from, an Essay entitled Fresh Thoughts and Suggestions on Phrenology,' which gained a prize at the Glasgow Mechanics' Institution." This paper was read to the Glasgow Phrenological Society several years ago. As a proof of the increasing attention paid to Phrenology, reference is made to "the number of competitors for the prizes offered by Mr Combe and others, to the students attending the different institutions in this city (Glasgow). Mr George Combe offered a prize of five guineas; Mr James M'Clelland, a member of this society, one of the same amount; and Dr Jeffrey, professor of anatomy in our university, intimated his intention also to give a prize; all for the best essay on the subject of Phrenology. There were five competitors for the first, three for the second, and three for the third. It is not unlikely that the same person may have written for more than one of the prizes, but I am not aware of such being the fact, except in one instance; so that it appears that not fewer than ten students, all of them young men, and some of them from the class of artisans, must have been studying with great zeal and industry, probably during the whole winter, this very useful and interesting branch of knowledge, With such a number of writers on the subject during one session, it is not easy to estimate the number who may have been reading, to a greater or less extent, the various phrenological works, and thus acquiring information on the true science of mind. But there is no doubt it must have been very great. This, then, must be gratifying to every phrenologist; and perhaps the circumstance at which we should most rejoice, and upon which phrenologists have great cause for congratulation is, that the subject of Phrenology has been at length considered worthy of being recommended for study, and given out for competition to the youth attending our Alma Mater itself, and this by, I believe, the senior professor in the University." The extracts given from the "Fresh Thoughts" indicate an amount of talent, which, if aided by more extended study and reflection, may produce something of permanent value. The suggestions of the essayist, though sometimes excellent, are at other times rather hastily thrown out. Phrenology has need of fresh thinkers and suggesters; but let them beware of putting forth crude notions instead of the ripe and well-tested results of a comprehensive survey of facts and arguments.-The remaining articles are, reviews of books; a phrenological sketch of the character of а "Political Parson," whom we easily recognize; a case where the dispositions and talents of a gentleman were inferred with great accuracy, by Mr Jonathan Barber, from a statement of the cerebral development by Dr Weir; "Intelligence," in which we find the ridiculous announcement that Mr Spencer Hall's mesmeric exhibitions have "excited an unparalleled interest throughout the whole of England;" a list of seventeen phrenological societies-one of them, at Rothesay in Bute, of recent formation; names of lecturers; and, lastly, three pages of tables appropriate to an almanac. Some readers will smile at what they may denominate the vanity displayed by the editor in placing his own portrait opposite the title-page'; but to his personal friends, the engraving, which seems a good likeness, will be, as it is to us, not unacceptable. 4. The New Moon; or, Crichton Royal Institution Literary Register, No. I.-The idea of starting a journal to be edited, written, and corrected, by inmates of a lunatic asylum, is excellent; for the mental stimulus and occupation which both readers and writers will derive from it, must, in general, be highly salutary. The first number is a creditable production; it consists of a prospectus, several poems, "Intelligence," and an excellent essay "On the Obligation and Influence of Parental Example." Any profit that may be realized by the sale of this psychological curiosity is, we understand, to be employed in forming a fund out of which small sums of money will be paid to pauper patients on their dismissal from the asylum. On every account we wish it success. 5. Phrenologische Untersuchung, des Doktor David Friedrich Strauss, nebst einer Antikritik auf Dr Scheve's Bemerkungen über Seite 57 der Analyse des Characters Dr Justinus Kerners, von M. CASTLE, Med. Dr., &c. &c. Heilbronn, 1844." As the original English "Phrenological Analysis of Daniel [correctly David] Strauss, D.D.," of which this is only a translation into German, has already appeared at full length in the Zoist, No. VII., we beg to refer our readers to that publication. The analysis is acute and interesting, and well worthy of a careful perusal. IV. INTELLIGENCE, &c. Edinburgh. At a meeting of the Phrenological Society, held on 9th December, the following gentlemen were elected office-bearers for the ensuing year-Sir George S. Mackenzie, Bart., President; Charles Maclaren, Andrew Dun, George Monro, and George Cox, Vice-Presidents ; James Simpson, Andrew Combe, M.D., Peter Couper, James Tod, And Patrick Neill, LL.D., and Francis Farquharson, M.D., Councillors; and Robert Cox, Secretary and Curator of Museum. The following books were presented:-" Delle Malattie della Mente ovvero delle diverse Specie di Follie. Opera di Luigi Ferrarese, Dottore in Medicina. Napoli, 1841-3." Vols. I. and III. Presented by the Author. "Discurso que despues de instituida la Soziedad Frenologica Mallorquina, pronunzió ante ella su Presidente Don José O'Rian en Palma de Mallorca, el dia 28 de Marzo de 1844." Presented by the Majorca Phrenological Society.