Manual of phrenology : as an accompaniment to the phrenological bust

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Preface

Amidst the numerous branches of knowledge which claim the attention of the human mind, none can be possibly of more importance than that wherein man himself is the subject of the inquiry. Whatever most intimately concerns ourselves must be of the first moment. The principle of self-love which is inherent in our nature, whatever means we may take to conceal it, suggests that no other species of knowledge can stand in competition with it : every thing is deemed highly interesting which has an immediate relation to ourselves; and the degrees of its importance are measured by its influence upon our own well-being.

Phrenology, being the most correct and scientific mode of studying the natural history of man, shewing the relations between the cerebral organization and the manifestations of the mind, becomes of great importance, as the basis of the doctrines of insanity, education, and social life.

“ The natural history of man,” says Professor Lawrance, “ is yet in its infancy.’’ “ Little progress,” says Dugald Stewart, “has hitherto been made in the philosophy of the mind.” Dr. Haslam, in his Observations on Madness, says, “that whenever the functions of the brain shall be fully understood, and the uses of its different parts ascers

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taincd, we may then be enabled to judge how far disease, attacking any of those parts, may increase, diminish, or otherwise alter its functions.

Our object in this small work is, as with the collection, to illustrate and invite further attention, with the view of endeavouring to establish a more correct inquiry into the natural history of man, and to prove that the brain is not a single organ of the mind, but that it consists of manifestations of the mind, each having a distinct function or office assigned to it, — hence the importance of Dr. Haslam’s observations.

Phrenology is still with some imperfections, but cau arrive at maturity amongst enlightened men by slow degrees; it therefore becomes necessary to be careful in unfolding and going into the first principles of it, and studying the same with care.

Man has, not without reason, been called an epitome of the universe, his mind being subject to all the laws of Nature; and, during some part of his existence, his state is very like that of the vegetable system : he rises by imperceptible degrees to the animal, and at last to rational life, and has in him the principle that belongs to all. We are placed in this world by the Author of our being,, surrounded with many objects that are necessary or useful to us, and with many that may hurt us. We are led, not by reason only, but by many instincts, and appetites, ana natural desires, to seek the former and to avoid the latter.

In cases, however, where Nature has not been so liberal as to render the formation of its power possible, merely from the mind’s own internal resources, much may be done by judicious culture in early life; and in all cases whatever, in such a state of society as ours, its grow th.

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even when most completely spontaneous, cannot fail to be influenced, in a greater or less degree, by instruction, by the contagion of example, and by various other adventitious causes. It is reasonable, therefore, to believe, that there are numberless minds in which the seeds ol taste and intellect, though profusely sown, continue altogether dormant through life ; either from a total want of opportunity to cultivate the habits by which they are to be matured, or from the attention being completely engrossed by other pursuits. In instances such as these, it is the province of education, which maybe most essentially assisted by Phrenology, to lend its succours, to point out and invigorate, by due exercise, those principles in which an original weakness may be observed, and by removing the obstacles which check the expansion of the powers in any of the directions which Nature disposes them to shoot, by assisting her to accomplish and perfect her designs.

By a careful study of Phrenology, combined with education, in the disposal of youth, what a field for research is open? — for when we reflect on the different branches of human knowledge, it might seem that, of all subjects, human nature should be the best understood ; because every man has daily opportunities to study it in his own passion and his own actions. Human nature, however, is little understood. Writers of warm imagination hold that man is a benevolent being, and that every man ought to direct his conduct for the good of all, without regarding himself but as one of the number: those of a cold and contracted mind hold him to be an animal entirely selfish ; to evince which examples are accumulated. But neither of these systems is that of Nature. The selfish system is contradicted by the experience of

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ages, affording the clearest evidence that men frequently act lor the sake of others, without regarding' themselves, and sometimes in direct opposition to their own interests. Man, in fact, is a complex being, composed of principles, some benevolent, others selfish ; and those principles so justly blended in him as to fit him for acting a proper part in society. Many enter so deeply into the passions or bias of human nature, that, to use the painters’ phrase, they quite overcharge it 5 they forg’et how various a creature it is they are painting; how many springs and weights, nicely adjusted and balanced, enter into the movement, and require allowances to be made for their several clo<>-s and impulses ere you can define its operations and effects.

