Another clerical gentleman, who is, more
over, an experienced teacher-we refer TO the
Rev. David Syme-says: al deem a knowl-
edge of Phrcnology indispensably necessary to
teachers, and from my own experience may
state that, by my acquaintance with this i'm
portant science, find my labors greatly ale
waited, my ends more effectually promoted
and the duties of profession, generally con-
sidcred irksome and disagreeable, rendered
comparatively pleasant"
One more testimony we must add, and it Is
from no less saram than Professor Sill
man-who is regarded as the head of the sci
ontiic corps of this country. The Professor
says Chronology undertakes to accomplish
for man what Philosophy performs for the cx-
ternal world; it claims to disclose the real state
of things, and to present Nature unvailod, and
in her true features" ........
| Many persons scoflingly question the utiHty
of Phrenology, when, to their chagrin, they sec
that their theoretical objections, upon which
| they had prided themselves have been given