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Dr. Roget, in the "Encyclopædia Britannica," speaking of the discovery of Harvey on the circulation of the blood, has the following remarks:-"On its being made known to the world, it met with the most violent opposition; and so inveterate were the prejudices of the public, that the practice of Harvey was considerably diminished in consequence of his discovery. It was remarked, that no physician who had passed the age of forty would admit the truth of a doctrine so much at variance with all the systems in which he had been educated. Envious of his growing reputation, many of his cotemporaries had recourse to all kinds of sophistry, with the view of detracting from his merit. They at first vehemently contested the truth of the doctrine; but afterwards, when forced to admit it by the decisive evidence adduced in its support, they changed their ground of attack, and alleged that the merit of the discovery did not belong to Harvey, the circulation having been known even to the ancients. But vain were all the efforts of envy and detraction to lessen that fame which will command the admiration of all future ages." Nearly all these facts (though penned by an anti-phrenologist) are equally true in relation to Gall. Some ingenious writers, after opposing Gall's doctrines with the greatest hostility, and with all the sophistry and arguments which they could command, have attempted to arrest from him the claims of discovery; and maintain that they belong to other philosophers. It has been asserted in the Edinburgh Review, as well as elsewhere, that Gall borrowed much of his knowledge from Reil and Loder, two celebrated German anatomists. But it so happened, that the authors of these statements were not aware of the opinions which these very anatomists had previously expressed on this subject. In the sixth volume of Dr. Gall's large work on the "Functions of the Brain," &c., at page 303, the following extracts are given from a publication by Professor Bischoff, who was well acquainted with Reil and Loder. "The worthy Reil," says Professor Bischoff, "who, as a profound anatomist and a judicious physiologist, stands in no need of my commendation, has declared, in rising above all the littleness of egotism, that he had found more in the dissections of the brain performed by Dr. Gall, than he had conceived it possible for a man to discover in his whole lifetime!'"

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"Loder," continues Professor Bischoff, "who certainly does not yield the palm to any living anatomist, has expressed the following opinion of the discoveries of Gall, in a letter to my excellent friend, Professor Hufeland. Now that Gall has been at Halle, and that I have had an opportunity not only of being present at his lectures, but of dissecting along with him, sometimes alone, and sometimes in the presence of Reil, and several other of my acquaintances, nine human VOL. II.-2

brains, and fourteen brains of animals, I consider myself to be qualified, and to have a right, to give an opinion regarding his doctrine. The discoveries of Gall in the anatomy of the brain are of the highest importance; and many of them possess such a degree of evidence, that I cannot conceive how any one with good eyes can mistake them.' After enumerating several discoveries respecting the interior structure of this organ, Loder continues-These alone would be sufficient to render the name of Gall immortal; they are the most important which have been made in anatomy, since the discovery of the system of the absorbent vessels. The unfolding of the brain is an excellent thing. What have we not to expect from it, as well as to the ulterior discoveries to which it opens the way? I am ashamed. and angry with myself for having, like the rest, during thirty years, sliced down hundreds of brains, as we cut a cheese, and for having missed seeing the forest on account of the great number of trees which it contained. But it serves no purpose to distress one's self, and to be ashamed. The better way is to lend an ear to truth, and to learn what we do not know. I acknowledge with Reil, that I have found in Dr. Gall more than I believed it possible for a man to discover in his lifetime.''

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The two following testimonials are from individuals who commenced their investigations on phrenology with the strongest prejudices, but probably now understand the science, in all its bearings, better than any other two men living. They are therefore competent judges of the merits of Gall.

Dr. Vimont, a distinguished French anatomist, commenced his labours with the express purpose of refuting the doctrines of Gall and Spurzheim. After immense exertions, he was obliged to declare himself a phrenologist, by means of the very facts which he had collected to subvert the science. It is stated that he had two thousand facts, more than twelve hundred skulls, sawn open, wax casts of fifty brains, and three hundred designs, drawn out with the greatest accuracy. He worked indefatigably during six years, and expended upwards of twelve thousand francs in procuring his specimens. Dr. Vimont, in his large work on Comparative Phrenology, after speaking of the works of Gall, expresses his opinion of him thus :- "I saw that I had made acquaintance with a man removed above his fellowmen; one of those whom envy is always eager to thrust aside from the position to which they are called by their genius, and against whom she employs the weapons of cowardice and hypocrisy. The great qualities which seemed to me to render Gall conspicuous, were extensive cerebral capacity, great penetration good sense, and varied acquirements. The indifference which I at first had entertained

for his writings, was soon converted into a feeling of profound veneration."

Mr. George Combe, in his "System of Phrenology," page 625, pays the following just tribute of respect to the memory of Dr. Gall. "The discoveries of the revolution of the globe, and the circulation of the blood, were splendid displays of genius, interesting and beneficial to mankind; but their results, compared with the consequences which must inevitably follow Dr. Gall's discovery of the functions of the brain, (embracing, as it does, the true theory of the animal, moral, and intellectual constitution of man,) sink into relative insignificance. Looking forward to the time when the real and ultimate effects of Dr. Gall's discovery shall be fully recognised, I cannot entertain a doubt that posterity will manifest as eager a desire to render honour to his memory, as his cotemporaries have shown to treat him with indignity and contempt. Like many other benefactors of mankind, he has died without his merits being acknowledged, or his discoveries rewarded by the great in literature and science' of his own age; but he possessed the consciousness of having presented to the world one of the most valuable discoveries that ever graced the annals of philosophy, and enjoyed the delight of having opened up to mankind a career of improvement, physical, moral, and intellectual, to which the boldest imagination can at present prescribe no limits. This appears to be the reward which Providence assigns to men eminently gifted with intellectual superiority; and we may presume that it is wisely suited to their nature. A great duty remains for posterity to perform to the memory of Dr, Gall,"

ARTICLE II.

