Physiological observations on mental susceptibility; the influence of education on the varieties of the human race and the brute creation, interspersed with illustrative anecdotes and phrenological exemplifications. To which is added an essay on hereditary instinct, sympathy, and fascination

Front matter

a’

ON

MENTAL SUSCEPTIBILITY;

Introduction

ON eee

Ir has always required a degree of courage bordering on temerity to impugn established opinions, though the erroneousness and even absurdity of such opinions have become glaringly manifest ; because it has generally happened that the interest of a selfish portion of the community is placed directly in the way of investigation. When, in a very remote age, a few enlightened Hindoos appeared desirous to inculcate the sublime maxims a 2

1Vv INTRODUCTION.

of genuine philosophy, when they testified an inclination to direct the human mind to the legitimate cultivation of the arts and sciences, they drew upon themselves the intolerant jealousy of the Pagan priesthood, by whom they were unrelentingly persecuted; and thus the taper of truth, which for some time shed a flickering light amidst the surrounding darkness of these swarthy regions, was smothered beneath the monstrous system of the Juggernaut, self . immolation, and the infernal suttee. Similar observations are applicable to Egypt, where genuine philosophy, driven from the part of Asia mentioned above, re-appeared some time afterward. The sages of Greece hailed the legitimate doctrine with delight; they were anxious to inculcate it, but soon became

INTRODUCTION. Vv aware of the necessity of extreme caution in their laudable pursuits, as they, like their predecessors in scientific research, were beset by a jealous and persecuting priesthood, who eagerly took the alarm, lest the people should emerge from a state of ignorance suited to their sinister purposes. Hence originated the Mysteries of Hleusis, wherein the doctrine of nature was discussed by the few enlightened Mystics, while the lesser mysteries enumerated many thousand disciples. Yet "this beautiful edifice for laudable disquisition, crumbled to ruins beneath the desolatmg progress of intolerance and fanaticism.

In all ages of the world, the great bulk of mankind have been either too indolent or too timid to think for themselves—have been ao v1 INTRODUCTION.

content to receive the dogmas of more daring (if not designing) spirits, rather than take the trouble of investigation.

When Galileo declared the sun to be a fixed body, he was summoned before the Inquisition, and with the threat of fire and faggot ordered to abjure as a ‘“ damnable heresy” that which the immortal Newton confirmed, and which has subsequently been acknowledged by all philosophers.

And did not Martin Luther incur the danger of an ignominious death, when he accused the Pope with the abuse of indulgences? In the year 1517, this celebrated Reformer promulgated his doctrines in Germany, and immediately drew upon himself

INTRODUCTION. Vil the persecuting jealousy of the ignorant priesthood of that period, as well as the unqualified disapprobation of the Emperor Charles V.; and although he was protected by Frederick, the enlightened Elector of Saxony, he could scarcely have escaped the contemplated vengeance, had not the state of the times been favourable for the furtherance of his views. Charles, though the most powerful monarch of his time, was frequently embroiled in war, and also in pen with his subjects. A similar observation may be applied to his formidable contemporary, Francis I., and also to the Pope; while Henry VIII. emancipated himself from the thraldom of the latter, and consequently became his enemy; so that a fortuitous concourse of circumstances fa-

Vill INTRODUCTION.

voured the establishment of that Reforma-

~ tion of which Luther laid the foundation.

The minds of men are as various as their persons, and are thus constituted for the wisest purposes; for, how can doubts be dissipated and truth ascertained but by unshackled investigation ? ‘Thought is involuntary; aman may dissemble, but he cannot avoid, his thoughts: can anything, then, be more preposterous than the attempt to force all men to entertain the same opinion ? Charles V., who had caused rivers of blood to flow, not for the most amiable purposes, when old age crept upon him, resigned the crown of Spain in favour of his son, Philip, and amongst the amusements of his latter days was mechanism. ‘ He was particu-

INTRODUCTION. ix larly curious in regard to the construction of clocks and watches ; and having found, after repeated trials, that he could net bring any two of them to go exactly alike, he reflected, with a mixture of surprise as well as regret, on his own folly, in having bestowed so much time and labour on the more vain attempt of bringing mankind to a precise uniformity of sentiment concerning the profound and mysterious doctrines of religion.”