The infirmity of human nature is a topic on which the profligate love to enlarge; they are apt to deduce an argument from it no less injurious than fallacious. They infer from the concession that man is naturally weak and corrupt that the precepts of strict morality are utterly useless, and that they originate in one of the principal arguments of human imbecility or ill-grounded pride.

Man is indeed a weak creature: he has strong passions ; but he has also strong powers within him to counteract their operation. He possesses reason ; and his happiness certainly depends upon the voluntary use or abuse, the neglect or the exertion, of this noble faculty.

It seems probable, that many who urge the inefficacy of philosophical and moral precepts are oxiiy endeavouring to excuse their own indolence. They who feel themselves little inclined to correct their misconduct are very solicitous to persuade themselves that they are unable. Indeed, wherever human creatures are found, there are also to be

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found vice and misery. Nor is this appearance only amonn- the rude and illiterate, but among- those who are adorned with all the arts of human knowledge. Observation affords many examples of those who, after havingrecommended virtue with all the appearance of sincerity, have at last fallen into the disgrace and wretchedness of singular profligacy. Such instances do indeed occur, and they are usually blazoned and exaggerated by triumphant delinquency. But allowing what indeed the uniform decisions of observation and reason declare, that human nature is weak in the extreme, yet we would draw a different conclusion from that which is deduced by many.

The nature of man is susceptible of improvement ; therefore we argue, let every effort be made to acquire it. It cannot be said that the endeavour must of necessity be abortive; it cannot be said that we have not natural incitements sufficient to encourage a vigorous attempt. We have sensibilities of moral recitude — we have a natural love of excellence — we have intellectual powers capable of improvement — we have precepts innumerable— and, to the honour of human nature let it be added that, example also greatly abounds.

Many individuals, who enrolled themselves among the sects of ancient philosophers, have exhibited most animating proofs of the power of human nature. It is not to be supposed that they possessed faculties more in number, or more perfect in their kind, than the present race ; but they loved excellence, and they believed they were capable of it. That belief operated most powerfully on their exertions ; they succeeded in their attempts, and stand forth among mankind, like colossal statues amongst a collection of images less than the life. We hope,

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therefore, it will be rendering* an essential service to mankind, if we can revive this belief among* those of the present day, that the science of Phrenology will, by a wellselected and judicious study of it, lead to the improvement of the mind. Proofs we have, that, during intense studies, an alteration in those parts of the head relating to the studies has taken place in several instances, while little or no alteration has taken place in the other parts. The fact is so, and facts are stubborn arguments ; which induce us to entertain the idea, that Phrenology will prove beneficial to mankind, and that proper means, by the study of it, may be introduced, much to the interest and benefit of the rising generation, as also in the treatment of mental diseases.

It is fair to presume, that what is attainable in science may, to a considerable extent, be eifected in morals, in education, in mind. So in life, if you inform your disciple that he is able to reach a degree of excellence, and urge him to the attempt, he will frequently make great advances, and improve to his own astonishment: but indulge his natural indolence, timidity, or despair, by expatiating on the irremediable weakness of human nature, and you effectually preclude even his endeavours, and add to his natural imbecility. Here Phrenology will lend its aid, by the power it will give in early youth, to point out the weakness of those so unfortunately organized, which, if done, steps may be taken to invigorate, excite, and cultivate, by judicious arrangement, the faculties.

In the works of art, sculpture, and in painting — in the subordinate operations of mechanical ingenuity — to what perfection does the hand of man attain ! “ When a savage sees a watch, he adores it as a god. No earnestness of

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assertion would convince him that it was a work of art, and of a creature in all respects like himself, except in acquired dexterity.'5 And can man improve himself so highly in the manual arts, in science, and in the productions of taste, and be unable to arrive at any real and solid improvement in the finest art and noblest science — the improvement of the mind? Half the attention and the constancy which is employed in acquiring skill in the occupations by which money is to be acquired, if bestowed on the melioration of the morals and a cultivation and improvement of the mind, would produce a most laudable character. Therefore, to attend to the workings of our own minds — to trace the power which external objects have over us — to discover the nature of our emotions, affections, and propensities — to comprehend the reason of our being affected in a particular manner, must have a direct influence upon our pursuits, our character, and our happiness : to do that and to point with the finger to the why and the wherefore of those differences in the mind, disposition, and character, after so many able writers on the philosophy of mind and man, appear to be left for Phrenology.

