of phrenology as a science, and in the several discussions which have taken place in this town and its neighbourhood, have endeavoured merely to prevent misrepresentation by exposing prejudice and fallacious arguments. The examination at the jail was of course very cursory, but even in this short visit, sufficient was observed to denote the positive nature of the science; and after witnessing what occurred, that man must be blind to proof, however palpable, who fails to recognise the vast importance of its application in a moral and intellectual point of view. We shall not enlarge upon this subject now; indeed there cannot be the least occasion for our doing so, since Mr Barber is about to deliver a course of lectures. After recording what we observed during our short visit on Monday last, we cannot doubt that many will avail themselves of this opportunity to obtain knowledge of immense value. The prisoners were drawn up in the jail, and the gentlemen present were requested to call out one from the number. Several cases were examined; we shall merely mention these as the most striking:-No. 1. Probably convicted several times; Mr B. feared he was an incorrigible thief, not to be classed amongst those whose reform was probable. The intellect and moral sentiments very deficient: quarrelsome but not cruel, not likely to commit murder. The statement was in exact correspondence with the character of the prisoner as described by the jailer.-No. 2. Mr B. stated that the organs of Imitation and Mirthfulness were largely developed: he ought to be distinguished by great comic powers, was, in fact, the punch of the prison, and would probably be seen immediately mimicking him if observed in the yard. This statement received a curious confirmation in the course of a few minutes, as he was seen examining the heads of the prisoners and turning the scene he had just witnessed into fun and amusement, till called to order by the governor.-No. 3. A man very opposite to the last. Mr B. pronounced this to be gloomy, subject to severe melancholy, and probably disposed to suicide. He was asked if he did not feel a disposition to destroy himself, and replied in the affirmative. He was detected with a handkerchief around his neck attempting to hang himself a few days previously. We need scarcely remark that no intimation of the characters to be examined had been made directly or indirectly to the examiner."

7. A lecture at the Mechanics' Institution, Wolverhampton, on 20th July, by Mr W. R. Lowe; being the fourth of his course. Benevolence, Veneration, Conscientiousness, and Firmness, were the faculties which he considered. "In the course of the address, the lecturer announced that, as several arguments had lately been brought before the members of the Mechanics' Institution with considerable force and ability against phrenology, he should deliver at the close of his course, a supernumerary lecture on anti-phrenological objections generally. This announcement was received with considerable applause by the audience."-(Staffordshire Examiner, July 31.) These lectures are delivered at long intervals.

8. One or two courses in Edinburgh by Mrs Hamilton, in July and August. The quality of these lectures is correctly described in a paragraph quoted from the Kilmarnock Journal in our thirteenth volume, p. 187. They are "a confused and illogical rhapsody, delivered in ungrammatical and mystical language. She possesses a great deal of egotism, and a good portion of her discourses is filled with irrelevant personal details." Mrs H. appears to more advantage as manipulator of heads, but here also there is much to be reprehended in her proceedings. Her inferences are drawn by far too hastily; and as she makes no inquiry into the education and circumstances of the persons whose heads are examined (most of whom, of course, possess that medium form of brain which is materially influenced by external circumstances), errors without number are un

avoidably committed. There is evident, moreover, a disposition to say agreeable rather than disagreeable things. One of her absurdities is the fancy that she can discover the degree of activity of any organ by feeling with her fingers the temperature of the overlying scalp; in reducing which notion to practice, she demonstrates, as we hardly need say, its utter delusiveness. With respect to the doubtful organs, such as Concentrativeness, Size, Weight, and some others, she proceeds as if they were fully ascertained, and as if no difficulty arose from the existence of the frontal sinus. In many cases, however, where the development happened to be remarkable, she has given accurate accounts of the leading dispositions and talents of the individuals. On the whole, our impression is, that she is a clever and well-meaning, but eccentric and ill-educated person, whose vagaries are too obviously such to be identified by judicious persons with phrenology.

