Wolverhampton Chronicle, of April 8th, that the Rev. S. Hunter had, a few days before that date, read a paper on Metaphysics and Phrenology compared," in which the reverend gentleman gave it as his opinion, "that more useful and practical information respecting education might be found in a single metaphysical work, Mr. Stewart's Elements,' than in all the phrenological books taken collectively." We should be sorry to become one of the pupils of a gentleman holding such an opinion, if also acting upon it. Mr. Hunter, on the faith of observations on his own pupils, from the age of nine years and upwards, also declared that the reasoning powers of children were predominantly active," contrary to the assertions of phrenologists. We suspect that Mr. Hunter may be correct in this notion. Children reason constantly; "why do you do so?" is an interrogation for ever on their tongues; and the upper part of the forehead is usually predominant in children, though Mr. Combe (we think) says the contrary. A retreating forehead is rare in childhood. Mr. Hunter's paper was probably a reply to one read by Mr. Lowe, on the use of Phrenology in Education, the preceding month. Aberdeen Phrenological Society. Since our last notice of this society, the following subjects have been before it for discussion. On the 24th December Mr. Black read a paper containing a defence of Mr. Combe's doctrine of the supremacy of the moral sentiments and intellect, against the attacks of Mr. Scott and others. On the 4th February, Mr. Straton read an Essay on the Manifestations of the Moral Sentiments in Lunatic Patients and Religious Fanatics, in which he explained, on natural principles, the causes of the alleged religious revivals which lately occurred at Kilsyth and other places. At the meetings of the 18th February and the 3d March, Mr. Clerihew, teacher, read an Essay on National Education, in which he described, at considerable length, the different branches and kind of education most essential to the elevation of the great mass of the people, the mode of tuition best fitted to reach and sway the intellect and feelings of the pupils, and the nature of the machinery he would propose for carrying his plan into effect. Mr. Clerihew's views on the subject met with the warm approbation of the members. On the 17th March, Mr. Jamieson read a paper on the advantages of acquiring a taste for refined and elegant pleasures," which gave much satisfaction to the society. At the meeting of the 31st March, the members had under their consideration a proposal for having Lectures on Phrenology next autumn, under the management of the society, with the view of extending the knowledge of the science in this quarter; the lectures to be open to the public by means of tickets, issued by the members among such of their friends as were most likely to follow out the study. Mr. Clerihew agreed to lecture on the philosophy of the science, and Mr. Straton was willing to give instruction on the ordinary means of knowing the situation and estimating the size of the organs. A committee was appointed for carrying the scheme into effect, it being understood that these lectures should not be allowed to interfere with the ordinary business of the society. The society then adjourned its meetings until the first Tuesday of October.(J. S. June 2, 1840.) Bath Phrenological Society. Our little society commenced the year with forty-two continued members. Following the course of the previous year, we have continued to hold our monthly evening meetings; the session commencing in November, and to end in April. Conceiving that general essays or speculative papers were not the best means of advancing the science, or extending a practical knowledge of it, we agreed on the expediency of encouraging expositions of individual organs,- -one being made the subject of each lecture. Proceeding on this new plan, the following topics have occu pied our evenings during the present session. Nov. The organ and function of Benevolence, by Dr. James Watson.-Dec. Veneration, by Mr. Edward Stallard, Secretary. - Jan. Ideality, by General Swiney.-Feb. Christian Phrenology, by the Rev. J. G. Bedford.-March. An Anatomical Illustration of the Brain and Nervous System, by Mr. S. Loden.-April. The session will close with an Essay on Conscientiousness, to be supplied by myself. (Extracted from a letter from Dr. Barlow, of March 16th.) Mr. Donovan's Phrenological Institution. Mr. C. Donovan, a Member of the London Phrenological Society, has opened a depôt or institution for Phrenology, at No. 8, King William Street, West Strand; where he proposes to give instruction in Phrenology, to advise with parents on the education of their children, to take casts from the living head, and to keep for sale a selection of phrenological models, casts, and publications. Whether the subject has taken hold sufficiently of the public mind to render this a remunerating speculation, remains to be seen. In commencing the undertaking, Mr. Donovan evinces a strong faith in the increasing progress of the science in public estimation, and shows a devotion to the cause that merits the good-will of phrenologists. London Mechanics' Institution. We observe, by a report from this institution, that Dr. Epps was engaged to deliver a course of lectures on Phrenology, in April and May last. False Records of Facts- Plaster Casts.