-The thanks of the Society were voted to Dr Ferrarese and the Majorca Phrenological Society for these donations; and Mr Combe (who had seen Dr Ferrarese last winter in Naples) having detailed to the meeting some interesting particulars of the history of that physician, from which it appeared he had suffered severely in the cause of Phrenology and enlightened views generally, the meeting instructed the Secretary to express to him their warm sympathy, and their high admiration of his exertions to spread useful knowledge among his countrymen. (We shall say more of Dr Ferrarese in next number.) With respect to the Society's lawsuit against Dr Verity of Paris, the executor of Dr Robertor, it was reported to the meeting, that, in virtue of the decree of the Cour Royale, ordering Dr Verity to consign for safety 30,000 francs (see ante, xvii. 104), which order had been disregarded, Dr Verity's furniture &c. had been seized and sold; that he had appealed to the Court of Cassation against the judgment of the Cour Royale; and that the appeal stands over for argument, and may not be disposed of for some months, in consequence of the number of cases in arrear before the Supreme Court. Lectures on Phrenology.—The following lectures have lately been delivered : 1. A course of ten lectures at Berlin, last spring, by Dr Hirsch-feld of Bremen. Of these, two were devoted principally to anatomical explanations; four to the principles of Phrenology and the illustration of the cerebral organs; and two more to some applications of Phrenology to questions in ethics. Apparently the last made the greatest impression on the audience. The course was attended by from 30 to 40 persons, amongst whom were a few ladies, several professors, officers, medical men, and teachers. Some of the teachers in particular seemed to take a great interest in the subject, and stated to Dr H., after the last lectures, that they had already introduced it into their professional meetings. 2. A course by Mr Richard Beamish, F.R.S., in October, at Cork, for the benefit of the Lying-in Hospital of that town. The Southern Reporter of 12th October, speaks of these lectures as going on with increased interest and attraction. Every successive evening adds to the number and respectability of his audience, while it develops new characteristics of a science which is invested with all the charms that popular assembly requires. This is peculiarly the case as regards Mr Beamish's mode of lecturing. There are no dry and abstruse disquisitions which puzzle, while they fatigue-no unnecessary technical phraseology, which shrouds the subject in a mist, impervious to vulgar eyes-no; all his observations he illustrates by some agreeable anecdote, some relation of facts, which both please and convince; at the same time that his language is plain and intelligible, yet in no wise wanting dignity and elevation. Mr Beamish must, for these and other reasons, always be a popular lecturer; but his audience on yesterday evening leaves no doubt upon the subject. The lecture-room was filled well-nigh to suffocation, many being only too happy to get accommo dation in the passage. A great number of ladies were present." A correspondent of the same newspaper addresses Mr Beamish, on 7th November, thus :-" Many persons who had the pleasure of attending your lectures on Phrenology and Education, would be very happy to hear you intend to publish them, and should you be persuaded to do so, I venture to predict they will be read with profit by thousands. There is no subject, of equal importance, so imperfectly understood as Physiology, even by those who possess the advantages of a good education; as for those who do not, I believe I shall not exaggerate if I say they know actually nothing of the natural laws, which can never be infringed with impunity, and which 'tis scarcely possible for those to obey who live in profound ignorance of their existence." 3. Six Lectures at Derby, by Mr C. Donovan. "Since the visit of Dr Spurzheim to Derby, shortly before his death," says the Derby Reporter of 1st November, "little has been done to revive the interest then excited in favour of Phrenology, till within the last few weeks, when Mr Donovan, of London, delivered a course of lectures on the subject-(notices of which have appeared in our columns)—in the Hall of the Mechanics' Institution, to large and increasing audiences. At the close of these lectures, Mr Donovan was induced to remain in this town for some time longer, in order to meet the wishes of a number of the members of the Institution, by instructing them in the art of making practical observations in phrenological science by manipulation, &c. This class (numbering about thirty members) received the last of their course of lessons (six in all) on Monday evening last, when a vote of thanks to Mr Donovan, expressive of the most unqualified satisfaction, was unanimously agreed to, and a resolution carried, that the members then assembled should form a class for the regular study of the functions of the brain, as the true basis of mental science." Mr Donovan had previously delivered, on 3d October, a lecture to the Archæological Society at Warwick. At its close, a vote of thanks having been proposed by the Rev. Dr Marsh, the proposition, says the Warwickshire Standard, was carried by acclamation; and the chairman (Rev. Thomas Hope), in communicating the same to the lecturer, expressed his opinion, that the science upon which he had addressed the meeting in so lucid a manner, was well calculated to produce much individual happiness, social comfort, and general welfare." Mr Donovan has delivered another lecture in the same town, introductory to a course; two at Leamington, with the same object; and two at Nottingham. At the conclusion of his first lecture at Leamington, the Rev. Mr Clayton, the vicar, proposed, and the Rev. Mr Medwyn seconded, an expression of approbation and satisfaction. 