The science of Phrenology appears to be misunderstood by many persons: by some it has been considered as tending to fatalism and predestination, which arises from a want of due consideration ; for the Phrenologist does not assert that the peculiar form of the skull directs the actions of mankind, but that the actions of mankind affect and produce them. A child or adult giving way to bad propensities, and constantly living in vicious habits, will cause an increase of the propensities; while, on the other hand, by avoiding bad actions and associations, and by

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the practice of better habits, the organs of the moral sentiments and intellectual faculties will increase, and those of the opposite tendency diminish — the child or adult at the same time losing- the desire tor evil actions. Thus Phrenology is but a visible evidence of the effects of conscience ; and where the base passions are not kept down they will appear plainly on the form of the skull. These alterations are clearly shown in the changes of form which have taken place, illustrated with authentic narratives of the cases.

Phrenology lost much of its value, on its first announcement, from the misapplication of certain names given to certain organs. Thus destructiveness was called murder. It arose from the fact of Dr. Gall finding those murderers whom he examined invariably to have the organ large and marked; but observation shewed that this organ, which every one possesses, appeared more prominent as the passions for destructiveness increased. Again acquisitiveness was first called theft from a similar cause; thieves having this organ peculiarly large, and it is invariably strongly marked in all children and adults who are penurious and covetous.

The study of Phrenology tends to show the necessity and advantage of a high moral conduct in the heads of families and preceptors, leading others to the practice of virtue, and confirming it in their minds; and it should be applied in conjunction with the monitor within, to ehace away the vices of mankind. It is certain, the science cannot be studied or understood by the uneducated or lower orders of society; but those of the educated class can impart to them its advantages by setting them the bright example of moral conduct, thereby leading them

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to the practice of honest and virtuous actions. If the brain, which is the seat of the mind, is looked at, and considered with the alteration in the form of the skull following the working of the brain, it appears self-evident and conclusive, from the great number of changes of form which are now collected, that a change of form is not confined to the young alone, but is found to take place at various periods, from eight to eighty years of age ; we having a great number of casts where change of form of the head has taken place with corresponding change of character between eight and fifty (nay eighty) years of age, as the following case w'ill in part demonstrate.

CHANGE OF FORM.

We beg to draw attention to the following case, where six casts have been taken from the same individual at six different periods, the first three taken at eight, thirteen, and sixteen years of age, during which time his education was neglected; the latter three were taken at nineteen, twenty-two, and twenty-eight years of age, during which time (the first three years) education commenced, and the whole of the time he was constantly in high moral society, and employed with or by them ; it being evident that, from example and moral conduct, the alterations in

the foim of the skull have followed the working of the brain.

1. 2. 3.

The basts from which these are taken are authenticated casts of the celebrated George Bidder, called at the period when these three, Nos. 1, 2, and 3, were taken, the “ Devonshire calculating youth.’' Immediately after the fourth cast was taken, he commenced as a civil engineer, has been so occupied ever since, and is now engaged (January 1835) to superintend one of the difficult parts of the great Birmingham Railway.

The cast, No. 1, was taken when eight years of age : we here find the forehead nearly upright, the anterior part of the moral sentiments, the reflecting faculties, constructiveness and ideality, eventuality, individuality, and number, all very largely developed, while the rest of the perceptive and intellectual faculties are moderately developed. By a reference to No. 2, which cast was taken at thirteen years of age, we find a deterioration in the reflecting faculties, moral sentiments, and ideality, with a slight increase in the lower perceptive faculties. By

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reference to No. 3, which cast was taken at sixteen years, of age, we find a much greater deterioration in the reflecting faculties and moral sentiments, which have receded a full inch during eight years, being the period between taking the cast No. I and the cast No. 3 ; during the latter time the perceptive faculties have got somewhat larger.

Now here is a curious fact of an alteration of the skull following the working of the brain, and, it appears to us, in perfect accordance with his occupation and the society in which he was placed during the eight years: for let it be remembered, that from the time of taking the first cast, which was at Bath, before he came to London, to the time of taking the third cast, his father was then going about from city to city, or place to place, exhibiting him for his extraordinary powers of mental calculation, and, being from the humbler walk of life, he frequently exhibited him in public houses, and in general taking up his residence in those places; it being probably not from choice, but from the convenience of there getting lodgings readily for a few nights. Now any one acquainted with the society that visits public houses is aware that very little, if any thing, was going forward that would gratify the moral sentiments or reflecting faculties; and it is in this part of the head, the seat of those organs, that we find a great deterioration going on, to the extent of one inch at least; at this time (when the third cast was taken) he was taken by the hand by some ladies and gentlemen; he was put to a superior school; and from that period he mixed in high moral and intellectual society : and mark the result which +ook place after he had been about three years under tuition, the whole of the time enjoying moral society with moral

