Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-01-26
A Word for Phrenology. Etc.

In the WArcHMAN of December Sth, Dr. iOskins
uses this language; Some thirty years ago, New
England was all agog with new isms that claimed
to DO based upon science The chief Of those were
Phrenology and Grahanism, Of neither Of which
is much now left, except occasional humorous
reference to bumps, in the one ease, and
name for unbolted flour in the other"
Such language as this, in relation to Phre-
nology, especially comes half century too
late Phreuology not only claims to be based
upon science, but is in and Of Itself a science
--one Of the noblcst and most elevated sciences,
too, that can engage the attention Of man-the
science Of the human mind Shades Of Gall and
spurzhsiul With what mingled emotions Of ply
and surprise would those DISCOVERIES and early
champions OF what millions accept is the only
true and rational mental philosophy, receive the
information that Of Phrenology there is not much
now left except now and then something by
way Of rdcule in reference TO bumps" What
the evidence may be, on which Dr. Hoskins bases
his assumption that Pnenology is nearly played
out, we are not able to state Possibly GER
tain amount Of prejudice may affect him.
Ordinary observation, It would seem might CON
vince any fair-mnded individual Of the truth Of
the general principles Of the science in question
errors in detail there may be- and doubtless are
No doubt the Doctor considers the brain to he the
organ Of the mind OF would he consider the seat
Of the mind as likely to be in the heels as the
head or in some locality intermediate between?
The faith Of your intelligent readers in the fam
dament,l truths Of the discovery Of Gall and
spurzheim is not 70 be shaken by Whit Of ridi-
Guile, even though it may come from one who i'm
parts Instructions generally very sensible-to his
iellowmen. True, we hear, generally speaking
but little said about phrenology; but can that be
justly taken ~ conclusive evidence that II is de-
func' As nationally conclude that because as
tronomy is not constantly " harped upon, and is
not upon eyerybody's tongue, therefore II is TO be
adjudged as one among the many decisions with
which mans reason has been befogged and that
the old-tme theory is a sensible one, after all
that the earth stands STILL and all the heavenly
hosts the sun, moon and stars, reyolye around it
The article from which we have quoted, emit
tied I" Is pork unwholesome,' contains some re-
marks, in addition to those in our leading quota
ton, in ridicule Of the founder Of Gmhamism
lie is called dyspeptic, as thin as rail " and
the inference is conveyed that, because he did not
live to an advanced age, it would be just and log
ical to conclude that his system was at fault Hi
was a fra;l hold upon life; and how long would
he have lived, had he followed some other way Of
living is question that should be decided be-
fore his DEATH in middle life should be charged to
his fayonte system.
We do not feel disposed to uphold any bran
bread theory; but it is very evident that the SEN
sibe conclusion is generally being arrived at, that
very useful and important part Of the grain
from which our Aour is made has formerly been
discarded D.TA
Mortified, January 2Oth, 1876