PROCEEDINGS OP SOCIETIES. 205 



WARRINGTON PHRENOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Since the insertion of our brief notice (p. 108) of this Institution -—established 

 Oct. 4, 1837 — we have received a printed copy of its rules, &c, which we now 

 proceed to lay before our readers. 



Address. — The claims of Phrenology to be numbered amongst the exact 

 sciences have now been before the world upwards of forty years. During this 

 period it has been subjected by its opponents to the bitterest invective and the 

 most unsparing ridicule : and has passed through as searching an ordeal as their 

 acuteness and severity could devise. So far, however, from effecting its ruin, 

 Phrenology, by the innumerable facts which its advocates have collected and 

 published to the world, has forced itself upon the public mind, and at present, in 

 this kingdom, there are not less than thirty societies, numbering upwards of one 

 thousand members — at once studying and extending the knowledge of its princi- 

 ples amongst all classes of the community. In France and the United States of 

 America its success has been equally great. So rapid an extension of principles, 

 once so decidedly unpopular, unaided by adventitious support, is without a parallel 

 in the History of Philosophy. It may reasonably excite astonishment amongst 

 the incredulous, and general curiosity amongst all classes to become acquainted 

 with its doctrines. Professing as it does to render the most speculative of all 

 sciences — that of mind — the most practical, by the establishment of universal 

 principles from the most rigorous induction of innumerable and well-observed 

 psychological facts : — and to submit to the evidence of the senses the mental and 

 moral character of individuals of all classes, and under all kinds of circumstances — 

 its value, if true, cannot easily be over-estimated. The fact of so many individuals 

 in this and surrounding nations, eminent for their knowledge in all the various 

 branches of art and science, becoming converts to its principles, gives probability 

 of its truth, and fully justifies if it does not demand, the careful consideration of 

 all who have leisure to examine, and a capacity to profit by its discoveries. 

 Under these circumstances it is considered that no further apology is required to 

 introduce to public notice a society which has been formed for the purpose of 

 affording its members an opportunity of examining the subject of Phrenology in 

 all its relations, and who, without pledging themselves to all that has been written 

 or published by phrenologists, may avail themselves of the facilities afforded by 

 mutual association to inform themselves of all that is practicable and demonstra- 

 ble in this New Philosophy : and who, without subjecting themselves to the 

 imputation of a weak credulity, may examine the facts upon which its principles 

 are founded and the uses to which they are applicable. 



President — John Davies, M.D. Vice-President — William Grierson, Sur- 

 geon. Treasurer — Robert Gaskell. Corresponding Secretary — William 