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precept. He then, being about nineteen years of age, came to London, and was intended for a military engineer ; when we took a fourth cast of him, No. 5, by comparison of which with No. 4, a front view of No. 3 cast, it will be seen that a great increase has taken place in the reflecting faculties and moral sentiments; the form of the skull answering the working of the brain during these three years of moral education and society; shewing, to demonstration, the effects of moral precept and direction in combination with education. It appears that he was a very short time occupied in military engineering, and that he then took to civil engineering. When he had been about two years and a half in the occupation of a civil engineer, we took a fifth cast of him, No. 6, by comparison of which with No. 5, it will be seen that the extension of the whole forehead is going on. After he had been near nine years occupied as a civil engineer, and nearly the whole time in the society of engineers of high reputation and moral character, we took a sixth cast of him, No. 7, by which it will be observed, that a general expansion of the whole of the intellectual faculties and the moral sentiments has been going on ? but to shew it moie dis*

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tinctly, we here give a double diagram, No. S; the lines b , b , b , 6, being taken from the fourth cast, taken at nineteen years of age, and the lines a , a, a , a, taken from the last cast, near nine years after, the whole of the time being engaged with high moral and intellectual society, and we find that the head has undergone a change in accordance with it; namely, the moral sentiments and intellectual faculties have increased during this period threeeighths of an inch in some parts, while, what to some may appear extraordinary, the propensities have got less during the same period, as will be seen by reference to the diagram ; clearly developing the action that has been going on, and the form of the skull in perfect accordance with the working of the mind in the brain at the same time. Doubters , sceptics , and medical gentlemen , read, mark , learn , and inwardly digest, these extraordinary facts. But if those were the only facts where change of form have taken place we should have said but little, or have been silent on the occasion; but we are in possession of one hundred and two casts, taken at all periods of life, from eight to eighty years of age ; amongst them several cases of an extraordinary nature, where propensities having been controlled, the heads in the parts corresponding have got less ; and three or four cases where some of the higher sentiments have ceased to act, and the head has got less in the parts, according with the change; clearly demonstrating that a change of form of the skull takes place by absorption and deposition with the working of the brain. Hence the importance of Phrenology, in enabling us to give proper directions to the faculties, so as to inculcate true principles of morality, by exciting respect for the moral laws, and obedience to the positive laws.

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IV hat is your deduction from these principles of morality ?

We conclude, from these principles, that all the social virtues consist in the performance of actions useful both to society and to the individual ; that they may be increased by moral direction ; that they may be all traced to the physical object of the preservation of man ; that Nature, having; implanted in our bosoms the necessity of this preservation, imposes all the consequences arising; from it as a law, and prohibits as a crime whatever counteracts the operation of this principle ; and, moreover, that we are happy in exact proportion to the obedience we yield to those laws which Nature has established with a view to our happiness and preservation, the law of Nature beino; the regular and constant order of events according; to which God rules the universe.

Then, from what has come within your notice , are you of opinion that we have the power to alter our development , and thereby produce beneficial alterations in our character ?

Certainly, that is our opinion, based upon proofs of facts, wherein is shown that alterations have been produced that will create a difficulty of any reaction of the faculties; or, more properly speaking, the power of going onward in that altered state will become more easy to accomplish.

Introduction

This book and the bust accompanying it are offered to the notice of those who wish to take a short view of the science ; but those who feel a desire to enter into a philosophical inquiry, and to become practical Phrenologists, must direct their attention to a collection of facts from casts easily obtained for the purpose.

To give some facility in the first observations, we have made some additions to our small book, keeping the whole in as condensed a form as the nature of the subject would admit. To bring the same within a moderate expense — to render it plain and easily understood to beginners — to make deductions from facts in our collection well known and referrible to — and to avoid speculative inferences — have been considerations we have endeavoured to attend to.