As mankind became enlightened, they became tolerant; and as the present age is distinguished for its increase of scientific attainments, it is reasonable to expect that its liberal feeling has kept pace with its superior knowledge. Dogmatism is not merely injurious, but directly opposed, to

Xx INTRODUCTION.

the freedom of investigation ; and as I have freely expressed my opinions on the subjects which the following pages embrace, so | am quite willing that my readers should exercise a scrupulous, but an unbiassed, exa- - mination of them. Let these opinions be subjected to the test of reason, and I shall be content, though I unhesitatingly confess I am far from being indifferent to the good opinion of my fellow-creatures.

Chapter. I

Origin of Language.—Reason and Instinct.—Varieties of the Human Race.—The Missionaries, Sc.

Page

The limited Faculties of the Human Race .............. 1 Language the Offspring of concentrated Thought.......... 2 Superiority of Man..... Me cad sedeccr ss Astsa es efecols tities aus eos 3 The Invention of Writing. SasSoSccond Seietea tire saree : 4 Instinct—Reason: .......s0s00% Reese sre tells Mielare eters velerers 7 The Varieties of the Human Species Been PRS RES ROO EAS, Erroneous System of Education .......2s.sese0 here fie es 12 Phrenology:..siissiassesess WE ane SS eae Oe Be eters Re a (| The Military Character..... SAGS iG Cc oti, [On ooo 18 The Malay—The American ..........000- Foo. Ee bs, MHCUMISHONAVICS «155454506 ae eae be Jasco Ob Reams 2 Decrease in the Aborigines of America ....:.....04- ican 7: PRO RNCCTOCS s Hia4 v3.8 6.8 baw 5 4 2854 ES ake sais pikeferets 27 die Waucasian: Race: oa. sac nes 3 6564 pab8 3583 eem eee os 36 Disposition of the. Negro’ss 63sec geet Jescs ees s Beet stats 38

Chapter II

The Aborigines of America-—The White Man never known to exist in a Savage State.

Wexerty and Disguise of the Indians ~~. s.c.. 6 9% see ors) AO Speech of Logan, a Mingo Chief... ..50..0.655 06 arienrconstee ate MCRL COMS. ciclo cere He se is, 85 4) 44 yg ese aie ene ties cere 53 see Machigan 'Chiel iis 4 ses 5536 gugeceeunseee sade (ot Aborigines of Hispaniola and the American Continent Peer ran General Jackson’s Opinion of the Indians ....... sahara Sacco s WO Cracity of the Indians . 2, 3.3 ase e4 ss enue e os oieree ee «68

CHAPTER III. The Malays.—The Mongolians.—Phrenological Development

MOO IVIGIEYS, «).10, ¢:s.0 a 9 a 9 sehen s + sete) oveuel stclofers e anatd sey tele ae Cruel Treatment of Mrs. Guard and an Crew of the Harriet 77 ie NOM BOA |. 5. <,5)4 2, 60.4415) « «0, 4/05 «0, a ebivtotetadyevere eidleugtaietels thee MENG = ERVISGEAIAS 5.0. 0: -a00. 4. ofc, e000, 8, ceevosk's, 0, 6. o)S te eee Heck ales Peg) The Caucasian Division of the Human Species............ 87 The Iniflnence.of Hawmeawownd vie ais Sie aos cvetateetee Defeat he ose ED:

Chapter IV

The Ouran-Outang.—The Quadrumanous Tribe. Phe Ouran-Outang. oes eevscccvqcccisiccevesiaserpeevencs GO The Baboon ...cesscssecencsere eigig diel eee 6b si6) eyalsusfen vO xii CONTENTS.

CHAPTER V. Birds

ON

MENTAL SUSCEPTIBILITY, &C.

Chapter I

Origin of Languages.—Reason and Instinct.—Varieties of the Human Race.—The Missionaries, &c.—The Negro.

Tue limited faculties of the human race will not enable us to investigate successfully those secrets or mysteries of nature which le buried beneath the revolutions of incalculable ages; yet, although the origin of things must for ever remain inscrutable to our restricted powers of perception, it requires no great stretch of credulity to suppose that centuries had elapsed ere mankind discovered the mode of mental communication by language which is practised at the present moment by every variety of our fellow-creatures, from the polished European to the Indian of America, the jetty inhabitant of the African continent, and the savage of the South Sea Islands. However, that man is not the only creature physiologically formed for speaking is incontestably proved by the parrot, the magpie, the raven, and several other birds; and it appears not a little surprising, that while the feathered tribes are enabled to imitate the oral expression of human nature, this faculty is denied to quadrupeds, many of whom, and the dog in particular, evince a degree of sagacity infinitely superior to that which has ever been manifested by the fluttering

B g PHYSIOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS tenants of the air: still more remarkable is the circumstance of the ape, though an animal immeasurably superior to birds in sagacity, and so nearly approximating the form of man, but nevertheless utterly incapable of imitating those sounds of the human voice which are employed in the oral communication of ideas or workings of the mind.

