418 TO FRIENDSHIP. 



increase the power and activity of such organs as are naturally 

 sluggish, to bridle and repress those which are naturally too strong 

 and active, and to direct such as are likely to go astray. But there 

 is certainly no room for praise when a pupil has a relish for his 

 studies, any more than if he has a relish for an apple tart 3 the 

 studies are pursued with avidity for the same reason that the apple 

 tart is swallowed with satisfaction — namely, the pleasure which it 

 yields. In the same way, if a person is very obliging and compas- 

 sionate, his acts of benevolence do not properly admit of praise, 

 inasmuch as they are rewarded by an innate pleasure arising from 

 the very act of doing good implanted in him by his Creator ; and 

 what is there to praise in the act of procuring for oneself pleasure ? 

 That delightful ornithologist, Wilson, seems to have understood 

 this; speakiiiy: of the motives which induced him to undergo the 

 perils, toils, and hardships, of his romantic ornithological tours in 

 North America, and to undertake an extensive and laborious work 

 on ornithology, he says — " Biassed, almost from infancy, by a 

 foudness for birds, and little else than an enthusiast in my 

 researches after them, I feel happy to communicate my observa- 

 tions to others, probably /rom tlie mere principle of self-gratification, 

 that source of so many even of our most virtuous actions.'^ — Introduc- 

 tion to " American Ornithology." If instead of saying so many, he 

 had said all, he would have spoken the whole truth. 



The benefit conferred on the human race by the dissemination 

 of phrenology, is like the refreshing and reviving influence of some 

 great river overflowing and irrigating the surrounding meadows, 

 which were beginning to become parched, like the mighty Nile dis- 

 persing its enriching favors far and wide. Its influence is as varied 

 as its scope is extensive, and in promoting all the advantages which 

 have sprung and will continue to spring from it till time shall be 

 no more, none will have contributed more than the third and 

 greatest triumvirate — Gall, Spurzheim, and Combe. 



S. D. W. 



June, 1835. 



TO FRIENDSHIP. 



Immortal Friendship, loveliest of those ties 

 That knit our fallen nature to the skies; 

 Without thy influence, throuj^h the world we stray. 

 As the lone wanderer of a weary way. 

 Who seeks in vain for e'en aTi humble shed, 

 To rest his limbs, and ease his achinj; head. 

 So 'reft of thee no kindred breast we find 

 To share the burthen of a troubled mind. 

 No friendly word, no sigh responsive given. 

 No pitying tear, the kindly dew of heaven. 

 Till crush'd by sorrow, overcome by pain. 

 Breaks the sad heart, Hor breaks to heal again. 



J. P. 



