therein only feed the eyes, and starve both taste and smell. To conclude, in building rather be lieve any man than an artificer in his own art for matter of charges, not that they cannot, but will not, be faithful. Should they tell thee all the cost at the first, it would blast a young builder in the budding, and, therefore, they soothe thee up till it hath cost thee something to confute them. The spirit of building first possessed people after the Flood, which then caused the confusion of languages, and since of the estate of many a man. MR EDITOR, THE first article in your Number for October exhibits a spirit of moderation and candour, which, I trust, will have a good effect on every one who may undertake to write against the doctrines of Phrenology. Professing to believe in these doctrines, I should appear to be a very unworthy disciple did I attempt, in any other spirit, to show that the objections of the writer of the article are founded neither on fact nor on fair reasoning, He does not appear to have studied the subject of phrenology thoroughly, either metaphysically or physiologically; but, when he has done so, I doubt not of his becoming a complete convert to the system. I am somewhat at a loss to discover on what grounds phrenology is stated to be a theory, in opposition to metaphysics, which last appear to be supposed so far removed from darkness and doubt, as to have arrived within the full blaze of truth. I conceive that the facts that serve as the foundation of phrenology are placed so near to our observation, that the cause and the effect are both so conspicuous, as to render the structure of a theory superfluous; while, in the whole range of metaphysics, nothing nearer to truth than bare hypothesis, found VOL. V. ed on fanciful assumptions, can be discovered. But this is of very little importance to the question at issue. The If, as is admitted, "it may be a part of the order of nature, that the capacity of feeling and thinking, or the actual feeling and thinking, in a peculiar manner, shall always be accompanied with a certain developement of skull, indicative of a certain portion of brain within it," we appeal to facts for the proof that it does follow, "that the portion of brain in question is a specific organ, without which we could neither think, nor feel, in the manner in question." writer of the article could not have attended to the work which, since he announced it, has been published by Mr Combe, (and which I had also previously read,) nor to Spurzheim's details, else he would have found it clearly stated, that a man with a certain developement strongly marked, acts, feels, and thinks, in a manner directly the reverse of that in which another man, who has no such developement, acts, feels, and thinks. I cannot conceive any mode of reasoning capable of removing the conviction of truth arising out of the plain fact, that the presence of a certain developement produces one uniform effect, and its absence always the reverse. Any particular developement, that of destructiveness, for instance, cannot, as the writer of the article supposes, be a sign of one mode of action of one general mental power, because what is mental is immaterial, and cannot appear in any other manner than by manifestations produced by the action of the mind on particular organs. If the writer means, that a particular developement is a sign that a person will act, feel, and think in a particular manner, and that the developement of different parts of the head indicate different modes of action, &c. I think he cannot refuse to admit a plurality of organs. If certain modes of feeling, thinking, and acting, could be remarked without a corresponding configuration of the brain, then (admitting the brain to be the organ of the mind) every brain must be supposed susceptible of receiving impressions of the modified action of mind, and all men would be alike, which, however, is not the fact. I conceive it to be the same thing whether we take our proofs from na 3 H turally deficient conformation, or from producing a deficiency artificially. But facts are not wanting of injuries of the brain producing a deficiency or deprivation of power in what was before energetic, and that without destroying any but one manifestation of mind. If the writer of the article will consult books that treat of physiological subjects, he will find many such facts recorded. I was lately informed of one by Dr M'Culloch of Woolwich, which ought to be recorded. He saw a person who had received a severe wound above the eye, in consequence of which he was deprived of the power of naming things correctly, even the letters of the alphabet. This fact was observed before Dr M'Culloch had heard of Gall and Spurzheim, and, consequently, he lost an opportunity of observing whether any of the neighbouring organs, as well as that of language, had been affected. This reminds me of having had the pleasure of sitting near you, Mr Editor, at the table of a friend and connection of your own, and hearing some remarks pass on Spurzheim's system between you and a lady who sat between us, just as the child of the gentleman I allude to came to sit after dinner on her mother's knee. I had not before seen the child, but the indication of verbal memory was so striking, that I could not resist intruding on your conversation, and risking the reputation of the system, by calling your attention to the child. On hearing my remark, the mother said, that the child daily astonished her by the retentiveness of her memory. Í recollect well how this fact seemed to