- Several shops in London exhibit casts for sale which are commonly either total or partial misrepresentations of nature. Thus a cast of an amiable lady deceased is marked as that of Esther Hibner, who was a cruel murderess; and other examples of total misrepresentation by affixing wrong names to casts have come to my knowledge. The examples of partial misrepresentation of nature are more numerous; they chiefly arise from moulding and remoulding casts, until they cease to be accurate copies of nature. I have seen casts of Corder, Kean, Schroeder, and many others, so entirely altered by remoulding as to present more error than truth. It is obvious that such casts will mislead phrenological students, and also that they might be employed by opponents so as even to gain a temporary triumph over the inconsiderate. The multiplication of such false records of facts is much to be regretted, and their mischievous tendency can only be guarded against by the exposure of their worse than worthlessness. Mr. Richard Cull. [This evil may be kept in check by individual phrenologists refusing to purchase casts from any dealer whose accuracy and good faith are not above suspicion; but occasionally errors will be committed by the most scrupulous; and one of these errors we lately observed in the mould of a skull, marked "13" in the socket of the right eye, and bearing a deep gash in the right parietal bone, over Love-of-Approbation. By one dealer this is sold (rightly, we believe) as a Papuan, by another it is named Carib Chief; both dealers being recognised by phrenological authors and societies, and neither of them intending to practise any deception in regard to this cast. -Editor.] Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopædia.. The early completion of this manyvolumed publication is now announced, with a list of subjects treated, or yet to be treated. Phrenology is wholly excluded from the list. BOOKS AND PAPERS RECEIVED. Disquisitions on the Theology and Metaphysics of Scripture; with Strictures on various current Opinions in Divinity and Philosophy connected with these subjects. By Andrew Carmichael, M.R.I.A. Two volumes, 8vo. pp. 408 and 408. A Treatise on the Physiological and Moral Management of Infancy. By Andrew Combe, M. D. &c. Small 8vo. pp. 375. Lectures on Moral Philosophy, delivered before the Philosophical Association at Edinburgh, in the winter session of 1835-6. By George Combe. 12mo. pp. 464. Address delivered at the Anniversary Celebration of the Birth of Spurzheim and the Organisation of the Boston Phrenological Society. December 31, 1849. By George Combe. 8vo. pp. 28. A New System of Phrenology. By J. Stanley Grimes. 12mo. pp. 320. The Fifty-third Report of the Visiting Justices of the County Lunatic Asylum, at Hanwell. Einige Worte über Phrenologie hervorgerufen durch einen Aufsatz in dem Magazin für die Literatur des Auslandes. Von R. B. Noel. 12mo. pp. 46. American Journal of Science and Arts. Second No. of Vol. XXXVIII. (April.) American Phrenological Journal. Nos. 1-4 of the Second Volume. (October-January.) British and Foreign Medical Review. No. XVIII. (April.) West Newspapers.- Utica Observer, Feb. 18. Macclesfield Courier, March 14. Newcastle Journal, March 14. — The Statesman, March, 15, 22, 29. Era, March 22. - Wolverhampton Chronicle, March 25, April 8. Briton, March 27. Evening Signet, March 27. - Lincoln Mercury, April 17.- Scotsman, April 22. — Lincoln Mercury, April 22. - Dumfries Courier, April 29.- Newcastle Journal, May 2. Port of Tyne Pilot, May 9. Kilmarnock Journal, May 28.- The Ten Towns' Messenger, May 29. Nottingham Mercury, June 5. To Correspondents. - We wrote to Amicus, in April Mr. Noel's valuable paper on the heads of Suicides will be printed in our next, with the drawings of the two heads. J. S. is referred to page 284. N.B. Books, or other articles too heavy for the post, may be left (free of expense) with the publishers, Messrs. Simpkin, Marshall, and Co., Stationers' Hall Court, London. Post letters and papers may be addressed to Mr. Hewett Watson, Thames Ditton, Surrey. Articles intended for the next following No. must always be with the Editor full six weeks before the day of publication. Communications for the Section of " INTELLIGENCE” should be in hand three weeks before the same day. THE PHRENOLOGICAL JOURNAL. No. LXV. NEW SERIES.