It is not owing, as some have asserted, to any defect in the organs that the ape is incapable of speech, since the tongue of a monkey will be found as perfect as that of a man. Language is the offspring of concentrated thought: hence the lower orders of animated nature, insusceptible of the requisite mental arrangement, are consequently incapacitated for that oral expression which constitutes language; for, though their external senses are in general found superior to those of man, and many of them manifest an extraordinary degree of cunning or sagacity, they are unable to form that mental combination which may be said to constitute the essence of thought, and which so pre-eminently distin- | guishes the lord of thecreation. The possession of speech corresponds to the more exalted intellectual endowments of man, is indispensable to their development and varied application. Man exhibits his mental operations by external signs; he communicates his sentiments by words; the savage and the civilized being have similar powers of utterance, and are equally understood.

Admitting, therefore, that language was adscititious, it must be regarded as a most important improvement upon the natural expression of inarticulate sounds, gestures, and actions; an intelligent medium whereby men make known their thoughts to each other, without which the uncultivated savage would have continued on a par with the beasts of the forest, while the beautiful fabric of civilized society could never have attained its superior and pleasing elevation. Yet, that this exalted characteristic of man is not born with him, like the voices of animals, is incontestably proved by the different languages of the various classes of mankind distributed upon the surface of the globe, and consequently its attainment must have resulted from education.

How far the influence of climate may have operated in the formation of language, or at least upon its innumerable varieties, is a subject not altogether unworthy of notice in this place. The extremes of heat and cold are unfavourable to the beauty of the human form, and also to cerebral organic development; while, in milder latitudes, these qualities acquire their greatest perfection : if, therefore, the atmosphere thus diversifies the body and the mind, may it not equally influence the powers of speech, and produce those oral modifications so evidently perceptible in the various classes of mankind ? Beneath the burning sun of the equator or the tropics, utterance or enunciation becomes soft; in northern regions it is remarkable for its gutteral harshness; while, in the temperate climates, it attains its greatest force and harmony of expression. |

Therefore, if the mind of man may be said to have elicited his powers of speech, it must be regarded as his most distinguishing characteristic, exalting him above the brute creation infinitely more than that physiological superiority by which he is also distinguished. What is the most sagacious animal compared to man ? The effeminate native of the East governs the stupendous and “ half-reasoning” elephant, the Arab directs the speed and powers of his elegant and fiery steed, while the diminutive Laplander applies the reindeer to the labour and purposes of his existence; in fact, the most inferior class or lowest order of the human race are able

to manage the most sagacious and the most powerful B 2 animals, and render them subservient, not by bodily strength, but by the superiority of their mental powers. Yet we see the stronger and more sagacious of the brute creation possess not.the capacity of reducing the inferior tribes to a state of servitude or dependance : it is true, the roe and the antelope fly from the lion and the tiger, since it is the nature of ferocious animals to devour the timid inhabitants of the forest; but, correctly speaking, there is no mark of subordination among animals, nor the least trace of acknowledged inferiority further than that which results from mere safety or self-preservation. Consequently, the nature of man is easily distinguishable from that of the brute, and justly entitles him to become lord of the creation.— Man stands alone; there is an interval between him and brutes which no animal can fill up. The manmimicing ouran-outang, the reasoning elephant, the sagacious dog, have made no progress in improvement, but are precisely what they were three thousand years ago; the bird and the beaver construct their habitations in the same manner as their remote progenitors; and so the bee forms its curious receptacle for delicious sweets: but what has been the progressive advance of man? From a state of helpless infancy, he acquired the communication of thought, he attained the command of the inferior orders of creation, he cultivated the arts and sciences: thus, by man such a field has been opened for the energies of our race, that the mind becomes bewildered by the brilliant and interminable prospect. Hence may be perceived the influence of education on mental susceptibility. | :

The invention of writing, like the acquisition of language, became an important, indeed an incalculable, acquisition for an advance in the progress of knowledge; by this beautiful science an individual is enabled to convey his ideas to his friends or connexions at the antipodes, or the remotest corners of the earth.

