380 NOTICES OF THE MEETINGS (Feb. 17, 
nervous disorder with imperfection or excess in the circulating 
system. 
Although the doctrines of the phrenologists have met with little 
favour, and the pretensions of recent professors of occult methods 
of acting upon the nervous system have thrown an air of absurdity 
even over the truths of what is called phrenology, no person not 
altogether devoid of the power of observation can affect to overlook 
the general importance of the shape and even of the size of the 
brain in relation to the development of the mental faculties. The 
head of an idiot always manifests defect in one of these particulars, 
if not in both. The head of a lunatic is irregularly developed in a 
very large majority of instances; and in the worst cases of insanity, 
where the tendency of the disorder is to pass into dementia, the 
anterior lobes of the brain are very defective. If we refuse to 
admit that the constitution, size, and shape of the brain have any 
relation to or connection with the extraordinary manifestation of 
particular faculties, in various instances, independently of all edu- 
cation, we must deny that the large lobes of the brain in man are 
of any use at all in relation to faculties which are certainly not 
seated in other portions of the nervous system. It is more rea- 
sonable to consider each of the large and marked divisions of the 
brain, and each of the convolutions, with their copious supply of 
grey or vesicular nerve-substance, as possessing distinct offices ; 
’ and the more or less perfect development of these several masses, 
and the greater or less nervous energy they possess, as circum- 
stances connected with the varieties of mental character, and with 
the disordered manifestations of the mind. Each mass, or each 
subdivision of such masses, may, like each nerve, have a distinct 
office. Each, however excited, may only be capable of one kind of 
manifestation of the excitement. Each, when in a healthy state, 
may be excited simultaneously throughout ; and each in disease may 
be excited irregularly, or too long, or lose the power of being 
excited altogether. 
But, leaving these speculations or analogies, where so much is 
obscure, experience has taught us that the violent emotions and 
passions of the mind, and propensities rendered masterly by indul- 
gence, and the undue and exclusive employment of certain intellec- 
tual faculties, tend to produce disturbances in the functions of the 
brain, —to confuse the reason, to disorder the affections, and to 
degrade man to the dust. The reason and sense which we boast of 
should be employed therefore to secure itse/f amidst the shocks and 
blows incidental to the battle of life, and to guide the whole mind 
temperately through the sunshine and the storm. Well ordered 
affections, well directed aspirations, worthy and practicable objects, 
the pursuit of truth, and the desire to do good,—these things 
exercise, but do not discompose the understanding. Patience 
under trials which must come to all, and a trustful hope of a higher 
life after this life— these things do not lead to mental derangement. 
But all vehement passions, and mere worldly ambition, and frettings 
