CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 341 



the heads of the various chapters, would occupy considerably more 

 space than we can spare; but suffice it to say, that there is a little 

 of every thing connected with scientific matters, and that a correct 

 though not a deep knowledge of the subjects alluded to, may be 

 gleaned from a survey and perusal of the book. The typography 

 and binding are modest and unobtrusive, but neat. 



Phrenology Vindicated: being a Reply to an article in the Quarterly 

 Review for September, 1836 ; with Introductory Observations on 

 the Science in general. By Joshua Toulmin Smith, Esq., of 

 Lincoln's Inn. London : Longman & Co. 1836. 8vo., pp. 80. 



Nothing can be more gratifying to the true phrenologist, or 

 prove more satisfactorily the rapid strides this glorious science is 

 taking, than the number of excellent works on the subject which 

 are continually issuing from the press ; and we were much pleased 

 at witnessing the readiness with which the attack on the science, in 

 the Quarterly Review, has been refuted. This attack is a review of 

 Combe's Outlines of Phrenology, and is, perhaps, the most imbecile 

 attempt of the kind that has ever been made ; abounding with in- 

 consistencies and absurdities, of which any tyro in Phrenology 

 would be ashamed. This being the case, it might be imagined to 

 be an easy task to fell the reviewer to the ground : but no such 

 thing. The anti-phrenologists are such marvellous dealers in the 

 ambiguous, and couch their assertions in such a manner that it is 

 often a difficult matter to deal with them. Mr. Smith has, how- 

 ever, faced this champion of anti-phrenology boldly, and acquitted 

 himself exceedingly well. He has adopted the analytic mode, and 

 has picked his antagonist to the bone in each of his assertions. The 

 pamphlet is stated to have been ready for the press in forty-eight 

 hours after the author first received the September number of the 

 Quarterly Review. The style is good, the reasoning sound and 

 clever ; and if the author has sometimes spoken with more warmth 

 than the occasion might seem to require, we, as phrenologists, can 

 readily understand and excuse his zeal and enthusiasm in so noble a 



The Quarterly Journal of Agriculture. Nos. 33 and 34. 1836. 



Amongst the great and constantly increasing number of periodi- 

 cals, few are more likely to spread practical knowledge amongst 

 farmers than this journal. All the communications inserted are 

 of real worth and interest ; and we would more especially draw the 

 attention of our readers to the memoir of Sir John Sinclair con- 

 tained in these two Nos. There are also some interesting, and we 

 think original papers on hedge-birds, by Prof. Rennie ; many spe 

 cies are, however, included which cannot properly be termed hedge 

 birds, and other errors are perpetrated which we are unable here 

 to notice. 



