Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-07
BRAND NEW SCIENCE.
Phreno-Pbysiology and an Interview
With Its Local Pioneer.
CHARACTER READING THE IDEA
Worked Out by Man Who Studies Both
Bumps and Bodies.
LARGE POSSIBILITIES OF TIE SCHEME

Prof. P. S. Herman, of local mathemat-
ical and classical college, was interviewed
in his Allegheny residence day or two
since, with regard to the new science oi
phreno-physiology, of which he claims to be
the pioneer. The Professor obligingly sup
piled all particulars required, permitting
the reporter to glance over the series of lee
lures on the new science, which he has now
thoroughly finished.
These lectures are addressed to profession
al and business men. and to all others into
whose province the reading of character en-
ters. They are centrifugal, and support the
voluntary laws, contradicting in their EN-
tirety the doctrines of the fatalist.
They contain matter in reference to the
character reading, applicable to business,
society, science and administrator OF
justice. Their aim appears to be to know
man as he is, through the THOUSAND clews
which his bearing, conversation. form, face,
etc., afford the investigators. In sact they
seek to make character reading great
factor in society. The Professor states that,
knowing a man ordinarily and Judging by
his individual physical laws. Sne can by
means of the science read his character
almost as book. Thus pbrensphysiology
is to the human construction that geology
is to the surface of the earth.
NOT MERE PHRENoLcGY.
"Mind you," said the Prtfessor," this
science is not mere phrenolOgy, because
phrenology is as yet in an imperfect state of
development. Moreover, ph-enology con-
fines itself to the nervous fystem of the
head, and disregards that of the trunk.
Phreno-physiology suppose the nervous
system and the brain to form one unit.
Hence. what phrenology would blame in
man for defective organs, this science, by
examining the whole system, may prove to
be unworthy of blame"
The Professor fercely denied timorous
suggestion that his science did not admit of
free agency in man. ''It admits of free
agency" he said. land it also supports the
immortality of the soul 1t proves man to
have almost infinite capabilities for i'm
provement, socially, intelligently, finan-
cially, morally and religiously. A man
we'll versed in this science can always repel
the insidious promptings to self-destruction.
1t is the science of nature-the revelation
of Gods great work. 1t is what Francis
Bacon called 'verbum dei-in rebus GREATS
manifestum.'
Another gentleman, quite conversant
with this subject, made it clearer by saying:
"With a proper allowance for the Professors g
natural exultation over his now complete
labors-he has been toiling at the science
for eight years-it must be admitted that
phreno-physiology appears to be endowed
with
ppocP FSSrvr Ann prrRrIv MrpICA M
spirit. 1t is one of those discoveries which
many people have passed heedlessly by; and
no doubt there are thousands who have
thought ont the principles of phreno-physi-
ology without dreaming of reducing them to
a science. There is no doubt that phreno-
physiology is a science, as no element of the
science is to be found wanting in its COM
position. It is as yet in its infancy, OF
course, but every science has known an in
fancy.
Thousands of years ago geography was
born. Before its Discovery many had
known that there were islands and rivers
and seas, but none had thought Of building
a science on them. It required Pliny to
make geography out of these crude ele-
ments, Just as Prof. Herman claims to have
made phreno-physiology from the shreds and
patches of character-read1ng which he
found in the sages and among the shrewd
men of our own times. 1t is only fair that
Americans should hear the professor before
any judgment is pronounced on the value
of this new departure"
Several examinations by means of phreno-
physiology of individuals previously un-
known to the Professor have taken place,
and all resulted successfully. HIS full
name is Ponciauus Sismondi Herman. He
is of ancient and honorable descent, and,
spr;nging from the renowned race Of Sis.
mondi, has the right to quarter on his fam
lily coat of arms the imperial eagle of the
Germanic Empire