make both you and the lady think there might be some truth in phrenology; and I dare say you will recollect and vouch the truth of the circumstance. Now, if this great degree of memory in this child, or a similar excellence of memory in any other person, be the result of a mode of action of the mind, I should like to know how the writer of the article in question can account for such a mode of action not taking place in my mind, who have a very bad memory for language, and no such indication as the child referred to has. He may, perhaps, assert, that I take no interest, pay no attention, to such things as I desire to remember. I can reply, I have made every possible exertion, without success; and that, when I see others retain words without effort, when I hear a person repeat whole chapters of a book which they have heard read, and when I see a uniform difference of developement between those whose memories are strong and those equally deficient with myself, I cannot withhold my assent to the truth of the phrenological system. I have observed the same thing with other faculties. The writer of the article admits, with great candour, that, "in so far as the faculties which are supposed to produce PROPENSITIES and SENTIMENTS, and even in so far as most of what are called knowing faculties are concerned, the theory does not appear to be at variance with facts. But," he adds, "in so far as Reason, Will, and Judgment, and all our intellectual powers, are ascribed to four distinct faculties, each having a specific function, and in so far as Sensution, Perception, Conception, Attention, and Memory, are ascribed to each faculty, and Abstraction and Imagination to Comparison and Ideality alone, we consider the new system to be contradicted by the evidence of consciousness." We have not been informed in what manner this evidence acts in hostility to our system; and I suspect that consciousness has not been allowed to act in its full force by those who appeal to it so often. The language which follows the above quotation is exactly that of Spurzheim, and I cannot see in what respect the evidence of consciousness contradicts a single article of phrenological faith, while, with respect to metaphysical doctrines, each individual is conscious that they do not all apply to his case. The writer of the article appears to lay great stress upon memory; and he seems to confound together the organs of sense, the organs of the faculties, and the mind. Phrenologists maintain, that if the organ of tune be destroyed, not only will all memory of music be effaced, but also the power of receiving musical impressions through the medium of the ear, although the impression of sound still continues perceptible. Deafness is not an affection of the organ of tune, but of the instrument of the sense of hearing. The eye is not the organ of form, colour, locality, &c. but the mere instrument by which we are enabled to receive the impressions of light. Hence, if the ear and eye be destroyed, all former impressions may be retained by the organs of the brain, which receive them from the instruments. But no fact can be produced of any particular portion of brain being destroyed or diseased, without an accompanying loss, or alteration, of the manifestations of mind proper to it, as a particular organ on which the mind was wont to act, in order to produce such manifestations. Let the optic nerve of an animal be divided, and it instantly becomes blind, though the eye continues entire. This proves that the part of the body on which the mind acts, is that part the connection with which has been cut off; viz. the brain. Experiments may be carried farther with some of the lower animals, which exhibit any particular faculty, as of tune. But without appealing to what is cruel, I may refer to the result of a common operation, which is, indeed, cruel; but, from its frequency, we can appeal to the effects without being under the necessity of operating ourselves. Let us look at the horse and the gelding; the bull and the ox; the ram and the wether; and having observed how they differ in the propensity of amativeness, let us examine and compare the size of that part of the brain called the cerebellum, and we shall find there is a very striking difference. If the operation of depriving a canary bird of that portion of brain which is the organ of tune, can be so nicely done as that the animal will survive, it will never again sing. Let us observe those of the human species who have received injuries of the head, and inquire whether any alteration has taken place in the powers of mind. Let us frequent hospitals, and observe cases in which deprivation of power has taken place, or unusual excite ment, and examine the brain after death when opportunity offers. Let us visit persons who are deranged, and remark the connection between their particular insanity and the form of their heads. By such investigations, if the writer of the article chuses to enter upon them, he will, I am persuaded, be fully satisfied of "the specific functions and independent existence of the faculties," and their organs; and that phrenology is, in fact, the system he describes it to be, supposing that he was actually satisfied. In the course of his investigation he will soon discover that there is a great variety of memory; and that some persons possess one variety in a great degree, while they are very deficient in another. He will, at the same time, observe a difference of configuration. If he himself be conscious of having a good memory for one thing and not for another, let