Death of William Scott, Esq.-We regret to announce the death of this well-known and talented phrenologist, which took place on 18th August, at his seat of Teviot Bank, in Roxburghshire. Besides being one of the contributors to the Transactions of the Phrenological Society, Mr Scott is the author of many able papers in the first five volumes of this Journal, of which he was one of the original proprietors and conductors. In 1836, he published "The Harmony of Phrenology with Scripture, shewn in a Refutation of the Philosophical Errors contained in Mr Combe's Constitution of Man ;'" a work which was not replied to by Mr Combe, who thought it enough for the vindication of his opinions that his “Constitution of Man" was extensively in the hands of the public. Want of room compels us to defer some observations which we intend to offer on the phrenological writings of Mr Scott. In politics he was a keen conservative, and at the time of his death occupied a seat at the board of the Town-Council of Edinburgh, in whose proceedings he took an active share. His dispositions were kind and affectionate, but sternness and warmth of temper occasionally shewed themselves. In the social circle he was a delightful and humorous companion.

Moulded Heads brought to France by the Astrolabe.-We would recommend to such of our readers as may visit Paris, to examine the casts mentioned in the subjoined notice (extracted from the Athenæum of 26th June), and to make public their observations. "The rich collection of natural objects made during the long circumnavigation of the Astrolabe, is exhibiting in the Orangery of the Jardin des Plantes, at Paris. The collection includes a series of moulded heads, representing the natives of the various countries which the Astrolabe visited, with their protuberances, their tatooings, their projecting cheek-bones and flat noses, faithfully rendered."

Peruvian Skulls.-At the late meeting of the British Association, a discussion took place in the Zoological Section, on the skulls of the extinct race of Peruvians noticed at p. 90 of this volume. Professor Owen expressed his belief that their very remarkable shape "was artificially produced, and that it arose from pressure being applied all round the skull." (Athenæum, p. 676.) We shall insert the entire report of the discussion in our next Number.

Methods of Taking Casts.-A correspondent informs us, that he "had a cast taken of his head by Mr Bally of Manchester, and another by Mr Deville of London. On comparing the natural features with the former, they are exceedingly well preserved. In the latter, the soft parts have been so compressed as to render the likeness very faulty, the displacement of the cheeks exceeding an inch, and the nose being flattened and the mouth extended. For phrenological purposes this is of little importance;

but the singular thing is that the methods are the same. When the natural position of the features is preserved, it is certainly an advantage. This can best be done by not inclining the body so much as is directed by Mr Deville, and by allowing a thin coat of plaster to harden before the rest is put on, in order to support the soft parts." Our correspondent's features were perhaps more tense on one occasion than on the other. He adds, that it would be very interesting to have casts of the enemies of phrenology, that their development might be compared with that of its friends, as it is probable there may be a marked difference.

Will of the late Barber Beaumont, Esq.-The deceased, in his lifetime, commenced a philosophical institution, and by a codicil, dated May 28. 1840, he directs the munificent sum of L.13,000 to be invested in the hands of Robert Fellowes, LL.D., J. Elliotson, M.D., F.R.S., George Charles Christian Hennel, Esq., Alexander Henderson, M.D., F.R.S., Henry Churchill, Esq., and Henry B. Kerr (which said legacy is bequeathed free of duty), for the following purposes:-To establish a philosophical institution, in Beaumont Square, Mile-end, for the mental and moral improvement of the inhabitants of the said square and the surrounding neighbourhood, in their intervals of business, and freed from the baneful excitement of intoxicating liquors; and also the cultivation of the general principles of practical theology, and the wisdom of God, leaving to the different churches and sects the cultivation and pursuit of their particular tenets; and also for the purpose of affording them intellectual improvement, and rational recreation and amusement.-Britannia.

