The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1883-05-10
AMONG THE SKULLS.
Prof. Wilson's Lecture Last Evening on
the ahova Subteef

FrOH. WILSON, Lecture last Evening on
the above Subject.
The lecture of Prof. T. P. Wilson last
evening at WhitleY's opera house was
listened to by fair sized audience, and
all appeared to enjoy immensely the talk
of the Professor on what he was pleased
to style can Hour Among the Skulls"
The speaker was introduced to the au-
dlence by Col. Feighan in brief but fe-
licitous and reassuring speech, where
upon Prof. Wilson stepped forward and
began his talk by saying that the sub.
ject under consideration was one
which filled many people with horror
to contemplate. This was owing mainly
to early training, education and associa-
ton. TO him and to all who had given
the subject the proper amount of study
and consideration the theme was glor-
ious one. In very felicitious manner
he remarked that there were two kinds
of skulls, living and dead; upon the
stand by his side lay dead skull, all
about him were living skulls. 1t would
fill sweet young lady with horror to
think of the skull he had before him
being laid in her lap, yet he had
known many a fair damsel to nurse
for half the night, a skull not
bit better than that which
he exhibited, the only difference
being that the Oae vas dead and the
other was alive, and TO nurSe one of
these live skulls was diYine occupa.
tion to her. He desired to impress peo-
pie with the feeling and inclination
that the study of the skull, dead or
alive, was an interesting and profitable
occupation. By the proper study and
understanding in this field of science
we would become better men and wOm-
en-, and better citizens in every respect.
The speaker retired with very zap.
py effect to the different characters in
Shakespeare's Hamlet" all of which
went TO prove that the eminent poet and
dramatist of the Sixteenth century
possessed knowledge of the different
characteristics of the mind, and made
each Of his characters assume that role
for which the mould of his head in
dictated fitness, as the eminent author
saw it
Not only may the character Of tie hu:
man being be read from the shape, size
and certain characteristics of the skull,
but it is an index to the different spe.
cies of creation. The scientist would
determine from the skull of an animal
that had been dead any number of years
its species, habits and nativity, and the
study of the anatomy of the lower or
ders of creation appeared TO possess a
greater Charm for people of 6
| philosophical tnra of mind thar
that of their own species. Many men
who made it hobby and believed tha
the species and characteristics of tht
lower animals could be determined by
the analysis of the skull. hooted at thu
theory held by the phrenologist, the mar
who PROCESSES TO read the character o
! his feliow-man by the skull which ma
ture gave him. That this should be 81
be was amazed, and believed that the
time vas coming whep the theory of tn
true phrenolCgist would be almost uni
versally accepted.
The speaker referred 20 chart which
hung back of him, on which was the fol
lowing slgebraic problem: Brain-man
skull-brain; skull-man. In Othe
words, things equal TO the same thing ar
equal to each other, and when we come I,
study the skull we study the brain wheI
we study the brain ave study man. Il
the language of Sir William Hamilton
| an old Scotch philosopher, There i
nothing great on earth but man, anC
nothing great IN pan but mind" Tn
speaker thought it ought to be REGARDED
a. high and holy privilege to develop
and make tbs most Of this God-gIyel
superiority.
The Professor could not forbear, ii
passing, to upbraid in measure ia
skepticisn of the preachers and othe
professions On the subject of phrennlo
gy. To illustrate how men would, un
der certain eiEcG mstances. be influence,
to believe ia certain thinGs they had be
fore criticised as foolish and bias
phemous, he related an anecdote which
is to good to let go without repro
ducing here. 1t was a minister o
the gospel and he was making his frs
voyage across It's OCEAN. When far on
81 sea great storm qrSse 94S -
preacher was very much frightened, an,
Ehsa the ship began TO toss be went +,
the captain, tEembling with fear. ans
asked if6he OH ,sr didn't think they Werl
to be lost The captain tod hun to keel
/ watch of the men at the Whei, aud
when they ceased swearing lie nigh: b
| apprehensive OF danger. Till then al
you'd he we'll. lie went near eHnngi
90 ses ami hear y be- W.ss aoiag on, ana
then retnrned to his sta Faem. by
and by the ship gave terrible lGrcs.
and that time the Gospel messenger
thought they W re all doomed 10 a wat.ry
grave. and again approAcaed the "a ;,
tgin with fear depic,d on very t-a,ar,
Of his aoaatensger, and The tears stream
ing from his eyes. AMI asked il t,; d1tu'
think The end was n ar Tie 81 i seq