By this language of the eyes, distant countries might | be said to be brought in contact, or made to approximate each other; while commerce acquired a degree of acceleration which, prior to this period, must have been regarded as impossible of attainment. At length, that extraordinary mode of multiplying alphabetical communication, by means of the printing-press, was : brought to light, the wonderful operation of which would appear absolutely illimitable in the progress of knowledge, and the advancement of the happiness of mankind. .

Having noticed the influence of climate on the human form, mental capacity, and enunciation or oral utterance, it may here be added, that from the same cause originated the diversity of speech we find spread over the surface of the globe, which presents a serious, if not an insurmountable, obstacle in the way of that. unqualified or obvious mode of oral or written communication, which a general language would not merely accelerate, but effectually accomplish.

I shall be asked, perhaps, how happens it, if my theory _ be correct—if climate produces that diversity of form, of mental capacity, and oral enunciation, which I have attributed to it—that, in the same parallel of latitude, an absolute uniformity in these respects is not found to exist? To which hasty and inconsiderate glance at the subject, I unhesitatingly answer, that, in order to form a correct estimate of the atmospheric influence in every part of the same parallel of latitude, we must duly consider the localities, the distance or approximation to the sea, the elevation, the presence of mountains, as well as a variety of other modifications. That the difference of sound in the human voice in different regions led to that diversity of language at present so conspicuously perceptible, no doubt, I think, can be entertained; and although the establishment of a uniform mode of oral and written expression of ideas may appear impossible to many, to me it does not present itself in the same insurmountable manner. Does such “ a consummation, so devoutly to be wished,” appear more improbable than the invention of writing, and its illimitable multiplication by the printing-press? I think not; and though the task may appear to be attended with difficulties of no ordinary character, such a circumstance ought rather to stimulate our energies than repress or check our exertions in the prosecution of so highly important and magnificent an undertaking—since myriads of proofs are spread before our eyes of the extraordinary susceptibility of the human mind, as well as of the wonderful influence of education. We are already in possession of something approximating a universal system of notation by the invention of the Arabie figures; so simple, yet so superior to the Roman numerals, susceptible at the same time of combination ad infinitum.

According to our great lexicographer, Dr. Johnson, Education implies the instruction and formation of manners in youth; or that general probation of the human mind, which is too well understood to need further recapitulation in this place, but which is by no means sufficiently extensive in its application to generate a clear idea of that comprehensiveness which the sequel is intended to embrace, in as succinct a manner, however, as may be found consistent with requisite or indispensable elucidation. As I conceive that whatever alters or improves the mental faculties may be correctly termed the Influence of Education, my observations will not be confined to the exercises of the grammar-school, and the instructions of the college, but extend to the operations of the human mind presented in varied forms, as well as to the manifestations of the corresponding quality in the lower orders of creation, distinguished by the appellation of enstinct.

The Rev. C. C. Colton, in his first volume of ‘ Lacon,’ observes, “ No sound philosopher will confound instinct with reason, because an ouran-outang has used a walking-stick, or a trained elephant a lever ;” and yet, in the very words which he utters to controvert what he would wish to have understood as false doctrine, he proves its truth, even to unqualified demonstration: for, how could an ouran-outang be taught to use a walkingstick, if it were utterly destitute of the power of reason ? How could an elephant be susceptible of education (which training evidently implies) if it did not possess, in some degree, the perceptive and reflective faculties ? What is called instinct in the brute creation is evidently a power or faculty of reasoning, incomparably inferior, however, to this divine gift in man; and which indeed will be found, both in the one and the other, to present an endless variety for the contemplation of the philosopher.

As mysterious and wonderful Nature branches out her works into an infinity of ramifications—that, as in the brute creation, the genus comprehends a number of tribes or species, the latter also presenting distinct varieties—so in the first order of animated beings, Man, there are classes as clearly definable as possible; and what is equally incontestable, throughout the whole we shall find mental manifestation precisely in proportion to cerebral development—in the latter called reason, in the former znstinct.