In studying the science, some general principles are necessary to attend to in the early consideration of the manifestations of the organs. With the view of giving some facility, we have given figures, to show that a great difference of form exists between individuals acting under the influence of the moral feelings and others acting under the influence of the animal propensities — Indians manifesting great cruelty and others capable of entertaining superior feelings — of the frontal sinus at times found at Form, Individuality, Size, Weight, Colour, and Locality — of a muscle observed at times (but very seldom) on the

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side of the head, when so, producing some difficulty in making observations on the organs of Secretiveness, Acquisitiveness, and Constructiveness — of a philosopher and an idiot, illustrative of a great mind and the reverse — also of singularly-long and flat-shaped skulls, to show great difference of forms exists — moreover, we have given a set of figures, to show a change of form in the same individual, from a deterioration, owing to a neglect of education, to an increase, produced ,by education and moral direction — also, feeling, by a study of the science, great facilities will be given to preceptors, and those having the care of youth, to invite inquiry, figures, with some observations, will be found, which, if attended to, we consider will assist to point out some of the difficulties at present experienced in education.

As the situations of the various organs will often, to those who take a view of the science, come under consideration, we beg attention to their arrangement, which must impress feelings of admiration at the beautiful order in which Nature has placed them, and at the perseverance and research made in the discovery of their situations, as determined by Drs. Gall and Spurzheim.

It must strike those who take a view of the science at what has been done, opposed as it has been, when it is known that we have in our collection, independent of others, upwards of two thousand two hundred casts from nature, of known characters, well authenticated, and without a single instance of contradiction ; and are enabled to prove the thirty-five organs, as established, not by two or three examples, but, the greater number of the organs, by two or three hundred specimens: moreover, upwards of four thousand skulls of animals have been

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added to the collection, which also bear out the truths of the science.

This, to some , at a first glance , may appear incredible ; but those having any doubt may see arid judge for themselves.

The importance of the science is, by numbers, particularly by those who will take the trouble to investigate the facts collected, beginning to be duly appreciated; and, from a great number of circumstances that have come within our notice, we are impressed with a feeling, that it will be found of more importance than at a first glance appears, by giving great facilities to the proper direction of the faculties, and in the application of them to education and for professions.

Another point to attend to is, many persons, after taking a view of the collection, and admitting the truths ot the science, make an objection, namely, that they differ with the Phrenologists in the minutiae of the organs ; and have entertained an idea, that they maintain that heads have thirty-five organs, all largely developed. Those who will take the trouble to inquire, and investigate what the Phrenologists have done and are doing, when they predicate actions and speak on character from development, will find that L ;:ot the case.

We go further, for the immense number of facts collected prove it, that every head, except idiots, has the thirty-five organs; but we do not attempt to say they are all largely developed and active in one individual ; but by observations on a few persons, every organ in one or the other will be found fully developed (that is in a few individuals) ; and those who will pay attention to the manner a practical Phrenologist proceeds when speaking

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of actions, will find that he do- s not attempt to point out or give more than from five to nine or ten prominent points of character, except in very extraordinary cases : hence the Phrenologist does not attempt to give more than so many prominent parts of the head, the rest being small and moderately developed, taking the same part in the character as their size and activity manifests.

We recommend to those studying the science to collect facts upon them to reason, and not to be satisfied with reasoning alone; for upon facts they may take their stand with some chance of success : but by reasoning first they may fall into an error, not easy at times successfully to retract. 1 his may be avoided in the early consideration of the science, by proper attention to the fundamental powers of the organs, and carefully attending to the manifestations of their degrees of activity, previous to speaking of their actions, which it will be well not to attempt until a knowledge of the different degrees of activity is attained ; for when actions of the organs are spoken of, and character is predicated, it is not bv a single organ, but under combinations and modifications of and with other organs ; also, as they may be influenced by the greatei or lesser proportions of the anterior and posterior legions, and the quantity more or less in the base or upper part of the head : observations if attended to, it uill not be found difficult to speak of or predicate actions of the organs, or draw conclusions on heads, skulls, &c.

A study of the mind and man is considered by many persons as of modern introduction : that is not the case ; for history points out that the philosophy of man is of very anterior date. Thales, in his discourses, stated that a cultivated mind, and a study of the philosophy of man.

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are the chief sources of happiness, and advises the taking of more pains to correct the blemishes of the mind than of the face. Carneades, Anaxagoras, and Socrates, pursued the same studies. The latter, according to Cicero, was the first, who called down Philosophy from heaven to earth, and introduced her into the public walks of life, and into the domestic retirements of men, that she might instruct them concerning life, manners, and the truth of Nature.