-No. XII. I. MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. I. Notice of Mr. Combe's Proceedings in America. (Continued from page 331. of our last volume.) WE left Mr. Combe about to visit Canada, at the end of May, 1839, when his phrenological exertions in the United States had temporarily ceased. In resuming the notice of his proceedings during the second year of his stay in America, we find ourselves less amply furnished with published materials; partly, it may be, from not having received any No. of the American Phrenological Journal of later date than January last, partly, also, from the circumstance of the American periodicals not repeating their remarks on Mr. Combe, during the second winter, after having once given highly favourable opinions. Mr. Combe appears to have opened the phrenological campaign of 1839-40, by a course of twelve lectures delivered at Hartford, Connecticut, commencing the 27th of September, and terminating the 25th of October. The Hartford Times of November 2d, made the following report of proceedings on the part of Mr. Combe's audience, at the conclusion of the course. "At a meeting of Mr. Combe's class, held at Gilman's Hall, on Friday evening, October 25th, immediately after the delivery of the last lecture of his phrenological course, the class was organized by calling the Rev. Dr. Totten to the chair, and appointing Wm. Jas. Hamersley secretary. "On motion, a committee was appointed to draft resolutions for the consideration of the class. "The committee consisted of the Rev. T. H. Gallaudet, Erastus Smith, Esq., and Dr. A. Brigham. "The committee having reported, the following resolutions were discussed, and unanimously adopted: "Resolved, That we have derived pleasure and instruction from the interesting course of lectures now completed by Mr. Combe. "Resolved, That from his able exposition of Phrenology, we have learned VOL. XIII. N. S. NO. XII. U numerous facts of practical utility, in relation to intellectual, moral, and physical education. "Resolved, That we regard his exposition of the subject, as highly valuable in teaching us the functions of the brain, and the philosophy of the mind; and believe that great benefit will result from the application of many of its principles, to the education of youth, to legislation, jurisprudence, and the treatment of the insane. "Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to convey to Mr. Combe these resolutions of his class, and an expression of thanks for the gratification his lectures have afforded them. "The committee appointed in accordance with the last resolution, consisted of the Rev. T. H. Gallaudet, Erastus Smith, Esq., Dr. A. Brigham, the Rev. S. Hovey, and Professor Stewart. "On motion, adjourned. "SILAS TOTTEN, Chairman. "WM. JAS. HAMERSLEY, Secretary." In the month of November, a course also of twelve lectures. was delivered at Boston, commencing on the 1st and terminating on the 27th. As the following report of the concluding lecture contains interesting allusions to the character of the American people and institutions, we copy it from the Boston Mercantile Journal of November 29th. "Mr. Combe delivered the concluding lecture of his course on Wednesday evening. It is to be regretted that this excellent lecture was delivered on Thanksgiving eve-as many were in consequence prevented from attending. In this lecture he remarked freely on the character of the people of this country and of our institutions—and told some truths, which we wish could have been listened to by thousands. His language was not that of prejudice, ill-nature, or envy as is too often the case with foreignersbut it was the language of a philanthropist of a philosopher — of an enlightened observer, who wishes to see this nation attain a proud eminence in the scale of intellectual excellence and moral grandeur. "He conceived that the organ of Acquisitiveness was cultivated in this country to a great extent; and this was, perhaps, essential to the growth and prosperity of the country. But it should never be suffered to take the leadit should always be kept in check, and made subordinate to the moral sentiments. The faculties, which next to Acquisitiveness seemed to be most constantly exercised, were Self-Esteem and Love of Approbation; and this arose in a great measure from the nature of our institutions. A boy was early told that he was a free citizen of a free government, and might in time become President of the United States. In our public schools these organs were constantly on the stretcn. Here there was no division of the people into classes no nobility; and the people were early taught to look back on the great achievements of their fathers, and to dwell upon them too much, until, like Madame de Stael (?), they were astonished at the magnificence of their attainments! He conceived that Love of Approbation was morbidly alive, and greatly influenced public opinion — sometimes producing lack of moral courage whereas it should always be under the dominion of Veneration and Conscientiousness. The social affections in this country were in a healthy condition, but there was still wanting a knowledge of the proper mode of instructing children. This might be done by directing the faculties during education; and to effect this, teachers should be engaged, who were qualified for the task-who were capable of looking into the motives of human actions, and of reading the truth, as it was written in the great book of nature. "He was told, before he came here, that this was the most excitable people on the globe; and the reason of it was found in the fact that no |