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essay, it is to be regretted, but one in which the peculiar claims of the science are distinctly recognized. We are the more pleased with it, because, as the reader will perceive from the very pointed nature of the reference in the following extract, it prepares us for at least a fair exposition of the merits of the system in which we feel so deeply interested. The proprietor and editor of the work, Dr Sommers, a respectable clergyman in the church of Scotland, has our sincere thanks for his manly conduct in permitting the insertion of so unequivocal a testimony, and our best wishes for the success of his undertaking. We shall wait, with some impatience, for the appearance of that part of it in which the pledge thus spiritedly proffered shall be redeemed.

"If in addition to what Consciousness suggests, we have re"course to observation, we shall find that all the mental powers " of our fellow-creatures are manifested through the medium of "bodily organs. The remark applies equally to the very high"est powers of which our nature is susceptible, as to those of "the lowest order which we have in common with the brutes. "It would seem, then, a perfectly correct and philosophical inquiry, What are the portions of our organized bodies with "which our minds are most intimately connected? and, again, " as it is most certain that we have not only different degrees, "but also different kinds of mental powers, some distinctions " in which have already been enumerated, are there any differ"ences in those portions, wherever situated, corresponding with "such mental powers?

"Sensation is of different kinds, and is assuredly performed "by different organs,-or, in other words, different parts of our "bodily system are appropriated to different senses. It would "be quite according to analogy to infer, that other faculties of "mind have their specific organs, though we might never be "able to discover where they are placed. It is quite conceiv"able, too, that even though, by some means or other, they « were discovered, so that we should be entitled to say with "confidence, that such and such portions of our bodies were "the instruments by which the mind manifested such and such powers, we might be nevertheless completely in the dark "both as to the mode in which these portions were so employ❝ed, and also as to the precise kind of connexion, not to speak "of resemblance, which would be nonsensical, subsisting be"tween them. The case of the organs of the senses is quite in point here. Our knowledge of the structure of the eye, of "the exact similitude it bears to an optical instrument, by no

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means accounts for the mode in which the mind sees by means of it; for though we have discovered the production "of pictures on the retina, we cannot explain how these pic"tures are perceived by an agent, or intelligent being, which "is positively not only altogether unconscious of them, but is "actually conscious of seeing the things which they resemble " in a very different position and place. The same thing may "be said of the sense of hearing, in which our knowledge of "the anatomical structure of the organ concerned in it aids us "not at all in the exposition of the general phenomenon; and we may extend the observation to all the other senses, be"tween which and the perceptions we make by means of them we can trace no similitude. Should the case be the same "with respect to any of the higher powers, and their supposed 66 organs, it would be foolish for us either to be surprised, or to "consider the circumstance as an objection to the discovery of "their relation and connexion.

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Enough has been said, perhaps, to show the necessity of cultivating the science of mind, not, as has often been done, "by reflection on the objects of Consciousness alone, but in de "pendence on and in alliance with those organized systems by "which the powers and properties of mind are manifested, and "separate from which, it is certain, the existence of mind is "not discoverable by any of our faculties. If farther proof of "this necessity were requisite, it is abundantly supplied in the "history of the science itself, from which we learn the mortify"ing but most salutary truth, that no ingenuity, no excellence "of talent, no perseverance in the solitary abstract study in "which the metaphysicians have indulged, has hitherto been so "successful as to recommend a process of investigation, the very first principle of which is the hypothetical disjunction of "two things which nature always presents to us combined and "mutually influential. Some thousands of years have been spent in pursuing this process, the general adoption of which "is perfectly consistent, be it remarked, with numberless pecu"liarities of theory; it is surely full time that mankind, per"ceiving its unprofitableness, and regretting, as worse than "lost, the labours of those who engaged in it, should have recourse to another, the essential advantage of which is, that it respects as inviolable a harmony and an alliance as old as the "creation."-Vide PHRENOLOGY.

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ANALYTICAL INDEX

ΤΟ

THE FIRST VOLUME

OF THE

Phrenological Journal and Miscellany.

INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT. Condition of public mind as to Phrenology
easily accounted for, and somewhat excusable, iii. Influence of the Edin-
burgh Review in extending, prolonging, and embodying the prejudices
against the system, iv. The terms of Phrenology vindicated, ib. note.
Consequence of such prejudices and malign influence the science either
totally neglected, or used as a laughing-stock, v. The better feelings now
shown towards it result from its revival, and this augurs much in its fa.
vour, ib.
The converts were philosophical and disinterested, ib. &c.
Some of them specially named, vi. Phrenology treated as a science in
France-the English the only satirists there, vii. Its growing import-
ance discoverable in the increased hostility of its opponents, viii. Their
pitiful behaviour described, ix. A main difficulty of an advocate is to
impart knowledge on the subject to those who despise it, x.
The neces
sary effect of that knowledge is conviction of the truth of the science, xi.
The objects of the Journal-to disabuse the world, to expose the delusions
of metaphysics, to demonstrate, by analysis of the best writers, the vast
though unconscious prevalence of phrenological principles, to illustrate
Phrenology by reviews of appropriate new publications, to obviate objec-
tions and reconcile conscientious scruples, to adduce and explain facts re-
garding human nature, to point out the absurdities and incongruities of
rival or established theories, and to hold up to merited scorn the various
delinquencies committed by certain specified enemies of Phrenology, viz.—
RAILING and ABUSE-FALSEHOODS and MALIGNITIES-IMPERTINENCIES
and INSOLENCIES-DULL JOKES-INDECENCIES-NASTINESSES, and BRU.
TALITIES, exemplified in the Edinburgh Review, Quarterly Review, Black-
wood's Edinburgh Magazine, Rennell on Scepticism, and the London Lite-
rary Gazette, xi.-xxix. The rules of conduct to be adopted towards un-
fair and fair opponents, xxix. Advice to men of science" to cease from
scorning and begin to learn,” xxx. One sign of the times deserving the
serious regard of established philosophers-the rapid progress of Phreno-
logy and its absorbing influence among the rising generation, xxxi.
SUPPRESSION OF PHRENOLOGY. A philosopher denounces Phrenology as
"pestiferous nonsense, which ought to be put down by the hand of pow.
er," 1. This sagacious decree appears to have been seriously contemplated
by the official guardians of truth, who have recourse to various powers,
in order to get it executed, 2. A convocation of metaphysicians deter-
mined on, who, after much communing, agree on an appeal and petition

to the very profoundest authorities in the regions of transcendentalism,
CHAOS, NIGHT, and DULNESS, 3. This petition sheweth the labours,
merits, and rights of the petitioners as cultivators of metaphysics, 3 ;—their
extraordinary success, and the brilliant anticipations, extending to at least
two thousand years, founded thereon, 4;-their prudence in neglecting all
consideration of the body while prosecuting this philosophy of mind, which,
in consequence, becomes exalted immeasurably above what the vulgar call
"nature," 7 ;-and their emotions in viewing, with prophetic eye, the far
distant consummation of their sublime science, 9. Petitioners then com-
plain of the disturbance of their prospects, and the violation of their mul-
tiform right, by the fearless interruption, disloyal behaviour, and fraudulent
pretensions of Drs Gall and Spurzheim, aided by two hateful but suitable
companions, Reason and Experience, 9 ;—first, in questioning the consci-
ousness of each of the petitioners to be an exact type of the minds of the
whole human race, in neglecting and vilifying the speculations of the peti-
tioners, and adopting instead thereof, a mode of investigating mind which
awfully threatens to bring down the highest science to the capacities of the
"common drudges of business," 10-secondly, by introducing a heresy of
the most dangerous nature, and fraught with direst ills, namely, that the
mind is actually influenced by, and dependent for the power of manifest-
ing its faculties on, the condition of the body, 11;-thirdly, by daringly and
absurdly claiming for a mass of pulpy matter, the brain, that it is the or-
gan of the mind, in opposition to the most authentic cases of individuals
living without any brains whatsoever, 12;-and, fourthly, by wickedly and
malignantly collecting the skulls of the dead, pawing and gauging the
heads of the living, making or taking casts thereof, as well as parad-
ing skulls of sundry unseemly animals, all for various most dishonest
and absurd purposes, 12. Against which manifold evils and vexations,
the petitioners pray,-first, That Gall and Spurzheim be declared Ger-
mans, and so incapable of making any discovery in science, 16;--
condly, That the whole of their doctrines, facts, &c. be declared nega-
tively much worse than good for nothing, and positively, should they gain
ground, a very nuisance to an enlightened age; and that the discoverers
and inventors thereof, as also all their disciples, be declared and subjected
to be treated as every thing that is nefarious, miscreant, incorrigibly stu-
pid, certainly horn mad, and, beyond remede, altogether naturals;-thirdly,
That the mind and the body be declared united or not united just as the
various necessities of the petitioners may require ;-fourthly, That the brain
be declared not only of no use, but also positively rather an encumbrance;
-fifthly, That each hemisphere thereof be ordained to resolve itself into
one undistinguishable mass, in place of assuming the special allotments
unwarrantably awarded it by Gall and Spurzheim;-sixthly, That all the
propensities and powers discovered by those two persons be abolished ;-
seventhly, That the sole right of making and selling theories of the mind be
declared to belong exclusively to the petitioners;-eighthly, That an endless
number of the most discordant and fantastical systems of metaphysics, be-
ing the product of the privileged, established, and endowed manufacturers
and dealers in the science, be confirmed, revived, reverenced, and taught,
as the only legitimate science of mind, in all schools, colleges, and univer-
sities, within the dominions of the three Profundities addressed;-and,
ninthly, That due punishment be inflicted on Gall and Spurzheim; and that
they, together with Reason and Experience, be thereafter banished for ever
beyond the bounds of the dominions of the said Profundities, 16-20.
RECENT ATTACKS ON PHRENOLOGY. The ceaseless labours of the oppon.
ents of Phrenology have left the task of refutation still to be performed,
20. The doctrine gains ground rapidly, 21. Pbrenologists have, for good
reasons, hitherto avoided particular notice of opponents, 22, Conduct of
opponents very unphilosophical, ib. Their want of candour and logic
shown, 23. The number of the facts on which the phrenological system

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