PHRENOLOGY AND DIVINE TRUTH.

BY H. T. JUDSON, M. D., NEW YORK.

THE relation which exists between phrenology and revelation is a very interesting one, and one which has not yet received all that attentive consideration which its importance demands. It is desirable, we think, that each should hold its proper relative place in our regard, and that we should not expect the one to disclose such truths as properly belong to the other. Phrenology is not the Gospel, nor does it pretend to be. All that is incumbent on its defenders is, to show that it does not contradict the Scriptures, and is not in opposition with the best interests of mankind. It does not reveal the nature of mind

itself, nor pretend to decide upon its existence separate from matter. We know that the brain and the mind are connected during this life, and phrenology no more leads to materialism than any other system of philosophy which admits this connection.

Phrenology wisely leaves our enquiries respecting immortality, and our future destiny, to be answered by a knowledge of a different kind, derived altogether from higher sources, even from the writings of holy men of old, inspired by the spirit of truth. Thus the Gospel comes in and dispels every doubt; for by it life and immortality are brought to light. A person may believe in phrenology, and disbelieve in revelation, just as one may receive any other system of mental philosophy, and still be a skeptic; or, on the contrary, he may be persuaded of the truth of phrenology, and at the same time, cordially, the doctrine of Scripture. All we wish to contend for on this point, is that there is no logical discrepancy between believing in the Bible and believing in phrenology. The present writer fully and firmly believes in both; and during study and observation, for nearly twenty years, has seen nothing to alter or lessen his faith in either.

Admit, in the first place, that phrenology unfolds the true constitution of the human mind, and then, in addition, receive all that the Scriptures teach respecting sin, redemption, forgiveness, regeneration, influence of the Holy Spirit, eternal life, and evangelical obedience, and you will have the highest and noblest exhibition of the wisdom and goodness of the Creator in the formation of man, and in providing for all his wants as an animal, moral, and intellectual being. Now, no mere system of philosophy will reveal all this, and phrenology comes short in common with the rest. Hence the need of Divine Revelation; and blessed is he who is not offended in it. Phrenology is, in our opinion, matter of human research, resulting in science; the Gospel is a revelation from GoD of the most momentous and interesting truth, worthy of all acceptation.

Some philosophers have said that "man is a spirit." We think this is going too far; and that of the Almighty alone-that great and all-pervading spirit-can this be truly predicated. "God is a spirit," is the sublime announcement of his being and character, made by Him who came into the world to make known the nature and perfections of the Eternal. But we are ready and willing to allow that there is a spirit in man," which, by the will of its Author, is incorruptible and immortal. Phrenology by no means asserts that mind is composed of matter, or that it cannot exist and act independent of matter, but merely that in this present life it is manifested only through the organs of the faculties in the brain. It does not compel us to deny its existence as a separate entity, or to question the

immortality brought to light in the Gospel. Phrenologists of sound reasoning powers are as sincere believers in the truth of Christianity as any other class of philosophers. Phrenology, therefore, does not lead to materialism, nor will it conduct its votaries to any thing but truth.

We believe that the brain is a congeries of organs, each of which organs is subservient to a particular function of the mind, and we regard this discovery as one of great value, and destined eventually to have great influence on education, legal study, medicine, and the general welfare of the human race; we at the same time are free to acknowledge that our understanding of the mind is imperfect, and in all probability it will always remain so, more or less, but we claim that phrenology has shed not a little light over the mental and moral constitution of man, and unfolded to him the true principles of his being. And this is high praise, and sufficient to immortalise the names of its discoverers-GALL and SPURZHEIM. When we reflect upon the capacity of the mind-when we remember its wide range of noble thoughts and pure feelings-when we anticipate its future destiny in the realisation of its aspiring hopes, we cannot but value highly the inestimable benefits which these gifted individuals have bestowed on their species, in revealing the mental constitution. Here is the region of truth, but all around us is a wide and stormy ocean; the region of false and deceptive appearances, where floating clouds indicate apparently the position of new countries, but while they delude the mariner with the hope of discoveries, they involve him in endless adventures from which it is difficult for him to escape, and which never lead him to the possession of truth and certainty.

Having showed that phrenology does not stand opposed to the Scripture doctrine of immortality, we shall offer a few remarks upon the objection of fatalism, which is sometimes brought against our science. Here we might content ourselves with saying, that neither phrenology, nor any other system of philosophy, throws any very clear light over the disputed question of the freedom of the will. All we know, is that every effect is determined by some cause, and the cause of volition is motive acting on the will. The will follows the strongest motive, and thus presents us with an opportunity to urge the most powerful arguments upon the intellect, when we would modify or change the feelings or conduct. Is this fatalism? For example, if a person injures another, Combativeness and Destructiveness would prompt to revenge; but by reminding the sufferer of the excellence of Benevolence and the dictates of conscience, we might persuade him to forgive, and in this manner the superior sentiments would have the supremacy. So far phrenology could go; but the Gospel, by referring

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