him examine his own head. Let him ask Mr Dugald Stewart if he be not conscious of possessing an astonishing verbal memory, and say whether or not he has the indication of the organ of language in a remarkable degree. Let him point out a poet who has not ideality and language well marked, and whose configuration does not indicate the strain of feeling, or the want of proper feeling expressed in his poetry; and the system must fall. I must here inform the writer of the article, that there exists an anatomical fact, of which he does not seem to be aware, but which will probably give him a new view of the subject. All the parts of the brain are connected with each other. This accounts for the fact, that an object presented to us may excite various powers into action. We may attend to one thing at a time, and with some exertion to several; but almost always in spite of our closest attention, a single object excites a variety of faculties. We may behold an object that excites benevolence. If this faculty be in large proportion, we exercise it without consideration. But if other faculties bear a just proportion to it, we consider to what extent we may indulge our benevolence, without injury to others or to ourselves; we may recollect that appearances are not always to be relied on, and we proceed to inquire into the truth of the appeal made to our feelings. It is true, "that the mind, by means of memory, can treasure up the reports of all the senses;" but we maintain, that, without special organs, the mind cannot do so; and that there is no such thing as a general faculty of memory, any more than a general faculty of taste. Some remarks on this subject will be found in the fourth part of Sir G. Mackenzie's Essay on Taste, which are too long for quotation in such a communication as this; but as these remarks are made in reference to phrenology, I have no doubt that the writer of the article, who has proved himself not merely willing, but anxious to do phrenology justice, will give them whatever degree of importance they may deserve. He may also attend to the following remarks: If memory, &c. do not belong to particular organs, how does it happen, that at one time we can exercise these faculties with facility, and at another time not without great difficulty? If these acts were performed by the mind without the aid of special organs, the mind should be capable at all times of performing them. If the mind be independent of organs; if, as is asserted, it can remember, consider, compare, after an impression is made through the organs of sense, why does alcohol deprive us of such powers? Intoxicating liquors cannot have any effect on the mind itself considered as independent of organs. The propensities and sentiments are internal sensations; and it is absurd to speak of our deriving them from without. Covetiveness in the degree producing a desire to steal, is not an idea; it is a propensity, and all men do not feel it in an equal degree, else all men would be thieves. Why do the faculties increase in energy till a certain age, and then decrease, and sometimes become obliterated long before death? If a feeling be once strong, the mind, according to the writer of the article before us, ought to be able, at all times, to recall the feeling with equal energy; which is not the fact. exceeded in the use of strong liquor, has not been suffered to have due weight in philosophical discussion. Let him reflect on the fact, that when fatigue is experienced from intense application to one subject, relief is experienced by attention to something else; and observe facts as they occur to him; and he will be at no loss in their appplication. He will soon find that the " theory which accounts for all the anomalies in human talent and conduct," is the true one. He will acknowledge that the system which "generates and cherishes a spirit of charity in all our judgments upon others," is the system which He who enforces that spirit in His commands, has, in reality, established in "It was not only by successful appeals to any single passion that he surpassed every forensic speaker of his country; the wonder that he excited was owing to the rapidity of his transitions from passion to passion, from the deepest emotions that agitate the soul up to the liveliest combinations of a playful imagination. And yet this the most extraordinary and distinguishing of his powers can never be fully comprehended by those who know In metaphysics there is no end to him only through his graver and recorded argument; and phrenologists ought neral and lasting fame must now depend; efforts. It is upon the latter that his genever to argue with any person who but in Ireland, while any of his contem is not master of the subject of phreno- poraries who heard him survive, and perlogy; because arguing with such perhaps long after they all shall have followsons in refutation of their objections, gives to the science an air of uncertainty that does not belong to it. I am almost certain, that the writer to whom I offer these remarks has not studied phrenology in all its bearings; and especially the proofs derived from anatomy and physiology. Perhaps I presume too much, when I entreat him to consider well the mutual dependence of mind and body, which, though experienced by every one whose health has been impaired, who has been over-fatigued, or who has ed him to the grave, his name will enjoy a peculiar and scarcely less brilliant reputation in the traditional accounts of the numberless unpremeditated and magical effusions that have been no otherwise