and that but by estimate, viz. the size of the organ. Its activity must be estimated by the intellect. Its degree of fineness is, at least in the living subject, an impenetrable secret. Its culture would need to be told the phrenologist, before he can give a correct development of character; which, to be just, should include an estimate of all the actions, combined and opposite, of the entire system of phrenological organs, modified by its general power.

We have not done yet with the elements requisite for the forming of a phrenological judgment. We must attend to the constitutional qualities of the brain. Mr Combe says, "There are some constitutional qualities which can be judged of only by knowing the qualities of the stock or race from which the individual under examination is descended." ""* Here we have a new and perplexing circumstance to consider and estimate. There are two parents. The constitutional qualities of each parent must be known, estimated, compared, and balanced. Even remote ancestors may introduce disturbance into the result, by infusing into those of the race their own peculiar qualities.

Surely we have done now with the elements which we need to combine in forming our estimate! Not yet. There are other perplexities to be removed before correct phrenological conclusions can be drawn. Other particulars, yet unnoticed, demand attention. There is the health of the brain, which may materially modify its action. "In cases of disease," Mr Combe tells us, "great size may be present, and very imperfect manifestations appear; or the brain may be attacked with diseases, such as inflammation, or any of *System of Phrenology, vol. i. p. 49.

those particular affections whose nature is unknown, but to which the name of Mania is given in nosology, and which greatly exalt its action; and then very forcible manifestations may proceed from a brain comparatively small, &c." In these cases of ill health great size may be present, yet there may be only very imperfect manifestations; or, on the contrary, very forcible manifestations may proceed from a brain comparatively small. Here is a new obstacle. How is the inquirer to surmount it? Mr Combe tells us, The phrenologist ascertains, by previous inquiry, that the brain is in a state of health. If it is not, he makes the necessary limitations in his conclusions." Now, as there may be incipient, unsuspected disease in the brain, this particular adds considerably to the difficulties which must be encountered by the phrenologist in forming an estimate of the character from his observations.

All these particulars united, must present great difficulty in the mode of applying the principles of phrenology to practice, even were these principles ever so clearly ascertained. We have said nothing of the anatomical difficulties, arising either from the want of conformity between the interior and exterior of the skull, from the existence of what is called the frontal sinus, which often presents a serious obstacle in the way of the investigator, or from the anomalous changes in the thickness of the skull, which are occasioned by disease, and by advancing age. These must throw additional impediments in the way of the inquirer; but upon them we shall not dilate.

Enough has been said to show that the de

*System of Phrenology, vol. i. pp. 54, 55. + Ibid.

ductions of the phrenologist should at present be regarded rather as probable conjectures, than as well established conclusions. They ought to be given forth with modesty, and received with caution. The bold and reckless confidence which would substitute them in the room of the clear directions found in the page of Revelation, is alike unsafe and unphilosophical.

CHAPTER XV.

ON THE USE OF SCIENCE AS A GUIDE IN THE INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE.

IN Scripture, some things are revealed clearly,— others are indicated obscurely, and others are mentioned indirectly and incidentally.

Regarding the first class of Scripture announcements, there is no need that the interpreter of divine revelation should borrow the lamp of secular science to aid his inquiries. The light he already has, is much more bright and steady than any that science can supply. Here, there is no need that we follow the guidance of Scripture with faltering steps. Our path is plain; it is vividly illuminated. "The wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein." To use the language of Bishop Taylor, in a passage which Mr Combe has approvingly quoted in reference to the interpretation of Scripture (Const. of Man, p. 92):—“ All things NECESSARY to faith and good manners ARE preserved from alteration and corruption, because they are of things necessary, and they could not be necessary unless they were delivered to us; God, in his goodness and his justice, having obliged himself to preserve that which he hath bound us to observe and keep."

But in the interpreting of the second class of Scripture announcements-those which respect things intimated obscurely-the biblical inter

preter need not blush to borrow light from any exact science, whether mathematical, physical, physiological, or mental. These intimations do not relate to objects within the peculiar domain of divine revelation, but to objects bearing a correlation to those to which divine revelation directly refers. In reference to these, let the philosopher and the theologian amicably meet, and agreeably settle their respective claims.

The third class of Scripture intimations, viz. the indirect and incidental, being generally given in language merely popular, should not be too rigidly interpreted by the theologian. These respect matters which the Bible was not designed to teach. Regarding them it would be folly to refuse the aid of science, when engaged in the work of interpretating language that may, in itself, be obscure or equivocal.

It is worthy of remark, however, that many of the obscure and indirect scriptural intimations to which sceptics once strongly objected, have, by the ever-growing light, cast by increasing scientific and historical information, been shown to be minutely and accurately true. Travellers

in oriental regions have discovered numerous illustrations and confirmations of the truthful manner in which the sacred writers have described customs, usages, scenes, and occurrences, which once supplied superficial cavillers with imagined difficulties which they delighted to urge against revelation,-difficulties which their own ignorance alone swelled into appalling magnitude. The recently excavated ruins of Nineveh,—the desolate dwellings of Idumea,-the hieroglyphic records of ancient Egypt, which modern philo