ON THE CONNECTION BETWEEN PHRENOLOGY, &C. 285 



rules to point out composers and what kind of composition they 

 would excel in, should turn his attention to those who warbled the 

 sweetest strains of the great masters of harmony — such as Braham, 

 Catalani, Sontag, or Malibran — he would find himself with equal 

 difficulties, as these singers, and many others, have not features of 

 similar forms ; but if he looked at their brains he would find large 

 organs of Melody, Time, &c., in all of them. That the reader may 

 be satisfied that I do not unfairly depreciate the merits of Physiog- 

 nomy, or that I ask their acquiescence to my views without 

 convincing their judgment, I submit the following phrenological 

 experiment, made by the writer of this article, on board the Hull 

 and Gainsborough steamer, in the summer of 1827. I had seated 

 myself in the stern of the vessel, next to a Danish merchant, who 

 told me he was from Copenhagen, and that he should shortly return 

 there. As I knew that in that city a phrenological journal was 

 published, I asked some particulars about it, and inquired what was 

 the state of Phrenology on the continent, as the merchant had some 

 little knowledge of the science through the writings of Drs. Otto 

 and Hoppe; but I found him a kind of negative convert. He 

 thought there was " something in it, but it was a mere theory, 

 which would never be available for useful purposes." I controvert- 

 ed his statement, and in particular urged its importance in educa- 

 tion. The merchant required some proof, and said, " Are you ac- 

 quainted with any of the passengers ?" Receiving an answer in 

 the negative, he continued, " Well, then, what do you think of that 

 person ?" The individual pointed at stood leaning against the en- 

 trance of the cabin, and it soon appeared that he had noticed the 

 fact of his being the subject of our conversation. He approached us 

 and very frankly told us so. I was obliged to explain the circum- 

 stance by mentioning part of the previous conversation, and that I 

 had been challenged by my companion to say something of his phre- 

 nological development. The stranger smiled, very obligingly took 

 off his hat, and said " Well, what do you think of me ?" " Why, 

 that you are very fond of Music, and are most likely a good musi- 

 cian.'^* " That is excellent," said the stranger; " could you venture 

 to say that I am a composer, and what kind of Music I have a pre- 

 ference for?" I answered that his organization seemed to me so 



* All the intellectual faculties were large, but Melody, Time, Order, 

 Number, Constructiveness, Ideality, Veneration, JNIarvellousness, Hope, 

 Self-esteem, and Love of Approbation, were very large, and also the domes- 

 tic feelings ; hence the phrenologist will perceive it was not guessing. 