preserved; and which, in the estimation of his admiring hearers, would alone have renderbar. For more than twenty years those astonishingly varied talents, upon which the critic may now fear to pass too unqua lified an encomium, converted the Irish courts of justice into a theatre of popular recreation, whither day after day the multitude delighted to flock to behold the ora ed him the ornament and boast of the Irish tor in whom they gloried, going, in the space of a few moments, his rounds of the human passions and the human faculties; alternately sublime, indignant, sarcastic, subtle, playful, pathetic. "This extreme versatility, if Mr Curran be contemplated as a model, may be deemed a defect, but for every practical purpose its success was so decided as to justify his adopting it. Had his eloquence been more scholastic, had every topic of persuasion been selected with an eye to rhetorical observances, he would have escaped some literary reproaches, but he would have gained fewer triumphs. The juries among whom he was thrown, and for whom he originally formed his style, were not fastidious critics; they were more usually men abounding in rude unpolished sympathies, and who were ready to surrender the treasure, of which they scarcely knew the value, to him that offered them the most alluring toys. Whatever might have been his own better taste, as an advocate he soon discovered, that the surest way to persuade was to conciliate by amusing them. With them he found that his imagination might revel unrestrained; that, when once the work of intoxication was begun, every wayward fancy and wild expression was as acceptable and effectual as the most refined wit; and that the favour which they would have refused to the unattractive reasoner, or to the too distant and formal orator, they had not the firmness to withhold, when solicited with the gay persuasive familiarity of a companion. These careless or licentious habits, encouraged by early applause and victory, were never thrown aside, and we can observe in almost all his productions, no matter how august the audience, or how solemn the occasion, that his mind is perpetually relapsing into its primitive indulgences." Vol. II. pp. 410—413. It is singular enough that originally Mr Curran was no less remarkable for embarrassment and timidity than he afterwards became distinguished for his great readiness and powers of oratory. A very amusing story is told of his first breaking the ice, and, as it is given in his own words, the narrative will likewise convey to our readers some idea of his conversational vivacity. "It was during his attendance at the Temple that Mr Curran made the first trial of his rhetorical powers. He frequented a debating society that was composed of his fellow-students. His first at tempt was unsuccessful, and for the moment quite disheartened him. He had had from his boyhood a considerable precipita tion and confusion of utterance, from which he was denominated by his school-fellows stuttering Jack Curran.' This defect he had laboured to remove, but the cure was not yet complete. From the agitation of a first effort he was unable to pronounce a syllable; and so little promise did there appear of his shining as a speaker, that his friend Apjohn said to him, I have a high opinion of your capacity; confine yourself to the study of law, and you will to a certainty become an eminent chambercounsel; but, depend upon it, Nature never intended you for an orator.' Fortunately for his fame, this advice was disregarded: he continued to attend the above and other debating clubs, at one of which, during a discussion, some personal and ir. ritating expressions having been levelled at him, his indignation, and along with it his talent, was roused. Forgetting all his timidity and hesitation, he rose against his assailant, and, for the first time, revealed to his hearers and to himself that style of original and impetuous oratory, which he afterwards improved into such perfection, and which now bids fair to preserve his name. He used often to entertain his friends by detailing this event of his mind's having burst the shell.' The following was the manner in which he once related it; for one of the great charms of his colloquial powers was the novelty that he could give to the same facts upon every repetition :-he adorned a favourite anecdote, as a skilful musician would a favourite air, by an endless variety of unpremeditated ad libitum graces. 6 "One day after dinner, an acquaintance, in speaking of his eloquence, happened to observe, that it must have been born with him. Indeed, my dear Sir,' replied Mr Curran, it was not; it was born three and twenty years and some months after me; and, if you are satisfied to listen to a dull historian, you shall have the history of its nativity. Poor fellows! "When I was at the Temple, a few of us formed a little debating club-poor Apjohn, and Duhigg, and the rest of them! they have all disappeared from the stage; but my own busy hour will soon be fretted through, and then we may meet a gain behind the scenes. they are now at rest; but I still can see them, and the glow of honest bustle on their looks, as they arranged their little plan of honourable association, (or, as Pope would say, 'gave their little senate laws,') where all the great questions in ethics and politics (there were no gagging bills in those days) were to be discussed and irrevocably settled. Upon the first night of our assembling, I attended, my foolish heart throbbing with the anticipat The late B. T. Duhigg, Esq. of the Irish bar." |