66 4. A course at the Assembly Rooms, Sheffield, by Mr E. T. Craig, in October and November to crowded audiences. At the close of each lecture he manipulated the heads of several individuals, and is said to have been remarkably successful in deducing their mental peculiarities. 5. Several lectures at the Mechanics' Institution, Sligo, in November, by Mr Alexander Wilson of Dublin. On 3d December he delivered a lecture in Hudson's large room there, in aid of the funds of the Institution. On this occasion, as we learn from the Sligo Journal, of 6th December, Dr Little, surgeon to the Sligo Infirmary, "favoured the meeting with a short but forcible address, illustrative and confirmatory of the phrenological theory." Thanks were voted to Mr Wilson, whom, by the way, the paragraph in the newspaper styles "Professor," '-we hope without any sanction from himself. 6. At the Polytechnic Institution, Southampton, on Wednesday evening, Mr J. R. Stebbing delivered a very able and interesting lecture before a highly respectable audience of the members and friends of the Institution, on the Principles of Phrenology. Mr S. commenced by expatiating on the advantages society derived from the diffusion of scientific information, and expressed a warm attachment to the Institution. The lecture was of a highly interesting and useful character, and was delivered with that talent and perspicuity of manner which usually characterise that gentleman's lectures."-Salisbury Journal, Nov. 23. 1844. tors. Mesmerism and Phreno-Mesmerism.-Since our last publication, Mr Spencer T. Hall has paid two visits to Edinburgh, holding on both occasions several numerously and respectably attended conversazioni, in the large Waterloo Room. The same phenomena were exhibited as he had previously shewn at Glasgow (see ante, xvii. 414); of the genuineness of the chief of them, we find, after witnessing three exhibitions, no room for doubt. Such of the experiments as were performed on persons unknown to Mr Hall, were, of course, the most satisfactory to the spectaWhat struck us forcibly, was the circumstance, that although in all phreno-mesmeric cases we had previously seen, the activity of the mental faculties ceased the moment the operator's finger was withdrawn from the head, this seldom if ever happened with Mr Hall's subjects, by whom the faculties continued to be displayed when contact no longer existed. Of his numerous new organs," very little was said. We may add, that although his prelections were not in all respects suitable to the taste of a cultivated audience, and the style of his advertisements was little calculated to prepossess the public in his favour, Mr Hall has left a favourable impression of his moral and intellectual character, and zeal in the pursuit of truth. While here, he experimented in private as well as in public, and copious reports of the results may be seen in several Numbers of the Supplement to the North British Advertiser, and in the Scotsman of 16th October. We are glad to learn that he intends to go through a course of medical study. 66 Most of our readers have doubtless seen in the public journals Miss Martineau's account of her cure by Mesmerism, and of certain mesmeric phenomena which she has witnessed in a young woman with whom she is intimately acquainted. The Athenæum of 23d November and several subsequent Saturdays, contains her statement in full. Miss Martineau is well known to dislike Phrenology, and it is amusing to see how carefully she appears to avoid coming in contact with it. "I have said nothing," she remarks," of Phrenology in connection with Mesmerism, though it is thought by those who understand both better than I do, that they are hardly separable. I have no other reason for speaking of Mesmerism by itself, than that I am not qualified to give any facts or opinions on phrenological phenomena induced by Mesmerism. The only fact I have witnessed (probably because we do not know how to look for evidence) in the course of our experiment was amusing enough, but too isolated to base any statement on J. appeared one day to be thrown into a paroxysm of order, when that organ was the part mesmerised. She was almost in a frenzy of trouble that she could not make two pocket-handkerchiefs lie flat and measure the same size; and the passion with which she arranged every thing that lay awry, was such as is certainly never seen in any waking person. This fit of order was curious and striking as far as it went; and this is all I am at present qualified to say. (Athenæum, 7th Dec. 1844, p. 1118). Miss Martineau "does not know how to look for evidence ;" yet she reports one piece of evidence, identical in its character with twenty others which might, without any deeper knowledge," have been "looked for" in other parts of the head! But 66 |