On Comparisons between the Brains of different Animals.-Lelut's defence of phrenology as a system of philosophy of the mind, and the objections to it as a physiology of the brain, which he has derived from the comparative anatomy of that organ, give room for reflection. In your review of Lelut's last work (No. vi. N. S., p. 168), you observe, Mr Editor, that, "In truth, comparative phrenology appears to be yet in its earliest infancy, notwithstanding the elaborate work of Vimont. It is very difficult to arrive at any clear results by comparing different species, unless they are closely allied to each other. When a comparison is attempted between the brains of hares and cats, or cows and tigers, there are so many other peculiarities to be taken into account, in addition to the carnivorous instinct, that it may well be doubted whether any trustworthy results can be attained until we shall have become better able to point out which are the corresponding parts of the cerebral masses in these widely different tribes of animals." And in another article in the same number, p. 117, you observe, that "One great difficulty in making observations on animals is occasioned by the impossibility of satisfactorily understanding their feelings and motives." On these grounds you arrive at the conclusion that comparative phrenology deserves little reliance except for general illustrations and analogies, without attempting minute details. Now, I would suggest in addition to those you have advanced, another argument leading to the same conclusion; I mean that derived from the enormous increase of importance, in the case of animals of different species, of those considerations relating to the constitution of the brain, and the influence exercised thereon by the constitution and habits of the body génerally. Even in our own species, how often are we obliged to qualify, by these considerations, conclusions derived from the mere size of the organs; but it is obvious that in the case of animals of different species, their weight is incalculably increased—in whom the whole structure of body, the proportions of the various parts of the nervous system between themselves and to the body generally, the supply of blood to the brain, its texture as influenced by the mode and species of nutrition, &c. may present the most marked differences. Even

were the structure of the brain and the position of its several parts much more uniform among animals of different species than is the case, and even were our means of acquiring insight into their feelings and motives tenfold increased, still vast obstacles would be opposed to the accuracy of conclusions drawn from mere size, by the class of difficulties alone to which I have alluded; but now all three exist in full force, and if the two first determine us to place little reliance on comparative phrenology, except for illustrations and analogies, will not the additional strength of the last warrant us farther in repudiating altogether the idea of basing or testing our science, by comparisons as to mere size between the brains of animals of different species? I could add more in support of this conclusion, but should thereby exceed the bounds of a "short communication." A word, however, as to the special question discussed by Lelut. Must not the difference in diet between the carnivorous and herbivorous species depend partly on an elective instinct determining animals in the choice of their food, which it is impossible not to recognise, and which may probably occupy a part of the organ of Alimentiveness? This organ has hitherto, I believe, been observed large in one part or other, in connection both with love of feeding generally, and niceness as to its choice-two functions which cannot, however, be confounded, being not only evidently distinct, but in a great manner contrasted.-Mr Hudson Lowe, 1840.

Twelve copies of the second edition of Dr Boardman's Report of George Combe's Lectures on Phrenology in America (price 6s.), and three copies of his Address at Boston on the Anniversary of Dr Spurzheim's Birthday in 1839 (price 1s. 6d.), are still on sale by Messrs Simpkin, Marshall, & Co.; and no farther supply will be imported.

A Phrenological Almanac for 1842, to be published under the superintendence of the Glasgow Phrenological Society, is announced.

Books received.-Silliman's American Journal of Science and Arts, April 1841.-British and Foreign Medical Review, July.-Edinburgh Monthly Journal of Medical Science, June, July, Aug., and Sept.-Medico-Chirurgical Review, July.-Currency and Import Duties; or the Natural History of the Principles and Relations of the Monetary System and the Protective System. By Joseph Heath. London: Pelham, Richardson, &c. 8vo. Pp. 81.-Annual Reports of the Directors of the Lunatic Asylums of Dundee, Montrose, and Worcester in Massachusetts.

Newspapers received.-Tyne Mercury, June 22. 29.-Gateshead Observer, July 17. Aug. 7.-New Moral World, July 10. 24. and 31., August 7. 14. 21.-Staffordshire Examiner, July 31.-Hampshire Telegraph, Aug. 30.— The Yorkshireman, Sept. 11.

To Correspondents.-Several communications, which we intended to publish in this Number, are deferred for want of room.

Communications for the Editor (prepaid) may be addressed to Mr Robert Cox, 25 Rutland Street, Edinburgh. Books or parcels, too heavy for the post, may be left (free of expense) with the London publishers, Messrs Simpkin, Marshall & Co., Stationers' Hall Court.-Articles intended for the next following Number must always be with the Editor six weeks before the day of publication. Communications for the section of "INTELLIGENCE," and also advertisements, should be in hand at least a fortnight before the same day. Charges for advertising:-eight lines, 6s.; twelve lines, 7s. 6d; every additional line, 6d.; half a page, 14s. ; a whole page, 25s. Advertisements may be sent to the publishers in Edinburgh or London.

1st October 1841.

INDEX

THE PHRENOLOGICAL JOURNAL FOR THE YEAR 1841.