It has been observed, that *‘ the differences which exist between the inhabitants of the various regions of the globe, both in bodily formation and in the faculties of the mind, are so striking, that they must have attracted the notice even of superficial observers. With those forms, proportions, and colours, which we consider so beautiful in the fine figures of Greece, contrast the woolly hair, the flat nose, the thiek lips, the retreating forehead, advancing jaws, and black skin of the Negro; or, the broad square faee, narrow oblique eyes, beardless chin, coarse straight hair, and olive eolour of the Calmuce. Compare. the ruddy and sanguine European with the jet black Afriean, the Red man of America, the yellow Mongolian, or the dark brown South Sea Islander; the gigantic Patagonian to the dwarfish Laplander; the highly civilized nations of Europe, so conspicuous in arts, science, and literature, in all that can strengthen and adorn society, or exalt and dignify human nature, to a troop of naked, shivering, and starved New Hollanders, a horde of filthy Hottentots, or the whole of the more or less barbarous tribes that eover nearly the entire continent of Africa.” Nor are the differences of bodily conformation, complexion, and colour, more remarkable, or more varied, than the qualities of the mind ; while the class presenting the most beautiful form has uniformly manifested a corresponding degree of intellectual superiority.

Philosophers, and Blumenbach m particular, divide the human species into five varieties, namely, the Caucasian,. the Mongolian, the Malay, the American, and the Ethiopian. The Caucasian variety includes the Europeans, except the Laplanders and the rest of the Finnish race; the inhabitants of Western Asia, as far as the river Ob, the Caspian Sea, and the Ganges; the northern Africans, including not only those north of the Great Desert, but some tribes placed in more southern regions; the Egyptians, Abyssinians, and Guanches.

ON MENTAL SUSCEPTIBILITY, ETC. Gg

The Mongolian variety includes the numerous, more or less rude, Nomadic tribes which occupy Central and Northern Asia, as the Mongols, Calmucs, and Buraas ; the Mantchoos, Tungooses, &c. &¢.; the Chinese and Japanese; the inhabitants of Thibet, Bootan, Cochin China, Ava, &c. &c.; the Finnish races of Northern Europe, and the tribes of Esquimaux extending over the northern parts. of America, from Behring’s Strait to the extremity of Greenland.

The Malay variety comprehends the inhabitants of the peninsula of Malacca, of Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Celebes, and the adjacent Asiatic Islands; of New Holland, Van Diemen’s Land, New Guinea, New Zealand, and the islands scattered through the whole of the South Sea.

The American variety includes all the Americans, except the Esquimaux.

The Ethiopian variety comprehends all the natives of Africa not already enumerated ; that is, the Negroes and black race in general.

This classification of human nature, however, must not be understood as indicating that each variety is precisely similar in physical and moral traits; on the contrary, this general characteristic conformity admits of various and strongly-marked modifications: yet, as the Caucasian variety is much superior to the other classes in beauty of form and mental capacity, so the characteristic variations will be found more numerous, if not more impressively distinguished. .

The most beautiful specimens of the Caucasian variety of the human race at present are exhibited by the Europeans, the Greeks, the Turks, and the Georgians ; and to these might be added those erratic tribes known by the name of Gipsies, amongst whom will be found some of the finest forms in creation. From the supe-

ire)

io PHYSIOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS rior shape and greater capaciousness of the skull of this class, the greatest mental powers have uniformly flowed : nearly all the arts and sciences were discovered by them ; indeed, almost our whole treasure of knowledge and Literature has been derived from the same quarter; and they may be said to occupy the middle regions of the earth, while its extremities are peopled by the inferior classes.

The Hindoos of high caste may be said perhaps to belong to the Caucasian variety; and to them indeed we are probably indebted for the rudiments of that intellectual superiority for which Europe has so long been pre-eminently conspicuous. Egypt may be regarded as the link which united Asia to Europe, by means of which the early knowledge that dawned in the East became spread over the Western world. Oriental pantheism, which represented the universe as an emanation from the primary Being, penetrated into Egypt. The Indian philosophers explained this system by the image of a spider, which draws from its own bosom the thread that forms its web, sits in the midst of its work, communicates: movement to it, and at pleasure draws back what it had sent forth from its own body. The Egyptians received the Eastern traditions, and, in an altered form, transmitted them to the Greeks, where they easily adapted themselves to the lively imagination of that extraordinary people. ,

Having remarked that modifications were observable in the varieties of the human race, it may be here stated, that if we admit the superior castes of the Hindoos and the ancient Egyptians into the first or Caucasian class, we must understand them as several shades inferior to the Europeans; a notion the correctness of which is collaterally confirmed by the mouldering monuments which manifest the architectural skill of these people.

Our surprise may be excited by the stupendous ruins found in various parts of India, as well as by the magnitude of those almost imperishable records of human folly, the Pyramids of Egypt! But what are these compared with the specimens of art, which at this remote period attest the decided superiority of Greek and Roman genius? Hence it may be inferred, that the Hindoos and Egyptians had attained the greatest degree of civilization of which they were susceptible; and from the proofs which they have transmitted to posterity of their progress in the arts and sciences, I feel no hesitation in stating that their capacity was inferior, much inferior, to that of the Greeks or the Romans.

The Caucasian variety of the human race, more beautiful in form, and naturally qualified for the highest intellectual attainments, have, from the earliest periods to the present time, uniformly manifested an impressive physical and moral superiority ; which has, however, appeared in modified shapes, in accordance with the progress of education in the different countries, in some checked by the barbarous despotism of the government, in others by the jealousy of an ignorant, avaricious, and intolerant priesthood: while, under the milder and more enlightened states, it has been protected and encouraged; and, in consequence, its influence has become apparent in corresponding manifestations, strikingly exemplified in the intellectual characteristics of the English, the French, and the Germans, compared with those of the Russians and Turks.

As the limit of the human faculties is beyond the reach of precise definition, so the exact boundary of the influence of education can never be ascertained. The tree of knowledge spreads forth its numerous branches in various forms; and as the human mind is not constituted alike in any two individuals, different opinions cannot fail to be entertained as to the kind of intellectual attainment best calculated for our welfare and happiness, as well as of the mode of acquiring it; but, unless some more expeditious and more effectual mode could be adopted of imparting a knowledge of the Latin language than through the ~ medium of the Eton Grammar, I cannot help thinking, that, in a countless number of instances, seven years of a boy’s life are uselessly employed or thrown away. An acquaintance with various languages is all very well in its way, and may be desirable where there exists a thirst for it, and a requisite capacity for its attainment; but let it not be forgotten, that after much time and labour have been spent upon the study in question, and a competent knowledge obtained, the mind thus becomes loaded with a number of artificial signs, which can never generate or produce new ideas, and, I am inclined to think, scarcely assist the powers of expression. A professed linguist will very rarely be found overburthened with genius or ability; and, in defiance of his immense mental store of the elements of composition, neither his orations nor writings are found to evince that superiority which an unreflecting view of the case would suppose him capable of imparting. A knowledge of modern languages is pleasant and useful, because it enables the possessor to converse with strangers, or correspond with foreign countries; and, in this respect, the French is preferable to every other, on account of its being more generally understood: but, in the present state of the world, when the literary treasures of the ancients are to be found in all the tongues of the present day, the time which youth devote to the acquisition of the dead languages, and far more frequently to the abortive attempt, might be much better employed in the attainment of useful instructive science and sound philosophy.

If we take a retrospective glance at ancient Greece, at a period when its genius produced those specimens of art and science which have continued unrivalled— those compositions in prose and verse which have never been surpassed—one language. only was used, and indeed it may truly be said, that one language only was understood. -

In most of our seminaries for education, an obstinate adherence to antiquated customs is perseveringly pursued, to the serious injury of the pupil ; and, in defiance of common sense and reason, folly is allowed to usurp the station where philosophy ought to become paramount. Like linguists, schoolmasters are not remarkable for genius; nor is it an uncommon occurrence for a person of this class to profess to teach Latin and Greek, who is utterly incapable of expressing his ideas correctly in his mother tongue.

Instead of that systematic sameness so prevalent in the education of youth, a well-considered discretion should be exercised; the construction of the tyro’s mind should be ascertained, and his studies selected according to the bent of his genius, or the peculiar faculties of his mind. There perhaps never occurred an instance where an individual was calculated to excel in all the arts and sciences; and although the story of the “‘ Admirable Crichton” has been placed before the eyes of the world in several, indeed many, publications, those who can credit what is related of him must possess a much more than ordinary share of credulity. The Emperor Napoleon, unquestionably one of the most extraordinary men that ever appeared, and whose operations, being so importantly public, enable any person of reflection to form a tolerable estimate of his character, evinced more skill in occupying positions than in defending them: he could fight a battle, but could not effect a retreat; he was deficient in what the old and ill-used Roman general, Sartorius, deemed essentially requisite in the commander of an army, namely, looking behind him. Similar observations are equally applicable to Hannibal, to Julius Cesar, to Julian the Apostate, and indeed to ali those illustrious individuals, whose extraordinary and well-authenticated actions and performances have been transmitted for the interesting amusement and instruction of admiring posterity.